Economic Development News for Knox County and Vincennes, Indiana

Note:The KCDC would like to acknowledge the Vincennes Sun Commercial, Indiana Economic Digest and the Evansville Courier and Press for some of the news stories and photographs which appear below. We appreciate their ongoing coverage of events which emphasize the growth of Knox County and it's economic development efforts.

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6/1/09 AME Acquires Connecting Point of Indiana
5/11/09 Duke Energy to Rebuild Rail Line For New Plant
4/24/09 Futaba Calling Back Workers
3/16/09 Good Samaritan Hospital named a top place to work
3/11/09 Vectren and Duke Share News at KCDC Annual Meeting
3/06/09 New WorkOne Center Dedicated
1/16/09 Vincennes University to Help Retrain Displaced Workers
1/5/09 The South Knox School Corp. named a "Best Buy" school
12/11/08 Good Samaritan Hospital Labs Receive CAP Recognition
11/24/08 Knox County Coal-to-Gas Project Bucks Industry Trends
10/17/08 Appeals Court Backs Duke Energy For New Power Plant
10/7/08 Vincennes University Dedicates Renovation
9/8/08 AME Group Now 100% Employee Owned
8/28/08 Knox County Schools Awarded $36,000
7/22/08 Work Starts on New Duke $2.35 Billion Power Plant
7/11/08 Knox County has new "Shovel Ready" certification
4/23/08 Golden Rule to Locate Expansion in Vincennes Bringing 200 Jobs
3/14/08 Vincennes University Awarded $185.00+ Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) Training Grant
3/5/08 KCDC Annual Meeting Slide Show
3/3/08 Veterans Clinic coming to Big Blue
1/14/08 VU to Receive $365,00 in Training Funds
12/22/07 Over 600 turnout to lend support for Duke Energy's $2 billion Knox County project
12/6/07 JAG program to help prepare students
12/6/07 Vincennes University Awarded 2 Workforce Grants
12-4-07 Vincennes/Knox County Convention and Visitors Bureau Receives Grant
11/07 Duke Energy gets Indiana okay for $2 billion coal gasification plant in Knox County
10/30/07 Canola Plots Growing at Vincennes
7/20/07 KCDC Web Site Receives Economic Development Ditectory Award for Content
7/18/07 Vincennes University Plans Advanced Manufacturing Facilities
6/14/07 Purdue to Offer Degree Program at Vincennes University
5/25/07 Pride in a Job Well Done Starts Early in Knox County
5/19/07 Knox County Farm to Supply Produce to Wal-Mart
4/13/07 Wabash Steel named "Industry of the Year"
3/7/07 KCDC Director Praises Community Involvement in Growth of Knox County
3/7/07 Bernie Niehaus Encourages Enthusiasm and Customer Satisfaction to Grow Knox County
1/24/07 KCDC Receives Rural Capacity Grant

For past news stories of Economic Development in Knox County and Vincennes, Indiana, visit our archives.

AME Acquires Connecting Point of Indiana

Advanced Microelectronics, Inc, DBA The AME Group today announced it acquired the assets of Michiana Micro Inc, DBA Connecting Point of Indiana, a South Bend, Indiana based Information Technology Company. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“We believe the acquisition of Connecting Point of Indiana is a very good fit to the Managed Computer and Infrastructure Support services we deliver in every Indiana County,” said Mark Gerkin, President of The AME Group. "This acquisition will provide The AME Group with a greater geographical coverage area, allowing more effective coverage of current clients, as well as all new clients. It will enable us to continue delivering our brand of efficient, high-end onsite service solutions throughout the state of Indiana."

Connecting Point of Indiana’s service portfolio includes computer hardware, network management and support, project management, database solutions, and general consulting services.

Connecting Point of Indiana was founded in 1984 and headquartered in South Bend Indiana. Current Connecting Point of Indiana’s customers and users will benefit from the expanded resources and operational scale made possible by the integration into The AME Group.

Duke Energy to Rebuild Rail Line For New Plant

Duke Energy Indiana plans to build an eight-mile rail line for its coal gasification plant in Knox County. The new route will run along the former railroad line that once served the current Edwardsport Station. It will offer a connection point with the Indiana Southern Railroad just south of Sandborn.

