Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
The First Annual Community Growth Forum was presented Tuesday by the Builders Association of Kosciusko and Fulton Counties and hosted by the Kosciusko County REMC in their new facilities on CR 250E, Warsaw.
Approximately 90 community leaders attended the event, representing all aspects of area business and government.
Doug Harvey, Builders Association community growth chairman, welcomed the group and introduced those participating in the discussion.
Warsaw Mayor Ernie Wiggins was the meeting facilitator. Each speaker was given 20 minutes to present information and answer questions.
Matt Sandy, assistant planner of the Kosciusko County Area Plan Commission, spoke on "Kosciusko County Growth/Comprehensive Plan." He provided a composite report on the number and dollars of improvement location permits issued by the plan commission by year from 1975 through 2005. The report detailed permits by various residence categories and public use, commercial, industrial and agricultural buildings.
Total permits peaked in 2003 at 1,674 and total dollars at $210,306,807. Construction remained strong in 2005, although down from the high in 2003 and down slightly (7 percent) from 2004.
Sandy said, "We support business and residential growth throughout the county. We're particularly looking at the Ind. 15 corridor. The last two years have been big years. We've seen huge growth in the northeast corridor around the lakes, and we're looking ahead at long-term planning for industrial versus residential growth." He also indicated that the western corridor would be a possibility with the proposed western bypass.
"We want to be proactive," Sandy added. "We've seen negatives in other counties as they struggle to keep what they have. We're lucky to work well with the city and county. In the future we'll be looking at tightening uses in the lakes district and going out from the lakes, and addressing issues that are intense in the lake areas."
The second speaker, Steve Savage, owner of RE/MAX Rainbow Realtors, spoke about "Building Better Relationships between Developers, Realtors and Builders." He said, "We're interested in how housing and developments are perceived. Our county is a great area to do business in. We want to build professionalism in our relationship (to the community).
"There was little decline in growth in 2005 - residential development was pretty much equal in 2004 and 2005. We've seen seven years of consistent growth."
Savage shared information from MLS on statistics of homes built and sold in 2003 through 2005. Comparisons were based on median price and number of homes in three categories: $100,000-$200,000, $200,000-$300,000 and more than $300,000. He said the only category showing significant decreases was the more-than-$300,000 category in 2005.
When asked about the income needed to purchase a home, Savage said, "About 28-33 percent of your income should go to housing, and you need good credit."
A current survey about trends in houses say 42 percent still want an open floor plan; some want half-walls or columns; while only a small percentage want completely closed off rooms.
"There are different trends in different markets," Savage said. "Baby boomers will turn 65 in 2011, and they are starting to impact the market. "Today, 6,000 people turn 65 each day, but that number will increase to 10,000 a day in 2011. We need to look at how that will affect us. We also need to emphasize hooking up sellers with potential buyers.
"Right now, there are 513 lots available all over the county, ranging from $5,000 to $2 million, with the median being $38,900. In my personal opinion, I'm an optimist, and I see us being in a great growth mode. There's a good market for homes in the $175,000-250,000 range."
Brad Bishop, director of public relations with Zimmer's, addressed "Networking with Local Industry Leaders." He said, "The two biggest moves in the county were when Revra DePuy started his orthopedics business in 1895, and when Justin O. Zimmer, a former employee of DePuy, founded Zimmer Manufacturing Co. in 1927."
Today, Zimmer employs 6,700 worldwide, of which 2,100 are in Warsaw. Bishop said, "Zimmer sales were $3.3 billion for the last year. Three of the top five (orthopedics companies) are headquartered here."
Zimmer plans to add 675 new employees by 2010. Bishop added, "We made two expansion announcements in 2004 and 2005 - the renovation of the old Lake Theatre in downtown Warsaw into condominiums and a new research and development facility. R&D will add 275 new professional and technical jobs.
"Spine is the biggest growing segment, and Medtronic Sofamor Danke is a key player in that market. Fort Wayne has been the most visible in trying to extend the orthopedic alley. We expect to see more action out of other communities, like South Bend with Notre Dame.
"Two moves were important to Warsaw - when J&J bought DePuy, they left the headquarters here, and Bristol Myers didn't sell us, but spun us off into a separate company. Worldwide, Warsaw has two-thirds of the knee market and over 60 percent of the hips.
"The future of orthopedics is in helping people grow their own tissue and cartilage, using orthobiological solutions. What happens in the next 20 years? In the next 15-20 years, baby boomers will get into needing replacements. As for technology advancements, minimally invasive surgery has been significant.
"We need to hold on to a piece of the pie - keep industry here. The focus of the future is on high technology and scientific solutions rather than production workers.
"The implication on housing is the upcoming retirements of people with 25-plus years. We're in competition with Fort Wayne and South Bend for people coming to work here. It's about whether they want the small-town atmosphere or they want the shopping, private education, social activities and jobs for spouses better served in a larger city.
"To encourage the orthopedic business, government and the community need to address taxing, the cost of doing business, the operating environment, qualify of life and variety in the quality of life and different kinds of cultural activities."
Harvey suggested to Bishop that it might be helpful to develop a packet to welcome new hires to the area.
Lowell Owens announced the restart of the Kosciusko County Redevelopment Commission, which met for the first time Monday night. He said, "We've also been charged to look at economic development. We're looking for feedback." Members of the commission include Owens, Larry Teghtmeyer, Bruce Woodward, Bill Warren and Max Courtney.
For more information on the Community Growth Forum, call the Builders Association at 574-267-6125.
