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Many firms have asked the U.S. Department of Commerce for ‘basic’ export training. They have developed a program called Export University, which explains in detail the export process. The first Export University 101- will be held in Ft. Wayne.
We have asked experts in sales, finance, and logistics to present on these important topics. Click here for event details.
To register now click here: https://emenuapps.ita.doc.gov/ePublic/newWebinarRegistration.jsp?SmartCode=2Q8S
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The Michigan City Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC) hosted its 2012 Business Investment Awards Celebration on April 25, 2012 at the Blue Chip Casino Hotel Spa in Michigan City. The dinner event, which is held every two years, recognized local companies who have made substantial financial investments in their business during 2011 and 2012, as well as honored companies who are celebrating special anniversaries in 2012 and 2013.
The keynote address was presented by Michigan City’s own, Dag Kittlaus, the co-founder and CEO of Siri, the personal voice recognition application for the iphone 4S. Dag attended Long Beach Grade School, Michigan City Elston High School and Indiana University.
The event is part of the MCEDC’s ongoing business retention effort which is to help support and retain the existing businesses and acknowledge new investments in the community. “Staying in business is one of the greatest accomplishments most companies can claim and we wanted to recognize those Michigan City area businesses that have met that challenge,” said MCEDC Executive Director, Kevin Kieft. He continued, “We are very fortunate to have many fine companies in our community who have made their home here, employing thousands of our residents and working to help make Michigan City a wonderful place to work, play and live. The companies we honor this evening embody that sense of community pride.”
A capacity crowd of nearly 250 people attended the celebration, representing city, county and state elected officials, educators, not for profit organizations and businesses. The MCEDC regularly partners with these local factions as it works toward the retention of existing business and the attraction of new investments in the community. A total of 11 companies received Business Investment Awards and 11 companies were honored for anniversaries ranging from 20 years to 90 years of operation in Michigan City. NIPSCO received a special award in honor of the company’s 100th anniversary this year.
Mayor Ron Meer, an ex officio member of the MCEDC board of directors, addressed the crowd and stated, “Our manufacturers produce products that are shipped around the world. Our brand names are synonymous with the highest industrial standards. We are proud that Michigan City has created an environment conducive to successful business operations.”
Click here for event program (PDF)
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The Michigan City Redevelopment Commission unanimously approved the expansion of the South Side tax increment financing district (TIF) after a public hearing Monday.
The TIF expansion will allow developers to make the Dunes Plaza properties off of US. 20 and Franklin Avenue available to new retail or service businesses and to move forward with the development.
Redevelopment Commission President Ken Behrendt said the next step is for Key Development to work with the commission to work out development details.
“Now we have to have a structured contract between us and the developers as to what the redevelopment commission’s financial investment in the project will be,” he said.
The TIF district, which is a funding method for property and roadwork development, now includes the vacant cinema building, the former Kmart and buildings around the plaza. The buildings will be upgraded or demolished using the TIF funds. Plus, the TIF designation could generate up to $150,000 a year in taxes and may not last 25 years, which is the time allotted for the TIF add-on.
Michigan City has three TIF districts, starting since 1986, a North Side TIF at the Blue Chip Casino, a North East TIF at North Roeske Avenue and the South Side TIF.
Preliminary commission meeting discussions revealed that Long John Silvers, Fortune House and the strip mall with Godfather’s Pizza can benefit from road improvements to roadways surrounding the site and into the plaza. The strip mall built in the 1960s could get a new facade.
Chris Sotos, chief financial officer for Key Development Partners, proposed earlier this month that demolishing 153,000 square feet of buildings in the plaza could cost up to $700,000, including costs for asbestos abatement.
The national clothing retailer, Kohl’s, could build and open by fall of 2013.
Plaza ownership is in bankruptcy proceedings and Key Development Partners is asking for a quick sale of the property through the proceedings and trustees of the properties, officials said.
http://thenewsdispatch.com/articles/2012/04/24/news/local/doc4f95fc4d5859f739710234.txt
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Towns collaborate during La Porte County Rural Summit
Community members from La Porte County were in the process of planning for the future of the county at the fifth annual Rural Summit on Saturday morning.
Jim Jessup from Leadership La Porte County had challenges for the summit volunteers to work on during the morning, such as meeting a new friend and neighbor from another community, learn something new, get new information and take at least one good idea back to their community to proactively work on.
The La Porte County Rural Summit 5, hosted at the Wanatah American Legion Hall, is a collaboration of the rural regions in La Porte County. Summit participants look to discuss current issues within their community and create proposals for solutions to the issues.
Representatives gathered from almost everywhere in La Porte County, except Michigan City and La Porte, including: La Crosse, Wanatah, Hanna, Kingsford Heights, Westville, Kingsbury, Union Mills, Stillwell, Fish Lake, Mill Creek, Rolling Prairie, Coolspring Township, Springfield Township, Door Village/Scipio Township and Hudson Lake.
"We have had a lot of students here. That is one thing we stress is youth," said Maggi Spartz, president of the Unity Foundation of La Porte County. "It's for them."
A speaker from Baroda, Mich. came to speak about how their industry left their small town and how the community had to find an alternative way to keep the town surviving. They placed emphasis on their wine making and gave the town and county a new label to represent themselves and keep their economic growth maintainable after the businesses left.
"Do we have these things?" said Jessup about having resources to fund a project to help a community. "You do have these things. We need to access them. "
Jessup said he was hoping for 100 people to attend and was a little disappointed with the turn out at the summit meeting. He said that some of the people may have been working on their farms that morning.
Each town received a grant application to write out a proposal that could award the town up to $500 for the first stage of funding the project.
The Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission (NIRPC) also presented at the summit and discussed the 2040 plan to make the region vibrant and thriving between now and 30 years from now.
The summit may be an annual meeting but the grant money and technical support is ongoing by the organizations to continue to build the communities.
"It's grassroots," said Carrie Kibben from New Durham, Westville. "It is the people that come out."
The sponsoring partners that fund the program are the Purdue Extension, Leadership La Porte County, La Porte County Economic Development Alliance, Unity Foundation, United States Department of Agriculture and An Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Institution.
"We will continue the same concept of the annual seminar but it may not be in this format," said Jessup.
Jessup encourages the rural community of La Porte County to use their resources and contact organizations to implement ideas to help their communities.
http://heraldargus.com/articles/2012/04/18/news/local/doc4f8cc8d907a74877841464.txt
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Indiana University Health La Porte Hospital, the City of La Porte and the La Porte County Family YMCA have partnered to provide a newly created weekly non-competitive group for interested walkers and runners or just those interested in general fitness.
All members of the public are invited to attend ‘Fitness Fridays,’ offered at 4 p.m. every Friday from March 30 - Sept. 28 (weather permitting) at the Y, 901 Michigan Ave. in La Porte. Participants are asked to meet at the Michigan Avenue entrance.
Participants may walk or run along a scenic 5K route that starts in downtown La Porte at the intersection of Maple and Michigan avenues, ventures by the historic homes and down the tree-lined streets of Michigan Avenue, passes through the Beechwood Golf Course and returns back to the Y.
Fitness Fridays came to fruition as an initiative to promote fitness and active lifestyles, program organizers said. Organizers brainstormed innovative ideas for months before gaining unanimous support to provide the community with healthy programs like Fitness Fridays.
There is no cost to participate in Fitness Fridays, and participants have the option to walk or run a shorter distance if they desire.
“I’m thrilled with the partnership and cross-participation between all three entities,” Mayor Blair Milo said. “We all pro-actively worked together to provide La Porteans a casual, social option of exercise through the beautiful scenery of La Porte. We encourage everyone to come out each Friday, bring the whole family and make a change to improve your quality of life.”
The initial March 30 Fitness Friday will kick off with sign ups and other activities. Additional events and activities will be planned throughout the summer as well. In addition, IU Health La Porte Hospital will provide a free T-shirt to participants who attend more than ten Fitness Fridays.
The flat route was designed to be all-inclusive - for beginners, amateurs or seasoned runners of all ages and fitness levels.
“This is really for everybody,” said Cindy Berchem, executive director of the Y. “We want to raise awareness for our community to get up, get involved and start moving. It’s always a lot easier to be active when you have a friend, a spouse or other family member to bring along.”
For more information, call the Y at (219) 325-9622.
http://thenewsdispatch.com/articles/2012/03/31/news/local/doc4f73cf6394ecd063733714.txt
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The Michigan City Common Council approved two tax abatements, one for the KTR Corporation and another for Sager Metal Strip Company.
According to the state of Indiana, local governments use tax abatements to attract private investment and jobs by allowing companies not to pay all or a part of the new or increased assessed value from the new investment tax roll on real estate or equipment.
According to City Attorney James Meyer, the program in these two cases in Michigan City is where the property owners would not pay taxes on the assessed value of the equipment over a period of ten years starting with a 100 percent exemption the first year, paying a 90 percent exemption the second year and so forth, until they go back to paying 100 percent of the assessed value.
Kevin Kieft of the Michigan City Economic Development Corporation explained even though a five-year abatement process is available, the 1ten-year program was requested.
The Economic Development Corporation is expected to review abatement compliance annually to ensure its compliance. The number of jobs created as part of the agreement is an estimate or "projection," and the company is given time to provide them, Kieft said.
The State Economic Development Corporation also asked the city to approve the abatements because of the local incentives like employment, he said.
Mayor Ron Meer previously said in a released statement, "I am excited about the commitment KTR Corporation has shown to Michigan City. It is exciting for Michigan City to have the leading global manufacturer of wind generator couplings expand its U.S. headquarters here. I am proud to have KTR Corporation, a contributor to the alternative energy initiative, call Michigan City home."
The KTR Corporation's abatement request is for the 122 Anchor Road facility. The company relocated to Michigan City in 1988, currently employs 43 people and could hire another 20, according to the city documents. Kieft said that it was a competitive move for Michigan City so the company wouldn't move out of state. The abatement is expected on manufacturing and technology equipment valued at $1.4 million.
The city council also approved abatement for the Sager Metal Strip Company, LLC, at its 100 Boone Drive facility in Michigan City. It currently employs 41 people and plans to add three more. It will receive abatement on $430,000 in manufacturing and IT equipment, according to the resolution.
http://thenewsdispatch.com/articles/2012/04/18/news/local/doc4f8e3003213b1742572408.txt
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Eleven+ galleries and artful businesses welcome you every "First Friday" from 5-8PM. Michigan City, IN is on the shores of Lake Michigan and a one hour drive from Chicago. The South Shore Train line also takes you right to our district.
Most galleries are within walking distance and there is a wide variety of art to be seen. Start your tour at the Southern Shore Art Association at 724 Franklin. As the president of the SSAA, I am very fortunate to be able to work with over 70 very talented local artist members. We are always welcoming new members, so please check out www.SouthernShoreArtAssociation.com for more info. We offer a new show every month with openings on "First Fridays" where refreshments will be served.
You can pair your visit with a trip to the Lighthouse Premium Outlet Mall which is 2 blocks West of our gallery, or the Blue Chip Casino a few blocks East.
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KTR Corp.’s announcement on Friday that the power transmission components manufacturer plans to expand operations at its U.S. headquarters at 122 Anchor Road could mean as many as 20 new jobs at the Michigan City facility.
The company, a subsidiary of German-based KTR Kupplungstechnick, GmbH, plans to invest more than $1.5 million to purchase computer-numerican-control machinery and renovate its 42,000 square-foot manufacturing and sales facility.
KTR Corporation already employs 43 Indiana residents. According to company President William Ketcham, the expansion of the Michigan City headquarters was planned because “we have been located here for 20 years.”
Michigan City Mayor Ron Meer says he is excited about the corporation’s commitment to the city.
“It is exciting for Michigan City to have the leading global manufacturer of wind generator couplings expand its U.S. headquarters here,” he said. “I am proud to have KTR Corp., a contributor to the alternative energy initiative, call Michigan City home.”
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered KTR as much as $150,000 in conditional tax credits based on its job creation plans, according to the Friday announcement.
“This provides tax abatement benefits to KTR for its expansion investment and supports development in the industrial neighborhood where they are located,” according to economic development officials.
Founded in Michigan City in 1988, the corporation supplies nearly 80 percent of all couplings in wind turbines worldwide.
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The Northwest Indiana Small Business Development Center has named Lorri Feldt regional director. Feldt has worked in management at Whirlpool Corp. (NYSE: WHR) and served as an instructor at Purdue University North Central.
Business advisor Lorri Feldt has been named regional director of the Northwest Indiana Small Business Development Center.
She brings more than 25 years of business-based expertise to the role. She has worked at Whirlpool Corp. in sales, customer service and marketing management capacities as well as served as a consultant and instructor at Purdue University North Central.
“I am excited about the opportunity to further engage SBDC resources to contribute to business growth and economic momentum in Northwest Indiana,” Feldt said.
As regional host, Purdue University Calumet Chancellor Thomas Keon looks forward to how the organizations will unite under Feldt’s leadership.
“Economic development is an important role for Purdue Calumet and the SBDC, as it stimulates and reinforces small businesses in our community. Our new director brings experience and motivation to the position and to the business community,” Keon said.
In the future, Feldt said the SBDC will be building on a solid base that has emerged under former Regional Director LeAnn McCrum and Interim Regional Director Bill Gregory.
“Our team of business advisors and the initiatives that LeAnn and Bill had underway position us well to serve business owners in the region,” Feldt said.
Serving seven counties in the region, the NWI SBDC offers no-cost assistance for entrepreneurs starting or expanding their businesses. Through one-on-one consulting, the NWI SBDC helps guide small businesses toward their goals by offering referrals, workshops, training opportunities and other essential business tools. It is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the Small Business Administration, the State of Indiana and other local partners.
InsideINdianaBusiness.com Report
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Travelers flying from South Bend (SBN) can expect a few positive changes during summer 2012. More flights are being added on a popular hub route, opening up more connecting opportunities.
Beginning in June, Delta Air Lines, the largest carrier flying from South Bend, will be adding another daily inbound and outbound flight to Atlanta from SBN. With a total of four daily departures to Atlanta, and six a day to Detroit, travelers will find it easier to find connections to any of Delta’s 350 worldwide destinations.
The additional Delta flights went on sale to the public this past Saturday. It is currently scheduled to run in the SBN market from June 7th through mid-to-late November and will allow for more travel flexibility and connecting options for our travelers.
“Our new daily flight between South Bend and Atlanta means even more opportunity for our South Bend customers to enjoy convenient connecting service on Delta to destinations worldwide,” said Joe Esposito, Delta’s Managing Director – Domestic Network Planning.
With the additional daily flights from SBN, area travelers will enjoy a total of 13 daily nonstop flights to three Delta hubs: Atlanta, GA, Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN, and Detroit, MI. From these destinations, SBN passengers can connect to hundreds of cities across the United States, Europe and into the Caribbean. “We are pleased with the addition of more flight options to Atlanta,” said South Bend Airport’s Executive Director, Mike Daigle. “Not only does the additional lift give SBN passengers more flight options, but it also reaffirms Delta’s confidence in our region.”
To make a reservation on a Delta Air Lines flight from SBN, visit www.delta.com or call the airline direct at 800-221-1212.
About the South Bend Airport
South Bend Airport’s four air carriers provide non-stop flights to 9 cities: Atlanta, Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, Las Vegas, Phoenix-Mesa, Minneapolis, Orlando/Sanford, and Tampa Bay/St. Petersburg and connections world-wide. South Bend Airport’s multi-modal terminal serves over one million air, rail and bus passengers each year.
According to the 2007 Economic Impact Report from the Aviation Authority of Indiana, the South Bend Airport's total annual economic impact on South Bend and surrounding communities was in excess of $433.7 million. SBN’s annual indirect and direct contribution to the Indiana economy is estimated at more than $5.2 billion.
For additional information, please refer to www.FlySBN.com or get social with SBN on Facebook (www.facebook.com/FlySBN) and Twitter (@SBNairport) and stay informed about the airport and the carriers that serve the Michiana region.
Source: Inside Indiana Business
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Franklin Square and the Lubeznik Center for the Arts may be the most well-known hot spots during Michigan City’s First Fridays at 5 art walk, but local bakery Arturo’s Baked Goods and More is making sure Wabash Street is in on the action.
“We’re always looking for new artists,” said Arturo Pozos, owner of the shop right across from the Lighthouse Outlet Mall.
Friday night’s featured artist was Ginny Scott, a La Porte native who is known for her abstract designs, many of which donned the walls of Arturo’s during a rainy First Friday.
“We will probably change to another artist in April,” Pozos said, noting that the coffee shop has previously featured Barbara Balis, George Kassal and artists from the Lakeside (Mich.) gallery during previous First Friday events.
Although the Wabash Street location is a bit off the path of regular art walkers, Pozos says the whole downtown area should be a part of the movement.
“We see the whole downtown as a unit,” he said. “We are 100 percent behind the movement to bring more attention to the downtown area.”
Pozos says Arturo’s uses the monthly Friday event to offer new food items to the public and finding out “how people like them.”
This month’s item – a delicious sweet grilled cheese sandwich.
The sandwiches at Arturo’s have recently taken on a more local theme – as Pozos began naming certain sandwiches after shop regulars in January.
One of those sandwiches, the “Avila,” named after Michigan City dentist John Avila, always features a sandwich with no butter.
“Because Dr. Avila is always here looking to reduce calories,” Pozos said.
Other local residents with sandwiches bearing their name include Ryan Bolger, who owns a photography gallery at the heart of Franklin Square and Lee Schilling, a weather forecaster for the Access La Porte County television station.
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The United Way of LaPorte County made a huge impact in the community with the 3rd Annual Super Smoke Social. The event sparked an excitement at the Blue Chip Casino Thursday evening as guests poured in from all over the country to be part of this amazing benefit. The event featured a multi-course dinner, complimentary cocktails, Ashton cigars, live entertainment and a live silent auction. “All the proceeds from this event go directly to United Way,” said the General Manager of Blue Chip Casino, Ted Bogich.
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United Way will be happy with proceeds they receive, as many guests playfully outbid their friends and colleges in the silent auction. Guests bid on a wide assortment of items, from jewelry to autographed photos of Chicago sports figures, including Brian Urlacher, Derrick Rose, and Mike Ditka.
The silent auction was a hit and much appreciated, as all of the merchandise was donated towards this evening’s event. “We think it’s a great way to bring people together and have fun, enjoy the camaraderie, have good food a few drinks some cigars and of course some wonderful auction items. And it’s all for a good cause, to give to the United Way. And they in turn support various agencies and programs that are in need of assistance in this area. So it’s just a wonderful event,” continued Bogich.
The event was top notch, from the freshly prepared food to the Ashton cigars. Although the guests were treated to the best food, cigars and auction items, they never lost focus on what tonight was all about: The United Way.
