2013

Annual Report

500 South A Street, Suite 2 • Richmond, Indiana 47374 • 765-983-4769

It was my pleasure to serve the strategic planning firm, Ady Voltedge. Much of theas chair of the EDC Boardof Directors in 2013. I was
excited to be able to work with
Valerie Shaffer as she began
her new role with the EDC
as president. Valerie brings
to the organization a level ofknowledge about economic
development, along with apassion and dedication for thecommunity that means much
more than just her personal
success or the success of theorganization. It means the success of the community she
loves and calls home.
But Valerie can’t do it alone. She has a dedicated andfantastic staff with Renee Doty as Manager of Community
Affairs and Alaina Geres as Development Coordinator.
Both work alongside Valerie to make sure the EDC iswell represented to both community members and site
selectors. In support of staff we also have a great boardof directors that represents the business community.
These volunteers have given of their time and talent tohelp make decisions and develop a strategic plan thatwill guide the EDC into the future.

year was spent working on the various sections of theplan, including conversations and interviews with many
community and business leaders in the process. In
January of 2014 we shared the strategic plan with theentire community. The refining process continues as wedevelop a plan that will take us into the future.
While we were working on the strategic plan businessdevelopment activity did not stop. Feeling a need fromelected officials and from the business community, theEDC worked to put guidelines into place regarding thetypes of projects that would be considered for Economic
Development Income Tax (EDIT) grants. The guidelines
still allow us to maneuver with flexibility, but also help
guide those who are interested in pursuing EDIT grants
to know ahead of time what is involved and required.
The EDC partnered with six companies in 2013. Details
about these projects are included in the annual report
so I encourage you to read about them to learn what
was involved with each company. As a whole, theseprojects represent our commitment to not only market
Wayne County to new companies, but to take care of
the companies who have already decided to call Wayne
County home.

We had a very productive 2013 and look forward to an
During 2013 we worked with elected officials to determine even more successful 2014.
a plan of action and scope of work for the strategic plan.
Sincerely,
After a thorough selection process, the EDC engaged
Tracie Upchurch2013 PROjECt suMMARy
Projects Completed

6

New Job Commitments

251
203$14,262,943$16,350,666$550,000$1,211$1.00/$29.73

Jobs Retained *Related Payroll
New Private Investment
EDIT Incentives Awarded
EDIT Incentives Awarded per Job
Public/Private Leverage
Total EDIT Expenditures(Incentives and Administration)
Public/Private Leverage with
Administration$857,494$1.00/$19.07

Graph shows data collected on projects, incentives and investment for 2013.
*Claimed only if there was a threat of losing the company.

Janet Ady of Ady Voltedge shares thestrategic plan at a community event.

The EDC wrapped up 2013 closing six projects

involving local companies. Those projects were
driven by expansions at local facilities or retention ofcompanies in Wayne County. Projects were diverse
and included such industry sectors as food processing,casket manufacturing, agri-business and professional
services.

Purina Animal Nutrition, an animal feed andsupplement manufacturer, needed to expand their test
diet operation and found a site to accommodate theirneeds in the former Coca-Cola distribution center inRichmond. The company also upgraded lines at theirother Richmond location. Both of these projects arepart of a multi-year capital improvement effort expected
to result in an investment of $7.95 million. Eight newjobs are expected to be created. The EDC provided
the company with an $85,000 Economic Development
Income Tax (EDIT) grant. The grant will be used forcosts related to the purchase and installation of new
manufacturing equipment, the relocation of existing
equipment, and construction costs associated withrenovations at the new location.
Maxwell Milling of Indiana, a division of Goldsboro
Milling Company, expanded their grain storage capacity
by adding two new storage bins at their facility on State
Road 1 near Hagerstown. The company plans to invest$1.7 million in the project that includes the constructionof a 24 by 70 foot receiving building with two 125,000
bushel grain storage bins. The company also plansto create five new jobs. Maxwell Milling processes
grains and minerals for production of swine feed. The
expansion will increase production from 3,200 tons offinished feed per week to 5,000 tons per week. The
expansion will also allow the company to increase theamount of grain purchased from Indiana farmers. The
EDC provided an EDIT grant of $35,000 to assist withcapital improvement costs.
Paragon Caskets, Inc., a locally owned national
distributor for several casket companies purchased
Romark Industries Inc., a manufacturer of custom steel
caskets located in Richmond. The purchase of Romark
allows Paragon Caskets to become a manufacturer ofcustom caskets targeting customers within a 100 mileradius of Richmond while still maintaining their nationwide distributorship. This purchase also ensured
that Romark remained local. The project will create
11 new jobs and retain 29 existing jobs between thetwo companies. The EDC assisted with the projectby providing an EDIT grant of $30,000 to purchasenew equipment needed to improve the manufacturing
operation and provide training for employees.

