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Kosciusko County Development Inc. Executive Director Joy McCarthy-Sessing said an automotive parts manufacturer had inquired about locating in Kosciusko County and evidently received better incentives from either Illinois or Virginia, "because we're not hearing from them now" and they're not returning messages.
McCarthy-Sessing advised the KDI executive board Wednesday that state officials are not giving inecentives.
"The state of Virginia offered a $270,000 grant," she said, making their offer much more attractive.
KDI President Brian Redshaw asked what the county could do to offer incentives. He noted the Economic Development Income Tax, passed by the county council in 2000, was immediately locked up by the county, city and towns.
McCarthy-Sessing said the county could phase out the inventory tax quickly.
She noted everyone (the state and municipal officials) is floundering because no one knows how much money is coming from the state. Funds are expected to be reduced.
Board member Brad Bishop asked if there was a chart of taxes or incentives comparing Indiana to other states and McCarthy-Sessing said that information wasn't available.
"Businesses don't locate here because of the slowness of local, county and state government action," Redshaw said.
"We have the option of doing nothing or becoming aggressive, working fast with all our ducks in a row," he said.
He noted that in the Syracuse area, Rinker Boats has added 100 jobs, Godfrey Marine plans to expand and Dana Corp. has extended its closing date.
• Heard Indiana Chamber of Commerce lobbyists will be guests of the chamber Nov. 21, at a location to be announced.
• The Department of Commerce regional area for Warsaw includes Plymouth and Elkhart.
• The Northeast Indiana Innovation Center, occupying Fort Wayne Raytheon building on Coliseum Boulevard, plans to build a biomedical institute on the IPFW campus.
• Heard from economic director Jean Gosney that only 40 wage surveys have been returned of the 700 mailed this summer.
• The "Starting Your Own Small Business" workshop will be Oct. 30 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the chamber. Costs are $20 per participant.
• Heard the former Aero Manufacturing building, Syracuse, has been leased to Dutchman Corp.
• A workforce development meeting, "Lean Manufacturing," is set for Oct. 3 in the Center Lake pavilion.
• Heard the Manufacturer's Council will meet Sept. 30 at noon to discuss IOSHA regulations. Speaker is Joe Moorehouse from the Indiana Department of Labor.
• Heard that cleanup at the Gatke property will begin soon and the area will probably be designated a tax increment financing district before the end of the year.
• Board member Bob Sanders introduced "job shadow" Phil Fozo Jr.
• Northeast Indiana Public Service Co. customers should begin to see electric rate credits, figured at 6 percent by the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission, reflected in their bills in November.