“The LaPorte County United Way is a great organization to benefit. We all really enjoy all the hospitality and everything that United Way can do in LaPorte,” said Scott Young.
Another guest, Tony Shivley said, “The United Way is a great organization all over— The United Way of LaPorteCounty, LakeCounty and PorterCounty. They’re all great organizations. Anything that we can do to help those organizations we try to do, as a company and as people. Blue Chip is a tremendous host to have with a lot of great people here.” Tim Foley, from Bit of Swiss in Stevensville, Michigan shared, “We really believe in the United Way and what they do.”
As everyone took a seat for dinner in one of the stunning rooms of the Blue Chip Casino, I was able to talk to Jack Elia, the Director of Operations and Hospitality at the Blue Chip Casino. |
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“Blue Chip is very much involved with United Way. We like to partner with them and that’s what this is all about. It’s giving back to the community. We came up with the smoker idea and almost sold out last year. This year we have had 260 people come here and everything you see here is being donated back to the community.”
Overall, the event sparked unity in everyone who attended. This night wasn’t about the attendees, but about how they can give back to the community. It was all about the United Way of LaPorte County this evening.
Click here for photos of the evening!
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If you think your property tax is rising out of control, you're not alone.
A new study from the Heartland Institute shows that property taxes have risen twice as fast as inflation in Cook County over the past decade.
The worst offenders are the suburbs and school districts.
Suburban property taxes went up by 75 percent, and school districts raised property taxes by 58 percent.
They usually collect the largest portion of property taxes.
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 Peggy Moore, Chairman of the Michigan City Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC) announced that Kevin Kieft will become Interim Executive Director of the MCEDC. In making the announcement, Moore thanked outgoing Executive Director Kevin Kieft for his dedication and leadership over the last 6 years. Regetz announced earlier this month that he would be leaving for an economic development position in Idaho.
Moore added that the interim designation is intended to make certain that the MCEDC continues to support Michigan City and north La Porte County businesses expand as well as attracting new businesses, while the La Porte County ED Alliance finalizes its overall La Porte County ED plan. Moore emphasized that La Porte County has benefitted from the strong economic development partnership that has evolved between the cities of La Porte and Michigan City and the county.
The partnership has also resulted in a strong business retention program for the county, which has gained the positive reputation of being "open for business" within the state and regional level, as well as the greater Chicagoland business community.
Moore stated, "Kevin has done a great job as our business development manager, and I am sure he will exceed our expectations in this new role." The change is effective immediately.
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KTR Corporation, a manufacturer of power transmission components, announced plans today to grow its North American headquarters here, creating up to 20 new jobs by 2014.
The company, a subsidiary of German-based KTR Kupplungstechnick, GmbH, plans to invest $1.6 million to purchase computer-numerical-control machinery and renovate its 42,000 square-foot manufacturing, warehousing and sales facility at 122 Anchor Road in Michigan City. Renovations and equipment installation have already begun and are expected to be complete in 2013.
“I am excited about the commitment KTR Corporation has shown to Michigan City,” said Michigan City Mayor Ron Meer. “It is exciting for Michigan City to have the leading global manufacturer of wind generator couplings expand its U.S. headquarters here. I am proud to have KTR Corporation, a contributor to the alternative energy initiative, call Michigan City home.”
The company, which currently employs 43 Hoosiers, has already begun hiring additional engineering, production management, sales and production associates.
“We chose Indiana because we have been located here for over 20 years,” said William T. Ketcham, president of KTR Corporation. “Our objective is to manufacture products of the highest quality, provide superior service, product availability and expert technical assistance at the lowest possible cost to our customers.”
The company was founded in Michigan City in 1988 and, together with its parent company, has become one of the world’s largest coupling manufacturers, supplying nearly 80 percent of all couplings in wind turbines worldwide. KTR Corporation’s parent company operates in 21 countries and maintains more than 40 subsidiary companies.
“Indiana’s manufacturing sector is thriving thanks to companies like KTR Corporation that continue to invest in our state,” said Dan Hasler, Secretary of Commerce and chief executive officer of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation. “Our distinct advantages in location, infrastructure, workforce and regulatory environment have put Indiana on the map as a world-class business destination.”
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered KTR Corporation up to $150,000 in conditional tax credits based on the company’s job creation plans. These tax credits are performance-based, meaning until Hoosiers are hired, the company is not eligible to claim incentives.
The city of Michigan City has granted a boundary modification of its enterprise zone at the request of the Michigan City Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC). This provides tax abatement benefits to KTR for its expansion investment and supports development in the industrial neighborhood where they are located.
“The Urban Enterprise Association (UEA) is happy to expand the Enterprise Zone to assist KTR,” said Kevin Keift President of the UEA and MCEDC Business Development Manager. The MCEDC looks forward to assisting KTR’s growth,” he said. KTR also collaborates with the MCEDC, Michigan City Area Schools and other Michigan City advanced manufacturers to develop contemporary training curriculum.
About KTR Corporation
Our extensive product line began over 50 years ago with the BoWex curved tooth gear coupling and the ROTEX torsionally flexible jaw coupling. Our technological strength and innovative problem-solving concepts have earned us several prestigious design awards. KTR utilizes 3D CAD systems, finite element analysis and our ability to simulate actual field conditions within our own R&D facility. These tools are employed during the design of new products producing custom solutions geared to our customers’ individual specifications. Manufacturing is performed on state-of-the-art CNC machinery to ensure the highest grade components. We manufacture to AGMA and DIN standards to meet the exacting demands of a global marketplace. Our quality control system is overseen by a dedicated staff that takes pride in providing customers with excellent service, consistent products and exceptional value. KTR Corporation is recognized as a highly competent power transmission partner.
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MICHIGAN CITY — The Michigan City Economic Development Corporation’s Executive Director has resigned to take a position in Idaho.
John Regetz has served as the group’s director for 61⁄2 years, moving to the area from Champaign-Urbana, Ill. His last day is March 13. Then, he will become the executive director of the Bannock (County) Development Corp. in Pocatello, Idaho, on March 19.
Of the accomplishments he has championed during his service, Regetz has a few that stand out.
“We built upon the business retention and expansion program,” he said. “We were able to take the program countywide.”
Another program that began in Michigan City and grew to encompass all of La Porte County is the Made in La Porte County program, which puts a focus on helping students identify career opportunities available here. It received the cooperation and support of area schools, colleges and training centers, which Regetz hopes will continue.
He also is pleased that at least two manufacturers are doing well thanks to local economic development efforts.
“We got Vanair and Sullivan-Palatek into new buildings, and they are expanding now,” he said.
Trainor Glass, Shady Creek Vineyard and work on Dunes Plaza development also receive mention from him.
“I regret that I will not have the opportunity to collaborate more with Mayor Meer, because he has been so gracious and supportive,” he said in a press release Thursday. “I will also miss working with Peggy Moore, the MCEDC’s new chairperson, and all the other businesspeople and elected officials in the area. It has been my privilege to serve them.”
He hopes his successor will continue the positive momentum generated.
“I would like to see the continuation of efforts with the La Porte County Economic Development Alliance,” Regetz said. “I hope they continue developing sites for businesses. I hope efforts to market Michigan City to the outside world continue; that our existing businesses continue to be supported; and that our technical education opportunities expand.”
He would like to see some spec buildings constructed to help attract industry. The role of economic development is important because it creates jobs for neighbors, Regetz said.
He is looking forward to his new position for a number of reasons. The western states have been a favorite vacation spot for Regetz and his wife, Sue. They met in South Dakota.
“We have lived and vacationed in the Mountain West,” he said. “We like fly fishing, and I am a hunter and outdoorsman. There are many things my wife and I want to do, and the Pocatello-Chubbuck area possesses some excellent economic development resources,” he said.
But, he will also be leaving behind Lake Michigan and a strong working relationship with the community.
“I will miss the genuine people who are here,” he said, “and I’ll miss all the support of our partners at the county, the city leaders and private businesses.”
http://www.thenewsdispatch.com/articles/2012/02/17/news/local/doc4f3ebfd559170484102018.txt
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La Porte, Ind. (February 13th, 2012) — The La Porte Economic Development Alliance (the Alliance) is pleased to announce the hiring of Brian McKee as the new Retention and Expansion Coordinator. Bert Cook, co-director of the Alliance stated: “Brian is a great addition to the Alliance Team. His knowledge and experience with La Porte County businesses will assist him in his new role".
McKee grew up in Greensburg, IN and holds a Bachelor Degree from Marian College. Before joining GLEDC he spent nearly 5 years serving Indiana University Health in various marketing positions. Most recently he focused on the business to business arm of IU Health, as the marketing coordinator for Occupational Services.
Brian is a member of the Long Beach Volunteer Fire Department, Michigan City Rotary Club, and serves on multiple Michigan City Chamber of Commerce committees. He also serves on the board of Directors for both Shirley Heinze Land Trust and Northern Indiana Human Resource Management Association (NIHRMA). He is a Leadership La Porte County graduate and enjoys volunteering for Junior Achievement and the La Porte Hospital Foundation.
Brian and his wife, Brigid, live in Michigan City with their three children, Aedan, Maeve and Declan. Brian enjoys spending time with his family. He also likes music, watching and playing sports and anything outdoors.
“I am excited to join the La Porte County Economic Alliance team and am eager to continue building strong relationships with area businesses. I also look forward to collaborating with the La Porte County Commissioners and Council, the La Porte and Michigan City Chambers of Commerce, and local Government to continue the goal of improving communication and meeting the needs of our businesses community."
Mr. McKee will be focusing on meeting with our La Porte county manufacturing and commercial businesses on a bi-annual basis. He will be coordinating with the appropriate local government officials to conduct site visits and to complement the current programs in the City of La Porte and Michigan City. All information collected during the site visits is confidential and is used to identify trends and highlight issues that need to be addressed. This process allows the La Porte County Economic Development Alliance to interact with our businesses, address concerns, work on growth issues, and cultivate local supply chains.
“The Retention and Expansion Program is a priority for the Alliance because most new jobs come from existing businesses. That’s why we want to assist our companies with their issues and growth opportunities from workforce development to recruiting suppliers.,” stated John Regetz Co-Director of the Alliance.
Mr. McKee will be contacting your business soon; we encourage you to meet with him and see how the La Porte County Economic Development Alliance may be able to help your business.
About the La PorteCounty Economic Development Alliance
The La Porte County Economic Development Alliance is a joint venture formed between the Michigan City Economic Development Corporation and the Greater La Porte Economic Development Corporation in January 2010. These two organizations have partnered with La Porte County to bring professional and immediate responses to business opportunities throughout all of La Porte County. They have been charged with cultivating prospects, project development, retention & expansion duties, tax abatement compliance, and marketing for the County.
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 The “Innovator of the Month” highlights Members of the Society of Innovators of Northwest Indiana to inform Leaders and inspire innovation across Jasper, Lake, LaPorte, Newton, Porter, Pulaski and Starke Counties. The Society celebrates Fellows and Chanute Prize recipients, but also recognizes other Members of “The 2011 – 2012 Class.” The Society shares their inspiring stories of innovation in each monthly edition. The Society is part of the Gerald I. Lamkin Innovation & Entrepreneurship Center of Ivy Tech Community College Northwest. For information, contact O’Merrial Butchee, Director, Gerald I. Lamkin Innovation & Entrepreneurship Center at (219) 981-4942, or John Davies, Assistant Director, at (219) 981-1111, Ext. 2292.
Manufacturing Team of “Green” SolaRover Is Innovator of the Month
For our first Team Innovator of the Month this year, The Society of Innovators of Northwest Indiana announced a mobile “green” solar-powered generator designed to operate equipment in disaster zones as well as construction sites in domestic and world markets. Built through a unique partnership in Michigan City, IN, this generator features 18 panels that tilt skywards on its adjustable axis, catching rays that power the 24 batteries and inverters that turn DC into AC power for various applications, from operating machinery to lighting homes.
This “green” manufacturing product is made by Winn Machine and MCTD Ltd., both of Michigan City, IN. These companies are the exclusive builders of solar-powered generators for SolaRover of Lonetree, CO. This breakthrough idea originated with this Denver-based company, dedicated to alternative sources to provide zero-emissions power to remote locations, disaster areas, and military applications. The new production models could be among of the first fully designed and engineered solar-powered generators produced in a time of growing concern for the environment and the cost of diesel fuel.
In late 2010, Winn Machine, a production machine shop owned by Damon and Dina Gasaway, formed a partnership with MCTD, Inc., a custom design and engineering machine shop owned by Tim Johnson. They invested together upwards of $100,000 in time, labor and materials in high tech production models specifically designed and engineered as solar-powered generators. A total of three state-of-the-art machines are produced for sale worldwide. Included is a new commercial model introduced at the International Disaster Conference in New Orleans earlier this month. Currently, these products include the Mojave – 3 New Generation, the largest generator with 18 panels shown above, and the smaller Alvord Cube.
“SolaRover is building a unique and innovative mobile solar generator that is specifically designed to change the paradigm in the deployment of off-grid power systems that are dependent on ever more costly and depleting fossil fuels,” said John F. Spisak, President/CEO of SolaRover.
John Regetz, Executive Director, Michigan City Economic Development Corporation, is not surprised by this application. “Michigan City is the ideal location to manufacture these generators because of our legacy as a manufacturing center.” He added, “We have the capacity to scale up and manufacture parts and machines for high tech applications.” The cost of these generators range upwards of $30,000 to $120,000.
Meanwhile, both Winn Machine and MCTD continue to produce their existing product lines while looking toward ramping up production of solar-powered generators to meet growing demand at a future manufacturing location. This nomination came from John Regetz.
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InsideINdianaBusiness.com Report
The Indiana Economic Development Corp. has opened nominations for this year's Indiana Companies to Watch awards. The program recognizes privately held businesses in the state that employ six to 150 full-time workers and have between $750,000 to $100 million in annual revenue or capital.
INDIANAPOLIS (Feb.15, 2012) - Nominations and applications for the fifth-annual Indiana Companies to Watch awards program, highlighting some of the state's most impressive second-stage growth companies opens today.
Presented by the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, its Small Business Development Center network (ISBDC) and the Edward Lowe Foundation, Indiana Companies to Watch recognizes privately held Indiana businesses that employ six to 150 full-time employees and have between $750,000 to $100 million in annual revenue or capital.
"Our annual Companies to Watch program helps distinguish budding, high-growth businesses from across the state that provide new opportunities to Hoosiers," said Dan Hasler, Secretary of Commerce and chief executive officer of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation. "The program also heaps much-deserved recognition to those entrepreneurs making a difference in their respective communities while providing the framework to network with past recipients and promote future growth."
Anyone may nominate an eligible business or apply for the awards by completing the online application forms at www.indiana.companiestowatch.org. A panel of judges will review the applications and select the companies to receive the awards based on past growth, projected success, innovation, technology application, company culture, community involvement and other factors. Nominations will be accepted through March 30. Nominees must complete an application by April 16. Companies may also bypass the nomination process and submit an application on their own behalf.
"Given the preeminent status this awards program has achieved over the last several years, we are very excited to once again be the Paradigm Sponsor of this event," said Curtis Hidde, partner in flagship sponsor Barnes & Thornburg LLP's Entrepreneurial Services Group. "As an advisor to many Indiana high-growth companies, we are inspired by the accomplishments of these businesses and are pleased to support and recognize them through events like this."
Winners of the awards will be recognized during an August awards dinner at the Indiana Roof Ballroom in Indianapolis.
Companies to Watch was developed by the Cassopolis, Mich.-based Edward Lowe Foundation. The foundation hosts similar programs in other states.
"Indiana Companies to Watch has enabled Hoosiers not only to identify the companies that are driving growth in the state, but also to understand their diverse contributions," said Penny Lewandowski, director of entrepreneurship at the Edward Lowe Foundation. "In addition to providing 9,998 jobs and generating more than $2 billion in revenue, these 184 companies selected since 2008 have created breakthrough products and services. What's more, they are community leaders who are rebuilding their downtowns and serving their fellow citizens through philanthropy."
About IEDC
Created by Governor Mitch Daniels in 2005 to replace the former Department of Commerce, the Indiana Economic Development Corporation is governed by a 12-member board chaired by Governor Daniels. Dan Hasler serves as the chief executive officer of the IEDC.
The IEDC oversees programs enacted by the General Assembly including tax credits, workforce training grants and public infrastructure assistance. All tax credits are performance-based. Therefore, companies must first invest in Indiana through job creation or capital investment before incentives are paid. A company who does not meet its full projections only receives a percentage of the incentives proportional to its actual investment. For more information about IEDC, visit www.iedc.in.gov.
About the ISBDC
The Indiana Small Business Development Center Network is an Indiana Economic Development Corporation program funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. Through 10 regional centers, the ISBDC provides free and low-cost business advising and assistance to small businesses at any stage of development. For more information about the ISBDC, visit www.isbdc.org.
About the Edward Lowe Foundation
The foundation is a Michigan-based nonprofit organization that supports entrepreneurship through recognition, education and research with a focus on second-stage companies-those that have moved beyond the startup phase and seek significant, steady growth.
About Indiana Companies to Watch
Indiana Companies to Watch is an Awards Program Celebrating Second-Stage Entrepreneurs presented by the Indiana Economic Development Corporation and its Small Business Development Centers in association with the Edward Lowe Foundation. Sponsors include Barnes & Thornburg, with Premier Capital Corporation, Katz Sapper & Miller, Key Bank and Ivy Tech Corporate College.
Source: Indiana Economic Development Corporation
http://www.insideindianabusiness.com/newsitem.asp?ID=52215
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Andy Ober, InsideINdianaBusiness.com
Batistatos says if the Orlando flight is successful, more passenger business could come.
The GaryChicagoInternationalAirport will celebrate the first Allegiant Airlines flight to Orlando Wednesday afternoon. SouthShore Convention and Visitors Authority President Speros Batistatos says the flight helps secure the facility's spot as Chicago's third regional airport. He says city leaders must now
go to the Orlando area and market the Gary airport as a cheaper
and more efficient way to get to Chicago.
Batistatos says if the partnership with Allegiant and the flights to Orlando are successful, that could clear the way for more passenger service out of the Gary airport.
Gary Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson and Gary Chicago International Airport Interim Director Steve Landry will be at Wednesday afternoon's event.
Source: Gary Chicago International Airport
http://www.insideindianabusiness.com/newsitem.asp?ID=52212
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InsideINdianaBusiness.com Report
A smartphone application being developed at PurdueUniversity could help people track calories by taking a digital picture of their food. The school says the application is also designed to provide information on protein, carbohydrates and fat content. The patent application has been tested and is now being commercialized through Purdue's Office of Technology Commercialization.
A picture can be worth a thousand calories or 800 or 1,800 through a new smartphone application being developed at Purdue University to help the health and diet conscious track their caloric intake by taking a picture of their food.