Matthews International Corporation, manufacturerof cremation products, needed to relocate from theirfacility located at 1010 Industries Parkway. The company
could have moved the wood manufacturing operation
to a plant in a different state, but through renovations
and streamlined operations the wood division was able
to locate in the same building as the metal divisionand remain in Wayne County. This project resulted
in an investment of $940,666 by the company andthe retention of 44 jobs. An EDIT grant of $75,000
was provided by the EDC to assist with the project.
The grant will be used for renovations, installation ofequipment, and extensive training for employees to
upgrade skills, increase operational efficiency and tolearn new manufacturing strategies as a result of theconsolidation.
Finance Systems of Richmond is a family-owned
accounts receivable management firm that’s been
located in Richmond since 1955. The company was
growing and needed a new location to allow for theincrease in operations and staff. They were able to findmore space in a former restaurant building. The EDC
provided an EDIT grant of $25,000 to be used toward
training for employees, renovations of the new location,and the purchase and installation of new IT equipment
and furniture. Finance Systems of Richmond has
pledged to invest $1.55 million and create 43 new jobs
by the end of 2016. The new, larger building will allow
the company to experience significant growth andmore than triple the size of its workforce.
The Stride Rite Corporation, a division of
Wolverine Worldwide, is in the process of relocatingand expanding their Customer Service and Shared
Services operations into a single state-of-the-art
facility to support the company’s strong growth in bothits wholesale channel and direct-to-consumer sectors.
Competition between Richmond and locations outsideof Indiana was intense. The company ultimately madethe decision to remain in Richmond leasing space at
1400 Industries Road. The company plans to invest
over $3 million and will include the retention of 130
full-time jobs and the creation of up to 184 new, fulltime jobs by the end of 2017. In order to bring the
project to fruition it took the collaboration of the Cityof Richmond, the EDC, and the Indiana Economic
Development Corporation. The new Stride Rite location
is currently owned by the City of Richmond. The
property will be leased to the company. In order toaccommodate the company’s needs, the City will be
investing $2.5 million in Certified Technology Park
Funds to retrofit the building and expand parking onsite. The EDC also provided a $300,000 EDIT grant
to assist with renovations, training for new employees,
and the purchase of new IT equipment.

Work on a new strategic plan for the EDC was done throughout much of 2013. Stakeholders from a broadcross section of Wayne County demonstrated their interest in the success of the initiative by participating inthe strategic plan process. Over 375 responses were received from people who participated in one-on-one
interviews with the consulting team or in an online survey. In addition, numerous EDC board and committee
members, as well as other civic leaders and elected officials, shared their input each step of the way.
Ady Voltedge was the planning and economic development firm chosen to assist with the developmentof the plan. Their prime directive was to help develop a strategic plan that creates a vision for the future,
as well as a game plan for establishing a more efficient and resourceful organization leading to a more
revitalized economy.

Definition of Economic Development for the EDC

The purpose of this discussion was to gain a greater understanding of the roles played by various
economic development organizations in our county and to define where the EDC was equipped to be thelead organization and where the EDC should play a supporting role.
This project confirmed that the core of the EDC’s efforts should continue to be:• Business development, weighted toward business retention and expansion, but also including businessattraction and recruitment• Marketing and communications to multiple internal and external audiences• Industrial park development• Growing the skill level of the workforce
Key elements were identified that should explicitly be included in the definition of economic development
for the EDC:

• Overseeing inclusion in regional economic development efforts for Wayne County• Ensuring an adequate property inventory to include available buildings and sites

The following were some of the key elements that were explicitly excluded in the definition of economic
development for the EDC. Note that these are still valid initiatives, but not initiatives under the leadershipof the EDC. The EDC will only play a supportive role in:• Doing adaptive re-use of old buildings and/or historic preservation and beautification• Working with retailers on location decisions and/or actively seeking
new retail development opportunities• Tourism• Entrepreneurialism
EDC Goals

Through the strategic planning process, we developed
three goals in which the EDC is to specifically work on
over the next 5 years. In order to accomplish thesethree goals, economic growth strategies and tactics
have been identified with specific details regarding
who is responsible for accomplishing these tasks
and a timeline to complete them. This will provide
the EDC with a work plan each year for the next five
years. The three goals are interlinked to demonstratethat one is not more important than the others.

Focus on growing andattracting businesses
for which Wayne County
has a compellingbusiness case.

