Economic Development Coalition of Southwest Indiana

NEWS RELEASES

Information Requested on Park and Recreation Facilities by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
August 25, 2010

FOR LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS:  The Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) requests your assistance in gathering an inventory of park and recreation facilities within your communities. This information will ultimately be included in the Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreational Plan (SCORP). The SCORP is an assessment of local recreational opportunities and provides a framework for communities to apply for federal funding for park related activities. DNR is interested in information from all levels of local government: City, County, Town and Township. 
 


EVENT: Foreign Trade Zone Luncheon Sept. 10, 2010
August 13, 2010

Please see attached pdf for details on the "1 Foreign Trade Zone - 9 Counties - No Waiting!" Luncheon on September 10, 2010. 

 


U.S. Dept. of Agriculture Feasibility Study NOFA 2010
August 6, 2010

 
Please review the Notice of Funds Available inserted below for information regarding the Renewable Energy Feasibility Studies Grants under the Rural Energy for America Program.
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION IS OCTOBER 5, 2010.


Lt. Governor Skillman Awards City of Mount Vernon a $300,000 Community Focus Fund Grant
June 30, 2010

Lt. Governor Skillman Awards City of Mount Vernon a $300,000 Community Focus Fund Grant
 
INDIANAPOLIS- Yesterday at a Statehouse ceremony, Lt. Governor Becky Skillman awarded the City of Mount Vernon with a $300,000 Community Focus Fund grant for a site clearance project. The Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA) administers the grants, which are funded through the federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. Twenty-two communities and counties were recognized at the ceremony, with grant awards totaling more than $10 million.
 
“Community Focus Fund grants help Hoosier cities and towns achieve their long-term development goals,” said Lt. Governor Skillman. “Infrastructure and quality of life projects, like this one, are crucial to the economic success of rural communities in our state.”
 
The grant will fund the demolition of the former J.R. Short Milling Company’s grain silos. The structures, which are located in the downtown riverfront district, are decaying in condition and are a detriment to the city’s revitalization efforts. Once the project is completed, Mount Vernon residents and visitors will enjoy an attractive green corridor along the Ohio River.
 
The Community Focus Fund grants are awarded twice annually through a competitive application process. Eligible projects include, but are not limited to: community and senior centers, special needs facilities, libraries, water system improvements, storm drainage projects, and sewer system improvements.
 


Lt. Governor Skillman Awards Oakland City
June 16, 2010

Planning Grant awarded to Oakland City, Indiana.


Grant Seminar Registration - June 25, 2010
June 4, 2010

 Please fill out the registration form and return to us by Monday, June 21, 2010. 


Tools of Economic Development Seminar March 11, 2010 - Powerpoint presentation file
March 17, 2010

The Tools of Economic Development Seminar was very insightful and beneficial to our elected officials and staffs that attended.  As an added service, we have uploaded the powerpoint presentation of the seminar to our website for the benefit of those who wished to attend but were unable.  If you have any questions regarding the seminar or upcoming seminars, please feel free to contact our office at 812-423-2020 or email snewton@southwestindiana.org.  Thank you.


Tools of Economic Development - Registration Form
February 24, 2010

For Elected Officials and their staffs of Gibson, Posey, Vanderburgh and Warrick Counties:

Please click on the link for the March 11, 2010 Tools of Economic Development Registration Form.


JOB POSTING: Posey County Executive Director
February 10, 2010

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
The Posey County Economic Development Partnership, Inc. is seeking a leader and driven candidate to serve as executive director and develop an effective economic and community development program. Must collaborate, communicate, establish and enhance strong relationships with legislative bodies; industries; business groups; educational institutions; other local public agencies; media; and the general public.   Five to eight years experience, bachelor degree in related field and certification preferred.   
 
Send resumes by March 10, 2010 to:  
Posey County Economic Development Partnership
P.O. Box 643
Mt. Vernon, IN 47620-0643
 
 


IHCDA Emergency Shelter List
January 4, 2010

Although the Economic Development Coalition of SW Indiana has not ventured into “housing” for the four counties, we try to stay informed of the housing opportunities afforded by IHCDA.  