The application counts more than calories. It also provides information on the amount of protein, fat and carbohydrates in food through the Technology Assisted Dietary Assessment system, or TADA, being developed by Purdue's College of Health and Human Sciences and School of Electrical and Computer Engineering.
"Our goal is to allow people to electronically record their food intake and help individuals with health challenges like diabetes understand what they're eating and make healthier choices," said Carol Boushey, who led the development team while a professor in Purdue's College of Health and Human Sciences. "Many people don't realize how much food and how many calories they are consuming, and that is one of the biggest contributors to the increasing weight we have in the United States and around the globe."
Boushey, who is now an adjunct professor at Purdue and director of the University of Hawaii Cancer Center's Nutrition Support Shared Resource, said the application's development entailed an interdisciplinary approach.
Edward J. Delp, the Charles William Harrison Distinguished Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, oversaw the imaging software development that automatically identifies food in the images. Marc Bosch-Ruiz and Margaret Zhu, graduate students in Delp's lab, created the software to determine a food's identity. Graduate student Junghoon Chae, and Ross Maciejewski, a visiting assistant professor, also worked on the application in Professor David Ebert's lab to estimate the amount or volume of the food.
"We have excellent methods to measure physical activity, but we don't have a good way to measure what we consume," Delp said. "It's one thing for someone to type in a list of the food they've consumed and determine its nutritional value, but another to just take an image of a plate of food and anticipate that the application they are using can identify the type of food, the amount of food and then provide nutritional value."
Martin Okos, professor in the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, and Shivangi Kelkar and Scott Stella, graduate students in Okos' lab, oversaw the food density application.
"The density of food is needed to convert the volume of food consumed to gram weight so that the app can determine nutritional value," Okos said. "To fill the app database, we are developing novel methods to accurately measure the density of all types of foods directly from a X-ray CT scan to produce a 3-D image and then confirmed the results with a laser scanner."
Bruce A. Craig, professor and director of the statistical consulting service for the Purdue College of Science's Department of Statistics, is also involved with the project. Funding for the project came from the National Institutes of Health.
The patented application has been tested with adolescents and adults and is being commercialized through Purdue's Office of Technology Commercialization. Contact Michael Halbrook, senior project manager, at 765-588-3483, mlhalbrook@prf.org, for information.
Source: Purdue Research Foundation
http://www.insideindianabusiness.com/newsitem.asp?ID=52213
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With a $500 UnitedHealth HEROES grant it was recently awarded, Purdue North Central in Westville plans to implement activities and information to combat childhood obesity.
The institution is one of five Indiana-based schools or non-profit organizations to receive the grant.
The university was selected for the grant through the support of Laura Weaver, Coordinator of the Center for Service Learning & Leadership; Angela Schooley, Assistant Professor of Nursing; and Mary Jane Eisenhauer, Assistant Professor of Early Childhood Education.
PNC nursing students who are enrolled in "Family Health Assessment" and early childhood students who are enrolled in "Child, Family, School & Community Partnerships" will work together to raise awareness for families, young children and future practitioners.
Eisenhauer said the semester-long project between the two departments concludes at PNC's 6th annual Childhood Conference on April 21.
"By educating the adults in the community, we can promote strategies that will foster healthy development," said Eisenhauer, adding that during the early education course, each student will be placed with a community partner and committed to volunteering two hours per week for the entire semester.
The early childhood education students will also collaborate with the nursing students to develop Family Events in the month of April.
"The Family Events will focus on family education to promote health and wellness for school readiness," said Eisenhauer.
Schooley said the nursing students will also be focusing on the health aspects of getting children ready for elementary education.
"They will provide information about immunizations, sleep needs, nutrition, exercise and healthy practices," she said
Activities will include movement games, dancing, singing songs and providing helpful handouts or surveys. Schooley is hoping for Family Events to take place at the La Porte YMCA, the Hilltop in Valparaiso and Kindergarten Round-up at St. Paul School in Michigan City.
The students are still in the planning phase, but some of the money spent will be used to buy jump ropes, hula hoops and bucket ball sets to encourage exercise and activity.
"From these activities we found we enjoyed working together and thought the interdisciplinary nature of this collaboration would add richness to student learning in both the courses," said Schooley.
For more information, visit www.pnc.edu.
http://heraldargus.com/articles/2012/02/15/news/local/doc4f33043646750828406120.txt
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In hopes of hasting the development of the proposed NewPorte Landing property, the city’s redevelopment commission is moving forward with a second study of possible environmental damage on adjacent parcel of land.
On Tuesday, commission members voted unanimously to approve the expenditure of up to $30,000 for a phase 2 study by NewPorte Landing.
The study would uncover any contamination issues that need to be addressed, as well as any remediation and the cost of that remediation.
Commission President Gene Dollberg said every developer the city had talked to indicated that property as an important piece for an entranceway to the development.
But it is the only significant piece not owned by the city, and like much of the NewPorte Landing area, is suspected of contamination by the former Allis-Chalmers plant.
Members said the study’s results might also lower the value of the property depending on what environmental cleanups are necessitated.
City Attorney Don Baugher said the city, as an entity that can apply for grants to clean up environmental problems, would probably have a better time dealing with the property’s uses than a private entity.
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Scores of different flavors of candy are sorted by a machine then bagged for sale at the American Licorice Co. in La Porte. Launched in 1914 in Chicago with the introduction of black licorice twists, the company's family-owned tradition continues with the fifth generation of Walsh, Kretchmer and Nelson families.
At American Licorice Company you will find a sweet twist to the story of three families who are all connected to the company's confectionery history. Launched in 1914 in Chicago with the introduction of black licorice twists, the company's family-owned tradition continues with the fifth generation of Walsh, Kretchmer and Nelson families.
"We are all related to the same great–great–grandfather, Martin Kretchmer," said Cliff Walsh, director of operations at the company's La Porte plant. "There are a lot of different stories to how it started. It is believed Martin Kretchmer had one of those candy carts. He pressed his own candy in his apartment and would go and sell it on the streets and over time it developed."
Kretchmer's two sons helped establish the company's roots, with one staying in Chicago and one heading to California. Today, candy is produced in Union City, Calif., and the Midwest plant has moved over the years from Chicago to Alsip, Ill., and eventually to the La Porte location seven years ago.
The relocation of the plant to La Porte was a big challenge for the company, Walsh said, but necessary because of growth and the need for more space.
"We've never relocated a plant of that size to a different area. It was mentally tough as most employees had been there for 15 to 25 years. It was emotionally draining as well to get this up and going with brand new people and equipment," Walsh said. "When we first opened, we had one shift with 15 to 20 associates and now we've grown and we are operating three shifts, five days a week."
With the Red Vine and assorted flavors of licorice produced out in California, the La Porte plant rolls out all of the Sour Punch products, Sip–n–Chews and Extinguisher chewy sour candy as well as classic Snaps, which are black licorice centers wrapped in pastel coating. Walsh said the candies are available at Costco, Sam's Club, Wal–Mart, Al's Grocery, Kroger, Walgreen's and other big–chain stores.
Walsh credits the company's years of success to its employees.
"No. 1 is our people. They're engaged, very well trained and passionate and they hold themselves to a high level of accountability," he said. "We also have a culture of continuous improvement. We try to be better tomorrow then we are today."
While the company has faced slow times, the current economic climate has not been one of them.
"We do get slow but these last few years when everyone's been struggling have been some of the best years in our company's history," Walsh said, who believes candy is for the most part recession–proof. "When times get tough, people make choices on how they are going to get enjoyment out of life, especially when it comes to their kids. If they can't afford that G.I. Joe guy, they can at least spend a little on a candy bar or Sour Punch. We look for less expensive ways to enjoy life."
Walsh said the company looks to continue its community engagement efforts in the future as well as adding to the candy family.
"We want to find the next big thing," he said. "We don't know what that is yet."
Read more: http://www.nwitimes.com/business/local/made-in-northwest-indiana-business-with-a-twist/article_acc8c4fa-219c-5b67-b5c3-145b12f486a8.html#ixzz1k0htW1bB
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The Indiana Economic Development Corporation announced today that in 2011 it secured job commitments from 219 companies from across the country and around the world, an increase from 200 companies in 2010 and more than any other year on record.
"With our low-cost, fiscally sound business climate, Indiana continues to catch the attention and win the investment of more and more companies," said Dan Hasler, Secretary of Commerce and chief executive officer of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation.
Driven by companies like Angie's List, Canadian National Railway, R3 Composites and SS&C Technologies, Indiana welcomed commitments for 19,080 new jobs and $2.7 billion in capital investment in 2011. The new jobs, many of which have already been created and others companies expect to create over the next five years, pay an average hourly wage of $21.22, above the state's current hourly wage of $19.17.
"This year's results are a testament to the dedication and collaboration of people throughout the state," said Hasler. "But there's more hard work ahead in 2012 as Indiana continues to make job creating efforts our top priority."
Non-automotive manufacturing represented the largest sector for new job commitments in 2011 with 5,223 new jobs projected. With 4,650 job commitments, the automotive-related manufacturing industry represented the second largest sector of new growth followed by the logistics sector with nearly 2,000 projected new jobs. Job commitments for other sectors include: business services (1,729), information technology (1,261) and life sciences (838).
Business consolidations were a trend in 2011 with 34 companies planning to move all or a portion of their operations to Indiana. Collectively, these projects accounted for 3,325 new job commitments and $165.6 million in capital investment.
This year the state's economy continued to garner national accolades. Area Development magazine noted in September that Indiana is the best state for business in the Midwest and fifth best in the country and Chief Executive magazine rated Indiana sixth in its annual "Best & Worst States" survey. Site Selection magazine ranked the state sixth in the nation for its business climate and Indiana is one of only nine states to have triple-A credit ratings from all three reporting agencies: Standard & Poor's, Fitch and Moody's.
About IEDC
Created by Governor Mitch Daniels in 2005 to replace the former Department of Commerce, the Indiana Economic Development Corporation is governed by a 12-member board chaired by Governor Daniels. Dan Hasler serves as the chief executive officer of the IEDC.
The IEDC oversees programs enacted by the General Assembly including tax credits, workforce training grants and public infrastructure assistance. All tax credits are performance-based. Therefore, companies must first invest in Indiana through job creation or capital investment before incentives are paid. A company who does not meet its full projections only receives a percentage of the incentives proportional to its actual investment. For more information about IEDC, visit www.iedc.in.gov.
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Kohl's moves toward store in Michigan City. Commission approves request to subdivide former Kmart spot.
The door has opened for a Kohl's to go up in Michigan City.
The city's planning commission this week approved a request from Kohl's to subdivide land where Kmart and Hobby Lobby used to be at the Dunes Plaza.
With little discussion, the petition for a minor subdivision to create a four-acre lot in Dunes Plaza – presented by Steve Panko, who represented Key Development Partners, Chicago – was passed by the five commissioners present: Wallace Hook, Michael Gresham, Fred Klinder, Richard Murphy and Al Whitlow.
For several years, Dunes Plaza along U.S. 20 has lacked a major anchor since Kmart then Hobby Lobby left and the Cinema was driven out of business by the nearby Showplace 14.
Prospects of a major department store chain like Kohl's going in there have raised hopes about filling other empty storefronts at Dunes Plaza.
And, with the extra traffic Kohl's can bring, some people speculate it can help reinvigorate the struggling Marquette Mall directly across from Dunes Plaza.
''It's another crucial piece down on the south end area to bring back some economic life over there,'' said Ron Meer, who will become mayor Jan.1.
Planning Commission member Al Whitlow said support to subdivide the property allows Kohl's to purchase instead of lease the parcel.
Plans call for the building that used to hold Kmart and Hobby Lobby to be torn down and a new building housing Kohl's to be go up in its place.
“What they want to do is own the property so they can move forward,” Whitlow said.
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When the International Disaster Conference and Expo begins its three-day run in New Orleans on Jan. 17, Damon Gasaway, president of Winn Machine will be there.
Gasaway will be there to show off a state-of-the-art model of the SolaRover electric generator his company and MCTD, Inc. of Michigan City have built, and demonstrate to disaster experts from around the globe how SolaRover fits into relief efforts in areas affected by war, hurricanes, tornadoes and other disasters.
Gasaway and Tim Johnson, the president of MCTD, are optimistic SolaRover will be a part of those recovery efforts in the future.
"We believe that smart decision makers will readily recognize its benefits,” says Gasaway. “We expect to get a lot of publicity there and generate interest and buzz.”
With the engineering and design expertise of MCTD and the production capabilities of Winn Machine, the two companies have taken an idea conceived by SolaRover and turned it into a viable commercial product.
Solar-powered portable generators can replace and slash the costs of using diesel powered generators, not to mention the enormous environmental benefits. “It is extremely rare that you can bring an environmentally friendly product to market and actually save money by doing it,” said Gasaway.
Initially designed with the military and foreign off-grid applications in mind, SolaRover units are also being adapted for use in disaster areas following hurricanes and tornadoes.
“They can be used anywhere people are off the grid,” says Johnson. “While a comparable sized diesel generator costs tens of thousands of dollars in fossil fuels and maintenance to operate on a continuous basis annually, a SolaRover generator only has the initial investment for a product that has a 20-year life. Conservatively, it is only a four- to five-year payback on the initial investment at today’s fuel prices. That means at current fuel costs, a SolaRover generator could provide a savings in excess of at least a quarter of a million dollars over the life of the unit.”
Gasaway explains that the two Michigan City companies connected with SolaRover because long past association with the president and engineer at the Denver company.
“I have an interest in the company that started four years ago. Things were moving slow so we took their ideas and blueprints and brought it to life. It’s a great feeling to bring an idea like this to life. It puts a smile on my face,” says Gasaway.
Johnson agrees, saying the upcoming show in New Orleans is an important way to get the word out about SolaRover.
“It’s a win-win-win,” he said. “Not only are the units able to operate without the use of diesel fuel, SolaRover will create jobs and do so without requiring any kind of government subsidy.”
“We’re not asking for subsidies,” says Gasaway. “We don’t need them to be competitive.”
Even though the original prototype has barely been reviewed by potential buyers, it was a smashing success in powering a late summer festival in Colorado – the first of its kind.
Johnson says design work on the next generation of solar-powered generators is underway. He said those designs will work in conjunction with diesel generators, improving their fuel efficiency by as much as 40 percent.
“It’s a full hybrid,” says Johnson. “This one will tell the generator when to turn on, operate for a couple of hours until the batteries in the solar unit are charged, and then the diesel unit will turn off.” One model recently purchased by a university in Georgia comes equipped with an integrated wind turbine.
Johnson and Gasaway say there is nothing unusual about the cooperation between the two companies. “The project is bigger than both of us personally,” says Gasaway. “We both have different skill sets. Tim has the engineering side and we’re more of a manufacturing shop.”
“I would agree with that,” says Johnson. “Going for ultimate success, we need both of us because we both bring a different vantage point to the table. That’s why we’re going to be successful.”
The SolaRover project was among a dozen innovative projects from Northwest Indiana that in October 2011 was nominated for the Chanute Prize by the Society of Innovators of Northwest Indiana. The award recognizes the most unique innovation in manufacturing or specialty product in the region. It is sponsored by Ivy Tech State College Northwest.
Gasaway says U.S. Sen. Richard Lugar, R-Indianapolis, has support this project. Mayor Blair Milo of LaPorte has also offered some valuable input. The SolaRover team has met with Defense Department officials at various military bases to put SolaRover though some grueling tests.
Impressed military representatives have made several suggestions to Gasaway and Johnson on how to improve SolaRover so it could be used by the military.
Even though development of SolaRover is being done in Denver, key engineering and fabrication is taking place in Michigan City. If SolaRover takes off, Gasaway and Johnson say it could create up to 200 new jobs in the county.
“Part of my long-term vision for my company is to use the skill sets we have and leverage it for future business,” says Johnson. “The potential of this project is beyond anything I could have imagined. This is part of the reason for the partnership between Winn and MCTD. I think this is beyond everything either one of us ever imagined.”
Source: Winn Machine and MCTD Inc.
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The new county office building, including the Solid Waste District, the Purdue Extension, the Soil and Water Conservation and the MS 4 Office, brought a whole meeting room full of people out for its open house.
The open house, held Thursday afternoon, was a time for staff to hand out educational , material, answer questions and provide refreshments.
Hugh Tonagel, Extention Educator 4-H / Youth Development, said there was a great crowd of people showing up, even before the open house began.
“There have been a lot of people who have been responsible for this,” said Tonagel. “ It’s a great thing, and we are just happy to have a permanent home.”
Jody Kutch, family nutrition program assistant with Purdue Extention, said cookbooks, 4-H T shirts, umbrellas and bags were give aways every half hour as door prizes.
“These are things people either donated or we have extras of,” said Kutch.
Walking around the meeting room, people could view information, take home giveaways and even play games.
Alicia Ebaugh, education and public outreach coordinator for the Solid Waste District, said most questions she answers are on a daily basis concern recyclable material and the recycling schedule.
Ebaugh said she also spends most of her time teaching kids at schools about recycling, but she enjoys the new office and the communication between different companies.
“We have more space, and I feel like having us all together is more beneficial for everyone,” said Ebaugh.
The new county building is located at 2857 W. Ind. 2 in La Porte.
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New rates are far less than original proposal; provide platform for continued improvements
MERRILLVILLE, Ind. – The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) has approved a collaborative settlement reached in July by NIPSCO, the Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor (OUCC), NIPSCO’s industrial customers and a coalition of eight northern Indiana Municipalities regarding new rates for its more than 457,000 electric customers across northern Indiana.
The newly approved electric base rates – which have not been modified in 24 years – are being updated to reflect investments made to improve service reliability and environmental technology, including the $330 million purchase of the highly efficient Sugar Creek natural gas-fired power plant in West Terre Haute, Ind., as well as costs associated with customer growth, system upgrades and ongoing maintenance.
A residential electric customer using 688 kilowatt hours a month on average will see a 4.5 percent base rate increase (or $3.33 per month). This effective change is half of the request NIPSCO filed in 2010 and three times less than what was approved by the IURC in the company’s 2008 case but never applied to customer bills.
Residential Electric Customer Bill Impact |
Monthly Usage (kilowatt hours) |
Current Bill |
Proposed Bill |
Increase Amount |
Percent Increase |
Average 688 |
$74.88 |
$78.21 |
$3.33 |
4.45% |
The newly approved electric rates are expected to take effect immediately.
“This decision is a pivotal step in furthering our commitment to enhance reliability and customer service for our customers, while providing a modern energy infrastructure to support northern Indiana jobs and economic growth,” NIPSCO CEO, Jimmy Staton said. “The approved settlement also helps provide families, businesses and industries with the reliable, affordable and environmentally sustainable energy they need now and in the future.”
