Development News From Southwest Indiana - Southern Indiana

ATTC in Tell City Announces Expansion
ATTC Manufacturing Inc., Toyota’s North American supplier of brake drums, rotors and differential cases, announced today it will expand its manufacturing facility here, creating 90 new jobs.

The $49 million project is the fourth expansion for the Japanese-owned company since it located in the Perry County Industrial Park South in 2000.

Construction of the 90,000-square-foot addition to the company’s manufacturing facility is slated to begin later this year, making room for new production lines that will provide brake, engine and steering components to Toyota North America, NUMMI, Nissan and American Axle.

Knox County Farm to Supply Produce to Wal-Mart
Melon Acres, Inc. in Oaktown has signed a deal to provide fresh asparagus to Wal-Mart Supercenters and Neighborhood Markets in the region. Melon Acres, a family-owned business, will sell about 55,000 pounds of asparagus to Wal-Mart. In 2007, Wal-Mart says it spent more than $2 billion for merchandise and services from more than 1,500 Indiana suppliers.Agriculture comprises 3.4% of the Knox County workforce.

Berry Plastics Begins $43 million Expansion
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 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.

Ports of Indiana Break Records in 2006
The Port of Indiana-Mount Vernon handled more than 4 million tons in 2006, its highest volume since 1998 and a 6% increase from 2005. There were major increases in cement (+31%), steel (+30%), minerals (+11%), coal (+7%) and grain (+4%).

Back to Top

Beef From Southern Indiana Farm to be Featured in NFL Event
Fischer's Farms in Jasper has been chosen by Elements Restaurant Chef, Greg Hardesty, to supply the beef for the dish he'll create at the "Taste of the NFL". The competition, which is being held in conjunction with this year's Super Bowl, pairs top chefs from 31 NFL cities. The event raises money to help fight hunger in the teams’ communities. Fischer Farms natural beef is sold at 9 nine natural food stores and used in 10 restaurants in Jasper, Evansville, Bloomington and Indianapolis.

GAGE — a new economic development agency — launched
Evansville and Vanderburgh County officials are launching a new economic development agency to foster local development and to coordinate with a larger regional effort.

The Growth Alliance for Greater Evansville (GAGE) will be located in the fifth floor of the Centrum Building, which is also going to serve as the city’s new business incubator.

GAGE will include Innovation Pointe, the newly created business incubator and entrepreneurial development organization in Evansville, and Downtown Evansville, Inc. — an organization that promotes Downtown development and events.

Legislation To Create Advanced Manufacturing Centers
A bill has been introduced in the Indiana House that will create an advanced manufacturing initiative in southwest Indiana. The bill will authorize $5 million for the construction of a Center for Advanced Manufacturing in Gibson County and $8 million for a second center to be located at Vincennes University Jasper Campus in Dubois County.

Kohl’s to Build in Vincennes
Kohl's has plans to spend $8 million on a 68,600-square-foot store that would employ about 115 workers, earning an annual payroll of roughly $1 million.

David Cleary, director of site development for the Menomonee Falls, Wis.-based company, said Kohl's hopes to begin construction in February.

“We hope to start grading in February to support a fall opening,” Cleary said after the company was approved a $400,000 tax abatement at the last Vincennes City Council meeting on Jan. 8.

Toyota Names New Chairman For Indiana Operations
Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Indiana (TMMI) has named Shuichi "Shaun" Koyama as its new chairman. Koyama will also retain his current title of president.

Koyama succeeds Seizo Okamoto, who will become the executive technical advisor at Toyota Motor Engineering and Manufacturing North America (TEMA) in Erlanger, Ky.

TMMI employs about 4,700, producing the Tundra pickup truck, Sequoia sport-utility vehicle and the Sienna minivan.

OFS Acquires North Carolina Manufacturer
HUNTINGBURG-Furniture manufacturer, OFS Brands has announced the purchase of N.C.-based Carolina Business Furniture.

The acquisition is expected to help OFS expand into the market for health care furniture.

OFS plans to continue manufacturing operations in North Carolina, but some product lines would likely be incorporated into Huntingburg operations.

Mosby to head new Gibson County Economic Development Corp
PRINCETON - Todd Mosby was selected as the new executive director of the Gibson County Economic Development Corporation Thursday by the corporation's board.

Mosby will resign from his position as executive director of the Gibson County Chamber of Commerce to take the new position.

As executive director of the economic development corporation, Mosby will work to attract new businesses to the county and help retain businesses already established in the county.

Back to Top

EVANSVILLE RANKS #1 FOR RELOCATING FAMILIES
Modeled after the popular “Best Places to Live” studies, Worldwide ERC and Primacy have teamed with Sperling’s BestPlaces to rate cities based on those factors that determine the likelihood of a successful relocation. In Medium Markets (metro areas with populations between 250,000 – 500,000) Evansville is ranked #1 for 2007.Ratings were based on traditional factors such as tax rates, average home cost, and home appreciation combined with cost of living and quality of life variables. Subtle indicators were also included such as in-depth climate analysis helps identify cities where mild summers, mild winters, and plentiful rainfall contribute to reasonable utility costs.The final rankings represent the most sophisticated comparative research ever undertaken to determine how geography affects a family’s relocation success.

AZTECA EXPANDING IN EVANSVILLE
EVANSVILLE, IN - Texas-based Azteca Milling LP has announced it will build a second warehouse to accomodate increased production at its plant in northern Vanderburgh County.

Officials for the corn milling company say its current 30,000-square-foot warehouse has been filling up to capacity since Azteca added a third process line.

The proposed warehouse would be located near the company's main plant site.