Please find attached a current list of Emergency Shelters issued by IHCDA.    
 
Emergency Shelter List

www.in.gov/ihcda/files/Emergency_Shelter_List(1).pdf


Town of Chandler awaiting $3.8 million
November 20, 2009

The Town of Chandler, Indiana is awaiting for approval of $3.8 million in grant dollars from the State of Indiana's Disaster related funds for a new water system in Warrick county.  Economic Development Coalition Vice President of Community Development, Debbie Bennett-Stearsman said that the money will renovate the entire water system and that state approval could follow in days after a public hearing scheduled for Monday, November 23rd.  

This award could come on the heels of Chandler's $2.6 million award for their wastewater treatment project.  A significant award from the State.

###

 


Japanese School Wins Writing Award Fourth Year Straight
November 9, 2009

 

The Courier Press/Tom Lovett (Nov. 4, 2009)

For the fourth consecutive year, the Southern Indiana Japanese School has been awarded the School Award in Writing by the Japan Overseas Educational Services, a subsidiary of the Japanese government's Ministry of Education and Science. The Southern Indiana Japanese School is an extended services program of the University of Southern Indiana. More than 300 Japanese schools worldwide were eligible for the School Award in writing. Only 15 were selected to receive it.

In addition to the School Award in Writing, 10 students from Southern Indiana Japanese School were awarded prizes for their writings and poems in the 30th Literature Contest. "All our students and teachers have been working on this contest since April," said Keietsu Nishimura, principal of Southern Indiana Japanese School. "We are proud of this accomplishment. It's not easy to win this prize, especially four times in a row." Southern Indiana Japanese School opened in 1997 at the request of and with the financial support of Tri-State regional companies. The school prepares students for a smooth transition into Japanese school life when they return home.


Town of Chandler to Break Ground on $2.6 million Wastewater Treatment Project
October 23, 2009

 

Chandler, IN – The Town of Chandler will issue notice-to-proceed with construction for its $2.6 million wastewater treatment plant improvement project on Monday October 5, 2009 at the Town Council meeting at the Chandler Community Center at 7:00 p.m.
 
Partial funding for the project comes from a $1.6 million disaster relief grant (DR-2).* The Town of Chandler was the first community in Indiana to receive this grant and this project is the first to be under construction utilizing these grant funds. The grant was authored by the Economic Development Coalition of Southwest Indiana with support from State Senators Vaneta Becker and Richard Young and State Representatives Denis Avery and Russ Stillwell. The Coalition will also administer the grant. To finance the remainder of the project, the Town of Chandler also
received a low interest loan through the State Revolving Fund program.
 
The improvement project will include:
 Construction of a new laboratory building; Installation of a new emergency back-up generator capable of powering the entire wastewater treatment facility; Construction of a new septage receiving facility; and Installation of a new screenings washer/compactor at the plant head works.
 
An improvement of particular interest to taxpayers, the septage receiving facility will help minimize future sewer rate increases. The new facility will accept waste from septic and portable toilet pumpers creating a new revenue stream for the Sewer Department.
 
Designed by M.D. Wessler & Associates; the project moves into construction immediately. Mitchell and Stark Construction Co., Inc. will complete the improvements in approximately 11 months.
 
*DR-2 Disaster Relief Grants are awarded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and administered by the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs under the direction of Lieutenant Governor Becky Skillman.
 
Credit: Brian S. Mundy, P.E., P.L.S.
M.D. Wessler & Associates
brianmundy@mdwessler.com
812-475-1690


UE Ranks in Top 10 Midwest Colleges
August 20, 2009

 

— The newly released U.S. News & World Report's "Best Colleges" data lists the University of Evansville 10th among master's-granting institutions in the Midwest.

UE comes in second on a list of best values in the Midwest, trailing only Creighton University, and sixth in a "strong commitment to teaching" list for the region.

"Ranking where we did in each category, among 142 eligible institutions, is just one of the many indicators confirming our success in maintaining the highest academic quality at the University of Evansville," UE President Stephen Jennings said.