Customer benefits from decision
The decision reflects a number of benefits to customers, including:
- A lower bill increase than what was originally requested
- A platform for ongoing NIPSCO investments in improving customer service, reliability and environmental technology.
- NIPSCO-funded rebates to convert electric furnaces to more efficient natural gas units.
- Resolution of Municipality Group’s concerns regarding rates for streetlights and traffic lights.
- An expanded interruptible service program for NIPSCO's largest industrial customers. This voluntary program ultimately benefits all customers by meeting near-term and planned system energy needs, including periods of peak demand when market prices are high.
“While providing a much smaller base rate increase than originally requested, this agreement ensures NIPSCO will be able to continue making the infrastructure investments that will be needed for safe, reliable service,” said Indiana Utility Consumer Counselor David Stippler. “I am pleased that the OUCC, NIPSCO and other settling parties were able to work together to reach a balanced resolution to this extremely complicated litigation.”
“We believe the concerns raised by the local municipalities were addressed through this process, which was both open and collaborative,” said Michael Griffin, representing the coalition of northern Indiana municipalities, including Dyer, East Chicago, Griffith, Highland, Munster, Schererville, Valparaiso, and Winfield. “This agreement provides a reasonable solution for local communities across northern Indiana working hard to manage very tight and resource-challenged budgets.”
Maintaining electric rates below the U.S. average
NIPSCO anticipates that the decision will help the company maintain electric rates below the national average. According to the most recent Edison Electric Institute’s survey of electric rates, NIPSCO’s residential, commercial and industrial electric rates are below the average price nationally for electricity and near the Indiana average.
Natural gas rates and charges are not at issue in this case.
A copy of the IURC’s decision will be available on the IURC’s electronic document system by visiting https://myweb.in.gov/IURC/eds/ and searching for Cause No. 43969. It will also be available on the OUCC Website at www.in.gov/oucc/2643.htm.
For more information about NIPSCO’s rates and this filing, customers are encouraged to visit NIPSCO.com and the OUCC’s Website at www.IN.gov/OUCC.
NIPSCO, with headquarters in Merrillville, Ind., is one of the seven energy distribution companies of NiSource Inc. (NYSE: NI). With more than 786,000 natural gas customers and 457,000 electric customers across the northern third of Indiana, NIPSCO is the largest natural gas distribution company, and the second largest electric distribution company, in the state. NiSource distribution companies serve 3.8 million natural gas and electric customers primarily in seven states. More information about NIPSCO is available at www.nipsco.com.
The Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor (OUCC) represents Indiana consumer interests before state and federal bodies that regulate utilities. As a state agency, the OUCC’s mission is to represent all Indiana consumers to ensure quality, reliable utility services at the most reasonable prices possible through dedicated advocacy, consumer education, and creative problem solving. To learn more, visit www.IN.gov/OUCC.
Forward-Looking Statements: Some of the statements provided herein include forward-looking information, in addition to historical information. Readers should understand that many factors govern whether any forward-looking statement contained herein will be or can be realized including, but not limited to weather, fluctuations in supply and demand for energy commodities, the success of regulatory and commercial initiatives, dealings with their parties over whom NIPSCO has no control, actual operating experience of NIPSCO assets, the regulatory process, regulatory and legislative changes, the impact of potential new environmental laws or regulations, the results of material litigation, changes in pension funding requirements, changes in general economic, capital and commodity market conditions, counterparty credit risk, and the matters set forth in the “Risk Factors” section of NiSource’s 2010 Form 10-K and 2011 Forms 10-Q. Such factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. All such forward-looking statements are expressly qualified by these cautionary statements. All forward-looking statements are based on assumptions that management believes to be reasonable; however, there can be no assurance that actual results will not differ materially. NiSource Inc. expressly disclaims a duty to update any of the forward-looking statements contained in this release.
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On December 21, 2011 the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) approved a collaborative settlement reached in July by NIPSCO, the Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor (OUCC), NIPSCO’s industrial customers and a coalition of eight northern Indiana Municipalities regarding new rates for its more than 457,000 electric customers across northern Indiana.
The outcome eases the burden on residential customers while allowing us to continue investing in service, reliability and system improvements to support Indiana’s economic growth.
These new rates will help us continue to improve customer service and make investments in system reliability and environmental technology – such as our recent $330 million purchase of the highly efficient Sugar Creek natural gas-fired power plant in West Terre Haute, IN
Based on the IURC’s decision, average residential bills would increase by $3.33 per month, or 4.5 percent over what customers currently pay.
The impact on individual commercial and industrial customers will vary. Many factors determine commercial and industrial customers’ rates. On average, rates for commercial and industrial customers would increase approximately 4.8 to 11 percent per month compared with current bills.
These new rates will help
- To create jobs and grow our economy, northern Indiana needs modern, reliable, affordable energy.
- We expect our new rates to remain competitive nationally and with surrounding states.
- Northern Indiana is a great place to live and do business, and we are working to keep it that way.
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Indiana Sen. Dick Lugar named two Indiana Alcoa Inc. operations as Lugar Energy Patriot award recipients.
Lugar said Alcoa Howmet in LaPorte and Alcoa's Warrick Operations in Evansville work to educate employees and students in their communities and have made significant impacts in identifying potential energy savings for Hoosiers. The two sites are the 36th recipient of the award.
The award is part of an ongoing effort to recognize professionals, scholars, students or businesses demonstrating leadership and initiative and taking actions to reduce America's dependence on foreign energy sources through renewable energy and conservation, according to Lugar's office.
Alcoa Howmet in LaPorte makes castings for aerospace and investment gas turbine applications. Alcoa Warrick operates aluminum smelting and fabricating facilities.
For more information about the award, visit www.lugar.senate.gov/energy/links/patriot/35_Alcoa.html.
Read more: http://www.nwitimes.com/business/local/laporte-evansville-alcoa-facilities-get-lugar-energy-award/article_9bbbc08d-8091-5c12-ae35-08689131d8f4.html#ixzz1hBgUR0Ow
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Portion size aside, some holiday favorites start off far worse for your waistline than others. "It's not uncommon to gain a full pound — or more — during the holiday season," says Gloria Tsang, a registered dietician and author of the new book Go UnDiet. Some swaps to consider:
Crab cake appetizers typically are made with mayonnaise and bread crumbs, and fried. Replace them — and items served in puff pastries — with shrimp cocktail.
Candy canes are pure sugar and won't fill you up. To satisfy a sweet tooth, choose small squares of dark chocolate, which have nutritionally valuable antioxidants.
Eggnog often is packed with calories and sugar, as are pina coladas, daiquiris and cocktails with liqueurs such as Baileys Irish Cream or Kahlua. Toast with champagne or hot chocolate made with low-fat milk.
Spinach and artichoke dip sounds healthy but is usually fat-heavy due to mayonnaise, sour cream and cream cheese. Serve a vegetable salsa instead.
Croissants and biscuits seem light and fluffy, but that's thanks to sugar and butter packed within their layers of dough. Go with whole-grain dinner rolls.
Shortbread cookies are crumbly because of high fat content. Ginger snaps are generally healthier.
Cheesecake can pack lots of fat; while recipes vary, pumpkin pie tends to be a smarter choice and also offers fiber and antioxidants. Top it with fat-free whipped cream or whipped evaporated milk.
Gravy tends to be high in fat, calories and salt. Make or buy low-fat versions; one idea is to dilute cream of chicken soup — look for a low-calorie, low-sodium product — with some skim milk.
Mashed potatoes are high in carbohydrates, but mashed cauliflower has a similar texture. Moisten it with canned chicken broth instead of butter.
Read more: http://www.nwitimes.com/niche/get-healthy/newsletter-featured-story/how-to-make-healthy-holiday-food-swaps/article_ecd59797-4158-58fe-95f2-9ce419013e28.html#ixzz1hBfEsv00
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The board of directors of the Indiana Economic Development Corp. (IEDC) voted today to approve a resolution in support of right-to-work laws for the state of Indiana.
"The last seven years of IEDC experience tell us that Indiana is blocked from too many job opportunities because we do not provide right-to-work protection to our workers," said John Mutz, former president of PSI Energy and member of the IEDC board of directors and chairman of the policy committee. "Especially in this tough national economy, it's a handicap."
"I know 'right to work' is not a cure-all, but given the call of the General Assembly to create a business-friendly tax and regulation environment, Hoosiers cannot continue to eliminate ourselves from opportunity based on our adherence to compulsory unionism," said Bob Taylor, president and chief executive officer of Do it Best Corp. and member of the IEDC board of directors and policy committee. "I believe Indiana should be a right-to-work state so that we can maximize our opportunities for economic development."
As IEDC board chairman, Governor Mitch Daniels does not vote on motions and did not vote on today's resolution.
http://www.in.gov/portal/news_events/73310.htm
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The proposed multimodal development project in Kingsbury Industrial Park has only a couple hurdles left before it becomes a reality, said La Porte County Council President Rich Mrozinski.
Mrozinski spoke before the La Porte County Board of Commissioners Tuesday night, explaining that the project only needs the developers to grant an easement for a utility extension to the U.S. Army Reserve Center (which he expects to happen next week) and proof from CSX Railroad that it has entered into an agreement with a customer.
He said CSX has told him it already has someone lined up.
The utility easement is in exchange for a railway easement over the Army’s property.
The project calls for the construction, installation and equipping of a rail spur from a CSX railway line to the Kingsbury Industrial Park. There the developers plan to build a refrigeration unit to store produce coming as far away as South America. It will also allow meat and produce from La Porte to be shipped down there.
Mrozinski said he met with representatives from the Indiana Economic Development Committee, the Indiana Department of Agriculture and CSX Railroad that afternoon about the project, and feels confident things are moving along.
He said he expects construction for the railroad spur to begin in spring (either April or May, depending on how bad the winter months are). He said CSX expects to have its part of the project complete by July.
“This will be the biggest thing to happen to La Porte County,” he said.
http://www.indianaeconomicdigest.net/main.asp?SectionID=31&SubSectionID=135&ArticleID=62957&TM=57939.39
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MICHIGAN CITY — Just outside the Marquette Mall entrance to Sears, a group of teens — boys and girls — fired up their canon and shot T-shirts into the audience.
Yes, T-shirts, emblazoned with “Made in La Porte County Indiana U.S.”
It was “Made in La Porte County” day at the mall, a program to showcase county manufacturers and their products and organized by the La Porte County Economic Development Alliance.
Some 30 manufacturers, whose products range from analog and digital cameras and monitors (Dage MTI), to soup bases and gravy mixes (Integrative Flavors), to aluminum sulfate and sodium aluminate (USALCO LLC), to industrial graphics and signs (Stranco), participated.
Conrad Baugh of Sager Custom Conveyor & Fabrication in Michigan City,
answers questions from Marquette Catholic High School students.
(Photo by Rick A. Richards)
A group of students from La Porte County Career and Technical Education Center at the A.K. Smith Center were impressed with what they saw. Three girls, Evon Sneed, Angelica Lenson and Amanda Auler, all Michigan City High School seniors, are enrolled in Jane Neulieb’s health sciences class. They are interested in careers as nurses, medical assistants or physicians.
But they say they enjoyed visiting the manufacturing fair.
“I never knew so many things were made in La Porte County,” Angelica said.
Evone agreed, adding, “I learned a lot.”
Christopher Jackson, another MCHS senior who is in a machine trades class, was more in his element at the event. He enjoyed talking to the people at Vanair.
“They told me they don’t hire people unless they have a high school diploma or a GED,” he said.
That’s what Joe Kelly, engineering manager at Sprague Devices, said as well. High school or GED is the minimum for working in the shop. But Sprague also hires people to design and engineer whole systems of windshield wipers for vehicle manufacturers such as Volvo, Mack Trucks and Peterbilt. Kelly has a degree in engineering from Purdue University and a business degree from Northern Michigan University.
Several students from La Porte High School’s building trades program also attended the event.
“We’re working on a Habitat for Humanity house,” senior Justin Young said. Another senior, Scott Webb, said he enjoys the work. Both he and Justin said they hope to get into an apprenticeship after graduation.
Tom Kelly, president of St. Andrews Products, brought shirts and golf balls embroidered and otherwise adorned with company names. Although he brought items with locally familiar names (Horizon, Notre Dame), Kelly said his company provides golfing accouterments to a national customer base.
Retired Michigan City Area Schools superintendent Warren Jones said he likes to see so many young people having an opportunity to explore various careers in manufacturing.
John Regetz, La Porte County Economic Development Alliance co-director, and Mayor Chuck Oberlie also said the event represents a valuable opportunity for young people.
Audra Peterson, La Porte County Career and Technical Education Center director, said technical education is “opening doors for our students.” She said she hopes the people of La Porte County are proud of the support they show to their students.
What’s more, Oberlie said, the event was “a great celebration for me.
“It’s a great opportunity to meet the people who provide us with our quality of life, who provide jobs and incomes.”
Bob Schaefer, owner of Community Dynamics, a consulting company and an organizer of Made in La Porte County, said he saw many young people talking with manufacturers and even taking notes.
The young people who were shooting T-shirts into the air near Sears were members of the Michigan City Robotics team. Because it’s an after-school program, it attracts students from Michigan City High School, Marquette High School, Westville High School and home-schoolers.
Herb Higgin, director of the Safe Harbor after school program, where the robotics program began, said the team attracts boys and girls, students from the top of their classes and students with special needs.
Noting that Vanair’s products have found their way to the battlefields of Afghanistan, where they sense the presence of deadly IEDs (improvised explosive devices), Vanair President and Founder Ralph Kokot said he is proud to do business in La Porte County.
“The quality of our employees is fantastic,” he added.
PARTICIPATING MANUFACTURERS
A Packaging, Alcoa Howmet, B&B Manufacturing, Blocksom & Co., Dage MTI, Dekker Vacuum Technologies, Environmental Safety Products, Fiberbond Corp., Filter Specialists, Foster Printing Service, GAF Materials Corp., Hearthside Food Solutions, Ideal Metal Works, Integrative Flavors, Josam Co., KTR Corp., Master Roll Mfg., Michiana Resources, MCTD, New York Blower Co., Packaging Logic Inc., Peters & Marske, Sager Metal Strip Co., Sandusky-Chicago Abrasive Wheel Co., Sprague Devices/Commercial Vehicle Group, St. Andrews Products, Stranco, Sullivan Palatek, USALCO LLC, Vanair and Winn Machines.
Article by: Deborah Sederberg,
Staff Writer
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The Greater La Porte Economic Development Corporation (GLEDC) is pleased to announce the hiring of Bert Cook as the new Executive Director. Mr. Cook comes to GLEDC from his role as Executive Director of the Portage Economic Development Corporation.
“As the Chairman of the GLEDC Board I am happy to have Bert Cook as the new Executive Director. I know that he will be a great asset to our community," said Tom Edwards President and Chief Operating Officer of Horizon Bank.
Mr. Cook has a Bachelor's Degree in Business Management from Purdue University North Central and has continued his education with economic development certificates from Ball State and Purdue University North Central.
Previously, Mr. Cook served as the Retention and Expansion Coordinator for the La Porte County Economic Development Alliance and Project Manager for GLEDC. "I believe my past experience within the economic development field in La Porte County will greatly benefit me as I transition into this new role," Cook said.
The Greater La Porte Economic Development Corporation works in partnership with the Michigan City Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC) to provide economic development services to the cities of La Porte and Michigan City and all of La Porte County. "I am thrilled to become part of the La Porte County Alliance Team, and look forward to working with MCEDC, the La Porte and Michigan City Chambers of Commerce, and the La Porte County Government to continue to position La Porte as the place for business development," Cook said.
The Greater La Porte Economic Development Corporation is located at 809 Washington Street, Suite A, La Porte, Indiana 46350 and can be reached at (219) 324-8584 or www.gledc.com.
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The head of Indiana's state port system said Wednesday its Burns Harbor location is on track to handle more cargo in 2011 than in any year since 2006.
Ports of Indiana CEO Rich Cooper said in a news release issued Wednesday the Port of Indiana-Burns Harbor should hit the milestone with about a month left in the shipping season.
"Our shipments of steel, coal, fertilizer, wheat, limestone, oil and road salt have all well-surpassed last year's final totals," Cooper said. "We were fortunate to have a spike in our coal business and handled nearly four times as much coal as we did in 2010.
"We've also had large volumes of barge shipments moving steel, fertilizer, grain, asphalt and project cargo within the Lakes and through the Mississippi River system to and from the Gulf of Mexico."
The Burns Harbor port handled about 1.8 million tons of cargo in 2010, which was about 23 percent of the total among the the state's three ports. The other two are in Jeffersonville and Mount Vernon on the Ohio River.
Coal shipments were down at most Great Lakes ports, except Burns Harbor, according to the St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corp., which the federal government wholly owns. The corporation builds, operates and maintains the U.S. portion of the St. Lawrence Seaway between the Port of Montreal and Lake Erie.
Total cargo shipments within the Seaway between March 22 and November 30 were 33 million metric tons, up 1.2 percent from the same period last year.
Read more: http://www.nwitimes.com/business/local/burns-harbor-port-expects-to-beat-shipments/article_42ff42de-67d7-579e-aab7-74c2eaa5c452.html#ixzz1hBed23L1
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MICHIGAN CITY — A "Made in La Porte County" Products Showcase will bring some 33 manufacturers and 400 visitors to Marquette Mall in Michigan City on Friday.
"It will be exciting," said John Regetz, executive director of the Michigan City Economic Development Corporation and co-director of the La Porte County Economic Development Alliance. "I think many people will be surprised to see how many things are manufactured in La Porte County," Regetz added.
Michigan City Mayor Chuck Oberlie believes the event will be a good opportunity for young people, college students and high school students to see the wide variety of jobs available in the county.
"For the local workforce to develop and support our existing industry it is critical for our students to be introduced to our companies and to pursue appropriate training," Oberlie said.
Local educators apparently agree. Regetz said all A. K. Smith Area Careers Center students will attend the showcase.
What's more, the Robotics Team from Michigan City High School will participate in the showcase.
The only robotics team in La Porte County, the MCHS group is looking forward to robotics competition.
The building stage begins in January, and the competition is in March, said Herb Higgin, director of the Safe Harbor after school program, where the robotics program was formed.
The robotics students have participated in field trips to visit several area manufacturers.
At the showcase, they might visit Sager Metal Strip Company, which produces mechanical conveyors, air conveyors, vacuum and magnetic conveyors, air track, gravity track, cable conveyor, and oil-mist eliminators.
At Dage MTI, students and other visitors might have an opportunity to see high-end microscope cameras, high definition, digital, cooled and infrared cameras and other equipment such as monitors.
"The public can actually see, touch and feel products manufactured in La Porte County, La Porte Mayor Kathy Chroback said.
