Starke County Officials Celebrate Completion of Road Project

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

A major Starke County road project is substantially complete. Members of the county council and commissioners and officials from the Starke County Economic Development Commission will celebrate the reconstruction of the intersection of State Road 8 and 300 East later today. The intersection has been rebuilt to accommodate traffic to and from the Knox Industrial Park. It now features a turn lane and acceleration and deceleration lanes to help trucks more easily navigate the corner. Continue reading →

Starke County Economic Development Foundation Seeks Planning Grant

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

The Starke County Economic Development Foundation is seeking a $15,000 grant to plan for future workforce needs through the SCILL Center. Executive Director Charlie Weaver says they are looking at the cost of implementing vocational and adult automation robotics equipment maintenance programs. He says there is a growing need for that skill set in manufacturing settings. Continue reading →

North Judson Native Receives Robert E. Hamilton Award

Posted on Author WKVI
Marv Peters is the 2014 Robert E. Hamilton Award Winner
Marv Peters is the 2014 Robert E. Hamilton Award Winner

A longtime North Judson resident and businessman is the recipient of the Robert E. Hamilton Award from the Starke County Economic Development Foundation. Marv Peters was one of the initial members of the Starke County Development Foundation in 1985. He owned Marv’s Body Shop in North Judson from 1966 until his retirement in 1999 and continues to work on antique cars today. Peters is also the president of the North Judson Board of Zoning Appeals and serves as a member of the Starke County Alcoholic Beverage Board. He was president of the North Judson Town Council from 1979-83. Continue reading →

Another Vocational Program in the Works

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

The Starke County Economic Development Foundation (SCEDF) is looking to bring life back into the vocational building on the Oregon-Davis school campus to begin an automation robotics and equipment maintenance program as an extension of vocational programs through the SCILL Center.

According to Ron Gifford, the SCEDF will assist in seeking a way to fund the program full-time and to acquire equipment. A pilot program started this year with several students in the eighth grade through the tenth grade enrolled in the program.

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Starke County Economic Development Foundation Hosting Manufacturers Day Event

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

Students from Starke County’s three school corporations will get a firsthand look at local job opportunities during the upcoming Manufacturers Day at Knox Middle School. The Starke County Economic Development Foundation is bringing together 7th grade students and representatives from local industries and SCILL on Thursday, Oct. 2. They will have displays of what their company manufacturers, the skills and training required for each job at the company and the kinds of jobs they have and will also be available to answer questions. Continue reading →

Starke County Economic Development Foundation Announces Prospectus and Achievements

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

The Starke County Economic Development Foundation will celebrate Manufacturers Day with its fourth annual “Prospectus and Achievements” on Thursday, Oct. 2 at Knox Middle School. Hoosier Custom Plastics and EcoGolf Co-Owner Gordon Schenk will be the featured speaker for the 11:10 a.m. program. The Knox-based business is involved in the Folds of Honor Foundation. It provides scholarships and assistance to the spouses and children of those killed or disabled in service to America. Schenk will explain how the businesses became involved with the organization. Continue reading →

Unemployment Numbers Drop in Starke County

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

The unemployment numbers for Starke County continue to decrease.

Ron Gifford from the Starke County Economic Development Foundation said the numbers have been quite encouraging.

“Since January of this year, we’ve seen our labor force grow by almost three hundred more people out there actively seeking a position,” said Gifford. “There’s almost five hundred more people employed than there were in January and the ranks of our unemployed have depleted down by about 180. They’re actually finding jobs and the people that had been out of the job market for some period of time apparently are coming back to it.”

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Economic Development Foundation Director Selected as Wall of Legends Judge

Posted on Author WKVI
Charles Weaver
Charlie Weaver

The Executive Director of the Starke County Economic Development Foundation will serve as one of 13 judges for the South Shore Wall of Legends and Legends Scholarship Project.

Charlie Weaver will help select inductees from among several who are nominated each year. The Wall of Legends is located at the Indiana Welcome Center in Hammond and honors people from northwest Indiana who have changed the world and reflect the values of exploration and courage and innovation.

This year’s induction ceremony will be held on Dec. 18 at 5:30 p.m. CT at the welcome center.

Thermo Pride Engineering Design Team Earns Award Nomination

Posted on Author WKVI

Thermo Pride logoAn engineering design team from North Judson-based Thermo Pride is a nominee for a prestigious award from the Society of Innovators of Northwest Indiana. The Starke County Economic Development Foundation nominated director of engineering Everett James and project engineer Michael Sharkozy for the Team Innovators Award for their application of an existing technology to a new process. By doing so, they created an extremely safe, ultra-high efficiency oil-fired furnace for residential and commercial heating. Continue reading →

Summer Interns Making a Difference at the SCEDF

Posted on Author WKVI
Stefanie McGovern and Rachel Mullens
Stefanie McGovern and Rachel Mullens

Two summer interns have assisted in workforce development efforts at the Starke County Economic Development Foundation (SCEDF).

