In Photo, from left, Ryan Smith, Indiana American Water; Chris Harrison, Indiana American Water; Vince Griffin, Indiana Chamber of Commerce; Tyler Bouse, Kosciusko County Farm Bureau; Mark Dobson, Kosciusko Chamber President & CEO

On September 9th the Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce held a Water Resource Luncheon in partnership with Indiana American Water and Kosciusko County Farm Bureau. Featured was guest speaker Vince Griffin, Vice President, Energy and Environmental Policy from the Indiana Chamber of Commerce.

Vince joined the Indiana Chamber of Commerce in late 1997 and is responsible for tracking air, water, solid and hazardous waste issues, and permitting concerns, as well as energy issues related to electric power, natural gas and alternative energy sources.

An overview of a six‐month study on water resources in Indiana that was released on Aug. 8, 2014 was presented. The new study found that water availability varies dramatically across the state. Northern Indiana has an abundance of water. Increased irrigation usage may help drive the need for additional monitoring. Currently, Indiana has an economic advantage because of the abundance of water. However, without proper management and planning, our water strength could become a liability impacting both business, agriculture, and citizens.

“This is definitely a jobs and economic development issue,” says Indiana Chamber President and CEO Kevin Brinegar. “Our state’s economy is growing more diverse, but we always will make things. And it often takes large, reliable supplies of water to do so.”

Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce President and CEO, Mark Dobson stated, “The abundance of water in Northern Indiana creates a unique economic development advantage for us. One that we should leverage and promote. Proper management techniques will ensure that we maintain the advantage.”

Thank you to Water Resource Luncheon Event Partners Indiana American Water and Kosciusko County Farm Bureau. For more information about the Chamber and its upcoming events or to partner with the Chamber to support events like this please visit www.kchamber.com, or call the Chamber at (574) 267‐6311.