The event also will provide an opportunity for local businesses to interact with one another on a "business to business basis," Chroback added.
La Porte County Councilman Rich Mrozinski said, "It's surprising to see the variety of equipment and products that are made right here in our county and shipped around the world."
If you go The "Made in La Porte County" Products Showcase is from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday at the Marquette Mall in Michigan City.
John Regetz, executive director of the Michigan City Economic Development Corporation and co-director of the La Porte County Economic Development Alliance, said the public is invited and encouraged to attend.
A program and a short ceremony, including a T-shirt giveaway, will begin at 1 p.m. near the Sears store and the La Porte County Convention and Visitors Bureau. Regetz said everyone is welcome to attend that part of the event as well.
Source: The News-Dispatch - November 30, 2011 - By Deborah Sederberg, Staff Writer
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LA PORTE - Sullivan Palatek approached the La Porte County Council for a tax abatement aid with a proposed expansion of their manufacturing facilities.
Sullivan-Palatek is a company that manufactures electric and diesel driven rotary screw air compressors. Their products also include items such as air dryers, filters, condensate remediation systems and pneumatic tools.
John Regetz, co-director of the Economic Development Alliance, said the resolutions confirmed by the council were part of a two-step process for the proposed expansion.
“That provides the authority to grant a tax abatement,” said Regetz, at Monday’s council meeting.
Regetz said it is now up to Sullivan Palatek to finalize negotiations with the Indiana Economic Development Corporation.
“Then they take a look at their final business model with all the inputs and make a decision,” said Regetz.
Regetz said the building investment reaches $4 million dollars to expand 100,000 square feet. Other than the expansion, he also said this would also include up to $600,000 in new building equipment.
This expansion would create up to 35 new jobs for the company with up to $988,000 in payroll. It also will generate over $320,000 of new county tax revenue from the phased-in property tax valuations.
“Really it’s a win situation for everybody,” said Regetz. “We get more jobs and more investment, and of course after the 10 years tax valuations go to full levels.”
Sullivan Palatek is located on 1210 W. U.S. 20.
Source: Herald Argus and La Porte County Economic Development Alliance staff
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InsideINdianaBusiness.com Report
Indiana Chamber of Commerce President Kevin Brinegar says he's encouraged by the ranking, but believes there is more the state could do to become more free.
Indiana is one of the most "free" states in the nation, according to a study from the Mercatus Center at George Mason University. The report ranks Indiana near the top of the list in economic, social and personal freedoms.
You can see the full report by clicking here.
Summary of Indiana in the Freedom in the 50 States Report
Indiana is one of the rare outposts of freedom in the northeastern quadrant of the country. Fiscal policies are about average, but we see a warning sign in government debt, which increased by 4.1 percent of personal income between FY 2006 and FY 2008. In those years, tax collections fell, but spending increased as a percentage of the economy. Indiana has deregulated natural gas, telecom, and cable, and it licenses the fewest occupations in the country as a percentage of its workforce. The state has managed to construct a relatively humane marijuana-sentencing regime without decriminalizing. Indiana has good education laws, with very light regulation of home and private schools, but it has recently expanded the mandatory years of schooling from 9 to 11. Indiana has very little campaign-finance regulation, except for corporate PACs; it has also repealed its public financing. There are smoking bans across the board, but they all have meaningful exceptions. Gambling laws are odd but make sense in a public choice, Baptists-and-bootleggers fashion38: The state depends heavily on revenues from casinos, but it also bans social gaming, makes unauthorized gambling a felony, and has enacted a ban on Internet gaming.
Policy Recommendations
- Indiana spends more than average on public welfare and hospitals. We recommend constraining these budgets and using savings to retire debt.
- Repeal blue laws.
- Repeal the Internet-gaming ban, legalize social gambling, and make “aggravated gambling” a misdemeanor rather than a felony.
Source: George Mason University
http://www.insideindianabusiness.com/newsitem.asp?ID=50654
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The phone call from Steve Jobs came as a surprise. But even before he took that call, in March, 2010, former Michigan City resident Dag Kittlaus knew that Siri, his voice-controlled cellphone application, was a winner. So did Dag's mother Liv Markle, who still lives in Michigan City.
"When Stanford Research Institute got interested, that's when I knew it was really going somewhere," Liv said. Siri, a voice-operated "personal assistant," enables the cellphone user to ask for directions, make an appointment, find a restaurant, or get other types of information — in English, French or German.
In February, 2010, when Dag launched Siri, it quickly rose to 1st place in the Lifestyle section of Apple's App store. A few weeks later Jobs called Dag and, according to Forbes Magazine, "He had been playing with the Siri app and liked it." On April 27, 2010, Apple bought Siri for a reported $200 million.
For 44-year-old Dag, a graduate of Michigan City Elston High School and CEO of Siri, the question immediately arose — so what are you doing with the rest of your life?
He spent the next 18 months working for Apple, heading the team that applied Siri technology to the iPhone 4S, which was unveiled this year on Oct. 4, the day before Steve Jobs died. In the first 24 hours after the phone's release, the company took a record-breaking one million online orders — "the most amazing iPhone yet," Apple boasted.
Dag had been planning to leave California and return to the Midwest, where his family lives. He put the finishing touches on his dream house and moved, with his wife and three small children, back to the Chicago area. His older brother, Erik Kittlaus, is a web-page designer in Chicago. Their younger brother, Aaron Markle, operates a 150-acre organic farm near Benton Harbor, Mich., and is expected to lend his culinary skills to the family's Thanksgiving celebration. For the Christmas holidays, they are planning a ski trip to Colorado.
Dag now has the time to work on his first book, a mystery novel. He is also indulging his passion for severe weather. "I'm a storm chaser," he said. "I chase tornadoes. I'm installing a lightning detection system, a whole series of weather technology equipment. I love severe weather - that's one of the things I've missed about the Midwest."
"He was always a daredevil," his mother remembers. "Gymnastics, diving, every sport you can think of, Dag has done it. He has a deep-diving certificate, he's jumped out of a plane, he's teaching his kids how to ski. Dag never sits still."
In school he was "a good student, it came easy for him," Liv said, "but he was more interested in sports." He graduated from Long Beach Elementary School, Elston Middle School and then Michigan City Elston High School, where he played tennis, won the MVP award and set a few records.
"There were 16 boys in the Duneland Beach neighborhood where we lived," Liv recalled — all in the age group of Dag and his brothers. "They had sailboats, catamarans, they were always at the beach or the tennis courts, right down the street. It was a wonderful place for kids to grow up. They all went to school together." Dag enrolled at Indiana University and studied business, but still did not have a career focus.
"That was when he decided to make up for lost time," Liv said, "so he went to Norway, where he could complete his MBA in one year."
Liv, a native of Norway, had met Dag's father, Karl Kittlaus, when he was serving with the U.S. Air Force in France and she was studying French at a school run by nuns in Paris. Having worked as an au pair in England, Liv hoped for similar work in France. But Kittlaus proposed, and she followed him to the United States. The couple settled in Palos Heights, Ill., and had two sons. Whenever possible, Liv took them to visit her parents and sister in Norway, and "Dag loved everything about Norway — the skiing, the scenery, the weather, everything."
After completing his MBA at BI Norwegian Business School, in Oslo, Dag stayed in Norway for seven more years. He began his career in technology at the Scandinavian telecom giant, Telenor Mobile. Returning to the United States, he worked at Motorola for five years. In 2007, he co-founded Siri with Tom Gruber, CTO, and Adam Cheyer, VP Engineering. They named the company "Siri," a Norwegian girls' name. At the time they sold the company to Apple, Siri had 24 employees.
Dag met his wife-to-be, Ida, also of Norwegian descent, at a conference in Washington, D.C. For their wedding ceremonies, the couple and their families traveled to the Norwegian fjords. Some years earlier Dag had vacationed in the idyllic village of Geiranger and promised, "If I ever get married, it will be here."
http://thenewsdispatch.com/articles/2011/11/21/news/local/doc4ec85cc5ac543635689842.txt
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A longtime Michigan City company is expanding in a move designed to shore up its future in an increasingly competitive marketplace.
Michigan City Paper Box Co. plans on spending $725,000 on two new fully automated lines.
Al Hoodwin, CEO of the firm that was established in 1904, said the machinery will allow the plant at 1206 Pine St. to make larger retail boxes to help better compete in today's market for retail packaging.
Previously, whenever orders came in for larger boxes, that business was outsourced to other companies in Indiana and out east, Hoodwin said.
But Hoodwin said the business environment is now extremely competitive, creating a need for Michigan City Paper Box to cost effectively manufacture in–house a wide range of boxes for its customers.
''There are some very large contracts that we have been unable to get in the past since we couldn't manufacture all the size boxes our customers needed," he said. "This machinery will give us the ability to win these contracts and keep the business local.
''This investment isn't without risk, but it’s a necessary one in order to continue to be Michigan City's oldest manufacturer.'' Hoodwin said.
The expansion is projected to add four jobs to the existing 54-member workforce that has a current payroll of more than $1.6 million.
The new positions will generate nearly $90,000 in additional payroll, according to company officials.
''Michigan City Paper Box is a long-term industrial citizen ... that is successfully competing in the world market. We are pleased they have elected to reinvest in our community,'' said Michigan City Mayor Chuck Oberlie.
Tax abatement from the city is being sought on the new investment.
If approved, Oberlie said the company will start paying a discounted tax in the second year of the abatement and by the 10th and final year, full taxes on the new equipment will be paid.
''Giving companies an incentive such as tax abatement shows our willingness to support and encourage them to grow at the local level," said John Regetz, business development manager for the Michigan City Economic Development Corp.
Read more: http://www.nwitimes.com/niche/inbusiness/newsletter-featured-articles/michigan-city-paper-box-co-plans-k-expansion/article_8cf003bf-23fe-579b-b4f4-d8a2a4865fc2.html#ixzz1eSel81mq
Read more: http://www.nwitimes.com/niche/inbusiness/newsletter-featured-articles/michigan-city-paper-box-co-plans-k-expansion/article_8cf003bf-23fe-579b-b4f4-d8a2a4865fc2.html#ixzz1eSZDqz5g
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Electronic Commerce Inc., which employs 120 people, announced the expansion of its corporate headquarters in Elkhart and its plans to hire an additional 25 to 50 employees over the next year. The addition brings the total site to 19,000 square feet of office space.
Founded in 1996, ECI provides Web-based human capital management solutions, including payroll processing, talent management and human resource information systems. ECI services clients throughout the United States ranging from 50 to 10,000 employees.
ECI is well positioned for continued business expansion, innovation and market share growth, said Jeffrey Lacy, CEO and founder.
http://www.indianaeconomicdigest.net/main.asp?SectionID=31&SubSectionID=135&ArticleID=62067&TM=36724.79
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Discover Northern Indiana's artisan and agriculture heritage by follow one or more of the recently created Art & Earth Trails, a self-directed drive tracing routes highlighting the best of what this part of the state has to offer.
"It's the chance to buy something and shake the hand of the artist or craftsman who made it," said Dan Bearss, executive director of the Northern Indiana Tourism Development Commission. "It's also the opportunity to buy a pumpkin while talking to the farmer who grew it or eat a restaurant where one of the menu items is unique to Indiana or is locally sourced."
The seven counties showcase Porter, La Porte, St. Joseph, Marshall, Kosciusko, Elkhart and LaGrange -- are clustered along the Indiana Toll Road and the trails are named to reflect the defining characteristic of each.
"You won't find any chains on the tours," Bearss said. "The criteria for what's featured are that they are authentic and genuine Northern Indiana and they link together so people understand how much talent there is here. We want people to say 'It's Northern Indiana.'"
Those traveling the Art & Earth Trail: Dunes Loop which meanders through Porter County can get their art fix with stops that include Valparaiso University's Brauer Museum of Art and rTrail Collective Edge, also in Valparaiso, which is a place for regional crafts and artisan to exhibit their works as well as demonstrate their craft, meet to converse and teach.
At Molly Bea's INGREDIENTS in Chesterton, visitors can check out the long list of edibles including licorice, a large selection of local honeys, coffee and teas, chocolates and peanut butter.
All the gourmet foods as well as the kitchen items at Regal Rabbit are made in America. Plus you can sign up for cooking classes at this Chesterton store.
Looking for the really unique? Stop at Broken Wagon Bison for a video about buffalo, their history and amazing comeback—of the 70 million or so bison that galloped across the plains in North America in the 1600s, less than 1000 remained in 1900, a number now increased to over a quarter of a million -- as well as bison meats and bison leather products such as purses. There's also hand-crafted items made from Lake Michigan beach glass among many other pieces at Stephanie Swanson Jewelry Design in Chesterton.
Quaff a glass or two of Devil's Drip, Belgian style triple ale with its flavors of bananas and cloves or try the single India pale ale called Where Lizards Dare at Figure Eight Brewing, a craft microbrewery in Valparaiso that also has a tasting room.
Grab a slice of pie at Duneland Pizza & Dunes Photography while admiring the photos of Lake Michigan on the walls.
Into locally sourced, cage–free as well as natural and organic when possible? Dine at Third Coast Spice Café in Chesterton.
Consider spending the night at one of several B&Bs such as the Dunes Walk Inn at the Furness Mansion, an 1881 brick home in Chesterton, or the Songbird Prairie Bed & Breakfast in Valparaiso named "One Of The Best Romantic Inns in The Midwest."
But there's no reason just to stick close to home. Six other trail loops await.
In the fall, football lovers might want to do the Notre Dame Loop with stops at the South Bend Chocolate Factory to take a tour and taste samples, see the animals at Alpacas of Alagaesia and stock up on veggies, Hungarian and Polish pastries and peruse the crafts at the venerable South Bend Farmers Market, a local treasure since 1911.
Two loops follow the tracks of Northern Indiana's large Amish population, tracing their way through the Heritage Trail Loop in Elkhart County and the Shipshewana Loop. The first encompasses the quaint towns of Middlebury and Goshen with their family style Amish restaurants, historic mill and cemetery (where one of the participants in the Boston Tea Party is buried) as well as antique and quilt stores.
For a look into the past, travel the Shipshewana Loop to Greenfield Mills, a multi–generating family-owned mill that continues to grind wheat into flour as its down for over a century. Take a guided tour to see the vintage equipment dating back to the 1832. Owned by the Rinkel family who bought it in 1904, the —Indiana's oldest commercial water–powered flour mill—continues to produce New Rinkel flour products including 11 types of pancake mix such as blueberry, pumpkin spice and chocolate chip as well as organic pastry flour and cornmeal. Uniquely the mill also continues to generate electricity for the small community surrounding it, some 20 or so homes.
Read more: http://www.nwitimes.com/niche/shore/food-and-drink/article_55c13d13-c378-5ef0-95fc-ed4abc7918cf.html#ixzz1b3hyrtl8
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MICHIGAN CITY — It’s a long way from providing plastic bags for the PGA of America to providing merchandise for major golf tournaments and corporations.
It has been a long and challenging path, but it’s one James Strzelecki knows well because he’s walked every step of it.
In 1989, he was working for a company that sold plastic bags to the PGA, but when it made a decision to go in a different direction, Strzelecki struck out on his own.
He thought there might be more of a market to the PGA than plastic bags. That decision led to the creation of St. Andrews Products, which has grown from providing plastic bags into selling logo golf balls, tees and bag tags. Today, the company has added logo shirts, hats, bags and other items.
St. Andrews counts among its customers many Division I athletic programs, along with corporations such as Little Caesar’s, Weil-McLain and California Pizza Kitchens. Next year, St. Andrews will provide merchandise and packaging for the Ryder Cup competition, which will be held at Medinah Country Club in Chicago.
“We do all PGA championships. We sold them all the towels for the last several years,” Strzelecki said.
The business has expanded in recent years by selling corporate gifts for employee recognition events or trade shows. That became possible when St. Andrews acquired screening and embroidery equipment to put corporate logos and personalized messages on clothing.
In the 1990s and early 2000s, Strzelecki said golf made up between 75 and 85 percent of St. Andrews’ business. Today, it’s 25 percent.
“The rest is corporate promotions,” he said.
In his first year of business, Strzelecki said the company did $1.3 million in business. Last year, it did $14 million in business.
But St. Andrews isn’t just focused on corporate customers or high-profile golf courses. Strzelecki says the company does what it can to provide logos and messages for local softball teams, churches and family reunions.
Strzelecki, president of St. Andrews Products, said the company’s growth has been boosted by a national network of 26 independent sales representatives who visit golf courses all over the country. In addition, St. Andrews has five corporate sales representatives.
When Strzelecki started St. Andrews Products, it was him and one other employee. That worker, Kathy Johnson, is still with St. Andrews today. In that time, the company has moved from a small building in La Porte to a three building-campus covering 65,000 square feet on the east side of Michigan City.
Strzelecki named one of the buildings on the campus for Johnson. Recognition like that is one of the ways he tries to make St. Andrews Products like family. Of his 50 employees, 28 have been with the company seven years or more.
“I love the community and the people here,” Strzelecki said. “The city has been very helpful. Mayor Chuck Oberlie has been great. I have a good relationship with the city.”
He also has a good relationship with La Porte County, which recently provided a $90,000 economic development loan at 2 percent interest. With the money, St. Andrews bought a new screener that allowed the company to retain six jobs.
One of the attributes Strzelecki likes best about his employees is their loyalty. Fathers, mothers, sons and daughters work at St. Andrews Products. He acknowledges employee loyalty every year on the company’s birthday by inviting all seven-year employees to a dinner in their honor in the Champions Room.
The Champions Room is a place members can go to relax and enjoy a meal. Engraved photos of each member are displayed on the wall, alongside the engraved photos of guest speakers for the dinner. They have ranged from Gil Pontius, local grocery store owner and philanthropist, to former Notre Dame football coach Gerry Faust.
“Our employees are like family,” said Strzelecki.
Source: The News Dispatch
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On Thursday, November 10th the Northwest Indiana Workforce Board (NWIWB) will be conducting Manufacturing Summit Roundtables in partnership with Conexus Indiana. The purpose of the employer roundtables will be to discuss the workforce needs and hiring practices and procedures of Indiana’s manufacturing and logistics employers, and to specifically explore the use and the interest in national, portable, industry-recognized certifications.
The Manufacturing Institute, the education arm of the National Manufacturers Association has created a Skills Certification System that currently involves five industry recognized certifications with additional ones to be added by the end of the year. Currently there are 26 states participating in the Skills Certification Project, including Indiana. Leading the project for Indiana is Conexus Indiana. The project will involve educating employers about these certifications, learning how to make them more available and easier to access, while increasing the number of training programs available to workers who want to prepare for the certification tests.
