Pictured from left are KLA cadet Joseph Sobek, sponsored by the Kosciusko County prosecuting attorney’s office; KLA cadet Mikie Crate, sponsored by 2nd District U.S. Rep. Rudy Yakym; KLA cadet Mike Murphy, sponsored by Bowen Center; John Teevan, dean, Grace College & Seminary; Lauren Klusman, director of marketing and communications at the Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce; David Findlay, chief executive officer of Lake City Bank; and Scott Wiley, member relations manager at the Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce. Photo provided.

News Release

SYRACUSE — On Tuesday, Jan. 16, the Kosciusko Leadership Academy cadets visited the Syracuse Community Center where they learned about the economics of Kosciusko County.

Lauren Klusman, director of marketing and communications at the Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce, and Scott Wiley, member relations manager at the Kosciusko Chamber, talked about how chambers of commerce serve businesses in the community by providing business counseling and education, advocacy at the state government and networking. They spoke about the 700 members the Chamber has and also its radio podcast called “Bizz Buzz.” The Chamber also has more than 90 annual events and welcomes members to join a committee.

David Findlay, chief executive officer of Lake City Bank, presented on macroeconomics with a focus on banking. Lake City has been in business for more than 150 years and started in Warsaw. Findlay explained how local banking matters to community development through a commitment to investing in the community and providing loans to help businesses expand in the community.

John Teevan presented an overview of both the history and current state of economics in Kosciusko County.

Teevan said that it was the railroad, which arrived in 1859, that “put this county on the map.” He mentioned several businesses that came down from Chicago, including Dalton Foundry, Da-Lite Screen, R.R. Donnelley and Arnolt. Teevan said that a continued focus on research and development, finance and medical services is the key to continued economic success.

The next KLA session on Tuesday, Feb. 6, will cover health care in Kosciusko County and will take place in the administration building at Lutheran Kosciusko Hospital.

The Kosciusko Leadership Academy is in its 42nd year. The academy conducts biweekly morning sessions around the county to expose leaders to a variety of local topics and experts, and participants produce an annual white paper project. To learn more, visit kosciuskoleadership.org.