Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
In January Kosciusko Development Inc. board member Don Strouse expressed his concern about layoffs and the pending sale of Dana Corp.'s Syracuse Spicer Axle Division plant.
Recently board president Brian Redshaw, who is also the Syracuse town manager, and Joy McCarthy-Sessing, KDI executive director, visited with Dana executives in Fort Wayne regarding the business.
Redshaw said Wednesday they were cooperative in explaining their strategy, closing this plant and one in Greensboro, N.C., built in 1996, calling it part of a comprehensive decision.
Dana officials said the ideal situation would be to find a supplier willing to purchase the entire operation and keep it as an ongoing business. No timetables have been established for a closing.
The facility laid off 290 of its 620 employees in December.
Redshaw said he will keep in touch with Dana and keep the board informed.
Several board members commented that they would help locate possible purchasers.
The KDI board also:
• Approved a request for co-operative advertising along with other counties. Cost of that $800 per year was approved.
• Heard from McCarthy-Sessing that Warsaw will host the Indiana Development summer meeting, June 20 and 21. She said it is an opportunity to showcase the county with economic development people around the state as well as with officials of the Indiana Department of Commerce.
• Heard that another wage survey will be conducted to include an overview of benefits packages and will be conducted by Ergo Resource Management, Syracuse.
The survey is valuable for companies seeking to locate here.
• Heard Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse has set an opening date of March 15.
• Heard that a dozen local people attended the Purdue University technology directors seminar Feb. 15. Participants learned about free and low-cost technical assistance available through the university.
Several follow-up visits by the university employees are expected.
• Heard the South Bend Business Development Center will host a small business workshop April 30 at 1 p.m. in meeting rooms at the Warsaw Community Public Library.
The meeting is open to the public.
• Read a letter of concern from Milford town clerk Charlotte Siegfried, regarding the closings of the grocery and hardware stores in town.
• Heard an update regarding the Batelle biomedical industry study and the strategic planning sessions regarding the study. It was suggested an executive committee meet to suggest long- range goals and specific actions for KDI.
• Heard that a "full blown" audit was not necessary for KDI accounts because they did not spend more than $100,000 in government money.
A partial review of accounts is all that is necessary each year.
