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Knox, Ind. – The Starke County Economic Development Foundation will celebrate manufacturing with a few upcoming events. The first is a job fair, cosponsored with WorkOne. It will take place Wednesday, October 5 from 4 until 7 p.m. CDT at the Knox High School All-Purpose Room. Several local manufacturers will be on hand to discuss career opportunities in Starke and surrounding counties. Job seekers can enter through door 12H on the east side of the high school, which is located at #1 Redskin Trail in Knox.
The following day, SCEDF will host 7th grade students from Knox, North Judson-San Pierre, Oregon-Davis, and Culver Community School Corporations for a Manufacturer’s Day event. This is the first in-person Manufacturer’s Day SCEDF has hosted since before the Covid-19 pandemic.
“The goal is to let young people know what types of jobs are available locally so they can make plans for their futures,” SCEDF Executive Director Lisa Dan said. “We invite 7th graders so they can schedule the necessary classes to get those jobs after they graduate from high school.”
The Starke County Initiative for Lifelong Learning, SCILL for short, provides vocational training for high school juniors and seniors from nine area high schools. SCILL representatives will also be on hand to tell students about opportunities in the welding, automotive, and EMT programs.
“SCILL works closely with our local industries to ensure their training needs are met,” Executive Director Jim Hernandez said. “We can tailor programs to meet their needs, and we are also looking at adding more options for both high school students and adults.”
SCEDF will also honor the 2022 Industry of the Year at the annual Prospectus & Achievement Luncheon. Indiana Economic Development Corporation North Region Director of Expansions and Retention Linda Walczak will be the keynote speaker, and Dan will highlight some of SCEDF’s accomplishments over the past year. These include the completion of a prospectus and marketing video for Starke County’s Rural Opportunity Zone, which is located south of U.S. 30 and north of the Yellow River, a successful countywide business pitch competition, and the production of a video highlighting local amenities.
“We are excited to share our accomplishments with the community,” Dan said. “We’ve also got some big things on the horizon.”