As part of this initiative, the NWIWB has been asked to assist Conexus in hosting the regional roundtables. If your company would like to be represented on November 10th—please RSVP yourself and/or another company representative for this no-cost event by calling Linda Burrus at 219-462-2940, ext. 22 or email lburrus@innovativeworkforce.com. The November 10th event will take place at Sand Creek Country Club, located at 1001 Sand Creek Drive in Chesterton, Indiana from 8:00-10:00 a.m. Registration deadline is November 3rd and space is limited.
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LA PORTE- On Wednesday, August 31st, the Greater La Porte Chamber of Commerce hosted a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for Above Board Construction. Above Board Construction was also celebrating the Grand Opening of their new La Porte office on the same day. Their new office is located on 910 Michigan Avenue, La Porte. Many local community businesses attended.
Above Board Construction provides24 Hr./7 day Disaster Recovery Servicerelated toFire, Water, Wind, Restoration services. Above Board Construction, works directly with your insurance company to provide a turnkey service to restore your home or business back to its original condition before the occurrence happened.
Above Board Construction are also very active philanthropists in the Power of Pink Breast Cancer Awareness and Fund Raising Campaign. By inviting friends to "Like" the Power of Pink page on Facebook and "Follow" them on Twitter, Above Board Construction will donate $1 for each new "Like" or "Follower"! They will also donate $2 for every pink truck sighting reported. Simply report your sighting, when and where you spot the pink truck via Twitter or Facebook. Include a photo of your sighting along with the location and time on your post and Above Board Construction will donate $5 to the campaign. The goal of this campaign is to raise $10,000.
About above Board Construction: Above Board Construction was founded in Oakland County, Michigan in 1983 and started repairing fire damaged homes and have expanded to become a Premier Service Contractor for many of the largest insurance companies, handling both Residential and Commercial claims. Above Board Construction has three locations: Northwest Indiana, Metro Detroit and Grand Traverse Bay.
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What started out in the basement of her parent’s home 50 years ago has expanded into an internationally recognized business with around 350 employees.
That’s the story of Aero Metals in a nutshell, a business that Office Manager Pat Graham said is like a family to her, and a very real legacy for her father, the late Jim Fleming, who founded it not only to produce quality products for customers, but also quality jobs for its employees.
And it was all about the employees on Saturday when Aero Metals, an investment casting company in La Porte, celebrated its 50 years with a company picnic at City Park.
Despite heavy rains, employees and their families crowded the sheltered areas of the park for food, games and a little time together.
“It would be a proud moment for him [Jim Fleming],” said company President and CEO Bob Stowell. “It was very important for him to provide employment to the community and keep jobs here instead of letting them go off shore.”
He said the employee turnout that day was a testament to Aero Metal’s commitment to its employees.
“We try and treat everyone here as family,” he said. “It’s a family run business, not corporate owned. We want to be a viable entity in this community. I want to say we’re a dying breed.”
But family never got any special treatment, Graham said.
Now an office manager, she said she started out as a receptionist 34 years ago.
“My dad was one of those guys who said ‘no special treatment for my daughter. She’s going to work her way up the rope like everybody else.’ And I think that was a good thing. It humbled me.”
She said she also felt honored that her father has done so much for the community by making high quality products and keeping good jobs here. This effort helped the company win back business lost to lower quality companies over seas.
And Graham said she was proud of its growth.
“It went from a small tool shop to an investing casting business known around the world,” she said. “The growth has been remarkable.”
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InsideINdianaBusiness.com Report
Two areas of the state have been chosen to participate in a U.S. Department of Agriculture economic development program. A group of counties in northwest Indiana and the Southern Indiana Growth Alliance will develop new approaches to strengthen their development efforts through the Stronger Economies Together initiative.
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Two multicounty regions in Indiana will create economic development plans under a U.S. Department of Agriculture program that Purdue Extension will support.
The regional teams selected for the Stronger Economies Together program, administered by USDA Rural Development, are Rural Communities of LaPorte, Jasper, Starke and Southern Porter Counties in northwest Indiana and Southern Indiana Growth Alliance, encompassing Ripley, Dearborn, Ohio, Franklin and Switzerland counties.
Stronger Economies Together is designed to help multicounty, rural groups develop new approaches to strengthen and enhance economic development efforts by identifying a region's strengths and needs, said Scott Hutcheson, assistant director of economic and community development for Purdue Extension.
"We will walk them through this process," Hutcheson said. "By creating a strategy, they will be in better position to attract resources they need. Banding together with other communities on a regional basis makes a lot of sense."
The northwest Indiana group will focus its development on tourism and manufacturing. The southern Indiana group will concentrate on attracting and retaining college graduates for its workforce.
No grant funding is involved in the yearlong program, to begin this fall, but the groups will receive training and technical assistance to help them take advantage of opportunities that lead to growth and improve quality of life. The teams will receive:
* Training in strategic planning.
* Database tools to help them examine key assets of their region and identify emerging growth sectors and regional competitive advantages.
* Technical assistance and educational support from Purdue Extension staff; Extension's North Central Regional Center for Rural Development, based at Michigan State University; USDA Rural Development staff in Indiana; and other educational and information-sharing opportunities with program participants across the country.
Indiana is among about a dozen states selected to participate in this second round of the program. Thirteen states were chosen in the first round last year.
Other organizations providing support for the program are the Association of Indiana Counties, Indiana Association of Cities and Towns, Indiana Association of Regional Councils, Indiana Economic Development Association, Indiana Grantmakers Alliance, Indiana Office of Community & Rural Affairs and Indiana Planning Association.
USDA Rural Development serves as the lead federal agency for rural development needs by offering financial and technical assistance to individuals, businesses and communities. Its programs include funding for day care centers, fire trucks and other community projects; the purchase, construction or repair of homes; loans and guarantees to rural businesses to save or create jobs and renewable energy; and loans and grants for water and sewer utility projects.
Information on programs offered by USDA Rural Development is available by contacting the Indiana office at 317-290-3100, ext. 4, or by visiting its website at www.rurdev.usda.gov/in
Source: NWI Times
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In four years, Sullair Corp. will have invested$12.7 million in its global headquarters here and created as many as 113 new jobs through expansion efforts.
A business unit of Hamilton Sundstrand, a United Technologies company, Sullair, 3700 E. Michigan Blvd., was founded in 1965 in Michigan City.
While it maintains it headquarters in Michigan City, Sullair is globally recognized as the leading producer of stationary air compressors, compressed air-treatment equipment, vacuum systems, portable compressors and air tools. It operates in Australia and China as well as the U.S.
“We expect to see increasing demand in our developed markets as the worldwide economy shakes off the lingering effects of the recent recession,” Sullair President Henry Brooks said. “Investing in our U.S. sites will help us meet that demand while providing resources for technological research.”
The investment in the 410,000 square-foot site site includes buying new equipment and making energy efficient upgrades.
Mayor Chuck Oberlie calls the Sullair news “wonderful.”
“Sullair is one of Michigan City’s premier employers, so we are proud that they have selected their headquarters in our community to make this investment,” Oberlie said.
He worked alongside John Regetz, Michigan City Economic Development Corp. executive director.
“We are thrilled to support Sullair with this critical expansion of its headquarters, which encourages employment opportunities into the future, Regetz said.
Oberlie said the city worked with Michigan City Area Schools and particularly the A.K. Smith Area Career Center because people will need skills in precision machining and advanced manufacturing.
“The Indiana Economic Development Corp. offered Sullair up to $800,000 in performance-based tax credits and $75,000 in training grants based on the company plans for job creation,” the IEDC, with Gov. Mitch Daniels at its head, said in a press release.
Michigan City is providing enterprise zone investment deductions through the Urban Enterprise Association and developing training programs.
About the process of working with Sullair, Oberlie said, “We’ve been talking for more than a year.”
Noting Sullair is about to sink nearly $13 million into its plant, Oberlie said, “That bodes well for the future of the community.
“It says Sullair likes it here, and Sullair is staying here.”
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Fatal workplace accidents in Indiana dropped 6.5 percent in 2010 from a year earlier, according to a preliminary report released Thursday by the Indiana Department of Labor.
The agency said there were 115 deaths from workplace injuries in the state last year, which was the lowest number of incidents reported in the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries. The census was introduced in 1991.
"While a record low is good statistically speaking, for 115 families their tragic loss defies any statistic," said Lori Torres, commissioner of the Indiana Department of Labor. "That is why there is no higher priority in our agency than safeguarding the lives of working Hoosiers through safety and health initiatives and enforcement programs."
The agency reported 123 deaths from workplace injuries in 2009.
The agriculture industry reported the highest number of work-related deaths in 2010 with 22. Most of those deaths involved accidents with crop production.
The leading cause of all workplace fatalities was transportation incidents, with 54 out of 115 reported. This includes vehicular accidents and people being struck by a vehicle.
Construction continued to have the highest rate of fatalities, but for the fifth straight year there was a decline in fatal accidents.
The manufacturing industry had 13 fatalities in 2010, according to the report, which is up from 12 in 2009. The report noted manufacturing, particularly the manufacture of motor vehicle parts, was one of the leading industries for workplace deaths for Hoosiers.
On a national level, U.S. workplace fatalities remained relatively flat year over year, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics said in a preliminary report. In 2010, there were 4,547 fatal work injuries nationwide, compared to 4,551 in 2009.
For more information, visit www.in.gov/dol/2439.htm.
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FORT WAYNE, Ind. -- Indiana property tax payers saved 32 percent this year, compared with a year ago, thanks to statewide tax caps on their 2011 bills, according to a state report.
The Department of Local Government Finance study found that the caps cut this year's property tax bills by $566 million, which was $136 million more in savings from 2010 bills. But that also means less money for local governments and schools.
The large savings is largely from a decrease in property values around the state, Purdue University tax expert Larry DeBoer told The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette for a story Tuesday.
When assessed value drops, that means tax rates rise in order for a government unit to collect the same amount of money. DeBoer said that puts more taxpayers at the caps, which are 1 percent of assessed value for residential property, 2 percent for rental properties and farmland, and 3 percent for businesses.
DeBoer said the caps and accompanying property tax changes are generally doing what legislators intended.
"In terms of tax relief, it's working right on the nose," he said. "Homeowners statewide have seen about a 30 percent reduction since 2007."
The smaller bills, however, mean less state tax revenue is available for local governments and school districts. The state report shows that school districts saw a $200 million decline, while cities and towns received $192 million less.
The losses have caused significant tax revenue drops in some areas of the state.
Fort Wayne City Controller Pat Roller said the city expected to lose $10 million to tax caps this year but will instead lose $13 million.
"We have been doing everything we can to keep our budgets low and build up a reserve so we could handle it. That's where we are right now," she said. "We will be able to tolerate the $3 million loss to our reserves, but it is tough."
The savings aren't equal among the various tax-cap categories.
The latest report shows that those in the 1 percent category received about $164 million in relief and properties under the 2 percent cap saw nearly $245 million in savings. Those in the 3 percent category were billed $154 million less than what they would have been without the caps.
DeBoer said rental houses don't receive the same deductions or credits that owner-occupied homes do, pushing their tax bills higher and closer to the tax cap.
"This is the inevitable result," he said. "They receive relief well beyond their proportional share of assessed value."
State Rep. Win Moses, D-Fort Wayne, said lawmakers couldn't have planned for the assessed value drop, which means local government is getting even less money than expected.
"That is a lot for local governments to absorb. They either have to reduce services or raise income elsewhere through income taxes or fees," he said. "This might be causing more pain than expected."
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Westville – Purdue University North Central has become the permanent home of a section of a steel beam that was recovered from the World Trade Center in New York, after its collapse on Sept. 11, 2001. In remembrance of the 10th anniversary of that day, PNC will place the steel on permanent display in the Library-Student-Faculty Building Cybercafé, Room 114, off the first floor foyer.
It will be unveiled during a brief ceremony on Sept. 11. The public is invited to attend. The ceremony will begin promptly at 7:30 a.m. A moment of silence will be observed at 7:45 a.m. – the time the first plane struck the World Trade Center - and again, 18 minutes later at 8:03 a.m., the time when the second building was struck. A violinist will offer two works prior to the second moment of silence. There will be time for questions, answers and discussion. The formal event will end at 8:30 a.m.
Light refreshments will be served.
The public will have the opportunity to view the piece until 2 p.m. that day. The CybercCafé is equipped with comfortable chairs and couches, so that the guests who come to view the I-beam may stay to think and reflect.
“We are honored to have received this priceless artifact that was part of one of the most meaningful events in our nation's history,” said PNC Chancellor Dr. James B. Dworkin. “It is simply breathtaking to have this on our campus.”
PNC filed a request in November, 2009 with The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, to receive a piece of steel salvaged from the World Trade Center buildings, explained Judy Jacobi, PNC assistant vice chancellor of Marketing and Campus Relations.
After conferring with Chancellor Dworkin, Jacobi was inspired sent a letter and completed an application through the Port Authority to receive an artifact from the Word Trade Center. It did not take long to hear that the PNC request was approved. It was another 18 months before the beam arrived on campus.
The beam itself measures 36 inches long, by 18 inches wide, by 11 inches deep and weighs 176 pounds.
The Port Authority, owners of the World Trade Center steel, accepted applications from cities, towns, museums, fire and police departments, schools and similar organizations to submit applications for pieces of steel to be used as lasting memorials to the 2,973 innocent victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Requests were received from across the country and around the world.
Port Authority Executive Director Christopher O. Ward explained, “The best way we can honor the memory of those we lost on 9/11 is to find homes in cities and towns around the nation for the hundreds of artifacts we've carefully preserved over the years.”
PNC will keep the steel I-beam on permanent display. The public may visit at any time the building is open - Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Saturday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Library-Student-Faculty Building is closed on Sundays.
The steel will be displayed near the series of oil paintings named, “New York, New York” that were created in tribute to the victims of Sept. 11, the rescue workers and the residents of New York City.
They were created by Jason Poteet, a graduate of Marquette High School in Michigan City. Poteet had been scheduled to attend a Morgan Stanley Investments training program in New York City in September, 2001, in the North Tower of the World Trade Center. On Sept. 6, 2001 his training session was postponed, thus ensuring he was not in the World Trade Center on Sept. 11. He volunteered his time at Ground Zero and returned home with new inspiration for his paintings.
Parking is free on the PNC campus, but guests are asked to please not park in the “A” or reserved spaces. Parking during the academic year may find parking more available on Thursdays, Fridays and weekends.
Further information may be obtained by contact in Jacobi at 785-5200, ext. 5593. Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations should contact Jacobi.
Source: Purdue North Central website at www.pnc.edu
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Known to the community as the home of Jaymar Ruby, the property at 5000 Ohio St. has been sold to a local company through a $2 million deal.
Fas-Pak Inc., which provides packaging services, some of it high-tech, closed on the deal in mid-July, according to John Sharpe, a principal with Lee & Associates Commercial Real Estate Services, Chicago. News of the deal, however, was not released until Tuesday.
John Regetz, Michigan City Economic Development Commission business development manager, said it took about 60 days to make the $2 million deal.
"I would say (making the deal) was relatively fast," he said.
Regetz said several parties have been interested in the real estate since Jaymar vacated the site in 2009, but most were interested only in a portion of the property.
He said Fas-Pak, which now occupies a plant at 411 N. Fairfield Ave. and at 401 Darlington St. in La Porte, possibly will use the warehouse space on the Jaymar property for its own purposes and provide warehouse space to other businesses.
Andy Neal, former director of operations with Jaymar Ruby, has been working for GE Capital to see that the buildings and property are maintained, as well as to show prospective buyers through it.
At the end, the property was owned by the now-bankrupt Hartmarx, known as the HMX Group, but called the XMH group in bankruptcy court, Neal explained.
The property consists of three buildings on 28 acres. The first building, known as the cutting-room building, was built in 1970, Neal said, and the executive office building was built in 1984. The executive office building is 57,000 square feet and the cutting-room building is 150,000 square feet, "but 50,000 square feet of that is a two-story structure," Neal said.
Neither Regetz nor Neal knew whether Fas-Pak's purchase of the empty building would mean jobs to Michigan City.
Neal said the new owner is interested in leasing the office building.
Greg Ake, CEO of Fas-Pak, did not return calls Wednesday from The News-Dispatch.
But Neal said he believes Ake is intimately involved with his company.
"I have seen him there in jeans and sweatshirt working on cleaning up," Neal said.
Source: La Porte Herald Argus
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 Sullair Corporation, a business unit of Hamilton Sundstrand, a United Technologies company (NYSE: UTX), announced today that it will invest in its global headquarters here, creating up to 113 new jobs by 2015.
The company manufactures stationary and portable air compressors, compressed air treatment equipment, vacuum systems and air tools for the mining, construction, industrial, manufacturing and energy sectors.
Sullair expects to invest up to $12.7 million to purchase new equipment and make energy efficiency upgrades at its 410,000 square-foot LaPorte County facility.
"Sullair has called Indiana home for decades and we are pleased that they are continuing to invest in our state," said Governor Mitch Daniels. "By maintaining one of the best business climates in the nation, Indiana is able to attract and retain companies like Sullair and we look forward to many more years of success from this global leader."
Established in 1965, Sullair is headquartered in Michigan City with manufacturing facilities in China, Australia and the United States. The company has already begun hiring new production associates.
"We expect to see increasing demand in our developed markets as the worldwide economy shakes off the lingering effects of the recent recession," said Henry Brooks, president of Sullair. "Investing in our U.S. sites will help us meet that demand while providing resources for technological research."
Sullair's parent company, United Technologies, employs thousands of Indiana workers at its operations in Huntington, Bloomington, Indianapolis and Michigan City. The company's Employee Scholar Program has helped 1,175 Indiana employees, including 144 local Sullair associates, earn college degrees.
"Sullair is one of Michigan City's premier employers so we are proud they have selected their headquarters in our community in which to make this investment," said Michigan City Mayor Chuck Oberlie.
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered Sullair Corporation up to $800,000 in performance-based tax credits and $75,000 in training grants based on the company's job creation plans. Michigan City is providing enterprise zone investment deductions through the Urban Enterprise Association and developing training programs.
"We are thrilled to support Sullair with this critical expansion of its headquarters, which encourages employment opportunities into the future," said John Regetz, Executive Director, Michigan City Economic Development Corporation.
Source: Indiana Economic Development Corporation
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La Porte – The La Porte County Council on Monday approved a resolution for Vanair’s tax abatement request. Jerrold Winski, attorney for Vanair Manufacturing, Inc. and Kokot Brothers Development, LLC, requested the approval of a tax abatement for further building expansion.
“This is a request for a 10 year tax abatement for the building of an expansion from the existing building,” said Winski. “It’s a 30,000 square foot expansion, and the purpose of it is to provide additional manufacturing and assembly space and storage capacity.”
Winski said the estimated cost of the real estate improvement building expansion is $1 million. Its addition to that request was estimated for manufacturing equipment, assembly space and storage capacity. The total investment was $1.3 million. Vanair would also support economic development efforts as parts of the tax phase-in.