Although Duke Energy acquired the former railroad line last November, the company will need to purchase additional land rights from property owners along the rail spur route. Over the next several weeks, Duke Energy will be contacting those affected.

Construction of the rail spur is expected to begin in 2010. The goal is to have it available for use when the new plant begins operating in 2012. The rail spur will allow Duke Energy to move sulfur byproducts from the new plant to resale markets. Proceeds from the sale of these byproducts can help offset the operating costs of the new plant for customers.

Futaba Calling Back Workers

Local automotive-parts maker Futaba Indiana of America Corp. is calling laid-off workers back to their jobs and preparing to expand its market to more than just Toyota products.

Stoelb said Camry sales took a hit in recent months but are forecasted to go back up. Sales for the Sienna also are forecasted to increase and will require additional employees, he said.

FIA also is working on its TS-16949 accreditation, a standard of international automotive quality, Stoelb explained, required by most automakers.

Gary Gentry, executive director of KCDC, believes there are opportunities for FIA to capture work from the new $1 billion Volkswagen plant being built at Chattanooga, Tenn.

As the company started calling back laid-off workers, Stoelb found that many of them had gone on to gain other employment or had gone back to school.

"So over next several months, we're going to have some options where we will need people part-time," Stoelb said, adding that the jobs could cater to those who have gone back to school and can only work 20 or 30 hours a week.

FIA also is working with Vincennes University to implement an internship program.

"A lot of other companies have cut back on interns," Stoelb said. "But we see this as a good opportunity for us, for the community, students and ourselves."

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Good Samaritan Hospital named a top place to work

Good Samaritan Hospital has been named one of the "Best Places to Work in Indiana" by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce.

Chamber President Kevin Brinegar said businesses like Good Samaritan Hospital represent some of the state's most outstanding Hoosier employers.

"They embrace the idea that a positive work culture that includes respect, communication, opportunity and being part of a team not only makes it a place in which employees want to work, but also fuels the success of the organization," he said.

The top companies in the state are determined through employer reports and comprehensive employee surveys. This is Good Samaritan Hospital's first time being honored.

Dean Wagoner, director of Human Resources at the hospital, attributes this award to the efforts of employees in achieving the hospital's mission.

"We strive to provide an employee-focused culture that encourages and allows employees to excel," he stated. "Our employees understand that teamwork leads to our success in providing excellent care to the patients we are privileged to serve."

State-of-the-art technology and immaculately maintained buildings provide the best possible environment for employees to achieve positive outcomes, but Wagoner says it's the continuous compassionate care and concern demonstrated by employees and medical staff that have allowed Good Samaritan Hospital to achieve this recognition and celebrate 101 years as a community hospital. "We are extremely proud of and grateful for their efforts," he added.

Darrel Bobe, chairman of the board of the Knox County Chamber of Commerce Board, says he is especially proud of the award for Good Samaritan Hospital.

"This is an outstanding honor, especially in this tough economic time, for a local business to be given this award," Bobe stated. "We are very fortunate to have an outstanding hospital here in Vincennes that continues to grow and make Vincennes a better place to live.

Vectren and Duke Share News at KCDC Annual Meeting

The news an progress reports from Vectren Fuel Delivery and Duke Energy were welcome lights in a dim economy. Each made announcements of large investment in the Knox County economy and discussed status of there projects which will bring in excess of $2.5 billion to the local economy. To view a slide show of the well attended annual meeting of KCDC, click here.

New WorkOne Center Dedicated

Indiana Department of Workforce Development Commissioner Teresa Voors says it is the third WorkOne Center in the state to partner with a university.

Indiana Department of Workforce Development Commissioner Teresa Voors says college is no longer just for "an 18-year-old with a book bag." She says now more than ever adult workers are going back to school to get additional skills in order to find better jobs when the economy recovers. Voors made the comments amid today's dedication of the Indiana Center for Applied Technology (ICAT) at Vincennes University, which also serves as Knox County's WorkOne Center. ICAT will provide workers with WorkOne services and training under one roof.