The magazine measures academic quality by using the assessments of administrators at peer institutions, student graduation and retention rates, faculty resources, student selectivity, financial resources and alumni giving.

In a nationwide list of best universities, the top 10 consist of Harvard, Princeton, Yale, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Stanford, California Institute of Technology, the University of Pennsylvania, Columbia, Duke and the University of Chicago.

-John Martin/Evansville Courier & Press

 


Town of Poseyville, Indiana awarded $600,000 Community Focus Fund Grant
July 16, 2009

Monday at a Statehouse ceremony, Lieutenant Governor Becky Skillman awarded the Town of Poseyville a $600,000 Community Focus Fund grant for a water system improvement project. The Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA) administers the grants, which are funded through the federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. Twenty-six communities and counties received grants, totaling more than $11 million.  

The Town of Poseyville will use the grant to construct a new water plant at the existing well site. This project will replace the current plant, which was built in 1969. This new facility will better serve the residents of Poseyville by increasing their water's pressure and flow, and improve the overall quality of their drinking water. 
 
"These grants provide Indiana communities with funding for needed infrastructure and improve the quality of life for rural Hoosiers," said Lt. Governor Becky Skillman. "I oversee the federal CDBG program and I've seen its tremendous impact on our state.  I'd like to extend my sincerest thanks to everyone involved in this project for their commitment to making their community a better place to live, work, and do business."
 
The Community Focus Fund grants are awarded twice annually through a competitive application process. Eligible projects include, but are not limited to: community and senior centers, special needs facilities, libraries, water system improvements, storm drainage projects, and sewer system improvements. 
 

 


Toyota Upgrade in Gibson County Will Cost $500 Million
July 6, 2009

Toyota Motor Corp. plans to spend $500 million to prepare its plant in Princeton, Ind., to build Highlander sports-utility vehicles.

Toyota will begin making the Highlander in October, in space once used for the production of Tundra pickup trucks. The figure, first reported by Bloomberg News, was included in a document filed with the Security and Exchange Commission on June 24.

Kelly Dillon, a Toyota spokeswoman, said the document merely puts a dollar value on the company’s plan to modify the plant so the Highlander can be built there. Toyota announced that plan about a year ago, at the same time that it said it was halting its production of Sequoia SUVs for three months and eventually moving the production of Tundras to San Antonio, Texas.

The investment will result in no additions to the 4,500 Princeton workers, whom Toyota has gone to lengths to avoid laying off. During times in which the company has suspended production on the various vehicles made in Princeton, it has kept affected workers busy by training them to make the plant safer, cleaner and more efficient. That was true both during the three-month halt in making Sequoias, as well as during the different times production of the Sienna minivan, built in the Princeton East plant, has been suspended.

During the past few months, Toyota has been bringing to its Princeton plant equipment needed to make Highlanders, Dillon said. Spending $500 million for that purpose will bring the total investment at the plant to about $3.7 billion.

Toyota had first planned to build the Highlander in a factory it is building in Blue Springs, Miss. But, prompted by a falling demand for large vehicles, company executives changed their minds, instead deciding to make the Prius in Mississippi.

-Dan Shaw, Evansville Courier and Press


Signature School Ranked 27th in Newsweek's Top 100 High Schools
June 11, 2009

Signature School has been honored by Newsweek magazine as an elite American high school.

The charter school on Main Street ranked No. 27 on Newsweek's Top 100 High Schools list. Signature is the only Indiana school in the rankings.

Newsweek's list is based on a high schools' number of Advanced Placement and/or International Baccalaureate tests taken by all students in 2008, divided by the number of graduating seniors.

Signature also was honored recently by the Indiana Department of Education as one of nine schools to attain statewide goals in Advanced Placement participation and pass rates. The nine schools received Spotlight on Learning awards from the state.

Signature, which was created to offer rigorous academic curriculum, became a charter school in 2002. Charter schools are public schools that have greater autonomy over the programs they offer.