“Vanair will contribute about $5,000 to the La Porte County Economic Development Fund for use by the County Council and Redevelopment Commission on economic development projects, “said John Regetz, Co-Director, La Porte County Economic Development Alliance.
“We all know there are companies and manufacturers who are sitting back and not going forward with expansion because we’ve got some uncertain times here, but Vanair said lets go for it, and that’s what they are doing,” said Winski.
The members of the board were impressed by Vanair’s recent progress and growth.
“This is one of the reasons I got into this line of work, to see improvement in the county, and putting people to work and making things better for us so thank you very much,” said Rich Mrozinski.
Earl Cunningham complimented Vanair as he said, “It’s a very nice addition to our county.”
Vanair applied for a tax abatement in 2007, when they arrived in La Porte. At that time, they projected 57 jobs. Winski said that they presently have 77 employees.
“This is a perfect example of how tax abatement works,” said Winski. “It brings economic development to our county, but most importantly, it brings jobs.”
This is one-step in Vanair’s decision making process. When other programs are finalized in the next couple of weeks, the final decisions on the expansion will be made.
“The county would receive about $77,000 of new tax revenue over the course of this tax phase-in, should it be accepted,” said Regetz.
Source: Herald Argus and La Porte County Economic Development Alliance Staff
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For a second consecutive year, the smoking rate for Hoosier adults has decreased, according to a study released Tuesday by the Indiana State Department of Health.
Indiana's smoking rate was reduced by 23 percent from 2001 to 2010, according to the 2010 Behavior Risk Factor Surveillance System data. In 2001, the smoking rate in the state was 27.4 percent and dropped to 23.1 percent in 2009. The 2010 rate of 21.2 percent is the lowest since data collection started in 1984.
"The numbers are really good," said Brad Burk, the director of government relations for the Great Lakes Division of the American Cancer Society. "I don't think they're surprising per se. We do have an idea of what it takes to decrease smoking rates."
The data is from a state-based system of health surveys that collects information on health issues and behaviors.
The data showed 60 percent of Hoosier smokers attempted to quit for at least a day last year. Burk said the American Cancer Society believes three things are necessary to aggressively fight smoking. He said funding tobacco control, such as the Indiana Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Commission, and raising the tobacco tax are important ways to combat smoking. The tobacco tax was raised once in 2002 and again in 2007, raising the tax in Indiana to about $1 a pack. However, the national average is about $1.50, Burk said. The final way to combat smoking is passing more local tobacco laws or a statewide policy on smoking.
State Rep. Charlie Brown, D-Gary, authored legislation that passed in the House in January regarding a statewide policy, but it died in the Senate's Public Policy Committee after some members said a more comprehensive policy was needed. Others said state legislation shouldn't affect what's allowed in businesses. In June, Brown told The Times a tobacco increase is unlikely in 2012 since all members of the House are up for re-election.
He said Tuesday he plans to bring up legislation for a statewide smoking ban again next year.
"It may be that the numbers are decreasing, but Indiana still is one of the states with the most smokers," Brown said.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the national median for smoking in the U.S. was 17.3 percent last year.
Read more: http://www.nwitimes.com/niche/get-healthy/newsletter-featured-health-care/article_8cc6f509-e441-5068-9bd6-3c1dc9388932.html#ixzz1Ujq89CJ1
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Ohio-based Revere Plastics Systems LLC is expanding into Jeffersonville and planning to create 178 jobs in southern Indiana. The plastics molding company says it plans to invest $13.4 million and move into an existing production plant.
One Southern Indiana is pleased to announce plans by Clyde, Ohio-based Revere Plastics Systems, LLC to expand operations into Jeffersonville. Upon approval of pending incentive packages from Jeffersonville and the State of Indiana, Revere Plastics Systems, LLC is considering plans to move into an existing 122,000 square-foot production plant.
"As companies consider their options, we hope the message is clear: Southern Indiana wants your business," said Vaughan Scott, Chairman of One Southern Indiana. "These jobs and this investment are exactly why we work every day to make this community a better place to live, work, and raise a family. Welcoming high caliber companies to our corporate community brings us closer to that realization."
Revere Plastics Systems is considering adding a Jeffersonville production plant due to opportunities with current and new customers in the Louisville area. The move would bring 178 new jobs to Southern Indiana along with a $13.4 million personal property investment. Plans include the request for a five-year tax abatement, while a $200,000 training grant is being proposed by the City of Jeffersonville for approval by the Redevelopment Commission this evening.
"Revere Plastics Systems appreciates the attractive incentive proposals from the City of Jeffersonville and the State of Indiana. Jeffersonville is one of two locations being considered for a new manufacturing facility in the greater Louisville area. We are moving quickly to finalize a site and anticipate beginning production this year," said Jim Crews, Chief Financial Officer for Revere Industries.
"We're thrilled the City of Jeffersonville is seeing such positive economic activity," said Mayor Tom Galligan. "We have the location, infrastructure, and resources necessary to be a major player now and in the future. We thank Revere for their potential investment and look forward to them joining our business community."
Through the coordination of One Southern Indiana, Revere Plastics Systems officials will appear before the Jeffersonville Redevelopment Commission this evening at 5:30 p.m. The outcome will determine the company's eligibility to request local tax incentives at the Jeffersonville City Council meeting on August 15.
About One Southern Indiana:
One Southern Indiana is a business advancement organization dedicated to supporting entrepreneurship, existing business growth, and attracting new enterprises to the Southern Indiana/Greater Louisville region. Representing more than 1,200 businesses, One Southern Indiana provides its clients with business intelligence, advocacy, and connections solutions in support of regional business innovation. Since its creation in July 2006, One Southern Indiana's economic development efforts have resulted in commitments for approximately 6,498 net new jobs in Clark and Floyd Counties. A total of 78 attraction and expansion projects have contributed more than $350 million in new initial capital and over $225 million in new annual payroll to Southern Indiana. To learn more, please visit www.1si.org.
About Revere Plastics Systems, LLC
Revere Plastics Systems (RPS), is a subsidiary of Revere Industries, one of the largest custom plastics injection molders in North America. RPS is the largest supplier of plastic injection molder parts for the U.S. appliance industry as well as supplying the automotive, business equipment, power equipment and electronic markets. The company operates manufacturing facilities in Ohio, Missouri and Ontario, Canada and sales office in Michigan. To learn more, please visit www.revereindustries.com.
Source: Reverse Plastics Systems LLC
http://www.insideindianabusiness.com/newsitem.asp?ID=49154
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MICHIGAN CITY | Franciscan St. Anthony Health-Michigan City has received the National Patient Safety Foundation’s Stand Up for Patient Safety Management Award, hospital president Dr. James Callaghan says.
The honor was in recognition of the hospital improving its sentinel lymph node procedure for patients undergoing breast cancer treatment.
The Nuclear Medicine Department designed a process improvement project to study the hospital’s lymph node visualization rates and found that by reducing the length of the needles used to inject the radioactive tracer, visualization rates improved to 100 percent.
“I continue to be tremendously proud of our staff and physicians, as they continue to give compassionate, expert and innovative care that has repeatedly garnered national and state health care awards. Our community can rest assured that we deliver exceptional care, close to home,’’ Callaghan said.
Genevieve Koehler, hospital director of quality services, said the foundation told her the award was based on “our excellent execution and thoroughness of a wonderful patient safety initiative.’’
Koehler credited Amy Johns, nuclear medicine technologist supervisor and project leader, and Dr. Richard Dobben, medical director of diagnostic imaging, for being keys to the project’s success, as well as Cheryl Haas, director of diagnostic imaging, and Nancy Wulff, performance improvement analyst.
“I am always looking for ways to recognize the exceptional quality of service that we offer at Franciscan St. Anthony Health-Michigan City, so that our community and surrounding communities will recognize our high standards for excellent, patient-centered care,’’ Koehler added.
The award was presented in May at the 13th Annual Patient Safety Congress meeting in Washington, D.C.
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Groundbreaking on the state's 64th winery has taken place in Huntington County. Two-EE's Winery in Roanoke is expected to open in the spring, and Indiana Wine Grape Council Marketing Director Jeanette Merritt tells Inside INdiana Business at least 10 other operations are in the works. She says existing wineries help boost the state's economy by attracting more than two million visitors a year.
Merritt adds the average wine-related tourist pumps between $200 and $300 into local economies and since many wineries are in smaller communitities, the industry is providing a significant boost for some rural areas.
She adds the state produces 1.1 million gallons a year, which will increase as more operations go online.
The council is working on a study that will update the industry's economic impact on Indiana.
You can learn more about Two-EE's Winery from our partners at Indiana's NewsCenter.
Source: Inside INdiana Business, Indiana's Newscenter
http://www.insideindianabusiness.com/newsitem.asp?ID=49150
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GARY, Ind. (Aug. 3, 2011) - CN, one of North America's largest railroads, announced plans today to relocate a portion of its operations from Markham, Ill. and fully redevelop the existing Kirk Yard rail facility here, adding up to 251 new jobs by 2015.
CN, which spans Canada and mid-America and reaches the Atlantic, Pacific and Gulf coasts, will invest $163 million in the Gary project. This initial investment includes expanding the railroad classification yard and building a 155,000 square-foot locomotive maintenance and repair facility.
"Whether its bringing dollars back from overseas or from right next door, finding new investments and jobs is always job one for us," said Governor Mitch Daniels. "Today, we see a product of that effort as one of the leaders of the rail industry chooses Indiana's lower-cost, business-friendly climate over our Midwestern neighbors and, best of all, chooses Northwest Indiana for its new expansion."
CN has approximately 20,600 route miles of track offering connections to ports on the Atlantic, Pacific and Gulf. With approximately 22,000 employees, the company's rail network serves close to 75 percent of the U.S. population and all major Canadian markets.
"Our Kirk Yard improvements will mean significant improvements in efficiency and productivity creating new capacity for growth in the Chicago area and Northwest Indiana," said Jim Vena, senior vice president, CN Southern Region. "Additionally, the expansion of Kirk Yard represents a significant investment by CN in Gary which will bring hundreds of jobs to Indiana."
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered CN up to $2.95 million in performance-based tax credits and up to $250,000 in training grants based on the company's job creation plans. The city of Gary also offered funds using revenues generated from the issuance of a tax increment financing (TIF) bond.
"The CN project will contribute greatly to the restoration of the city of Gary's tax base with significant improvements to its Kirk Yard," said Mayor Rudy Clay. "This multi-million dollar project will add to our tax base as well as provide opportunities for new, well-paid, full-time jobs for Gary residents. I am gratified that CN has decided to expand in the City of Gary. I am excited about this venture and look forward to the start of construction."
CN's relocation marks the sixth company this year to publicly announce its plans to relocate operations from Illinois to Indiana. Most recently in July, Special Metals Corporation revealed that it would relocate its A-1 Wire division from Rockford, Ill. to its Elkhart, Ind. plant, creating up to 100 new jobs by 2014.
http://www.cn.ca/en/media-news-locomotive-repair-shop-20110803.htm
About CN
CN - Canadian National Railway Company and its operating railway subsidiaries - spans Canada and mid-America, from the Atlantic and Pacific oceans to the Gulf of Mexico, serving the ports of Vancouver, Prince Rupert, B.C., Montreal, Halifax, New Orleans, and Mobile, Ala., and the key metropolitan areas of Toronto, Buffalo, Chicago, Detroit, Duluth, Minn./Superior, Wis., Green Bay, Wis., Minneapolis/St. Paul, Memphis, St. Louis, and Jackson, Miss., with connections to all points in North America. For more information, visit www.cn.ca.
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HAMILTON, Ind. (July 21, 2011) - Solar Usage Now, a division of Our Country Home Enterprises, announced today that it will expand its northeast Indiana operations, creating up to 35 new jobs by 2014.
The company, a designer, assembler and distributor of solar thermal hot water and space heating systems, will invest $620,000 to lease and equip a 22,500 square-foot manufacturing, storage and office facility in Hamilton, Ind., moving its operations from nearby Harlan, Ind. where it is co-located with Our Country Home Enterprises. The company plans to begin moving equipment to the new location in July.
"Solar Usage Now could have expanded its business in any number of states or countries but the company's decision to grow in Indiana is reflective of our state's superior business climate and workforce," said Mitch Roob, Secretary of Commerce and chief executive officer of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation.
Solar Usage Now develops a line of solar thermal equipment that uses solar power to heat water for residential, industrial and commercial customers. The company was established in 2005 and has since partnered with Australian solar supplier, Rotex, to produce SUN Equinox thermal water and heating systems. Solar Usage Now's products are sold to military bases, schools, hospitals and hotels in Germany, Australia and the United States.
"We want to thank the IEDC for their efforts in helping us find a suitable location for this new facility. Their business is about business and they were quite helpful and resourceful is assisting us," said Thomas Blake, president and chief executive officer, Our Country Home Enterprises.
Parent company, Our Country Home, was founded 25 years ago in Grabill, Ind., specializing in manufacturing, engineering and marketing store fixtures and displays for retail customers. Today the company employs approximately 100 associates.
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered Solar Usage Now up to $200,000 in performance-based tax credits and up to $25,000 in training grants based on the company's job-creation plans. The town of Hamilton will provide additional incentives at the request of the Steuben County Economic Development Corporation.
"The town of Hamilton is delighted to welcome Solar Usage Now to our community. This move will not only bring jobs to the town of Hamilton but will also fill a vacant building we have had for some time," said Milton Otero, Hamilton Town Manager. "I would like to thank the Steuben County Economic Development Corporation for spearheading the efforts to locate the company in Hamilton. We look forward to working closely with Solar Usage Now, the Steuben County EDC, IEDC and Work One NE in finalizing the move."
Solar Usage Now's northeast Indiana growth comes on the heels of General Mills' announced plans to invest $36 million in the construction of a new distribution center in nearby Allen County. When completed, the company expects to hire 65 new associates for the site.
About Solar Usage Now
Solar Usage Now distributes a solar thermal line of equipment for heating water with the energy from the sun. We have a national distribution and have international agreements with Germany, Australia, and China. Our goal at Solar Usage Now is to become the largest and best supplier of solar hot water systems in the country, and our purpose is to empower people to become more solar conscious and less dependent on fossil fuels. For more information on Solar Usage Now, visit www.solarusagenow.com.
About IEDC
Created by Governor Mitch Daniels in 2005 to replace the former Department of Commerce, the Indiana Economic Development Corporation is governed by a 12-member board chaired by Governor Daniels. Mitch Roob serves as the chief executive officer of the IEDC. For more information about IEDC, visit www.iedc.in.gov.
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The perception is that exporting is only for large corporations, but the reality, says Mark A. Cooper, director of the U.S. Department Commerce office in Indiana, is that any size company can benefit from international sales.
Cooper brought his message about the benefits of exporting to Michigan City on April 1, when he addressed some 50 local business representatives brought together by the Michigan City Economic Development Corp. at Pottawattomie Country Club.
But before taking the plunge into the international market, Cooper said business owners need to do their homework.
“That is very important. You have to make sure everyone in the company is on board and you have to make sure your product is something that is going to sell overseas. Is there a market for it?” said Cooper.
The latest U.S. Commerce Department numbers show Indiana is 13th in the nation in exporting with $28.6 billion worth of sales in 2010. That is up from $23.6 billion in 2009.
Cooper said the top 10 markets for Indiana products are Canada, Mexico, Germany, United Kingdom, France, Japan, China, Spain, Brazil and Australia. Of those, he said Canada and Mexico make up more than 45 percent of all Hoosier exports.
“It’s also important to remember that Japan is the largest foreign direct investor in Indiana,” said Cooper, mentioning that country’s major investments in auto plants in the state.
In order to be successful in the international market, Cooper said companies need to have a focused approach. “Go after the markets with the biggest bang for the buck. Don’t try to market your product everywhere. Concentrate on one or two markets,” he said. “Not every market will be a good one.”
If the decision is made to begin exporting products, Cooper said businesses need to be prepared to travel. “Are you willing to travel to get the business? You have to be involved and be engaged with your customers,” he said. “You need to have a Web site, too. The world has changed and you need to keep up with it.”
At the same time, Cooper said businesses need to be aware that just because a product sells well in the United States, doesn’t mean that success will transfer overseas.
“You have to be willing to adapt your product to the market. You have to be willing to change production runs,” said Cooper. “And through all that, you have to be aware of how you treat foreign distributors.”
On the financial end, businesses need to be aware of the differences between currencies and know how to set up accounting procedures to handle those differences.
Cooper said it can be a daunting task, but his office can answer those questions. “We can assist you in developing an export plan and we can help locate the best markets for your product.
“We can also identify the most qualified buyers and partners to work with you,” said Cooper. “We have people on staff to recommend financing options and answer questions about payment issues and export licensing.”
Cooper, who has been involved in trade missions and promotional activities in Europe, Egypt, Singapore, Vietnam, India, South Africa, Peru, the Pacific, Asia and Russia, said the economy truly is global today.
“We all have heard that business is going global, so how can your business compete and win in this new economy? That’s what we’re here to do for you,” said Cooper.
For more information, visit www.export.gov and www.buyusa.gov/indiana.
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HAMMOND -- The Indiana Economic Development Corp. and Northwest Indiana Forum today formed a marketing-campaign partnership aimed at attracting business from Illinois to Indiana.
The slogans "Illinnoyed by Higher Taxes?" and "Feeling Squeezed by Taxes?" are being advertised with websites promoting the advantages of doing business in Indiana.
The campaign follows one announced earlier by Indianapolis, and comes after an Illinois tax hike caused some business operators to look for alternatives. State and city officials have said the tax hike and promotional campaigns have generated inquiries.
The campaign isn't a surprise. State officials, including Indiana Secretary of Commerce Mitch Roob, hinted as much in early January after Illinois' Democrat-controlled legislature and Gov. Pat Quinn signed off on controversial income tax increases to help overcome a $15 billion deficit.
The "Illinoyed" campaign debuted in the Chicago market at the end of January and has generated more than 2,700 visits to www.solutionindiana.com.
Develop Indy, the chief business recruiting arm of the city of Indianapolis, already sought to make inroads by spending thousands for a full-page ad in the Jan. 18 edition of the Chicago Tribune and two other downstate newspapers that extolled our city’s friendlier business climate.
Illinois’ personal income taxes will increase from 3 percent to 5 percent. The corporate rate will go from 7.3 percent to 9.5 percent.
Indiana’s personal income tax rate is 3.4 percent, while corporations pay 8.5 percent.
"With recent and significant tax hikes, Illinois businesses are interested in moving to a lower cost location," today's news release said.
Observers have speculated that while some Illinois companies will threaten to leave the state to escape the tax increase, an exodus appears extremely unlikely, the Chicago Tribune has reported.