Vincennes University to Help Retrain Displaced Workers

Hundreds of recreational vehicle production workers in north-central Indiana who recently lost their jobs can receive technical training through Purdue and Vincennes universities.

The Manufacturing Extension Partnership Center, administered by Purdue, is working with Vincennes University and The Apprentice Academy to offer technical training and advanced manufacturing instruction to RV and other displaced workers in Elkhart, Knox, Nappanee, Plymouth, Rochester, South Bend, Warsaw and surrounding communities. Workers can learn new trades, such as precision metalworking, welding and industrial maintenance.

"We're taking the training to displaced workers right in their backyard," said Dietra Rosenkoetter, MEP senior account manager. "Vincennes University will provide training in the technical skills, and Purdue will train in manufacturing techniques. This includes lean manufacturing tools, quality systems, 'green' sustainability, problem solving, change management, conflict resolution, and essential communication skills in the workplace. Our goal is to help as many people as possible in this economic downturn."

"When there are emergencies and layoffs that are large in scope over a short period of time, the State of Indiana makes these funds available to help workers seek better jobs," said Marc Lotter, Department of Workforce Development director of communication. "These funds also are available to displaced workers outside of the RV industry. We provide assistance to workers in Lake, Porter and LaPorte counties who are unemployed as a result of flood damage caused by Hurricane Ike, for example."

Suzanne Wheeler, The Apprentice Academy director, said classes will be limited to 10-20 students and the training will apply to jobs in high demand.

"We're providing them with the skills they'll need for the jobs of today and the future economy," Wheeler said.

The South Knox School Corp. named a "Best Buy" school

South Knox has been named a "Best Buy" school by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce. The designation is awarded when test scores, graduation rates and other academic performance measures exceed what is typical for similar schools.

In early December, South Knox reported its ISTEP scores, which continue to shine. Students consistently outperformed the state average, sometimes by a wide margin.

"In every step we were above the state average," Case said. "That's certainly somewhere we want to be."

Particularly notable was the performance of the sixth grade, which scored in the 89th percentile in English and the 97th percentile in math.

Case and other school officials have pointed to the success of South Knox as an example of what smaller school districts can achieve.

Good Samaritan Hospital Labs Receive CAP Recognition

Good Samaritan Hospital’s Laboratory and Respiratory Care Laboratory have been awarded an accreditation by the Commission on Laboratory Accreditation of the College of American Pathologists (CAP), based on the results of a recent on-site inspection.

The laborator was advised of this national recognition and congratulated for the “excellence of the services being provided.” CAP is the premiere accreditation agency for clinical laboratories in the US.”

The College of American Pathologists is a medical society serving nearly 16,000 physician members and the laboratory community throughout the world. It is the world’s largest association composed exclusively of pathologists and is widely considered the leader in laboratory quality assurance. The CAP is an advocate for high-quality and cost-effective medical care.

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Knox County Coal-to-Gas Project Bucks Industry Trends

In the heart of southwestern Indiana's coal country, Duke Energy Corp. crews are building what the company's CEO calls the power plant of the future — a $2.35 billion complex where coal will be turned into a gas, stripped of pollutants, then burned to generate electricity.

The project, one of the "clean coal" technologies supported by President-elect Barack Obama, will become by far the nation's largest coal-gasification plant when it goes online in 2012, generating enough power to light more than 200,000 homes.

Gov. Mitch Daniels says the Edwardsport plant's ability to remove pollutants from coal will reinvigorate southwestern Indiana's coal mining towns by opening a larger market for the region's high-sulfur coal deposits.

He also says the plant will provide Indiana with some of the 3,000 new megawatts the state is projected to need by 2012.

Traditional coal power plants burn pulverized coal and then spew pollutants through smokestacks.

But Duke's plant along the White River will convert coal into a synthesis gas that's processed to remove pollutants such as mercury and sulfur dioxide. The gas will then be burned in turbines to produce electricity, while heat from that process is tapped to create steam that generates power in separate steam turbines.

Jim Rogers, CEO and president of the North Carolina-based utility, called the plant an "Apollo project for energy," comparing its technological innovations to the United States' manned lunar program during a July ceremony at the construction site.

"With this plant we're taking a giant leap for our country," he said.

