Kosciusko A ‘Serious Player’ For New Business
Good economic news was the positive message at Kosciusko County Redevelopment Commission meeting Thursday.
George Robertson of KEDCo gave an overview of last year’s economic development news. “It was a very successful year,” he said. “Given the economy, it’s been a really good year.”
President Henry DeJulia also gave an update on the industrial park in Syracuse.
Several industries are either expanding or moving into Kosciusko County. The major hotspots appear to be in Milford and Syracuse, said Robertson.
Patrick Industries in Syracuse is expanding its operations and construction on TruPointe in Milford is slated to begin in March. Hiring will start in the middle of the year.
Another business, PigTek, moved into a vacant building in MIlford.
Robertson also reported on progress being made on projects for this year. Three projects that were put on hold are now slated to take place this year. One is in Atwood, another in Etna Green, and an expansion of a business “in the northern part of the county.”
He also cited some statistics from Site Selection magazine. According to a recent survey, 70 percent of expansion projects in the U.S. are still on hold and 30 percent are off-shoring to Asia or China. “We are also seeing a lot of re-shoring from China back to here (the U.S.),” he noted. “But that’s not a lot of prospects for us (Kosciusko County).”
Mexico and Canada had a good year, he said, but it will be a “wait and see year” for the county.
Robertson said the good news is that companies are looking at Kosciusko County. Prospective companies are looking for vacant buildings and railroad access, which Milford has. “We have two prospects in Milford,” he said.
DeJulia praised Robertson’s work, stating, “We have done well as a county.” Board member Larry Teghmeyer also praised Robertson’s work saying, “We are now a serious player.”
When asked about unemployment figures, Robertson said the county has about 1,000 jobs to make up since 2007. He said he is also doing more to help small businesses.
After Robertson’s presentation, DeJulia gave the board an update on the industrial park in Syracuse, which is located at U.S. 6 and SR 13. Construction on the 60-acre spot began last September. Water and sewer will be extended 1.2 miles to the site, located just outside the town limits. Gas and electric will also be available.
“We will have a shovel-ready site,” said DeJulia, adding there are lots of advantages out there and that money is starting to come in. “We are hopeful,” he said.
He said they are looking for new technology businesses, which will help with site selectors who are looking for shovel-ready sites.
He expects 200 to 300 jobs to come into the area and $22 million new investments. “We want to create jobs; that’s most important,” DeJulia stressed.
The next meeting will be at 1 p.m. Feb. 14.