But economic recovery may be slowed and the state's appeal as a place to expand a business or build a new one may be diminished — a possibility that has Indiana and Wisconsin sharpening their knives and corporate relocation marketing campaigns, the Tribune reported.
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The Indiana Economic Development Corporation and the Northwest Indiana Forum (regional economic development organization) are working together to attract business from Illinois to Indiana. The organizations will kick-off a three-month campaign to highlight Indiana’s favorable business climate in comparison to that in Illinois and the ideal location of Northwest Indiana, only minutes from the heart of Chicago.
With recent and significant tax hikes, Illinois businesses are interested in moving to a lower cost location. Indiana Secretary of Commerce and CEO of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, Mitch Roob and Mark Maassel, President and CEO of the Northwest Indiana Forum will discuss the marketing effort, Indiana’s advantages and cost comparison between the two states.
SPEAKERS:
- Mitch Roob, Indiana Secretary of Commerce/CEO Indiana Economic Development Corporation;
- Mark Maassel, President and CEO, Northwest Indiana Forum
WHEN:
2:00pm (CST)
WHERE:
Hammond Marina
701 Casino Center Drive
Hammond, IN 46320
Signage will be posted to guide you to the Marina. The Marina is part of the Port Authority, have your ID ready to show at the checkpoint.
REGISTRATION:
There is no cost to attend this event. RSVP is not necessary to attend
We request that news media planning to attend contact Karen Lauerman at 219-763-6303, ext. 181, or by email at klauerman@nwiforum.org.
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MICHIGAN CITY – If you make a superior product, the world will find you. And that’s a good thing for MCTD, Inc. because no one is going to find the company’s front door simply by driving down the highway.
MCTD is a precision tool and die manufacturer whose parts are used by the aerospace, automotive and general manufacturing industries. The 10,400-square-foot company is hidden behind a massive brick building in the Winski Industrial Park on Michigan City’s west side.
President and owner Timothy J. Johnson has owned the 28-year-old company for the past six years. Acquiring the business was the realization of a dream for him.
“I had always wanted to run a business and I saw an opportunity,” said Johnson. In his brightly lit but cluttered office decorated with South Shore posters and Green Bay Packer memorabilia, Johnson views the world as his customer base.
Immediately before he acquired MCTD six years ago, Johnson was working for another Michigan City company. He was content there and hoped one day to be general manager, but the opportunity wasn’t there. That’s when he decided to take the plunge and move out on his own.
Today, MCTD (the company was originally known as Michigan City Tool and Die) has 19 employees, many of them with decades of machining and tool and die experience.
Johnson says what makes MCTD unique is the ability of its mechanical and electronic control designers to work directly with customers to deliver the precise product a customer requires.
MCTD is not a general production machine company that produces the same fixture over and over. Instead, it’s a specialty machine company that focuses on one-of-a-kind and limited run products.
“We have excellent employees here. There are not many other people who do what we do,” says Johnson. “Michigan City is a good location for us. We’re close to Chicago and southwestern Michigan and South Bend. Going forward, this community presents possibilities for manufacturing.”
Since Johnson took over at MCTD, he has recorded a steady growth, although the recent economic slump caused a 40 percent dip in sales last year. Before that, growth had been about 30 percent, says Johnson.
“I was wondering what I’d had gotten myself into for awhile, but I learned a long time ago either you grow or you die in the job shop business that we’re in. Growth has to come from new customers. You’re looking for new customers all the time.”
Johnson said 40 percent of the business he did in 2009 wasn’t on his books in 2004. “Our customer base is growing. We’re much more solid,” says Johnson. “When I bought the company, three customers made up 80 percent of my business. Last year, 12 customers made up 80 percent of my business.”
Johnson says he’s much more comfortable with that number because if one client runs into trouble, he has 11 others to fall back on.
And because the company’s customer base is constantly changing, Johnson says he has to be nimble in order to maintain growth.
“The business is still fun, although 2009 was not fun. That was an aberration. I definitely enjoy this”, says Johnson. He says he knew he always wanted to be an engineer, and in fact, got a degree in mechanical engineering from Valparaiso University.
Among the products made by MCTD, says Johnson, are parts and assemblies for motion control, assembly lines, materials handling, custom control panels as well as various specialty parts for a broad spectrum of customers from California to Massachusetts to Mexico.
“To create a solution, you must first fully understand the problems,” says a company brochure. “This is where MCTD’s experts really shine. We’ll listen and learn about your process, product and problem to really understand what is important to you.”
Johnson explained that he and his staff at MCTD will work to integrate all of the equipment, talent and experience required of a job to deliver a solution to a client. The company offers expertise in machine, control, tooling and design solutions. Johnson explained that those are the real meaning of MCTD.
While MCTD does work a few area customers, the majority are scattered across the country. “I look for companies looking for very precision work,” says Johnson. “One week I could be doing something for Federal Mogul and then I could be doing something for a company making braking systems. There is no similarity in the products we make. Our possibilities are endless, but we rarely build something twice.”
Recently MCTD began working with a company that needed precision components to go inside the cockpit of an airplane. “We’re making the fixturing and tooling and helping with assembly,” says Johnson. Through that company, MCTD also began doing some precision work for NASA.
A few years ago, making those kinds of contacts would have meant months on the road selling the company and its ability. Today, Johnson says many of those contacts are made on the Internet. While he still is the company’s biggest sales rep and is on the road a lot, it’s usually to seal a deal where the original contact was made over the Internet.
Johnson is proud of the niche carved out by MCTD. In a world where there are some 30,000 machine shops and precision tool and die makers, Johnson’s company has made a name for itself across the country.
Five years from now, Johnson says his hope is to buy another company that will complement what MCTD is doing. “I really expect that to happen. As for MCTD, the way we’re set up, it can be broken into multiple divisions – a short-run production facility, special machines, fixture and precision machining. Each has its own established operation. I expect to have a special machining business (where one or two unique parts are made at a time) and production machine business (where the same product is produced hundreds or thousands of times).”
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Portage, IN—National Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) expert, Scott Taylor spoke today at special Business Development Seminar/Lunch from 10:00am-2:00pm at the Northwest Indiana Forum (6100 Southport Road, Portage, IN). The session focused on the expansion of the Port of Indiana-Burns Harbor’s Foreign-Trade Zone #152 to cover Lake, Porter, La Porte, Starke, Newton and Jasper Counties allowing businesses located anywhere in the six-county area to join an FTZ easier and faster—in as little as 30 days.
Business and community leaders, elected officials and redevelopment commissions/councils attended the complimentary program to learn how the new FTZ expansion can impact their organizations and their bottom line. To view the presentation visit http://www.nwiforum.org/development/.
Taylor said the new rules mean shorter application forms, the ability to designate one building or a whole industrial park as a foreign trade zone and an approval process that goes from six to eight months to 30 to 75 days. “The economic development professionals will have the tools to go back to their companies and discuss this new option, so I think that will start additional discussion. For individual companies it will be to see what the financial savings will be under the program and if it makes sense to look at it further."
“The expansion of the FTZ to six counties is a great opportunity for attracting, retaining and growing businesses in Northwest Indiana. It gives Northwest Indiana an edge over our competition,” said Donald Koliboski, Forum Director of Economic Development.
Mirko Marich, president of Contract Services Group in Hammond, said the streamlined option makes an FTZ designation achievable to a company like his. "As a business owner, you always have to be on the lookout for a competitive advantage and the modifications to the FTZ application process and the proactive work of the ports make this a huge economic benefit to our region," he said.
Sponsored by the Ports of Indiana, NIPSCO and the Forum, the seminar featured: FTZ 101 (Overview of the FTZ program, understanding which companies could benefit, opportunities for financial savings) and FTZ Activation and Authority (the ins and outs of the new, expedited process and working with US Customs).
The Northwest Indiana Forum is the regional voice for the business community and a significant catalyst for initiatives that promote economic development and create and retain quality jobs in Lake, Porter, La Porte and Starke Counties. Funded by membership contributions and grants, membership translates into a direct investment in the region. Its corporate members represent more than $40 Billion in commerce in Northwest Indiana.
Background:
Scott Taylor
Taylor is an attorney with Miller & Company, a law firm serving a diverse clientele in international trade, customs, and FTZ law. They have received global recognition for their involvement in the development of the US FTZ program. Clients range from large multinational enterprises to corporations, partnerships, associations and governmental agencies throughout the nation and major trading centers around the globe.
Ports of Indiana
The Ports of Indiana is a statewide port authority that operates a system of three ports on the Ohio River and Lake Michigan, and also serves as the grantee of FTZs throughout Indiana. Information: www.portsofindiana.com.
NIPSCO
NIPSCO, with headquarters in Merrillville, Ind., is one of the 10 energy distribution companies of NiSource Inc. (NYSE: NI). With over 712,000 natural gas customers and 457,000 electric customers across the northern third of Indiana, NIPSCO is the largest natural gas distribution company, and the second largest electric distribution company, in the state. NiSource distribution companies serve 3.8 million natural gas and electric customers primarily in seven states. More information about NIPSCO is available at www.nipsco.com.
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Thursday, June 24, 2010
Pottawattomie Country Club
Michigan City, Indiana
Click here for additional information and a registration form.
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La Porte, Indiana (July 22, 2008) – LaPorte and Michigan City, IN – Laportecounty.biz hosted the second annual Broker Excursion, an economic development event attended by approximately 30 industrial real estate brokers, investors and consultants from the Chicagoland, Indianapolis and South Bend areas. The two-day event showcased available industrial and commercial properties in throughout La Porte County, and highlighted the business advantages of the county as well.
A reception at the Blue Chip Casino on July 17 provided networking opportunities for local industrial and commercial real estate agents and an opportunity for local officials to boast about La Porte County’s business advantages. |
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On July 18, participants enjoyed golf at Briar Leaf Golf Course or charter fishing, lunch at Briar Leaf followed by presentation and a tour of available properties.
"Real estate brokers are the single best source for industrial location prospects," said John Regetz, Executive Director of the Michigan City Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC). “Events such as our Brokers Excursion are effective economic development tools that connect the right people with the right opportunities.”
"La Porte County has wonderful recreational attractions, quality industrial sites and a great business tax climate," said Tim Gropp, Executive Director of the Greater LaPorte Economic Development Corporation (GLEDC). “This event provides a great opportunity to showcase what La Porte County has to offer to new industrial prospects.”
Local economic development officials assisted with guiding the participants during activities and were available to answer questions the participants may have had.
La Porte County Commissioner Bill Hager acknowledged the value of the countywide participation as initiated by laportecounty.biz. “The county is working together with the cities to bring in and retain the right kind of businesses for our County. Cooperation is key to future economic development success.”
Laportecounty.biz is the marketing collaboration between La Porte County Government, the Michigan City Economic Development Corporation, the Greater La Porte Economic Development Corporation. The La Porte County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Chicago South Shore and South Bend Railroad and the La Porte County Redevelopment Commission helped fund and organize the event.
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CHICAGO, IL -- U .S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 announced today it has approved a request by the state of Indiana to redesignate St. Joseph and Elkhart counties in the South Bend area and LaPorte County to attainment of the national health-based eight-hour outdoor air quality standard for ozone (smog).
EPA said complete, quality-assured, outdoor air monitoring data for 2003, 2004 and 2005 meets the standard, and quality-assured data for 2006 shows the counties continue to meet the standard.
"Indiana did a great job of reducing smog in these counties," said EPA Regional Administrator Mary A. Gade. "The result is both healthier air and an improved business climate for the residents of the counties."
"We've pressed hard for this decision, which is based on sound science and will be very important to bringing new jobs to these three counties. The restrictions served their purpose, but now that air quality is healthier, fairness requires that they be lifted in the interest of economic growth and progress," said Governor Mitch Daniels.
The Agency also approved the state plan to continue to meet the eight-hour health-based ozone standard through 2020 and motor vehicle emissions budgets included in the plan.
EPA's action will soon be published in the Federal Register. The redesignation becomes effective upon publication.
Ground-level ozone is commonly referred to as smog. Smog is formed when a mixture of pollutants react on warm, sunny days. The pollutants are released from cars, factories and a wide variety of other sources. Smog can cause respiratory problems, including coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath and chest pain.
Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
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LA PORTE, IN -- Leadership La Porte County has moved its office to 614 Lincoln Way and will be sharing space with the La Porte Symphony Center and Gallery. Leadership had spent the past six years in the Hiler Building at the corner of Michigan and State streets, which was recently purchased by the County and will be housing some government offices.
“We are excited about this opportunity to support downtown La Porte and to partner with such a wonderful organization like the La Porte County Symphony Orchestra,” said Leadership Director Jim Jessup.
The Leadership office will be directly behind the gallery on the main floor, while the Symphony offices have moved upstairs. Both organizations will share storage space and the meeting/training room in the basement. The Leadership La Porte County office is open Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. The gallery is open on Friday and Saturday only from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. |
Photo by: Wendy Thoms
The LaPorte County Symphony Center and Gallery pictured Wednesday morning at 614 Lincoln Way will be the new home of Leadership La Porte County. |
An open house at the new office will be planned soon.
“We want to show our graduates and the community this new space and our new partnership with the Symphony and the Gallery,” Jessup said.
Leadership La Porte County has been serving the area for 24 years by providing leadership training, facilitation and consulting services. These services have resulted in trained citizens ready to serve the non-profit, government, and private sectors of the community. LLC is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization governed by a 15-member volunteer board with 2 paid staff members. The Leadership programs have over 1,000 adult and youth graduates and have helped dozens of other local organizations with their governance and efficiency issues. Many Leadership graduates serve on non-profit boards, community organizations, and in political offices.
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La Porte and Michigan City, IN -- LaPorteCounty.Biz hosted the first annual Broker Excursion, an economic development event attended by 35 industrial real estate brokers, investors and consultants from the Chicagoland, Indianapolis and South Bend areas. The two-day event showcased available industrial and commercial properties in northern
La Porte County, and highlighted the business advantages of the county as well.
A reception at the Lubeznik Center on August 2nd provided networking opportunities for local industrial and commercial real estate agents. On August 3rd, participants enjoyed golf, charter fishing, lunch at the Blue Chip Casino Hotel and Conference Center, a presentation and tour of properties, and new marketing material.
"Real estate brokers are the single best source for external industrial location prospects," said Kevin Kieft, Executive Director of the Michigan City Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC). “Events such as our Brokers Excursion effectively generate economic development prospects by connecting the right people with the right opportunities.”
"Our recreational attractions, quality industrial sites and great business climate drew these site selectors to our community," said Tim Gropp, Executive Director of the Greater La Porte Economic Development Corporation (GLEDC). “We have already received several call-backs on properties and opportunities.”
Local economic development officials assisted with guiding the participants during activities: Regetz, Gropp, La Porte Mayor Leigh Morris; Michigan City Mayor Charles Oberlie; La Porte County Council President, Jerry Cooley; Tom Edwards, Horizon Bank and Chairman of MCEDC; Jeff Jones, PNC and MCEDC Vice Chairman; Don Babcock, NIPSCO, MCEDC Board Member and Chair, Northwest Indiana Forum ED Committee; Tim Bietry, Michigan City Area Chamber of Commerce and MCEDC Board Member; Mike Arnett, First Source Bank and Chairman Leaf; Steve Kring, La Porte Horizon Bank and La Porte Economic Development Commission; Matt Reardon, La Porte County Economic Development Consultant; Kevin Kieft, MCEDC Business Development Manager; Bert Cook, GLEDC Project Manager; and Diane Thalmann, NIPSCO Economic Development Manager.
La Porte County Council President Jerry Cooley acknowledged the value of the countywide participation as initiated by LaPorteCounty.Biz. “The county is working together to bring in and retain the right kind of businesses,” he said. “We’re recognizing that what is good for the county is good for our cities.”
LaPorteCounty.Biz is the marketing collaboration between La Porte County Government, the Michigan City Economic Development Corporation, the Greater La Porte Economic Development Corporation, the La Porte County Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Purdue North Central. The La Porte County Convention and Visitors Bureau and the La Porte County Redevelopment Commission helped fund and organize the event.
Contact:
Kevin Kieft, Executive Director
Michigan City Economic Development Corp.
219-873-1211
www.mc-edc.com
kevink@mc-edc.com
Tim Gropp, Executive Director
Greater La Porte Economic Development Corp.
219-324-8584
www.gledc.com
timg@gledc.com
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Michigan City, IN -- August 17, 2007 - At a ground breaking ceremony today Vanair Manufacturing, Incorporated began construction of its new, 60,000 square foot, manufacturing plant. Greg and Ralph Kokot, Kokot Brothers Development owners were on hand with officials from La Porte County, Michigan City and the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDA) to celebrate. Vanair will manufacture vehicle-mounted air compressors and generators in the facility.
Greg Kokot President of Vanair said “We’re certainly very excited about the move to the Michigan City area, and this new direction and location will give Vanair the opportunity to grow and expand our business. Assistance from the Michigan City Economic Development Corporation, the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, and the La Porte County Economic Development team made the move to Indiana a much easier one for our company.”
Council President Jerry Cooley said Vanair is committed to retaining and creating some 60 new jobs paying above average wages over the next three years. "It's a great opportunity for the county to get more jobs," Cooley said. "The property tax for the parcel is currently $250 a year. When you figure the gain in the county income tax, we'll make up in one week what we get in property tax for one year."
The start of construction marks an investment of 2.6 million dollars in building and machinery in the county. The new plant will increase production by doubling its current space and reconfiguring process flow.
Michigan City Mayor Charles Oberlie said, “The Vanair project is an example of what can happen when we work together as a county. As any good prospect should do, Vanair representatives considered several options, some in our city and some in the county. Everyone involved can be proud of the coordinated effort that resulted in this new industrial development.”
Ralph Kokot, CEO of Vanair Manufacturing, said the economic incentives offered to move his company from Michigan to LaPorte County made the project possible. LaPorte County is assisting Vanair with its expansion with tax abatement, industrial development bond financing and a loan. The IEDC is assisting with tax credits and training funds. Kokot said the company plans to actively recruit new employees from LaPorte County. "We will be looking for a myriad of employees, from professional engineers to assembly-line laborers - a cross-section of skill sets," he said.
"Creating an environment that encourages growth is essential to Indiana’s economic success,” said Nathan Feltman, Indiana Secretary of Commerce and chief executive officer of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation. “Vanair's commitment to Indiana is yet another indication that Indiana is becoming one of the locations of choice for businesses around the world."
Vanair Manufacturing has been at its present location on U.S. 12 just west of New Buffalo since it was founded in 1972. Kokot bought the company in 1997. He said the 48-employee company manufactures vehicle-mounted air compressors and its major market is utility companies.
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LaPorte Development Alliance Newsletter
February 2012
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August 2011
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