KDI Looks To Form Development Strategy
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
When John Byrd visited the Indiana Workforce offices recently, he laid out the problems regarding retaining and training skilled workers in Kosciusko County.
Craig E. Hartzer, Commissioner of the Indiana Department of Workforce Development, asked Byrd where he had been.
"You folks have never come down and asked for help," Hartzer reportedly said.
Byrd, a board member of Kosciusko Development Inc., detailed this story to other KDI directors Wednesday during their monthly meeting.
The board held a three-hour planning session to develop a new economic development strategy last month.
Of primary concern is a lack of a skilled local work force. Byrd noted there are 650 million people employed in industry in the state and by 2008, 150 million will have retired.
"They have to be replaced," Byrd said.
It was decided to invite Hartzer to an open meeting to make a presentation.
Byrd, of Othy Inc., also serves on the Kosciusko County Foundation Inc. board. He discussed the CAPE grant application, available through Lilly Endowment Inc., being made by the foundation.
The grant could total as much as $5 million over three years and would be applied toward educational programs.
Byrd suggested, from the findings of the recent "town hall meetings" on education, the community should focus on "at-risk" students.
"That's the work force you're trying to hire," Byrd said, "and getting them to understand there is a career path besides college.
"And I know from working in Texas that Hispanic employees have the highest work ethics. Get them interested and you'll have one heck of an employee."
Board president Joy McCarthy-Sessing gave a report at the meeting.
McCarthy-Sessing said:
• An Elkhart County-headquartered boat manufacturing company is interested in purchasing the OMC facility in Syracuse and rehiring former employees.
• She was given approval, by consent, to join in the advertising pool with the Northern Indiana Economic Development Quorum in the amount of $800.
She said all appropriate leads were referred to her from the Indiana Department of Commerce.
• She plans to attend the American Economic Development Council meeting May 4 through 9 in New York City. KDI won the Best of Class award for their Web site: www.kdi-in.com
• The bylaws are being changed to allow for a 41-percent quorum instead of a 51-percent quorum.
• Monica Williams, former Economic Development Coordinator, left for another job effective April 2. McCarthy-Sessing said several applications have been received for the position.
• Front Line Manufacturing has purchased Marble Creations.
In other business the board:
• Heard from Warsaw City Planner Jeff Noffsinger that no companies have yet indicated an interest in the two available out lots at the Wal-Mart Super Center site.
• Heard from Dennis Beville that an individual is interested in constructing a spec building.
The next meeting will be May 23 at noon in the Warsaw- Kosciusko County Chamber of Commerce meeting room. [[In-content Ad]]
When John Byrd visited the Indiana Workforce offices recently, he laid out the problems regarding retaining and training skilled workers in Kosciusko County.
Craig E. Hartzer, Commissioner of the Indiana Department of Workforce Development, asked Byrd where he had been.
"You folks have never come down and asked for help," Hartzer reportedly said.
Byrd, a board member of Kosciusko Development Inc., detailed this story to other KDI directors Wednesday during their monthly meeting.
The board held a three-hour planning session to develop a new economic development strategy last month.
Of primary concern is a lack of a skilled local work force. Byrd noted there are 650 million people employed in industry in the state and by 2008, 150 million will have retired.
"They have to be replaced," Byrd said.
It was decided to invite Hartzer to an open meeting to make a presentation.
Byrd, of Othy Inc., also serves on the Kosciusko County Foundation Inc. board. He discussed the CAPE grant application, available through Lilly Endowment Inc., being made by the foundation.
The grant could total as much as $5 million over three years and would be applied toward educational programs.
Byrd suggested, from the findings of the recent "town hall meetings" on education, the community should focus on "at-risk" students.
"That's the work force you're trying to hire," Byrd said, "and getting them to understand there is a career path besides college.
"And I know from working in Texas that Hispanic employees have the highest work ethics. Get them interested and you'll have one heck of an employee."
Board president Joy McCarthy-Sessing gave a report at the meeting.
McCarthy-Sessing said:
• An Elkhart County-headquartered boat manufacturing company is interested in purchasing the OMC facility in Syracuse and rehiring former employees.
• She was given approval, by consent, to join in the advertising pool with the Northern Indiana Economic Development Quorum in the amount of $800.
She said all appropriate leads were referred to her from the Indiana Department of Commerce.
• She plans to attend the American Economic Development Council meeting May 4 through 9 in New York City. KDI won the Best of Class award for their Web site: www.kdi-in.com
• The bylaws are being changed to allow for a 41-percent quorum instead of a 51-percent quorum.
• Monica Williams, former Economic Development Coordinator, left for another job effective April 2. McCarthy-Sessing said several applications have been received for the position.
• Front Line Manufacturing has purchased Marble Creations.
In other business the board:
• Heard from Warsaw City Planner Jeff Noffsinger that no companies have yet indicated an interest in the two available out lots at the Wal-Mart Super Center site.
• Heard from Dennis Beville that an individual is interested in constructing a spec building.
The next meeting will be May 23 at noon in the Warsaw- Kosciusko County Chamber of Commerce meeting room. [[In-content Ad]]