The Board of Directors of the Kosciusko Economic Development Corporation (KEDCO) on Thursday announced that CEO Alan Tio will conclude his five-year term leading the organization, effective at the end of the year, in order to pursue other professional opportunities.
"On behalf of the Board of Directors, we commend Alan for his leadership of our local economic development efforts and applaud the accomplishments we have made together during that time," said Chair Jan Orban. "We are well-positioned in the community, region and state to see ongoing advances in the years ahead thanks to the bridges that have been built by KEDCO."
During Tio’s leadership, KEDCO has completed a strategic relaunch of the organization in 2019 and a complete rebranding in 2020, established initiatives focused on entrepreneurship, housing and talent recruitment with a staff of five full-time employees, greatly expanded the number of local communities KEDCO serves and relocated to the KEDCO Downtown Business Studio earlier this year, according to a news release from KEDCO.
KEDCO’s housing initiative and a related focus on community development have supported the reopening of the Stonehenge Golf course and development of adjacent Raccoon Run housing subdivision, development of the Eastfield housing subdivision in Milford, and emerging projects with redevelopment of the Gatke and Owens sites in Warsaw, all working alongside community partners.
KEDCO has always maintained its focus on supporting existing industry with ongoing outreach to local employers, leading to a current pipeline of 15 active job creation and investment projects, and by working with economic development partners to help companies such as recently announced Mentor Media and PeekMed choose to expand into Kosciusko County.
These accomplishments came while the organization operating remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020-21 and while Tio was mobilized to active duty status in the United States Navy for nearly one-year. Tio was also recognized during his tenure at KEDCO as one of the Top 50 Economic Developers in North America by Consultant Connect.
"It has been an honor to work with the board of directors, our full-time and consultant partner team, and our economic development partners to serve companies and communities in K-County," said Tio. “The future is bright for our community and with the board leadership and the top-notch team that are in place, KEDCO is poised to keep doing great things in the years ahead."
KEDCO recently worked with local partners to complete the Critical Corridor Connections agenda for downtown Warsaw and the Winona Avenue corridor. The organization is now supporting efforts to establish a countywide entrepreneur support organization, to study establishing a countywide water and wastewater district, and to create plans for transformative investments in multiple corridors.
Orban and incoming Chair Blaine Conley will lead a transition process with support from the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors and the KEDCO staff to ensure that operations continue without interruption going into 2024. Additional details about the timing and process for selecting a new KEDCO leader will be shared as they become available.
"Alan has brought a level of creativity, energy and tenacity that we will ensure KEDCO continues to be known for going forward," said Conley. "KEDCO has taken on a number of complex assignments that provide opportunities for us to expand our partnerships with local, regional and statewide organizations to maximize what we can accomplish together."
Stay connected with KEDCO at www.kosciuskoedc.com and via Facebook, Linkedin and Instagram @kosciuskoedc.