Officials in Starke County Take Some More Stellar Steps with Asset Mapping Workshop

The Starke County Economic Development Foundation hosted an asset mapping workshop in conjunction with representatives from the Office of Community and Rural Affairs Tuesday night.

Stellar Community Project Manager Michael Sinnet facilitated the exercise which was held at the Nancy J. Dembowski Community Center. Over the last few months, SCEDF officials have been working with town, city and county representatives about a local Stellar initiative. Continue reading

Calling Job Seekers of All Ages: SCEDF to Host Career Fair Today & Manufacturers Day Tomorrow

The Starke County Economic Development Foundation wants to help community members of all ages find a job that’s right for them. That’s why they’re hosting a few different events this week that will highlight a variety of local career options.

Today, WorkOne is teaming up with the SCEDF to host a career fair from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. in the Knox Middle School auxiliary gym. Job seekers are invited to attend this event to find out more about the kind of opportunities that are out there. Attendees are asked to enter through door number five. Continue reading

Starke County Awarded Broadband Readiness Planning Grant

OCRA Executive Director Jodi Golden, Starke County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Jessica Craig, Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch, Director of Broadband Opportunities Scott Rudd (Photo provided by the Indiana Lieutenant Governor’s Office)

Starke County is getting $50,000 to develop ways to expand broadband access. Starke and Marshall counties were among five rural Indiana communities awarded a Broadband Readiness Planning Grant.

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Local Officials Consider Existing Assets Within Starke County while Talking with Stellar Community Project Manager

When community leaders gathered in the Starke County Economic Development Foundation’s office last week for an informational meeting about OCRA’s Regional Stellar initiative, they were asked to consider some of the existing assets within the county.

Stellar Community Project Manager Michael Sinnet said they should consider a variety of different elements within the community that could encompass a number of categories including natural, human, financial and physical assets. Continue reading

Stellar Strategizing Continues in Starke County

The Starke County Economic Development Foundation hosted another informational session about the Regional Stellar Communities Designation Program.

Leaders from Hamlet, North Judson and Knox as well officials at the County level and individuals from other entities looking to get involved in the process gathered at the SCEDF office Wednesday night to receive more details about obtaining “Stellar” status.

OCRA’s Liaison for Northwest Indiana Gerry White returned and this time he was joined by Stellar Community Project Manager Michael Sinnet. Continue reading

EZ Blockchain Seeks Office Space, As Hamlet Data Center Nears Completion

EZ Blockchain is a step closer to setting up operations near Hamlet. Ron Gifford with the Starke County Economic Development Foundation gave an update on the new data center to the Hamlet Town Council last week. “I think they’ve laid the cement,” he said. “I think they have the units. If they’re not there yet, they’re going to be.”  Continue reading

Starke County Economic Development Foundation Touts Progress in Educational Attainment

Starke County residents are steadily becoming more educated, according to Ron Gifford with the Starke County Economic Development Foundation. “We’ve gone from 854 people in the county in 1990 with a bachelor’s degree or higher, and we more than doubled it up to 1,840 in 2016,” he told the Hamlet Town Council last week. “We also increased higher than the national average for people who had some college or an associate’s degree.”

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District 4 Knox City Council Member to be Determined at Tonight’s Caucus, Council Meeting to Follow

The caucus to find a replacement for the open District 4 Knox City Council seat will be held tonight at 6:30 p.m.

Starke County Democrat Chairman Kenny Wallace shared that the three individuals submitted a letter of interest before the deadline. Those candidates will be considered and whoever is selected will be sworn in immediately following the caucus. They will be able to attend their first meeting as a member tonight.

The regularly scheduled city council meeting will commence at 7 p.m. Continue reading

North Judson Officials Plan to Attend Open House Celebrating the Upcoming One-Year Milestone of a Local Business

Outstanding Trade Exhibit Services, also known as OTES Signs and Graphics is coming up on their one year anniversary of being established in North Judson. Local officials intend to celebrate the company’s one-year milestone this week.

When the North Judson Town Council met Monday evening, Council President Wendy Hoppe reminded the members that an open house to celebrate the anniversary will be held at the business on Wednesday. Continue reading