Gun Manufacturer Among County Prospects
Kosciusko County Redevelopment Commission Executive Director George Robertson said some major companies, including a gun manufacturer, are looking at bringing their operations to Kosciusko County.
The companies, including a major gun manufacturer, a major food processor and an automotive company, are ready to expand in the county except for some “fear factors,” such as the economy.
The prospects are looking for 150,000- to 200,000-square-foot buildings. “Each of them would create 200 to 300 jobs. Without product you are not in the game. We need product, that is critical,” Robertson said.
Overall, Robertson noted the local economy is doing better than most. “We are up 575 jobs last year and have the highest average wages in the state. We have $23 million in economic wages. That’s good news,” he said.
In other matters, he claimed there are no major changes in Tax Increment Finance legislation and no new economic development news to report out of Indianapolis. However, due to a transparency bill, people can go online and see how companies are using TIF funds.
Two pieces of legislation will have great benefit, said Robertson. Highway funding is one of those. Within two years, Kosciusko County will have $1 million in new road monies. The money will come from a motor vehicle tax, which will help pay for road repairs.
Also, a workforce bill is set to bring people, such as educators and employers, together in “a gubernatorial way. That will be very important for us,” said Robertson.
Workforce continues to be the main issue. Robertson said companies are going where the trained workforce is. A new program is encouraging people to consider an orthopedic career. The program’s grant would pay for training for the skills needed. “We are doing a lot of things in that area,” Robertson said, adding, “We really need machinists.”
He said companies want to know what the workforce is like, such as how many welders there are and how many machinists there are. He noted, “We need a workforce pipeline, especially since the baby boomers are retiring.”
In other matters, a guest from Elevate Ventures in South Bend gave a brief presentation. Kregg Kiel told the board that the company assists entrepreneurs in Indiana with grant money. Grants may range from $5,000 to $25,000.
“We are trying to fill gaps,” said Kiel. An economic gardening program provides consulting services for new businesses. Kiel said, “It’s been very successful.” Robertson praised the program, stating, “It is very good.”
In other news, three TIF reports were approved and signed. A TIF report for Maple Leaf Farms, Milford, was approved. There is no excess money in the TIF district because the county paid off the bond. However, when fall tax installments are paid the money will go back into the county’s rainy day fund. By 2016, the estimated revenue is expected to be $180,000.
The second TIF report is the Leesburg-Plain Township TIF. The $350,000 TIF money was used to expand sewer capacity in and around Leesburg.
The third TIF report is for Louis Dreyfus plant in Claypool. There is a balance of $260,000 in the county’s TIF funds.
The next meeting is at 1 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 8.