Kosciusko Development Inc. president Roger Moynahan talked about taking the organization "on the road" during the board of directors meeting Wednesday.

"With Joy (McCarthy-Sessing) and Max Courtney, we're boldly asking for funds. We've visited the county council, the city council and the Rotary Club," he said, "and we're trying to get out to the other communities."

Board member and county councilman Bob Sanders asked if a "game plan" had been prepared.

"We need to know what you're going to do instead of showing us charts. We want to see what you want and how you're going to do it," he said.

McCarthy-Sessing said she thought it was more important to make the presentation, to go out with the dream. She commented that, compared to other counties, other counties "think we're a joke" when it comes to economic development.

Moynahan said McCarthy-Sessing has spent a lot of time working with a company proposing a soybean refinery that will produce diesel fuel.

"I believe it is going to happen," she said. "The company has options on one parcel and is also looking elsewhere."

Both properties are south of Warsaw. The options are for 300-plus acres.

"The state has come forth with a great package since this is for a value-added agricultural product," she said.

Board member and county councilman Ron Truex said the Area Plan Commission has cleared a zoning hurdle, allowing commercial use in an agricultural zone if agricultural products are used. This way, he said, avoids spot zoning.

"And they need the Western Route," Truex said referring to a proposed four-lane highway planned along CR 350W. "All of a sudden the Indiana Department of Transportation is contacting us after four years of stonewalling. Now the state is interested in helping us get the federal funds. Now we have hope [for the project]."

Hope to pave Pound Drive, off CRs 200N and 100E, may come from a grant award from the Economic Development Corp. The state money should pay for half the asphalt material costs, according to Wayne Luchenbill. He said three companies are building in the industrial park, two are expanding into that area and one is new.

The county has agreed to supply labor and equipment. Total costs are estimated to be around $60,000, with the companies picking up half that tab. Board member Todd Lybarger asked what made this industrial area different, why the road hasn't been paved.

Luchenbill said the area was an industrial park prior to current regulations. It has no water or sewer service and is the "last of the inexpensive ground."

The board also:

• Heard that several financial institutions have agreed to invest $105,000 in the revolving small business loan program. The funds will be supplemented with a rural development grant award of $90,400 for a total of $195,400. Moynahan said other investors are being sought. The grant money should be received April 1.

• Asked that Kip Tom and Dane Miller, member of the state Economic Development Corp., be invited to a joint KDI - Chamber of Commerce meeting to talk about the EDC.

• Heard from economic development coordinator Kim Nance that seven people attended the recent "Starting Your Own Small Business" workshop.

She said reports from the small business counseling will be given quarterly instead of monthly.

• Heard the next manufacturers' meeting is April 26 in the new Rozella Ford Golf Course restaurant.

Nance said she responded to 12 inquiries about available sites in February.

• McCarthy-Sessing said she recently returned from Washington, D.C., attending a national economic development conference and visited with Rep. Chris Chocola.

The next meeting is April 27 at noon in the Warsaw/Kosciusko County Chamber of Commerce's meeting room. [[In-content Ad]]