KDI Hears Report On Local Wages

July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.

By TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer-

Economic development director Kim Nance presented a survey of wages from 44 county companies during Wednesday's Kosciusko Development Inc. meeting. The survey listed the lowest wage to highest wage for occupations, from accountants to maintenance mechanics to welders. The information was compiled by Ergo Resource Management Inc. in Syracuse.

The average hourly wage was $17.90 for 48 occupations.

Nance noted that private donations to KDI have reached $25,000 and that amount plus further amounts will be matched by the county council.

Joy McCarthy-Sessing, KDI president, presented her "wish list" for a nearly perfect countywide economic development organization. Total operating costs were given as $256,000, which included a full-time director and assistant as well as a Ball State University vision plan costing $100,000, marketing costs of $70,500 and $2,200 for local incentives.

"Until we get a large budget we won't be able do to this," she said of the wish list.

McCarthy-Sessing said the recent Indiana Department of Commerce "blitz" had regional officials visiting 14 businesses in two days.

The IDOC will host a public input meeting Nov. 4 at 7 p.m. in the Colfax Auditorium of the St. Joseph County Public Library in South Bend. Gathered information will be forwarded to the Indiana Economic Development Council, a think tank and consultant for the state on economic issues.

The board also:

• Heard a joint Indiana Leadership Association and Indiana Rural Development Council conference will be Dec. 9 and 10 in Lebanon. The board approved paying for "room and board and fees" for any member who wishes to go.

• Heard the state is offering free small business classes on the Internet. SBA counselor Jan Fye reported that four new clients were seen in September, a total of 50 this year.

On the Net:

IEDC - www.iedc.org

KDI - www.kdi-in.com [[In-content Ad]]

Economic development director Kim Nance presented a survey of wages from 44 county companies during Wednesday's Kosciusko Development Inc. meeting. The survey listed the lowest wage to highest wage for occupations, from accountants to maintenance mechanics to welders. The information was compiled by Ergo Resource Management Inc. in Syracuse.

The average hourly wage was $17.90 for 48 occupations.

Nance noted that private donations to KDI have reached $25,000 and that amount plus further amounts will be matched by the county council.

Joy McCarthy-Sessing, KDI president, presented her "wish list" for a nearly perfect countywide economic development organization. Total operating costs were given as $256,000, which included a full-time director and assistant as well as a Ball State University vision plan costing $100,000, marketing costs of $70,500 and $2,200 for local incentives.

"Until we get a large budget we won't be able do to this," she said of the wish list.

McCarthy-Sessing said the recent Indiana Department of Commerce "blitz" had regional officials visiting 14 businesses in two days.

The IDOC will host a public input meeting Nov. 4 at 7 p.m. in the Colfax Auditorium of the St. Joseph County Public Library in South Bend. Gathered information will be forwarded to the Indiana Economic Development Council, a think tank and consultant for the state on economic issues.

The board also:

• Heard a joint Indiana Leadership Association and Indiana Rural Development Council conference will be Dec. 9 and 10 in Lebanon. The board approved paying for "room and board and fees" for any member who wishes to go.

• Heard the state is offering free small business classes on the Internet. SBA counselor Jan Fye reported that four new clients were seen in September, a total of 50 this year.

On the Net:

IEDC - www.iedc.org

KDI - www.kdi-in.com [[In-content Ad]]

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