Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
David Behr of the Indiana Economic Development Corp. was a guest of Kosciusko Development Inc. and spoke during KDI's joint meeting with Chamber of Commerce members Tuesday.
During the last year, the Indiana Department of Commerce has transformed into the Economic Development Corp., and regional offices were reduced from 12 to half that number. Not so long ago, the Department of Commerce was only accessible in Indianapolis. Behr is headquartered in South Bend and serves Kosciusko as well as eight other surrounding counties.
Behr said there have been a lot of changes during the transition, but the emphasis now is on business development. The corporation offers infrastructure and training grants, trouble-shooting advice and has 15 offices based around the world to open and support global marketing to Hoosiers.
KDI chairman Roger Moynahan advised Chamber members that KDI has been promoting economic development and taking that message "on the road" to other communities. He said a dialogue has been started. At the beginning of the year, a request of $100,000 was put before the county council. Earlier this month, KDI appeared before the county commissioners repeating that request and presenting a business plan.
KDI representatives will again request the funding before the county council July 14.
When asked how he felt about the chances of receiving the economic development money, Moynahan said the commissioners and the council have been put in a difficult position.
"There are many organizations that want public funds. We're not in a position to tell them what to do. We've asked communities for increases, too. Some are not sure we're doing enough. Some are not sure what we do.
"But, we raised public awareness.
"Whether or not the county council decides to do what we asked remains to be seen."
Chamber president Max Courtney said he just returned from an Indiana Humanities Council meeting and the focus was on economic development. He said Gov. Mitch Daniels addressed the group and mentioned that Indiana workers were making 12 cents less for every $1 earned by other workers in the country.
"At the turn of the last century, we were doing very well," Courtney said. "That's why we have the libraries and museums we have today. Economics and the humanities are tied together. We slid in the '60s, '70s and '80s, and we need not only a worthy vision. We have to make a worthy effort.
"We're on the right course. Our economic development committee hasn't done very well the last three or four years. As a Chamber, our effort is to foster commerce. Ideas are cheap. It's implementation that is costly."
Joy McCarthy-Sessing, KDI president, said the revolving loan fund has grown to $255,400. Administered by Lake City Bank, the first applicant has completed paperwork for a small interest loan. The fund was started with "seed" money of $90,400 from a Rural Development grant.
As part of their meeting, the Chamber approved new members: Business Networking International, Vanatko Restaurants doing business as Golden Corral, IMPAC, Lakeland Art Association, Mental Health Association and Steak 'N' Shake.
Kim Nance, economic development coordinator, presented newly designed promotional brochures.
The group reviewed comments registered on SurveyMonkey.com regarding the state's change to Daylight Savings Time. A question asked whether people preferred Central or Eastern Time and why.
The EdCom DVD made by Ethel Ringle's third grade class was viewed. The Harrison Elementary School students' project was wooing the Guidant Corp. from Indianapolis to Warsaw. The city's attractions were featured and local individuals were interviewed.
The next KDI meeting is July 26.