The plant will produce about 75 percent less sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide and mercury than the traditional 160-megawatt coal-fired plant it will replace, even though that plant runs only about 30 percent of the time.

"This will be a larger plant that will produce more power and operate longer yet produce cleaner power than the existing facility," she said.

And Duke wants to study ways to equip the plant to "capture" some of the 4 million tons of carbon dioxide it would release annually. Such a step would help the plant comply with any greenhouse gas caps Congress might impose.

Energy expert Daniel M. Kammen said the Edwardsport plant could provide a key lesson for the coal industry, in which future plants will likely be those with low carbon dioxide emissions.

"The new economics of coal need to reflect the price of holding down greenhouse gases," said Kammen, director of the Renewable and Appropriate Energy Laboratory at the University of California, Berkeley. "If this is a plant where the company can do some R & D learning about how to bring those costs down, that's a step forward."

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Appeals Court Backs Duke Energy For New Power Plant

Duke Energy's plans for a $2.35 billion coal-gasification power plant in southwest Indiana have withstood another legal challenge. The Indiana Court of Appeals has ruled against groups who questioned the process used to grant construction approval.

The plant being built in Edwardsport would be a 630-megawatt power plant that the company says will use convert high-sulfur coal into substitute natural gas, which would then be burne to create electricity.

Vincennes University Dedicates Renovation

Following a $10 million renovation of George Rogers Clark Residence Hall at Vincennes University, student Shane Davis said it is so nice that “we never need to leave—except to go to class.”

Speaking at Monday’s re-dedication ceremony, Davis thanked VU for modernizing the residence hall that first opened in 1967. “Clark Hall is now a state-of-the-art residence hall that provides suite living and a true college experience,” Davis said.

An assistant hall coordinator at Clark Hall, Davis cited a series of features that residents enjoy. “Students have their own showers and bathrooms and a living room and kitchenette. The residence hall also features a theater, game room, study rooms, computer rooms, and a laundry.
The residential living rooms also feature a flat-screen television.

VU student Eseniya Matvelieva, a resident assistant at Clark Hall, said its “unique design, bold colors, and room layouts create a wonderful atmosphere which helps students to focus more on their education and less on problems with accommodations.”

J.R. Gaylor, chair of the VU Board of Trustees, said the investment represents VU’s commitment to providing “both quality education and a quality living environment for students.”

Phillip Rath, vice president for Financial Services and Government Relations, said Clark Hall has come a long way since it was built for $1.3 million in 1967. “Part of our strategic plan is to recruit students from across the state. Having great residential facilities such as this is a great way to start,” Rath said.

Rath particularly thanked Brad Killion, director of Architectural Services and Facilities, and his staff for their work to keep the project on schedule. The $10 million renovation included extensive changes to both the interior and exterior of the building and only required closing the residence hall for one academic year.

AME Group Now 100% Employee Owned

The AME Group, a Vincennes, Indiana-based IT consulting group, is now 100% owned by its employees. Earlier this week, owners Steve Burkhart, Vance Olson and Carl Koenig passed on the remaining shares of the business they founded more than 23 years ago to the employees of the company.

Since 1998, the company's shares have been continually distributed to the employees. After seeing the benefit of the ESOP over the last 9 years, Burkhart, Olson and Koenig decided to create a plan to sell their remaining shares, making The AME Group 100% employee owned. Earlier this year, the Board of Trustees began negotiations to have employees acquire the remaining shares. For further information visit www.theamegroup.com

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Knox County Schools Awarded $36,000

A meeting of the Knox County Partnership held at Vincennes University brought a welcome surprise to the principals of the three Knox County Public High Schools. Each was presented with a check in the amount of $9,000 to assist with the continuation of "Project Lead The Way". The Project Lead The Way pre-engineering/engineering technology program provides a middle-level technology education focusing on design, electronics, automation, and engineering mechanics.

This scheduled presentation was followed by an announcement by Jim Heck, COO of Workone Southwest, that the schools would be receiving matching funds for this initiative from WIRED (Workforce Innovations in Regional Economic Development).