Engage stakeholders
to help promoteeconomic success inthe county.

Help grow theskill level of thelabor force.

Economic Growth Strategies
Organizational Capacity• Funding• Leadership development• Community engagement and support
Programs and Initiatives• Business retention and expansion (BRE)• Business attraction• Labor and education

For the Wayne County Economy:• Level and percent increase in average wages• Level and percent increase in per capita income• Level and percent increase in educational attainment
for residents• Level and percent increase in educational attainment for
graduates of local higher education institutions• Level and percent increase in the local tax base(total assessed value)• Diversity of employer basePhysical Infrastructure• Employment retention/growth relative to index (i.e. whether

Business Environment• Time required to go through public approvals for incentives• Property inventory• Infrastructure• Streamlining processes• Quality of place attributes• Access to capital

Key Performance Indicators

Key performance indicators will be used to trackefforts towards reaching the identified goals in thestrategic plan. These indicators will not only track
EDC activity, but also the overall outcome of ouractivities on the Wayne County economy that ourefforts are intended to improve.
For the EDC:
• Number of business retention and expansion (BRE)interviews conducted annually• Number of existing companies, jobs, and/or investment thatwas retained or grown due to the involvement of the EDC• Number of projects for which the EDC provided project
oversight (BRE or attraction)• Number of Request for Information or Proposals (RFI/RFP)
responded to, percent that result in a site visit, number ofproject wins

• Number of relationships with site selectors and corporate realestate professionals in targeted industries, including direct
leads and projects from these decision influencers• Amount of shovel-ready sites available for investment• Success of specific programs in which the EDC played apertinent support role (education, training, capital, etc.)

Wayne County is maintaining or growing market share in a
specific target industry at a level equal or above the national
average)provided to companies investing in Wayne County• Awareness and positive perception of Wayne County
among stakeholders and residents• Awareness and positive perception of Wayne County among
decision makers and influencers

The strategic plan is a blue print for our future.
It won’t be easy and it won’t be accomplishedovernight. But it is a viable way forward that, withthe support of the community, will result in a brighter
future for Wayne County residents. The complete
strategic plan can be found at www.edcwc.com.

Manufacturing Matters
Like many communities throughout the UnitedStates, Wayne County’s industry faces a skills
gap challenge. In order to address the issue, the
EDC partnered with Ivy Tech Corporate College,
the Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce,and WorkOne, the state’s employment office, as
well as several regional community and economic
development organizations, to create Manufacturing
Matters. Manufacturing Matters is a fast-track training
program for East Central Indiana.

Graduates from the first class in the Manufacturing Matters
program. www.manufacturingmatters.info

We started with a survey of Wayne County employers
to help identify the skills that were missing to better gauge the type of training needed. Based on survey
results, and additional engagement with local manufacturers, training was developed around the Certified
Production Technician program. Students learn about manufacturing processes, equipment, safety, quality,and employability skills in the ten week class. Once completed the student is able to test to become a Certified
Production Technician, a nationally recognized manufacturing credential issued by the Manufacturing Skills
Standards Council.
Manufacturing Matters partners worked to find funding opportunities in order to provide scholarships to qualified
students. Scholarships valued at $2,600 are provided to students who are able to complete WorkKeys testingand score at the Silver level or higher, take part in an interview for consideration, commit to the training
schedule, and successfully pass a drug test. The EDC worked with county elected officials to set aside$26,000 of consolidated EDIT funds in 2013 for the scholarship fund. Many other partners in Wayne County
and the East Central Indiana region committed to fund scholarships as well.
The first Manufacturing Matters class graduated in January of 2014 with a job fair and ceremony to markthe occasion. The program was awarded the Partnership in Education Award by the Wayne County Area
Chamber of Commerce and also received recognition from Congressman Luke Messer in the House ofRepresentatives. The EDC is proud of the success Manufacturing Matters has experienced.
ACT Work Ready Community Certification

Following the submission of a successful application, Wayne County was selected to participate in ACT’spilot program for county-level Certified Work Ready Communities (CWRC). This national effort, led by ACT,
provides a framework for states, regions and communities to build an economic development and community
based approach in certifying the current and emerging workforce for National Career Readiness Certificates(NCRC) which are designed to measure and close skills gaps among workers and job seekers. Certification isachieved through successful completion of WorkKeys assessments, a series of tests measuring foundationaland soft skills. Many groups benefit when their states, regions or counties participate in the Work Ready
Communities initiative:• Business and industry learn what foundational skills are needed for a productive workforce and caneasily communicate their needs to job seekers.
• Individuals can understand what skills employers require and how to prepare for career success.
• Policymakers can consistently measure skills gaps in a timely manner at national, state and local levels.