Before 2002, Signature was operated by the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corp. as an alternative academic program.

-Evansville Courier and Press


Old National Bancorp (NYSE: ONB) Added to the Standard & Poors Small Cap 600 Index
February 21, 2009

According to Standard & Poor’s, the S&P Small Cap 600 is designed to be an efficient portfolio of companies that meet specific inclusion criteria to ensure that they are investable and financially viable and is fast becoming the preferred small cap index in the United States.

Old National Bancorp of Evansville is the largest financial services holding company headquartered in Indiana and, with $7.8 billion in assets, ranks among the top 100 banking companies in the United States.


Mead Johnson Nutrition Builds $26.2 Million Research and Development Center
December 4, 2008

Mead Johnson Nutrition has begun a $26.2 million Global Research and Development Technology Center on its Evansville campus. The 30,000 square foot facility will feature a four-story pilot production spray dryer used in testing trial products in powder form.

The facility, expected to be completed during the summer of 2010, will position Mead Johnson for advancement in product innovation in the global pediatric nutrition marketplace and will bring economic development to Southwest Indiana.

The development of the new center will link investment in biosciences with economic growth, a connection that Mead Johnson, a supporter of the Indiana Life Sciences Initiative, is purposeful in making.

“Having the technology center here represents a compelling opportunity to build upon Mead Johnson’s existing research and development resources in Evansville,” notes Stephen Golsby, chief executive officer, Mead Johnson Nutrition. “It will also contribute to our continuing investment to Evansville and to the high-caliber life-sciences initiatives that are a priority for Southwestern Indiana.”


Incentives Aid Vuteq Expansion
October 29, 2008

Incentives offered by Gibson County and the Indiana Economic Development Corporation are playing a key role in Vuteq’s recently-announced expansion of its Princeton, Indiana, operations. Vuteq, an automotive parts supplier to Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indiana, announced it will add a 130,000-square-foot factory and 50 new jobs as part of the $24 million project, expected to be complete by July 2009.
 
The Gibson County Council has agreed to a phase-in of taxes over the next 10 years for the company. During that abatement period, Vuteq will pay an estimated $2.1 million in taxes on its investment. After the 10 year period, taxes will be an estimated $300,000 annually.
 
Vuteq has also received offers for tax credits of up to $650,000 and training grants of up to $35,000 from the Indiana Economic Development Corporation.
 
Source: Evansville Courier and Press


Mead Johnson Utilizes Landfill Methane
April 23, 2008

Decomposing waste in Laubscher Meadows Landfill generates enough methane gas to equal about 70,000 barrels of crude oil or 15,000 tons of coal each year.

Mead Johnson Nutritionals plans to use this gas from the landfill to replace most of the current natural gas consumption at its Evansville manufacturing facility.

"Today, we are taking another big step toward helping improve air quality in the Evansville area," said Mead Johnson President Steve Golsby on Tuesday.

He said the natural gas usage that will be eliminated by the project represents a shift from the use of fossil fuels to energy that comes from a renewable source. He said the company anticipates the landfill on North St. Joseph Avenue will provide enough gas to power the facility for at least 15 to 20 years.


Red Spot Sold to Japanese Firm
April 23, 2008

Fujichem Inc., is in the process of buying Red Spot Paint & Varnish Co. Inc., one of Evansville’s oldest manufacturers, for $63.2 million. Red Spot will mark its 105th anniversary in December.

Fujichem is a subsidiary of Fujikura Kasei, which produces and sells derivative products of acrylic resins, similarly to Red Spot.

Both Red Spot and Fujikura, a Japanese company with which it has done business for 36 years, are global leaders in advanced coatings for plastics, and supply the automotive industry, including Toyota, and other industries.

Halling said the Red Spot name and the company’s Evansville headquarters, which include manufacturing, research, sales and administrative facilities, will be retained. He said all 345 Red Spot employees also will be retained.


Ivy Tech Gibson County Location Chosen
January 12, 2008

Ivy Tech has chosen a location for the Gibson County expansion it announced last month. The new center will be in a 12,000-square-foot building in the Gibson County Warehousing Inc. industrial park at 2431 S. Crabtree Drive in Princeton, Ind.

