10/31/2008
Latest Edition of Energize-ECI’s “RegionalReport” Newsletter Highlights Region’s Economic Development New Investment and Growth Success Stories
Blackford County
o Blackford County Economic Development Corp. launched new website www.blackfordcoedc.org.
Delaware County
o Miasa Automotive, LLC announced $8.4 million expansion to their 54,000 SF facility in Yorktown, creating more than 55 new jobs by 2012.o Indiana Finance Company relocated its corporate headquarters to the Heartland Business Center in Daleville. The $1.3 million investment will double employment to 90 by 2010.o Muncie and Delaware County officials completed a successful marketing and recruitment trip to Japan.o Muncie ranked as one of the leading life sciences employment regions in the nation.o LifeTouch will add about 7,700 SF to their facility and increase employment by 200 people.o Monogram Foods expanding Al Pete Meats with $2.85 million investment and 95 to 115 new jobs over the next three years.
Fayette County
o Indalex Aluminum Solutions made a $22 million investment, adding 100,000 SF and 64 new jobs.o Connersville received a $350,000 grant to study a multi-model logistics facility utilizing the local airport and rail lines.o Connersville received a $652,000 grant to purchase and develop “Shovel Ready” industrial site.o Fayette County completed a $80,000 public funding drive to restore historic courthouse ceiling.
Grant County
o GM’s Marion Stamping Plant achieved landfill-free status.o Grant County Economic Growth Council received a $100,000 USDA Rural Business Enterprise Grant.o Taylor University engineering programs achieved accreditation.o Wayne Seybold, Mayor of Marion, along with city and county officials made trip to Russia.o Renaissance Place announced a new multi-family development near I-69 and SR-18.o Indiana Corrugated relocated corporate headquarters to Marion and expanded facility.o Franklin Electric opened a new U.S. training center in Gas City.o Marion General Hospital received Magnet Status for nursing.o Ivy Tech Community College opened a new $21 million Marion campus.o Marion General Hospital named a Thompson Healthcare “Top 100 Hospital.”o Taylor University dedicated a new prayer chapel.o Indiana Wesleyan University broke ground for new $22 million chapel and auditorium.
Henry County
o KVK U.S. Technologies located its first U.S. plastic molding plant in New Castle.o The New Castle/Henry County Industrial Park has been certified “Shovel Ready.”
Jay County
o Tyson Foods announced $4 million addition resulting in 13 new jobs.o Bell Aquaculture is building its 27,000 SF corporate headquarters and processing facility in Redkey.o Jay County Development Corporation launches comprehensive new website www.jaycountydevelopment.org.o AEP continues wind power generation testing in Jay County.o Redkey receives an OCRA grant to replace the town water tower.o Dunkirk receives an OCRA grant to build a new fire-EMS facility.
Madison County
o Nestle building $200 million, 200 SF addition, to create up to 140 new jobs.o City of Anderson opened a sub-center of the East Central Indiana Small Business Center in the City Hall Building.o The Anderson Business Incubator added two new clients: College Displays; and GraphX. The Anderson Business Incubator has now achieved full occupancy.o Unified Group Services announced a 9,000 SF addition, adding 15 new jobs.o Comfort Motion Technologies, LLC received a $1.085 million Indiana 21st Century Research and Technology Fund grant to further develop its vehicle seat multi-position software.o Northstar Aerospace Inc. announced plans to hire 10 additional machinists.o The Corporation for Economic Development has relocated to the Flagship Enterprise Center.
Randolph County
o Cardinal Ethanol, LLC will begin production at its $158 million facility in November.o Productive Concepts, Inc. launched its hybrid school bus conversion program.o Tomasco Indiana LLC has completed its $20 million expansion, adding 125 jobs.o AEP and Horizon Wind are collecting test data from their wind towers.o Randolph Eastern School Corporation plans to install a 600-KW wind turbine at Union City Community High School.o Ag Growth has installed equipment in the former Union City Body Company building to begin manufacturing grain storage and handling equipment this fall.
Rush County
o Trane, Inc. is investing over $7.4 million to upgrade its Rushville facilities, creating as many as 25 new jobs.o Rush County is working on the development of an agricultural park project which would generate green power.o Field work is being completed on over 225 acres at Rush County’s “Shovel Ready Site.”
Wayne County
o TBK America purchased a 130,000 SF building in the Midwest Industrial Park for the manufacture of automotive oil and water pumps.o The renovation of the Crane Inc./Oberle & Associates building is utilizing green design and technology.o Really Cool Foods new 70,000 SF pant in Cambridge City is being constructed utilizing green design and technology.o Bev’s Threads and Etc. has constructed a new 64,000 SF building in the Midwest Industrial Park.o Wayne County government and economic development officials visited Japan.o Hagerstown received a grant from the Economic Development Corporation of Wayne County to pursue a unique industrial park concept.o The Economic Development Corporation of Wayne County visited most of the manufacturing and distribution companies in Wayne County to learn about their challenges and how the EDC could be of assistance.
To read the latest edition of the Energize-ECI, Inc. “RegionalReport” newsletter, go to their website www.energize-eci.oirg, or contact the economic development partnership to receive a copy.
Energize-ECI, Inc. is a public/private partnership providing pro-active services and programs to encourage new business investment in East Central Indiana. Energize-ECI, Inc. acts as a single point of contact for promoting the many advantages of operating a business in the region, collects and cultivates leads and assists individuals, site consultants and companies researching the area. Energize-ECI, Inc. answers inquiries regarding sites, buildings and regional information, then directs leads to the appropriate local economic development groups. Energize-ECI, Inc. provides support to: Blackford, Delaware, Fayette, Grant, Henry, Jay, Madison, Randolph, Rush and Wayne counties. Funding for trade missions, exhibits, marketing, programs, services and materials is provided by public and private entities throughout East Central Indiana, by foundations and grants.
Details about Energize-ECI, Inc. and information about East Central Indiana may be viewed at the comprehensive Energize-ECI, Inc. website www.energize-eci.org. The organization may be contacted at the Energize-ECI Engagement Center, 122 E, Main St., Muncie, IN 47305 (P.O. Box 1912, Muncie, IN 47308-1912); by phone at (765) 254.1420; fax (765) 254.1450 and by email info@energize-eci.org. Energize-ECI’s 48-page REGIONAL-FOCUS magazine, which contains a great overview of East Central Indiana – along with Energize-ECI’s newsletters - may be read or downloaded by going to the website.
Prepared by Tom Farris / T.L. Farris & Associates P.O. Box 2542 / Muncie, IN 47307-0542 Phone: 765.284.5313 / Fax: 765.284.5314 Email: thomaslfarris@comcast.net
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