Pictured L-R: Tom Gregory of WIN Energy REMC, KCDC Director and a WIRED representative,Melinda Hedge, AME Group, Jim Heck, COO WorkOne SW, Harry Nolting, Principal, South Knox HS, Amy O'Dell, KCARC, Tim Grove, Principal, North Knox HS, Joyce Memering, Director, Twin River Carrer & Technical Center, Greg Parsley, Principal Lincoln HS, Carol Highhouse, Good Samaritan Hospital

The Knox County Partnership is a coalition of business, education and workforce leaders dedicated to the improvement of the workforce readiness of the people of Knox County.

For more information on Project Lead The Way, visit:
http://www.tech.purdue.edu/pltw/index.html

For more information on the WIRED initiative, visit:
http://www.southwestindianawired.com

Work Starts on New Duke $2.35 Billion Power Plant

Jim Rogers, Duke Energy's president and CEO, told Gov. Mitch Daniels and local officials that the 630-megawatt plant's technological innovations were akin to the United States' manned lunar program that beat the former Soviet Union to the moon in the 1960s.

"With this plant we're taking a giant leap for our country," he said.

The southwestern Indiana plant -- one of the first projects of its kind -- is scheduled to go online in 2012 near the town of Edwardsport and use advanced coal-gasification technology to produce power with far fewer emissions than conventional coal-fired plants.

Duke Energy spokeswoman Angeline Protogere said the company expected the cost of the project to result in an 18 percent rate increase that would be phased in between now and 2013.

A ceremony at the site, about 15 miles northeast of Vincennes, was billed as a "celebration" because ground preparation actually began shortly after the plant's state air permit was approved Jan. 25.

Indiana Governor, Mitch Daniels said that the plant will be worth its high cost because its pollution-removal technologies will open more of southwestern Indiana's coal deposits for use as fuel.

Low-sulfur coals are currently being shipped in from other states to reduce air pollution at Indiana's power plants because much of the state's coal has a high sulfur content, he said.

"Our utility customers spend a billion dollars a year to buy coal from other states because ours with previous technology is difficult to burn cleanly," he said. "We should pay that billion dollars to Hoosiers and today marks the start of that new era."

Daniels also said the Duke Energy plant would boost southwestern Indiana's economy.

Unlike traditional coal-fired power plants that burn coal to produce electricity, coal gasification converts coal into a synthetic gas that's processed to remove pollutants such as mercury and sulfur.

That gas is then burned in a traditional turbine power plant to produce electricity.

Knox County has new "Shovel Ready" certification

The US 41 Industrial Park in Vincennes has earned the title of 'shovel ready' paving the way for businesses to quickly locate new operations on property ready for development.

The Knox County site joins other 'shovel ready' sites identified by the state since 2006 that have undergone extensive title work, proof of ownership, legal and environmental review and qualify for expedited permitting with state regulatory agencies.

"With more and more companies looking for sites where they can have a shovel in the ground as quickly as possible, this program gives Indiana an advantage when it comes to competing with other states for new investments and new jobs," said Nathan Feltman, Secretary of Commerce and chief executive officer of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation. "This is another vital tool in our economic development toolbox that will help give Indiana the edge when attracting new and promising investment to the state."

Designed to lower the cost of site development, improve efficiency of state permitting and enhance the marketability of sites statewide, the program has already begun to achieve success, said Brad Moore, shovel ready project manager for the Indiana Economic Development Corporation.

Passed in the 2005 legislative session as part of Governor Daniels' jobs agenda, 'shovel ready' sites are certified by the state's Fast Access Site Team that consists of representatives from the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, Governor's Office, Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Indiana Department of Environmental Management, Indiana Department of Transportation, Indiana State Department of Health, Indiana State Department of Agriculture and the Indiana State Department of Homeland Security.

Certified sites have been eligible for matching grants to assist with eligible costs associated with applying for the shovel ready program.

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Golden Rule to Locate Expansion in Vincennes Bringing 200 Jobs

Governor Mitch Daniels joined executives from UnitedHealthcare's Golden Rule Insurance Company to announce the company's plans to expand its operations here, creating more than 200 new jobs over the next three years.

A national leader in the individual insurance market, Indianapolis-headquartered Golden Rule will invest more than $3 million to transform its southwest Indiana records facility into a state-of-the-art customer care center that will have capacity for up to 400 full- and part-time employees.