• Educators can close skills gaps via tools integrated into career pathways with stackable, industry-

recognized credentials.
• Economic developers can use an on-demand reporting tool to market the quality of their workforce.
The EDC is pleased to participate in the pilot which was spearheaded by Reid Hospital and Health Care
Services Economic Development Task Force. A cross-agency leadership team comprised of representatives
from economic development, workforce development, K – 12 and post-secondary education, the business
community, and elected officials are working on strategies that will help reach the goal of becoming a Certified
Work Ready Community.

The EDC often partners on projects or initiatives withother organizations throughout our community. We
will begin recognizing our partners who have worked
with us to increase economic opportunity and potential
in Wayne County. This new award will be called theEconomic Development Partnership Award.
This year we would like to recognize our partnership with Ivy Tech Community College. Ivy Tech is a great partnerin community-wide economic development efforts by providing many educational and training opportunities forWayne County’s workforce to improve and strengthen their knowledge and skill base. Additionally, faculty and staff
play an integral role in many economic development and community initiatives. The EDC partners with Ivy Techon many fronts. We work closely with Corporate College at the Richmond campus on a new training initiative,
Manufacturing Matters. Executive director, Kim Thurlow and her staff play a key role by providing the training
for students participating in the program. Nancy Green, manager of external relations, is Richmond Mayor Sally
Hutton’s appointee to the EDC Board of Directors and is currently serving as vice-chair. Ron Oler, professor andprogram chair of the Office Administration and Paralegal Studies Department, is a Richmond Common Council
member and is Common Council’s liaison to the EDC. Jeff Plasterer, the executive director of Ivy Tech’s ConnersvilleInstructional Center, is a member of Wayne County Council and is their liaison to the EDC. Nancy, Jeff and Ron all
played vital roles in the development of the new EDC strategic plan by serving on our strategic planning committee
and devoting countless hours to the process.
Both Ivy Tech’s professional and volunteer efforts of their faculty and staff are integral to the success of ourcommunity. We would like to thank them for their continued commitment in helping to improve our local andregional economy.

The EDC would like to recognize outgoing board member Kevin Ahaus. Kevin has
served a total of 9 years on the EDC Board of Directors. He was first appointed to theboard in 2001 serving a three-year term as an appointee of the Mayor of Richmond.
He was appointed to the EDC board for a second time in 2008 as a representativeof the Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce, and in that role has served twoconsecutive three-year terms which concluded in 2013. During Kevin’s time on the
EDC board he has served in many capacities including 2010 chair of the board;committees including Executive, Marketing, Finance, Personnel and Industrial Park;and on the Incubator Taskforce.

Kevin’s contribution to the EDC has been invaluable from both his experience as thepresident of Ahaus Tool and Engineering, Inc. and through his many other roles in thecommunity and the state. He is the vice chair of the Ivy Tech Community College ofIndiana Foundation and a member of the Purdue College of Technology Richmond
Advisory Board. Additionally he is an active member of the Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce.
He is also on the board of the Indiana Manufacturers Association and the Indiana Tooling and Machining
Association. Formerly, Kevin served on the Ivy Tech Community College State Board of Trustees.
The EDC has been lucky to have had Kevin’s participation during his time on the board. While he will bemissed, we hope he won’t be a stranger. We want to take this opportunity to say thank you for all you havedone for the EDC and the Wayne County community.

The EDC would like tothank our community
partners who contribute a
portion of their EDIT tax
revenue to county-wide
economic development.
Cambridge City
Centerville
EconomyHagerstown
MiltonMount AuburnRichmond
Wayne County

2013 Officers
Chair – Tracie Upchurch (Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce)
Vice Chair – Jim Cohen (Cambridge City Town Council)
Treasurer – Lee Elzemeyer (Wayne County Commissioners)
Secretary – Nancy Green (City of Richmond, Mayor)
Past Chair – Mark Smith (Centerville Town Council )2013 Board
Kyle Clark (Wayne County Commissioners)
John Meredith (Wayne County Council)
Brett Guiley (Richmond Common Council)
Gary Hackman (City of Richmond, Mayor)
Johnnie Barrett (Centerville Town Council)
Robert Warner (Hagerstown Town Council)
Kevin Ahaus (Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce)Paul Witte (Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce)
Staff
Valerie Shaffer – President
Renee Doty – Manager of Community Affairs
Alaina Geres – Development Coordinator

www.edcwc.com
500 South A Street, Suite 2
Richmond, Indiana 47374
765-983-4769