Lieutenant Governor Discusses Next Level Veterans Initiative with Culver Officials

Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch meets with Culver officials and Stellar project partners before touring projects

Indiana is looking to the military to help boost its workforce. Earlier this year, the state launched its Next Level Veterans initiative to try to entice those leaving the military to move to Indiana. Lieutenant Governor Suzanne Crouch discussed the program during her visit to Culver last week.

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Culver Officials Discuss Improving Internet Capabilities in Town

Improving internet access for residents and businesses owners in Culver is a project that town officials are looking into. Perhaps sites like compare ultimate business broadband might be of great help.

The Culver Redevelopment Commission recently met with representatives from Marshall County Fiber LLC about the possibility of installing fiber optic cable to improve access to the internet in the area.

At the last town council meeting, CRC member Rich West shared that the Redevelopment Commission has been working on finding a good fit for Culver for several years and noted that it is an issue that needs to be addressed. Continue reading

Culver “BEAR” Program Aims to Identify Needs and Develop Solutions for Local Businesses

Providing support to local businesses is a priority in Culver. Town Manager Jonathan Leist made a statement earlier this month, explaining that Culver is dedicated to planning projects that will help the community grow and improve the quality of life in the area. He went on to say that officials are now turning their focus to another important part of the community, small businesses.

In order to show their dedication to helping local business owners, the Town of Culver is teaming up with the Culver Main Street Corporation as well as the Marshall County Economic Development Corporation to launch the Culver Business Expansion and Retention (CBEAR) program. Continue reading

Culver Town Council to Research Use of Bank Building

A task force will come together to research the possibility of utilizing space inside the First Farmers Bank and Trust building on Main Street in Culver.

The Culver Town Council members, along with officials from the Culver Redevelopment Commission, Marshall County Economic Development Corporation and Utility Superintendent Bob Porter previously toured the building and thought there may be a benefit to using the space.

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Start off 2018 by Strengthening Employee Skills with this Ancilla College Training Program

Last year, the Marshall County Economic Development Corporation, the Indiana Department of Workforce Development and Ancilla College worked in conjunction with local businesses to launch the Ancilla College Management and Leadership Training program.The program has continued into this year to continue developing the skills of our community’s team leaders.

After conducting interviews with local employers and finding that many of them were seeking more opportunities for management training, the program was created as a way to strengthen the existing workforce. Continue reading

Culver Business Plans Expansion

The Culver City Council acted upon a request to declare an area as an economic revitalization area.

The owner of LK Wood Products and Marshall County Economic Development Corporation Director Jerry Chavez gave the council members an idea about an expansion project at the facility on Mill Street. The company is seeking a tax abatement to invest millions of dollars in expanding the technology at the plant. More jobs will be created as a result of the upgrade in equipment.

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Marshall County Shell Building Nearly Complete

Marshall County Shell Building
Marshall County Shell Building in the first phases of construction

The Director of the Marshall County Economic Development Corporation gave the county council an update on the shell building in Plymouth.

Jerry Chavez explained that construction on the building began last year but activity ceased as winter settled in.

“There are some items that still need to be completed but for the most part it’s at a status where we won’t see anymore work this coming winter. We’re doing what we can in terms of marketing it to prospective clients that may have an interest in expanding to Marshall County and setting up shop in Plymouth’s backyard,” said Chavez.

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Marshall County Economic Development Corporation Launches Strategic Plan

MCEDCA long range strategic plan focused on economic growth was launched this week by officials from the Marshall County Economic Development Corporation.

This is the first formal county plan of this kind to be implemented by the organization and its partnering agencies.

Four specific programs are highlighted in the plan: Business Expansion and Retention (BEAR), business attraction, entrepreneurial hub, and a workforce development program.

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Marshall County Economic Development Corporation Launches New Website

MCEDCThe Marshall County Economic Development Corporation has launched a new website.

Officials with the corporation and many volunteers spent many hours during the summer months researching ways to help promote businesses and to grow the economy.

According to Bill Davis, President of the Marshall County Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors, the home page at www.marshallcountyedc.org will now focus on key strategic business advantages that are evaluated when a company conducts a site search to determine where to locate a new facility.