"Partnerships like the ones with United Healthcare and Golden Rule continue to create new opportunities for Hoosiers across the state," said Daniels. "We have worked hard to create an environment that allows companies like this to relocate and grow here, and today we are seeing more results of that effort."

Golden Rule currently employs 35 associates at its Vincennes location and plans to begin hiring customer care specialists and supervisors later this year before the facility opens in the fourth quarter.

"Indiana's favorable business climate and state government's open lines of communications with the insurance industry make this an ideal place to do business," said Richard A. Collins, chief executive officer of Golden Rule. "Vincennes and Knox County, in particular, offer us a great place to grow with a large trained workforce, an outstanding university and local and state officials committed to the area's economic development."

Founded more than 60 years ago in Lawrenceville, Ill., Golden Rule became a UnitedHealthcare company in 2003 and has since expanded its presence in Indiana and across the country. In December 2006, the company officially relocated its headquarters to Indianapolis and now employs more than 750 Hoosiers statewide. Together with other UnitedHealth Group companies, there are more than 1,000 Indiana employees.

The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered Golden Rule up to $1.4 million in performance-based tax credits and up to $200,000 in training grants based on the company's job creation plans. Vincennes will provide the company with property tax abatement.

"This announcement proves that Indiana and specifically the Knox County community can compete successfully in procuring economic engines to rebuild our economic base," said Mayor Al Baldwin. "Through the efforts and cooperation of state and local economic agencies, this new source of employment will open the door for further economic diversity."

Golden Rule recently completed a major renovation of its Indianapolis headquarters, creating capacity for more than 300 new positions in anticipation of future growth. Its Indianapolis operations also serve as headquarters for parent company UnitedHealthcare's entire individual line of business, which offers health plans under a number of brands in 40 states and the District of Columbia.

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Vincennes University Awarded $185.00+ Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) Training Grant

VU will use the funds to provide federally mandated training to miners.

The grants cover training and retraining of miners working at surface and underground coal and metal and nonmetal mines, including miners who engage in shell dredging or are employed at surface stone and sand and gravel mining operations. Training topics include hazard recognition, accident prevention, occupational health, roof and ground control, ventilation, mine emergency operations, mandatory health and standards, and first aid.

“This grant allows VU to continue to provide an extensive series of services to the mining industry, helping to ensure the safety of all Hoosier miners. Safety is the highest concern of this training,” said VU President Dick Helton.

VU is Indiana’s designated recipient of state grants issued by MSHA. VU began statewide training in October 2005 for miners in the coal and non-metal industries, including stone, sand and gravel, cement, and many other non-metal operations.

“We have approximately 300 mining operations in Indiana and our instructors travel to nearly every county to deliver high-quality instruction,” said Ron Bucci, director of VU Mining Technology. “We look forward to the coming year as we anticipate training nearly 5,000 miners and 1,500 contractors.”

The announcement of the MSHA grant follows a recent U.S. Department of Labor Brookwood-Sago Mine Safety Grant in the amount of $50,000 which allows VU to design and implement a command center for statewide mining emergencies.

Veterans Clinic coming to Big Blue

Niehaus Companies Inc. has announced plans to turn the old Big Blue Store on Willow Street into an upscale office complex with the new Veterans Clinic to be the anchor.

Company CEO Bernie Niehaus said work will begin immediately on the clinic, which will occupy approximately 9,000 square feet in the building, about a fifth of the total floor space.

"Our plans are for the clinic to be open by Sept. 1," he said. "Once that is up and going, we'll start work on the rest of the building.

"But we want to get that clinic open first because of how important that's going to be for our local veterans who now have to drive hours to get care," Niehaus added.

C. Kenny Newton, the county Veterans Service Officer, was naturally pleased to hear that a decision had been made on the clinic's location.

"We've been working on this for a long time, and it's just a blessing to know that work is going to get started so soon," he said.

Newton said hundreds of area veterans in need of care now have to travel either to Evansville or Terre Haute to clinics.

"That's just a nightmare for some of our veterans, trying to arrange that transportation," he said. "Having a place local is really going to alleviate a lot of stress for them."