BWX TO PROFIT FROM NUCLEAR-ENERGY RENAISSANCE
MT. VERNON, IN - Mt. Vernon based BWX Technologies will play an important part in the nuclear-energy industry renaissance according to the chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, who visited the BWX facility in Southwest Indiana recently. The BWXT plant is the only U.S. plant that has received NRC approval to manufacture large components for U.S. nuclear power plants.The BWXT facility, originally known as the Babcock & Wilcox plant, was built in the 1960s. At its production peak in the late 1970s, it employed 1,400. If the nuclear industry expands as expected, employment could exceed that level. The company is evaluating what its employment needs will be over the next few years.

Good Samaritan Hospital plans new cancer center
VINCENNES, IN - Good Samaritan Hospital (GSH) is building a new $9-million cancer care center. The 25,000 square-foot facility will be built onto the existing Diagnostic Treatment Center on the southeast side of the hospital. Hospital officials hope to have it open by the spring of 2008.

Over the Top Christmas
SANTA CLAUS, IN-The town of Santa Claus, Ind., was recently included in a holiday special aired on the Home and Garden Television Network. The special, was titled “Over the Top Christmas” .

Santa Claus, Ind., was featured in a segment of the show. The special also included segments highlighting holiday-related world records, holiday sightseeing, and folks who get an early start to the Christmas season. A segment was dedicated to Christmas lights and competing decorators who go all out to make the holiday bright. Spencer County also was featured on HGTV in a 2001 holiday special titled “Small Town Christmas.”

Back to Top

Huntingburg-based OFS plans to build a new education and recreation center and a new research and development center in Pike County
The office furniture manufacturer hopes to complete the new education and recreation center within the next three years at a cost of $7 million to $8 million. The center would be built on 500 acres in Pike County more...

MasterBrand Cabinets to Move Production to Jasper Indiana
MasterBrand Cabinets, Inc. has announced that it will close its plant in Peterborough, Canada next year and will move production to its operations in Jasper in DuBois County. The company says the reduction in manufacturing at the Canada plant will be conducted in phases. The company manufactures ready-to-assemble and fully assembled kitchen and bath cabinets.

Duke Energy & Hoosier Energy Named 1 & 5 Top Utilities by Site Selection Magazine
Duke Energy (formerly Cinergy) and Hoosier Energy were named the number 1 and number 5 top utilities in the nation by Site Selection magazine...more

Evansville, IN-Henderson, KY MSA makes "Overall Top 50" in Business Development Outlook’s "Quality of Life Report – 2006"
Business Development Outlook, a bi-monthly magazine for corporate real estate executives, features Quality of Life in the September/October 2006 issue. Metropolitan areas are ranked in ten categories including: Economy, Transportation, Recreation, Climate, Health, Housing, Safety, Education, Arts and Overall Quality of Life more...

Ellis Park Sale Completed.
Louisville businessman Ron Geary completed the purchase of the Ellis Park racetrack in Henderson from Churchill Downs Inc.

Geary oversaw operations at Ellis Park during its 2006 race meet under a management agreement with CDI. CDI will continue to offer the Ellis Park signal through its Churchill Downs Simulcast Network.

The Kentucky Horse Racing Authority approved 46 live race dates for Ellis Park’s 2007 racing season, from July 4 through Sept. 3, including five dates around the July 4 holiday that will overlap with Churchill Downs racetrack per the sales agreement.

Koch Enterprises Acquires South Western Communications
Koch Enterprises of Evansville has completed its purchase of Evansville-based South Western Communications (SWC).

SWC provides advanced building security, communications and control systems for health-care, educational, commercial-industrial and detention applications.

SWC employs113 SWC and opertes branches in Indianapolis, Alabama and Tennessee. Koch has named Todd Lucy as SWC's new president. He replaces founder Randy Miller, who remains as a consultant and board member.

Other Koch subsidiaries include Audubon Metals, Gibbs Die Casting, Koch Air Conditioning, George Koch Sons and Uniseal.

VINCENNES, IND. – Persons needing to improve their career credentials quickly can now earn an associate degree in one year, thanks to Vincennes University’s new Accelerated Associate Degree option more...

Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Indiana, Inc. (TMMI) Receives EPA Award
Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Indiana, Inc. (TMMI) in Princeton and 2 other US Toyota plants have been recognized by the US Environmental Protection Agency with an ENERGY STAR Plant Award for their commitment and leadership in protecting our environment through energy efficiency.

The plants satisfied the EPA's Energy Performance Indicators (EPI) score, including lighting levels and environmental compliance criteria. This is the first time ever that the US EPA has awarded the ENERGY STAR Plant Award.

Some of the keys to earning the award include:
* Installing energy efficient fluorescent lamps in all areas of the three plants
* Minimize operational time of the paint shops by ten percent
* Eliminate certain sections of the paint operations to reduce energy use by five percent
TMMI produces the Sequoia, Sienna and Tundra.

VANDERBURGH INDUSTRIAL PARK DECLARED “SHOVEL READY” BY STATE OF INDIANA
The Indiana Economic Development Corp. has certified the Vanderburgh Industrial Park as a "shovel ready" site, a move aimed at speeding up the permitting process for prospective tenants. Officials said the certification allows the VIP to offer lower site development costs and improves the park's marketability.

To be named "shovel ready," sites must undergo environmental testing. Indiana Secretary of Commerce Michael "Mickey" Maurer said the "shovel ready" certification should speed up the permitting process for potential tenants by 30 percent.

The Vanderburgh Industrial Park, located near Indiana 57 and interstates 64 and 164 in northern Vanderburgh County, was one of 12 sites across the state to receive the certification. The VIP opened in 2000 on about 200 acres.

HOLLYWOOD SCENIC RENTAL COMPANY OPENS DISTRIBUTION CENTER IN EVANSVILLE
Grosh Scenic Rentals, headquartered on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood, California, announced today the opening of a new distribution warehouse in Evansville, Indiana. The warehouse is scheduled to open October 2, 2006. The warehouse will serve as a distribution point to businesses throughout the Midwest, Southeast and East coast.

