01/27/12 Jennifer Laurent, Executive Director of the Marshall County Economic Development Corporation released the 2011 summary this week. The report is a glimpse into the activities and the anticipated impact of that work, and to illustrate what a strong resource Marshall County businesses have in MCEDC, Marshall County government and local municipal leaders.
When asked “What’s New” Laurent listed a number of initiatives and programs including; economic growth, collaborations and partnerships, tools for entrepreneurs, business expansions, new state incentives and grants won for local projects, jobs, tax base, and plane for future development.
The report lists several major employers within the county that have expanded in 2011 or have a planned expansion in 2012 with significant new investment in real estate, capital equipment and employment. MCEDC had a hand in some of the following expansions but not all of them. They include: Zentis North America with a major investment in new production lines and employment growth and Coleman Cable, Inc. with new jobs, a new warehouse operations project and proposed production facility expansion. Hoosier Racing Tire is in the midst of a multi-million dollar expansion for a new on-site rubber mixing plant expansion and job creation while Indiana Technology and Manufacturing (ITAMCO) had a major manufacturing equipment investment. Whitley Products has a new warehouse operations expansion and job creation while Summit Fiberglass acquired C&C Fiberglass in Bremen and brought new jobs to the community. Stone Creek Homes acquired the Shamrock Homes facility and retained and created jobs while Kessler Crane has new headquarters and the production facility in Plymouth.
In 2011, Marshall County saw over $50 million in actual and projected investment and 222 new jobs created by these local businesses. The business climate in 2011 in the county continued to demonstrate health and perseverance in spite of ongoing national recession recovery and global competitive pressures. A non-seasonally adjusted local unemployment rate of 11.3% in December 2010, fell to 9.5% by November 2011.
Laurent said that business retention remains a main focus with expansion right behind followed the attraction after those two.