Rachel Mullens of North Judson and Stefanie McGovern of Winamac are working on Manufacturing Day activities for 2014, the 7th grade manufacturing experience and the annual Prospectus and Achievement event.

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SCEDF Executive Director Joins IEDC Board

Posted on Author WKVI
Charles Weaver
Charles Weaver

Starke County Economic Development Foundation (SCEDF) Executive Director Charles Weaver is now on the board of the Indiana Economic Development Association (IEDA).

Weaver joined a board composed of 14 members from Indiana where he and his fellow board members can review legislation that is being considered by the General Assembly and its potential impact on economic development efforts.

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Starke County Unemployment Rate Explained

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

The unemployment rate for the state and for individual counties was released this week.

The rate in Starke County dropped a point, according to the April statistics. The rate is 6.9 percent which is a 1.3 percent decrease. Starke County still ranks in the top ten in unemployment. All 92 counties reported a decrease in the unemployment rate.

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Starke Council Approves Appropriation Requests

Posted on Author WKVI

Charles Weaver
Charles Weaver
The Starke County Council approved a number of appropriation requests at their meeting Monday night, including a request from Charles Weaver, executive director of the Starke County Economic Development Foundation. Weaver approached the council and requested an appropriation of $1,035,000 to fund a number of county projects. The commissioners gave the request their approval, and the council approved a motion to appropriate the funds.

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Starke Commissioners Give Green Light for CR 300 E–SR 8 Project Bids

Posted on Author WKVI

Charles Weaver
Charles Weaver
The Starke County Commissioners at their meeting yesterday morning approved a request from Charlie Weaver, executive director of the Starke County Economic Development Foundation, to authorize the SCEDF to proceed with the bidding process for the County Road 300 East–State Road 8 intersection improvement project. Weaver explained that this reconstruction of the intersection will improve the accessibility of the industrial park for large trucks, which currently have a very difficult time turning onto County Road 300 East or State Road 8 as they attempt to enter or leave the industrial park.

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Knox Board of Public Works Approves Change Order in Demolition Project

Posted on Author WKVI
This is the old Knox theater and Starke County Economic Development Foundation location
This is the old Knox theater and Starke County Economic Development Foundation location

The Knox Board of Public Works approved change orders for the demolition project at 2 and 4 N. Main Street in the downtown area.

Crews tore down the buildings that housed the old Knox theater and the former office of the Starke County Economic Development Foundation. While most of the debris has been cleared, there are a few issues that need to be addressed before inclement weather sets in.

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Robert E. Hamilton Award Presented to Territorial Engineering Founder

Posted on Author WKVI
2013 Robert E. Hamilton Award winner Van Janovic
2013 Robert E. Hamilton Award winner Van Janovic

The Grovertown High School graduate who has spent the past 35 years giving back to the county where he was raised is the recipient of the Robert E. Hamilton Award. Territorial Engineering Founder Van Janovic was honored during last night’s Starke County Economic Development Foundation Prospectus and Achievement event. Nancy Dembowski presented the award and says Janovic has put community ahead of self since opening Territorial Engineering in 1978 and has shaped the landscape of Starke County in doing so.

“His work on behalf of the Starke County Economic Development Foundation has resulted in the lead track facility, industrial parks in Hamlet, North Judson and Knox, and many other economic development projects, as well as the design of the industrial buildings,” Dembowski said. Continue reading →

Demolition in Knox Going Smoothly, Said SCEDF Director

Posted on Author WKVI

Charles Weaver
Charles Weaver
The demolition of the structures previously located at 2 and 4 N. Main St. in Knox is going well, according to the executive director of the Starke County Economic Development Foundation. Charles Weaver told WKVI that there have not been any issues that have developed and the demolition is going smoothly, despite the workers taking a few days off last week to handle other items.

“The demolition has been going very well. We’re pleased with the progress that has been made; we’re pleased that the outside wall, specifically the north wall, was taken down without any damage to the adjoining remaining structure. The sidewalks have been protected during demolition; the little ornamental trees have been protected during the demolition, so we’re very pleased with what’s going on so far,” Weaver explained.

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Prospectus and Achievement Night This Thursday

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

The Starke County Economic Development Foundation will host the Prospectus and Achievements Night on Thursday, Oct. 3 with featured speaker Scott Duerkop, vice president at Jones Lang LaSalle, a real estate brokerage firm in Chicago. He will shed light on what challenges a small rural community faces when it comes to attracting industry.

In addition to his presentation, Kemin Food Technologies and Edward Lambert Farms will be recognized for having been named one of five finalists for The Society of Innovator’s Northwest Indiana Chanute Prize for their team innovation in North Judson. The team uses innovative growing and post-harvest processes for patented spearmint varieties unique to the county that has preservation and antioxidant properties used in products world-wide.

Continue reading →