"We are very excited about this new location." says Amanda Lindoerfer, Grosh’s Vice President of Marketing. "Since some of our product can be large and heavy, this new facility will allow us to ship primarily via ground instead of by air. Because of this new location, our clients in the East and Midwest could save up to 50% on shipping costs." "We will provide quality backdrop and drapery rentals and the most competitive pricing in the industry." Lindoerfer added.

Perry County aerospace firm seeks tax break in adding 36 workers
Perry County Council members gave preliminary approval Thursday to a tax abatement that will help Stewart Warner South Wind Corp. as it takes on new work that will require the addition of 36 workers and bump its payroll to more than $4 million annually.

Jennifer Land, accountant for the manufacturing firm in the Perry County Riverview Industrial Park near Troy, told the council Pratt and Whitney, Stewart-Warner's biggest customer, wants it to provide oil coolers and heat exchangers for an Eclipse Aircraft Corp. airplane. New equipment to be installed toward that objective will be covered under the abatement. The company was able to install it in its existing facility, she explained, meaning no new construction will be necessary.

Operation to possibly bring 150-200 jobs
A new barge-building operation in Tell City, Ind., isn't yet fully approved by state and federal officials, but it's already generating lots of interest from people who may want to work there. A Web site is now accepting job applications. The site has received more than 5,000 hits since it first went up less than a month ago, said Greg Wathen, executive director of the Perry County; Ind., Development Corp more...

Holiday World garners four Golden Ticket Awards
ew attractions at Holiday World & Splashin' Safari scored as the best new rides of the year at the 9th annual Golden Ticket Awards presented Sunday at Holiday World by Amusement Today magazine. Holiday World took home four top awards, including Best New Amusement Park Ride of 2006 for The Voyage, its 1.2-mile wooden roller coaster, and Best New Water Park Ride of 2006 for the Bahari River, which features a waterfall, canyon and a variety of spray elements.

Located in Santa Claus, Ind., Holiday World hosted this year's Golden Ticket Awards and also was honored as the Friendliest Park for the ninth straight year and as Cleanest Park for the seventh consecutive year.

Thermwood to Expand HQ, Manufacturing Operations in Southern Indiana
Thermwood is planning what it calls the largest expansion in the company's history. Thermwood, which is in Spencer County Indiana in Dale, produces CNC routers for the woodworking, plastics, aerospace and defense industries. The company says the expansion will include its headquarters and manufacturing facility.

Back to Top

Shoe Carnival Breaks Ground on New Headquarters
For help in choosing the location for a new distribution center on Cross Pointe Blvd. in Evansville, the company turned to a national logistics firm. (SDI, the national logistics firm contacted Vision-e for information for an un-named distribution center client considering a location in southwest Indiana.) more...

Port of Mt. Vernon to be Home to Largest Ethanol Plant East of the Mississippi
MOUNT VERNON, Ind. - Two companies announced plans to spend $400 million here on what is expected to be the largest ethanol plant east of the Mississippi River more...

Saturn Aura symbolizes future for GM's Bedford plant
General Motors' newest aluminum six-speed automatic transmission is cased exclusively for North America at the Bedford GM Powertrain facility. GM recently invested more than $48 million in the local plant to make it ready to produce the 6L-70 more...

Greg Jones to Head Southern Indiana Development Commission
LOOGOOTEE - Greg Jones, the development specialist for the Southern Indiana Development Commission, was hired as executive director of the SIDC. Jones assumes the role being vacated by Jo Arthur. She retired Aug. 1 more...

Warrick County OKs Alcoa tax abatement on $7,250,000 investment
A $7,250,000 investment will allow Alcoa Warrick Operations to reuse more of its aluminum waste products, beginning late next year.

The Warrick County Council approved a nine-year tax abatement on the equipment, which Alcoa representatives described as a rotary furnace. The investment will create eight new jobs and retain four. Ann Whitty, vice president and general manager of Alcoa's Rigid Packaging Division, said the average annual pay, with benefits, for the jobs is $95,000.

Vectren Adopts National Plan For Energy Efficiency
Evansville-based Vectren Corp. (NYSE:VVC) has joined 50 organizations nationwide in adopting a new national action plan for energy efficiency. The company says the plan could help defer the need for 40 new power plants, avoid greenhouse gas emissions and reduce prices for natural gas.

Mount Vernon Plant Lands Nuclear Power Plant Component Deal
UniStar Nuclear says AREVA NP, Inc. and BWX Technologies, Inc. will re-establish commercial nuclear power plant component manufacturing in the United States with support from UniStar. BWXT's nuclear operations facility in Mount Vernon will manufacture the components. The facility currently manufactures non-commercial nuclear components for the U.S. government and could begin making commercial nuclear components as early as this year.

Perry County aerospace firm seeks tax break in adding 36 workers
TELL CITY - Perry County Council members gave preliminary approval Thursday to a tax abatement that will help Stewart Warner South Wind Corp. as it takes on new work that will require the addition of 36 workers and bump its payroll to more than $4 million annually.

Lawrence County has Joined SWIDC
Lawrence County, Indiana has joined SWIDC to increase the area influence of the economic group and the county. SWIDC now represent all of Indiana Region 11. for contact information on our newest member, click here.

American General Financial Services to Hire 150 - New Building Project to Have $400 Million Impact
An economic analysis shows the total impact on the Vanderburgh County economy of an expansion announced by American General Financial Services will be more than $400 million over the 18-month construction period. The $35 million investment will allow the Evansville-based company to add 150 new jobs, with an average salary of $40,000 plus benefits. The company says the new building will allow it to consolidate its current facilities in the city. The Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) and the City of Evansville worked together to provide an incentive package for the company that includes infrastructure improvements, training grants and about $2.25 million in tax credits.

