Nonprofit seeks to connect Indonesian community with local culture, business

The Greater Dover Chamber of Commerce organized a ribbon cutting and networking event for the Indonesian Community Connect Inc. last week. (Courtesy/Dover Chamber of Commerce)

SOMERSWORTH - Indonesian Community Connect Inc. hosted a ribbon cutting and networking event on Thursday that served as a platform for the organization to present their Little Indonesia vision to the local business community.

The event was planned and organized by the Greater Dover Chamber of Commerce. There were guest speakers that took the stage in support of the new business venture, including Dover Mayor Robert Carrier, Senator David Watters, Dover Chamber President Margaret Joyce, CEO of GoodWork Molly Hodgson, and the representative at the embassy of Indonesia Wira Kartono. They all spoke in front of the group about their excitement regarding the Little Indonesia project by ICC Inc.

ICC Inc. was established in 2017 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with the focus to connect the Indonesian community with their surrounding area through educational, economic, and festive affairs that promote the richness of the Indonesian cultural heritage.

Raude Raychel, founder and president of ICC Inc., believes that it's important to connect the Indonesian culture to the community and was appreciative of the support shown at the event.

"We are so grateful for the Dover Chamber and all of the individuals who came out to show support," Raychel said. "Thank you to Mayor Carrier, Senator Watters, Sheriff Mark Brave, and so on. I hope to both educate the community and celebrate our heritage with the Little Indonesia project."

The first of its kind in the world, the Little Indonesia project is a long-term vision of ICC Inc. to build the community and enhance the relations and partnerships between Indonesia and the United States. The expressions of art, culture and economic opportunities via a vibrant business district and tourism element that will highlight the trade sector, tourism, investment and services between the local community, New England region, and the two nations.

Little Indonesia was formed to create a sense of place, belonging, and pride. It features three concepts: Urban park development, Indonesian Cultural Center, and the Little Indonesia District. The Urban Park Development will contain a Little Indonesia welcoming gate, an outdoor stage for performances, Indonesian island garden, Little Indonesia urban park and park signages for a tourism element. The Indonesian Cultural Center will have a museum, food hall, shopping center, auditorium, multi-purpose hall, and the ICC Inc. headquarters. The Little Indonesia District will feature Little Indonesia itself, which will be a commercial district and development.

The Little Indonesia project will be broken down into three phases. Phase 1 is already under way and is planned to wrap up by March 2022. The long-term vision calls for $2.5 million for Phase 2 and $4.5 million for Phase 3.

For more information about the Indonesian Community Connect and their future plans, visit www.indonesianconnect.org or www.facebook.com/IndonesianConnect.