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Progress Made on Marshall County Shell Building

Marshall County Shell Building
Marshall County Shell Building

The exterior of the new shell building at 2910 Commerce Street in Plymouth is moving along.

Three massive concrete panels have been installed and construction cranes remain on the scene and can be spotted from U.S. 30, according to officials from the Marshall County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC). This is just the beginning of the construction of the 45,000 square foot building that will house a business or industry once it is completed by October.

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Marshall County Economic Development Corporation to Implement New Program in June

  
 

The Marshall County Economic Development Corporation will launch the Business Expansion and Retention, or BEAR, Program next month.

This program will implement the first area-wide structured program using industry standards to access area businesses.

The Chairman of the Marshall County Economic Development Corporation, Bill Davis, said it’s important for them to talk to area businesses to see how they can assist them in making future expansion plans.

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Marshall County Officials Break Ground for New Shell Building

shell-building
The proposed shell building

The Marshall County Economic Development Commission (MCEDC) held a groundbreaking ceremony Tuesday morning in order for the shell building project to begin.  It will be located at 2910 Commerce Street in Plymouth.

The shell building will be built over the summer that will be available for an incoming business or industry to the area.

Dan Zuerner, Vice President of Garmong Construction, talks about the structure and the time frame in which it will be complete.

“This will be a state-of-the-art building made of manufactured precast concrete sandwich panels so they’re heavily insulated and have a very high energy efficiency rating,” explained Zuerner. “This building will be 45,000 square feet expandable to 135,000 square feet. We expect the precast to arrive on site in late June or early July, the steel will be set in July and August, we’ll put the roof on and the product will be 100 percent complete by early October.”

Officials break ground
Officials break ground

Garmong Construction is based in Indiana and crews from the company have built seven similar structures in the state with five more projects this year. He says they success rate in getting a company into a shell building is quite high.

“They’ve been very successful. Right now, out of all of the buildings that we’ve built, we only have one remaining for sale. We’ve done three for the county of Delaware in Muncie, Indiana, there’s one being done right now in White County and three projects in Vigo County. They’re scattered throughout the state.”

Marshall County Commissioner Deb Griewank said it will be beneficial for the county.

“It’s going to be bringing in a lot of economic development here” said Griewank. “People will be moving in, more business coming to town – I’m really excited!”

Plymouth Mayor Mark Senter said the new shell building will have a great impact on not only the Plymouth area, but Marshall County and the Northern Indiana region.

“Within the next year, we’d love to have a new manufacturing corporation here and bring 100 jobs or more!” smiled Senter.

The Marshall County Economic Development Corporation worked along with the Plymouth Redevelopment Commission, Plymouth Industrial Development Corporation, the City of Plymouth, and Garmong Development Company to make sure this shell building became a reality.

Marshall County Eligible to Participate in STEM Education Initiative

  
 

All schools in Marshall County are now eligible to participate in the regional STEM Education Initiative announced by Project Lead the Way officials along with the United Way of Marshall County and the Marshall County Economic Development Corporation.

Project Lead The Way is the nation’s leading provider of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) programs. Northern Indiana was selected to become a model region for Project Lead The Way where all K-12 schools, both public and private, in a five-county area, will participate with the opportunity to implement programs in engineering, biomedical science, and computer science.

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MCEDC Narrows Search for Director

  
 
Over 70 resumes have been received by the Marshall County Economic Development Corporation board members and a decision on a candidate should be made by the end of the first quarter.

According to a published report in the Pilot News, former director Jay Bahr resigned in November since taking the lead position in April of 2013 and the corporation has been relying on staff already in place to complete the duties of the director.

Board Chairman Bill Davis told the publication that the applications have been narrowed to less than 12 and four of the candidates will meet with the board for final interviews.

Marshall County Economic Development Corporation Seeks Executive Director

  
 
The Marshall County Economic Development Corporation is looking for a new executive director. Jay Bahr, who took over leadership of the corporation in mid-April is leaving. Board Chair Bill Davis says in a news release, “Mr. Bahr has been effectively leading our organization since April of this year. We want to wish Jay a successful career transition.”

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