Rail car repair business moving to former Rescar site in Daviess County
Washington is returning to its railroad roots with the announcement Friday that B-W Services will be renovating the old Rescar site for use in repairing and refurbishing rail cars...more

Back to Top

Southwest Indiana Updates
FROM CARS TO COAL, southwest Indiana is enjoying a robust industrial surge. New developments at The West Gate @ Crane Technology Park promise Opportunities for at least three of the 13 counties in the southwest Indiana region and tourism is also boosting the area's economy...more

Company Leaving Bedford For Greene County
Metal Technologies Inc. is moving from its location in Bedford to a site in Greene County to accomodate expansion. Metal Technologies is purchasing 130,000 square feet of light industrial space in Greene County. Metal Techonolgies is a metal fabrication company, creating a variety of items to customer specification.

Crane Federal Credit Union breaks ground at West Gate Tech Park
CRANE - Crane Federal Credit Union held groundbreaking ceremonies for a new corporate office at the West Gate at Crane Technology Park that is expected to be completed in the spring of 2007.

Crane Federal Credit Union will construct a one-story 15,000 square feet building along County Road 1650 West in Daviess County. The new facility will be divided into two wings - employees from the Information Technology and Accounting Departments along with other support staff will be housed in one section with the executive staff in the other section, according to CFCU spokesperson Susan Eckerle.

Kimball Electronics to Manufacture Identification System
Jasper-based Kimball Electronics Group, Inc. says it has entered into an agreement to manufacture XStream Systems, Inc.'s material identification system. The system is used for verification and detection of substances in several areas including illicit drugs, pharmaceuticals and food products. Kimball says it will assemble, test, service, and repair the system in its Jasper facility, with first production units shipping later this year.

Vincennes University Offers Spanish Classes For Businesses
Vincennes University says its Jasper Campus is offering new workplace Spanish training courses for business and industry.The university says courses can be scheduled on demand and can be held in the workplace.

French Lick Resort & Casino Staff Completes Training
The French Lick Resort & Casino says 215 employees have graduated from Ivy Tech Community College's 5-star certification program, a 62-hour training course. The resort invested $1.8 million to provide the free training. Since the resort closed for renovations in November it has invested $5 million in payroll to retain all 350 staff members. For more information, please visit www.frenchlick.com.

TOYOTA TO BUILD VISITOR’S CENTER IN PRINCETON, INDIANA
As a part of its 10th anniversary celebration, Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indiana announced plans to build a visitor's center with a pricetag of up to $5 million to accomodate public tours of the company's Princeton plant.

The center is expected to open in 2008 and house exhibits on the Toyota manufacturing system and company history.

The West Gate @ Crane Technology Park will is breaking ground on the first of three buildings to be constructed in the park this year.
The facility in Daviess County will include light manufacturing, office and warehouse space. EG&G, a US Department of Defense commercial contractor working with the Crane Naval Surface Warfare Center, will move into the building this fall...more

UE Again Ranked as Best College, Best Value
The University of Evansville has once again been ranked in the top tier and recognized as a best value among Master’s degree granting universities in the Midwest, as well as a best university in U.S.News and World Report's annual 2006 America’s Best Colleges guide. UE was ranked third as a Best Value and in the top 10 as Best University out of 142 colleges and universities in the Midwest.

Santa Claus Museum Opens
The history of the town of Santa Claus, Indiana, will be unwrapped for visitors as the Santa Claus Museum opens to the public.“This is a dream come true,” says the museum’s founder, Pat Koch...more

Santa Claus receives $2 million EDA grant
U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Sandy K. Baruah and U.S. Congressman Mike Sodrel presented a $2 million Economic Development Administration (EDA) investment check to the town of Santa Claus...more

Vectren to open two new underground coal mines near Vincennes
Vectren Fuels (Fuels), the wholly owned coal mining operations subsidiary of Vectren Corp. (NYSE:VVC) , has begun the process of opening two new underground mines near Vincennes, Ind...more

Back to Top

New Legislation
New Legislation Passed to Assist Economic Development and Promote Job Growth...more

Real Estate Reportedly Hot in Orange County
The Bedford Times-Mail is reporting that interest in Orange County’s real estate market is running high now that the new French Lick Springs Resort and Casino is being built. Area realtors say that homes are selling for up to 30 percent more than they would have gone for just two years ago. Some developers are also getting up to twice what they paid for properties. The casino is scheduled for completion in December of this year.

New company will bring 15 jobs to Perry County
TELL CITY - A new machining operation to serve the transportation industry will bring 15 more jobs to Perry County, the executive director for the Perry County Development Corp. announced Thursday...more

Deaconess Riley Ribbon Cutting
EVANSVILLE, IN – Deaconess Riley Children’s Services will hold a ribbon cutting ceremony in partnership with Riley Hospital for Children on Tuesday, January 31 at the new Deaconess Gateway Hospital Pediatric Unit. The ribbon cutting ceremony begins at 9 a.m. on the fourth floor unit...more

NEW LOOK, NEW NAME, SAME SERVICE
The Southwestern Indiana Regional Development Commission (SWIRDC) is pleased toannounce a name change and new logo. Our new name is Quad County Development Commission...morew name is

Heart hospital concepts new to region
When Deaconess Gateway Hospital opens Jan. 16 in Warrick County, it will include a major focus on heart health, operating on the "heart hospital within a hospital" concept...more

Tech park may reach beyond Downtown
When, after Evansville Technology Council Chairman Daniel Bugher finished updating the Redevelopment Commission on the city's Certified Technology Park, commission President Bob Goldman asked him, "Can you provide us with some scenarios?"...more

Lt. Gov. Skillman offers good news for Greene County
BLOOMINGTON - Greene County, with Daviess and Martin counties, has set a precedent in Indiana. The counties have combined resources to develop the first multicounty “Certified Technology Park” in the state...more

Respondek wins railroad contract
Respondek Railroad Corp., with a large rail car repair shop in Warrick County, has won a half-million dollar contract to build a 30-car train used to install welded rail...more

Vectren Adds Call Center Workers
Evansville-based Vectren Corp. (NYSE:VVC) has added 44 call takers to its customer contact center in southwest Indiana due to growing hold times and record call volumes.

