Latest count showed more than 50 are known to exist, but the actual number is unknown. Industry Owen County is not primarily an industrial county, although it has a rather wide variety of industrial facilities. Products include embossed metal signs, chemical toilets, surgical supplies, hardwood flooring, insulative mouldings, canvas products, stone for building, roads and agricultural uses, and a wide range of production in graphic arts. The county has extensive standing timber and lumber production. There is a substantial undeveloped gypsum deposit large enough to meet commercial mining requirements, along with coal, sand, gravel, and although not known to be of commercial grade or quantity, there is some bauxite.
Electric service is adequate both from investor-owned and rural electric cooperative suppliers.
Spencer and Freedom are commercial activity in tank and bottled gas. Water supplies are considered adequate in most areas. Spencer is served by substantial residential, business or industrial expansion. A rural water system serves an area from Patricksburg to the eastern county line along Indiana Road 46. Telephone service in the county is by Indiana Bell, Smithville Telephone, and Clay County RTC which serve most of the county with modern equipment.