The new facility is slated to be open by July and will employ a full-time director and at least one part-time support staff. The facility will have the capacity to offer advanced manufacturing, computer application, healthcare, and energy technology training, as well as continuing education, distance learning opportunities, and a location for certification and employment testing.


Warrick County Economic Development Exec Hired
January 10, 2008

Larry Taylor, who recently retired as senior vice president of Accuride, has accepted the position of Warrick County Economic Development Director.

Taylor said he is passionate about the county and the community and is looking forward to promoting the county so more businesses will come to the area.

He stated that there has already been a lot of groundwork done by the county in the area.

“It’s an ideal time for anyone stepping into this,” Taylor said.

The first item on his agenda is creating a strategy for economic development.


Berry Plastics Dedicates Distribution Center
November 12, 2007

Evansville-based Berry Plastics dedicated its new 600,000 square foot warehouse distribution center in the new Air Commerce Park. Berry Plastics, which manufactures plastic packaging for dozens of products, recently announced that it would make Evansville its global headquarters and would create 250 new jobs.

“The expansion will give us the infrastructure Berry must have to move our products to our customers more efficiently. In addition, it will allow Berry to expand its manufacturing capabilities at its Oakley Street production facility,” said Bob Smith, Berry’s director of warehousing and distribution.

The Air Commerce Park has limitless potential to be a great economic catalyst for the region. Berry Plastics’ recently announced expansion in Evansville is the third in two years from the plastic packaging giant.


Berry Plastics to Bring Global Headquarters and 250 Jobs to Evansville
October 30, 2007

Berry Plastics’ third expansion in Evansville in two years will bring 250 new professional jobs to the city as well as a $20 million investment in a new global headquarters.

Governor Mitch Daniels and Mayor Jonathan Weinzapfel joined Berry executives on Tuesday to announce the company’s plans to consolidate its global corporate headquarters here and bring the additional 250 employees.

“Headquarters locations, with high-paying jobs and community commitment they bring, are the best news an economy can get,” Daniels said.

Berry already employs more than 1,200 at the Evansville operation. It has 55 manufacturing operations worldwide, including three in Indiana. Globally, Berry employs more than 12,600 workers, including more than 1,600 in Indiana, company officials said.

State and local officials pledged support for the expansion. The Indiana Economic Development Corp. has offered Berry Plastics up to $4.7 million in performance-based tax credits and up to $200,000 in training grants based on the company’s job creation plans.

The state will also provide Evansville a grant of up to $94,000 to assist with off-site infrastructure improvements needed for the project.


Coalition Assists in Bringing Toyota Boshoku to Princeton
October 15, 2007

A longstanding effort by local and state economic developers to forge business relationships with executives of Japanese companies culminated in Monday’s announcement of Toyota Boshoku America’s new facility bringing 200 jobs to Princeton in Gibson County.

The Economic Development Coalition of Southwest Indiana assists Gibson, Posey, Vanderburgh, and Warrick counties in economic-development efforts; and had been working with Gibson County officials for some time to land the Toyota Boshoku seat-frame plant, for which a Kentucky community also competed.

Southwest Indiana is centrally located near the median center of U.S. population and is a prime location for international companies to situate their suppliers. Local communities have worked hard using assets such as their workforce and availability of infrastructure—water, sewer and rail—to be competitive with other states trying to lure businesses.


Berry Plastics Begins $43 Million Expansion
March 22, 2007

Evansville-based Berry Plastics Corp. will invest $20 million in a new distribution center that will create 49 new jobs throughout its southwestern Indiana operations over the next three years and have the potential to add 200,000 additional square feet of space for light manufacturing or added distribution capabilities.

The 600,000 square foot center will be located on a leased site at the Evansville Regional Airport. The company plans to add 49 jobs in the area over the next three years. The company is making a separate, $23 million investment in its Evansville operations.

Berry Plastics currently employs 1,200 people in Evansville and more than 6,500 worldwide.