Vectren says calls into its center have exceeded 2.7 million to date this year, that's up more than 17 percent from last year...more

USI Names Director of Center For Applied Research, Economic Development
EVANSVILLE, IN The University of Southern Indiana has named Dr. Susan J. Ellspermann as the founding director of the school's Center for Applied Research and Economic Development.
As director, Ellspermann will be responsible for working with regional organizations to identify problems and utilize university resources to help solve them...more

Back to Top

Southern Indiana Region Receives Certified Technology Park Status
The state has awarded Certified Technology Park status for an area in Daviess, Martin and Greene Counties, which includes The West Gate @ Crane Technology Park...more

GE Plastics shifts focus to stay ahead of innovation curve
MT. VERNON, IN (December 6, 2005) - Developing products to meet customers' changing needs is what the plastics industry is all about.

And doing that has changed the focus of GE Plastics-Mount Vernon over the last four years and has spurred new growth at the 45-year-old facility...more

Santa Claus Featured in National Publication
SPENCER COUNTY, IN— A article appearing in an early December issue of American Profile magazine has generated a flurry of calls to the Spencer County Visitors Bureau...more

State signs contract with Blue Sky Casino
FRENCH LICK, Indiana (November 9, 2005) -- Governor Mitch Daniels and the Indiana Gaming Commission officially granted Blue Sky Casino a contract to operate a casino in French Lick today.

During a ceremony at the French Lick Springs Resort, which is being restored as a part of the $320 million project, Gaming Commission Executive Director Ernest E. Yelton and the governor signed the contract. The West Baden Springs Hotel also is being restored as a part of the project. The casino is scheduled to open in December 2006.

New company considering Martin County
SHOALS — Martin County could be the site of a new company, county commissioners learned Tuesday at their regular meeting. Jerry Ott, heading the county’s economic development, said a company was looking at three sites in the region, including a site on Loogootee’s southwest side.

Ott said the company would bring about 300 jobs with an average salary of about $15 an hour. He brought the news to the commissioners because the company will be looking for an incentive package that requires both the city of Loogootee and the county to work together, he said.

$500,000 grant en route to Tell City
TELL CITY - A $500,000 grant to extend sanitary sewers to an estimated 83 households is on its way to Tell City. The grant will help fund a $1.26 million project to extend sanitary-sewer lines along areas of Indiana 237 and Old Indiana 237. Many homeowners in those areas now battle failing septic tanks, Strassell said.

Theresa Criss-Hartwig of Indiana 15 Regional Planning Commission and administrator for the project said grant money will be joined by $280,000 in federal money awarded several years ago and a $281,050 state loan. If all goes well, plans and specifications for the extension project should be complete by January.

Vincennes University Breaks Ground on Jasper Campus Building
JASPER, Ind. – A groundbreaking ceremony was held for a new academic building at the Vincennes University Jasper Campus.

The two-story, $4.4 million building will include a 95-seat auditorium, study skills laboratory, conference room, seminar room, student lounge, offices, and 11 classrooms. The 34,512 square-foot brick building has three “smart classrooms” that feature the latest instructional technology. The building also features a two-story entry with skylights and balconies.
Source: Vincennes University

Indiana's Workforce Development Programs Rank Nationally
Expansion Management Magazine ranks Indiana's workforce development programs fifth in the nation. The survey polled more than 80 corporate site location consultants for the results. Indiana’s workforce development programs were ranked fifth best in the nation in a poll of more than 80 corporate site location consultants, according to Expansion Management Magazine.

In a lengthy article detailing the state of workforce development programs nationally, the Magazine noted that companies expanding their operations now expect their new facilities to be profitable immediately, and a trained labor pool is a critical part of that objective.

University of Indianapolis to Offer Classes At Southern Indiana Tech Park
The University of Indianapolis plans to bring its MBA and selected undergraduate bachelor-level programs to the West Gate Technology Park next spring, according to Mitch Shapiro, dean of the Business School at U of I...more

Strategic plan for future unveiled
Edwardsport farmer and Knox County Farm Bureau President Brian Schroeder liked what he heard from Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman at Monday night’s annual district meeting in the Robert E. Green Activities Center at Vincennes University...more

Evansville ranks well for entreprenuers
Evansville was rated the 29th best small city in the country for entrepreneurs in a recent issue of Entrepreneur Magazine...more

Governor names Jim Edwards to Indiana State Board of Education
Governor Mitch Daniels today named six new members of the Indiana State Board of Education. The appointments include Jim Edwards, a business leader who is a member of the board of directors for Lincolnland Economic Development Corporation, Spencer County Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Indiana Chamber of Commerce...more

Southern Indiana Economic Development Leader Resigns
The executive director of Vision-e has resigned to accept a job with the Kentucky Economic Development Cabinet.

