WARSAW — The major topic of the Kosciusko County Commissioners meeting today, Monday, May 2, was the request to move forward with a collaboration agreement with OrthoWorx Incorporated to establish and operate Accelinx.

Sheryl Conley, president and CEO of OrthoWorx, a nonprofit 501 (c)(6) organization, requested $1 million in funding to develop and operate AcceLinx for six years. AcceLinx is an organization that will provide a start-up platform for selected entrepreneurs to advance new medical device technologies and create new enterprises.

Orthopedic device manufacturing is an integral part of Warsaw, which is known as “The Orthopedic Capital of the World.” Kosciusko County is the largest benefactor of orthopedic manufacturing; having nearly 7,000 direct jobs and more than 6,000 in indirect jobs in this industry and accounts for 45 percent of the $45 billion global orthopedics market.

Conley asked for the $1 million investment come from the $2.4 million in taxes withheld from the Zimmer/Biomet merger last year. The Indiana Economic Development Corporation supported AcceLinx with $1.2 million and the City of Warsaw approved $500,000.

According to Conley, AcceLinx will be self-funding after six years and generating tax revenue without continued county support.

The funds, if approved, will also be used for a physical location, operational management and for high-wage professional staffing. The commissioners accepted a first draft of the collaboration agreement and will vote on the issue in another meeting.

In other business:

• The commissioners approved taking bids from architectural firms for enlarging the work release building.
• Sue Mitchell, County Treasurer, asked the commissioners to proclaim May as Poppy Month and ask that all citizens pay tribute to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the name of freedom by wearing the Memorial Poppy during the month of May.