Back to Top

Ken Robinson played a key role in attracting Toyota, Accuride Headquarters and Azteca Corn Milling to the area. Vision-e's Deputy Director Jim Holderread will assume day to day operational responsibilities until a permanent replacement is appointed...more

Crane to Receive Millions For New Military Projects
The Crane Naval Surface Warfare Center is expected to receive $5.5 million for use on several military projects...more

Deaconess Hospital has been named a 2005/2006 Consumer Choice Award Winner
EVANSVILLE, IN – Deaconess Hospital has been named a 2005/2006 Consumer Choice Award winner by National Research Corporation (NRC). The award identifies hospitals that healthcare consumers have chosen as having the highest quality and image in 180 markets throughout the U.S...more

UE, Toyota offer new engineering scholarship
Indiana high school seniors interested in engineering studies can apply for a new scholarship through the University of Evansville's new Toyota Scholars program...more

Holiday World & Splashin' Safari to be Featured on The Travel Channel
Holiday World & Splashin' Safari in Santa Claus says The Travel Channel will shoot interviews and park footage on Saturday for an upcoming special on the nation's top theme parks and water parks. The southern Indiana theme park has been featured in the past on The Travel Channel, The Discovery Channel and The Learning Channel.

Evansville Moves Forward With New Industrial Park
The City of Evansville is moving forward with plans to transform 140-acres of blighted area near downtown into the Center City Industrial Park...more

Evana expands plant, work force
An increase in business is prompting Evana Automation Specialists Inc. to expand its plant in Evansville by another 43,200 square feet of space...more

Whirlpool to Acquire Maytag For $2.7 Billion
Maytag Corp. (NYSE:MYG) has signed an agreement to be acquired by Michigan-based Whirlpool Corp. (NYSE:WHR) for $1.7 billion in cash and stock...more

Holiday World & Splashin' Safari Named Friendliest, Cleanest Park in U.S.
SANTA CLAUS, IN-----The staff at Holiday World & Splashin' Safari was honored today with top awards in the Friendliest and Cleanest categories during the 2005 Golden Ticket Awards ceremony at Six Flags Fiesta Texas in San Antonio...more

Local volunteer firemen look to the future
PERRY COUNTY - A pair of Perry County volunteer fire departments will share more than $100,000 in federal assistance grants awarded by the Department of Homeland Security...more

Evansville area meets ozone standards, EPA rules
EVANSVILLE, IN, 8/30/05 - The Evansville area meets the federal standards for ozone pollution, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced Tuesday. As a result, the agency is proposing that Vanderburgh and Warrick counties should be redesignated as being in attainment of the standard. The EPA is expected to be proposed in the Federal Register soon.

Back to Top

Proposed casino expected to revitalize Orange County
FRENCH LICK, Ind. - Residents believing that a new casino will pump life into southern Indiana's Orange County began arriving an hour before a groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday, many carrying cameras and the hopes of a decade...more

Paducah & Louisville Railway Seeks to Lease Southwest Indiana Rail Line
Paducah & Louisville Railway, Inc. says it is seeking approval to lease more than 124 track miles from CSX Transportation that run from Evansville into Illinois. If approved, the line would be operated by Evansville Western Railway, Inc...more

Donation will help USI build new study lab
A new study laboratory in sales management development is planned at the University of Southern Indiana to help students hone their selling techniques and sales-presentation skills...more

Mayor hopeful Japan trip will reap benefits
Mayor Terry Mooney is hopeful that his recent visit with Toyota officials in Japan will lead to a meeting with Toyoto Motor Manufacturing of Indiana regarding a spinoff business that may produce parts for the company's new hybrid car...more

Council approves ATTC abatement
TELL CITY - Perry County Council members approved at their regular meeting Monday a 10-year tax abatement to aid an expansion announced by ATTC Manufacturing...more

Kimball to open plant in China
JASPER, Ind. — Kimball Electronics Group, a subsidiary of Kimball International, Inc.. said it plans to establish a manufacturing facility in Nanjing, China...more

Ivy Tech faculty expanding
Ivy Tech's budget for the new school year will increase only slightly, but it will allow for the addition of six faculty members at the growing First Avenue campus...more

West Gate @ Crane Tech Park Primed For Growth
Economic development officials in southern Indiana say they expect a surge in new business and jobs when the West Gate @ Crane Technology Park opens in 2006...more

City to get $5 million for rail relocation project
Mayor Terry Mooney never dreamed a 30-minute meeting with Sen. Richard Lugar earlier this month would lead to Vincennes getting $5 million to pay for the eventual relocation of CSX railroad tracks in the busiest parts of the city...more

Vintage Tomato earns distinction
A local Italian restaurant's offering of distinctive wines that complement its menu brought to Evansville what may be the first award by a prestigious international wine monthly to a far-Southern Indiana establishment...more

Staying put: Deal means Regions bank will remain downtown for years to come
Regions Financial Corporation has sold the building at 302 Main St. in Vincennes which serves as the main branch for the local Regions bank. But that doesn't mean Regions will be leaving downtown, not for the foreseeable future...more

Back to Top

Perry County Lands Major Investment, Jobs
A subsidiary of Japan’s Aisin Takaoka Company Ltd. will invest $35 million over the next four years to expand its automotive parts plant in southern Indiana near Tell City...more

Casino Aztar to Create $40 Million Entertainment Complex in Evansville
Casino Aztar says it will invest $40 million to develop a new downtown Evansville entertainment district and will create more than 300 jobs with average annual salaries of $32,500...more

Holiday World & Splashin' Safari to Launch $13.5 Million Expansion
Holiday World & Splashin' Safari in Santa Claus is embarking on its biggest expansion project ever. The amusement park is investing $13.5 million to create several new rides including the Voyage, which it says will be one of the world's top three fastest and longest wooden roller coasters...more

Firm builds relationships while constructing buildings
Hafer Associates is in the business of not only designing buildings, but of building relationships.

"We have a strong repeat client base," said David Wills, principal and architect at Hafer. "We establish relationships that last for years."...more

Indiana's two senators met with Base Realignment and Closure Commission Chairman Anthony Principi today
Senators Evan Bayh and Richard Lugar urged the chairman to re-evaluate the recommendation to move jobs from the Crane Naval Surface Warfare Center. They also took the opportunity to make the case for a proposal to move 3,500 new jobs to the Defense Financial and Accounting Service Center in Indianapolis...more

Accuride stock added to Russell 2000 index
July 11, 2005, Evansville-based Accuride Corp. announced its stock has been added to the Russell 2000 index...more

Ohio River port is "on a roll'
Activity at local ports is a good indicator of economic strength, says Jody Peacock, spokesman for the Ports of Indiana. If he's right, the Tri-State economy is going great guns...more

Economic development director hired
Martin County is facing a crucial time in the building of its technology park at Crane North. To help the county through this time, Martin County commissioners hired an economic development director Tuesday night...more

GE workers honored
More than 100 inventors, scientists and engineers at the Mount Vernon, Ind., GE Advanced Materials plant will be honored today for their numerous patents...more

Cargill expanding-Mount Vernon grain facility is in midst of $4.5 million improvement project
A multimillion dollar expansion of a Cargill grain facility in Mount Vernon, Ind., is under way to process increasing grain yields from Southern Indiana farmers, a company official said Monday...more

Back to Top

Warrick County office park filling up
Interstate Office Park along I-164 in Warrick County is filling up with tenants. Employees of Energy Systems Group (ESG) are presently settling into a new national headquarters building in the park...more

Large grant awarded to Indiana 15 Regional Planning Commission
The U.S. Commerce Department's Economic Development Administration (EDA) on Friday announced a $52,628 investment grant to the Indiana 15 Regional Planning Commission in Ferdinand, Ind...more

Gaming Commission approves plan for Orange County Casino
The state Gaming Commission gave its initial approval Thursday to a $240 million plan to open a casino in southern Indiana's Orange County, which local residents hope will lead to an economic revival for the area...more

Lobbying for Crane
Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman spent much of her life in southern Indiana and is trying to draw on that experience to convince federal officials of the historical and economic impact Crane Naval Surface Warfare Center has on the area...more

Wine Country - French Lick Winery to show off its new space
The French Lick Winery faced its share of challenges when it moved out of its snug mansion cellar and into the shell of an abandoned piano factory...more

Consolidated Recycling to grow
TROY - A nearly $1 million expansion of Troy's Consolidated Recycling plant will lead to the creation of approximately 10 new jobs over the next couple of years and increased business for the Hoosier Southern Railroad...more

Consultants update port board on strategic study
TELL CITY - "You're offering total, to-the-door rates. That's what customers want. Keep it simple - don't make me get three different prices after it lands," Ron Coles urged at a meeting of the Perry County Port Authority...more

QTR receives $100,000 grant
The Indiana Recycling and Energy Development Board awarded $100,000 to QTR Inc. to develop products that could be made from used plastic bottles, QTR President Rod Jackson said. As a condition of the grant, the company will be required to provide matching funds...more

Back to Top

DNR Awards Historic Preservation Grants
The U.S. Department of Natural Resources has awarded 23 federal grants for historic preservation to 18 Indiana communities. Orange County: Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana received $16,425 to publish the results of the countywide historic sites and structures surveys conducted in Orange County.

Tri-State cities rank among best
Evansville and Henderson, Ky., are jointly ranked as 14th among medium-sized markets in an annual Best Cities for Relocating Families study...more

Starbucks growing again - Popular coffee stores to open on both East, West sides of Evansville
Two more Starbucks coffee stores are on the way to the Evansville area. Work will begin on renovating the former Gateway computer store building at 500 N. Green River Road into a Starbucks outlet...more

Blue Sky Casino To Be Recommended as Orange County Casino
The Historic Hotels Preservation Committee met in Orange County Friday morning and is expected to recommend Blue Sky Casino as a the developer for the area’s casino...more

Contracts let for Indiana 37 clinic
TELL CITY - Meeting in special session Monday, hospital trustees awarded bids totaling $759,791 for construction of a new clinic near Perry Central Community School...more

Mesker Park Zoo, Botanic Gardens in Evansville Breaks Records
(EVANSVILLE, IN) – Mayor Jonathan Weinzapfel today announced that three records – attendance, membership sales and revenue - were broken at the Mesker Park Zoo and Botanic Garden during the month of May...more

American Eagle Adds Service to Evansville
InsideINdianaBusiness.com Report, 6/9/2005
EVANSVILLE - American Eagle, the regional carrier for American Airlines, says it is extending new nonstop jet service from Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport to nine additional cities, including Evansville. Beginning today, the airline will offer one-daily round-trip flight from the southwest Indiana city.

BRAC commissioner visits Crane
CRANE -- Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Commissioner Sam Skinner visited Crane and received a four-hour tour...more

Good Samaritan Hospital Purchases Alliance Financial Management From Avega
Avega Health Systems is pleased to announce that Good Samaritan Hospital, located in Vincennes, IN has purchased Alliance Financial Management, myAlliance, and Key Indicators, components of the Alliance Suite...more

Back to Top

Facility study to be group effort
PRINCETON - Consultants, state government agencies and two railroad companies will undertake a feasibility study for an intermodal freight center in southwest Indiana...more

Princeton receives grant
PRINCETON - The state has awarded a $147,000 grant to the Princeton, Ind., Area Chamber of Commerce to conduct a feasibility study for a new intermodal transportation center.

The Chamber of Commerce will use the money to look into the possibility of establishing a facility that would serve as a transfer point for freight traveling by truck, river and railroad. The grant was awarded to the Princeton Chamber of Commerce by the Indiana Rural Development Council.

German American announces merger, Jasper bank to acquire PCB Holding Co.
Jasper - German American Bancorp of Jasper said Tuesday it will acquire PCB Holding Co., which holds Peoples Community Bank of Tell City, for about $6.7 million...more

Daviess County says it will tap into Ball State University's Building Better Communities program in an effort to empower Hoosiers to start or expand their businesses
WASHINGTON (Indiana) – Daviess County in southwest Indiana is preparing for change. “Big change,” according to county and city officials here. “Positive momentum has been building here in Daviess County for more than a year,” said David Abel, Mayor of Washington. “With the Crane BRAC announcement behind us, it’s time to move into high gear.”...more

Back to Top

Highway, I-69 funding clears House
WASHINGTON, DC - On the same day the House of Representatives voted 417-9 to pass a $284 billion transportation bill that will authorize highway transportation spending through 2009, a coalition of lobbyists for I-69 canvassed Capitol Hill seeking continued support...more

Berry Plastics Partners on New Entertainment Promotional Products
EVANSVILLE - Evansville-based Berry Plastics is partnering with California's DMI Networks to launch a new platform for the distribution of entertainment products.The new marketing tool called Hip-Tops is designed to deliver music, video and interactive products in the form of CDs, CD-ROMs and DVDs direct to the consumer through drink lids, consumer packaged goods and specialty plastic containers.
Source: Inside INdiana Business

Perry County's economic engine still revving
TELL CITY - Perry County's economic development in 2004 was "not bad," one official said. Touting a $25-million-plus investment and 82 new jobs that came with the July opening of Webb Wheel Products...more

Corporate office gets tax abatement
EVANSVILLE - On a 7-0 vote, the Vanderburgh County Council approved a tax break for a planned new joint corporate headquarters for Wabash Plastics, Cresline Plastic Pipe and Crescent Plastics...more

Memorial Hospital Named One of the Nation’s 100 Top Hospitals® by Solucient
JASPER - Memorial Hospital and Health Care Center was named this week as one of the nation's 100 Top Hospitals® by Solucient, the leading source of health care business intelligence...more

Technology park begins recruiting
Vision-e officials map strategy to 'improve marketability' of Digital Downtown
EVANSVILLE - An Evansville economic development leader acknowledged last week in one of a series of meetings that the Digital Downtown Certified Technology Park is a venture into "uncharted territory."...more

Back to Top

Woman takes top Alcoa spot
NEWBURGH -A 25-year veteran of Alcoa has been named the first woman vice president and general manager of Alcoa Warrick Operations. Ann Whitty will begin work in her new position, which is the highest at Warrick Operations, April 1. She replaces Michael Lucas, who left his position in January, said Sally Rideout Lambert, an Alcoa spokeswoman...more

Mooney new vice-chair of SIDC
LOOGOOTEE - Mayor Terry Mooney is the new vice-chairman of the Southern Indiana Development Commission, the five-county organization that has been helping local governments and not-for-profit groups secure grants for more than 30 years...more

Linton named NASA Explorer School
The Linton-Stockton School Corporation recently received exciting news -- it was named a 2005 NASA Explorer School. Being named a NASA Explorer School is a very prestigious honor, elementary principal Kent Brewer said. Only 150 schools in the nation and only two schools in Indiana earned the designation...more

Southern Indiana Company Unveils New Headquarters
HUNTINGBURG - Office furniture manufacturer, OFS, is unveiling its new corporate headquarters. The southern Indiana company's spokesman Chris Rogers says the state-of-the-art complex includes a lake with a shelter area and kitchen, a full fitness center with a lap pool, conference rooms, an auditorium and room to grow. Rogers says the facilities cost about $7 million. He says about 15 jobs have recently been added at the company which experienced 24 percent growth last year...more

Lt. Governor Becky Skillman Awards $97,500 Grant to the Southwest Indiana Development Council for SWIDC Leadership Development Program
INDIANAPOLIS-Lt. Governor Becky Skillman today awarded a $97,500 Rural Development Grant to the Southwest Indiana Development Council. Grant funds will be used to provide for leadership development in the 13 member counties of the Southwest Indiana Development Council. The project will focus on an economic development training initiative for local officials, persons considering running for public office, school leadership, persons serving on local economic and community development boards and advisory boards...more

Alcoa Purchase to Benefit Warrick Operations
Alcoa (NYSE:AA) says it will invest $45 million to purchase equipment and rights to mine coal from Vigo Coal Co. to power its aluminum smelter in Warrick in southern Indiana...more

Back to Top

Growth Council changes its name; says Crane tech park will go even if BRAC news is bad
CRANE - Not only did the group formerly known as the Daviess County Growth Council pick a new name. They also picked an appropriate place to announce it.

"We decided to change the name to the Daviess County Economic Development Corporation," said John Graham, chairman of the organization's board of directors, and president of Home Building Savings Bank. "We did that because three or four months ago we looked around and realized our name's not saying what we're doing." He announced the name change at the Growth Council's annual meeting held this year in the conference center at the Crane Division, Naval Surface Warfare Center...more

Automotive parts company seeks tax break to locate here
EVANSVILLE - Vision-e Executive Director Ken Robinson said Vanderburgh County has been trying to lure an automotive parts manufacturer with ties to Toyota. Now, the county may have one...more

Facility will help soybean farmers
SWITZ CITY - The Indiana soy biodiesel industry moved another step closer to its goal of statewide distribution Thursday with the grand opening of Countrymark Co-Op's new in-line rack mount injection distribution facility at its Switz City terminal...more

Futaba Indiana Plans Major Expansion; Adds Jobs
VINCENNES - Futaba Indiana of America tells Inside INdiana Business that it will break ground next month, more than a year earlier than anticipated, on a new part-stamping facility in Vincennes, creating 100 new jobs. The expansion is expected to be complete by February...more

(Note:SWIDC would like to acknowledge the Evansville Courier & Press, Indianapolis Star, Perry County News, Princeton Clarion, Washinton Times-Herald and Vincennes Sun Commercial for some of the news stories and photographs which appear on our news links. We appreciate their ongoing coverage of events which emphasize the growth of Southwest Indiana and it's economic development efforts.)

Back to Top