Newton said he had been talking with representatives of VanGo, the public transportation system run by the YMCA, about providing rides for veterans once the clinic is in operation.

While the site holds great promise for veterans, it's also a commercial development in an area that needs a boost, said Marc McNeece, president and CEO of the Knox County Chamber of Commerce.

"There's been a lot of news lately about Beirhaus Boulevard and the work that's been going on downtown, and Willow Street has really kind of been left out," he said. "So having Niehaus willing to invest on Willow Street is great news."

Niehaus Companies has been using the building as a warehouse, according to Eric Niehaus, vice president of sales.

"But it's never really been a building whose layout worked very well as a warehouse," he said. "It's a really sound structure, built with commercial-grade steel, but it's not really a warehouse and is better suited for office space."

Niehaus said future plans are to build a new warehouse in the U.S. 41 Industrial Park.

Bernie Niehaus said the Willow Street site has been attracting a lot of attention.

"We've had several people interested in doing something with us over the last year or so, but nothing has ever come of it until now," he said.

Niehaus said the location of the Big Blue Store was a great selling point with Veterans Affairs.

"It's right off U.S. 41 on a main artery into the city," he said. "That was really important to the VA."

Eric Niehaus said even though news of the project hasn't been widely disseminated, he's already heard from other parties interested in perhaps moving in.

"We've been contacted by a couple of professionals about our plans and how fast we're going to be able to move on," he said. "And I expect we're going to start hearing from others once the news is in the paper."

Niehaus said once the clinic is finished "we'll build out to suit whoever the next tenant will be."

Bernie Niehaus said the company is working with architect Larry Donovan of Donovan & Donovan Associates Inc., 427 Main St., on the renovations. And that won't be the only local business to benefit from the project.

"Obviously, building is not our cup of tea - selling building materials is what we do," Niehaus explained. "So we're going to need a lot of help from the local builders. And we're going to be using local builders."

Niehaus said work would start "immediately."

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VU to Receive $365,00 in Training Funds

Vincennes University will receive $365,000 in federal funding to provide simulation-based training for heavy equipment operators in surface and underground mining. The funding was approved as part of the FY 2008 Omnibus Appropriations measure approved by both chambers of Congress in December.

VU President Dick Helton said the training program aims to address current and future Indiana labor shortages for trained miners. “The expansion of mining operations in the state combined with the expected retirement of experienced miners means that there are great employment opportunities in mining. This training will help ensure that Hoosiers acquire the skills needed to be a more productive and safer workplace. It is also an investment in Indiana energy,” Helton said.

Helton praised Indiana’s elected representatives for their support of including the training funds in the federal budget. “I am particularly grateful to U.S. Representative Brad Ellsworth, Senator Richard Lugar, and Senator Evan Bayh for their hard work on behalf of VU’s request. Area families and communities will greatly benefit from job skills acquired by Hoosiers thanks to this funding,” Helton said.

Over 600 turnout to lend support for Duke Energy's $2 billion Knox County project

There was no sign of opposition to the Charlotte, N.C.-based company's plans to build the state-of-the-art plant at Edwardsport, and the hearing conducted by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management ended around 7:30 p.m., easily two and a half hours earlier than IDEM officials had expected.

Tony Burkhart is chairman of the board of the Knox County Development Corp., which has been spearheading organizing support for Duke's project.

"This has just been fantastic, that we'd again have this many people not only come out, but who also signed our petitions in support of Duke," he said.

In all, KCDC collected over 1,100 signatures in support of the Duke plant.

Marc McNeece, president of the Knox County Chamber of Commerce, remarked on the difference in the commitment between supporters of the project and those opposed.

"You know, in August, over 300 Knox County residents drove two hours to Bloomington and spent six hours at an Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission hearing on the project to show their support," he said. "That was literally going into the belly of the beast of opposition of Duke's project.

"But tonight, not one opponent made that trip in the othe direction - and we're even on the same time now, which we weren't in August," McNeece added. "I think that speaks volumes to the difference between the two sides."

Gregg was one of the 20 supporters who spoke at the hearing, which was being held to gather comments on amending Duke's permit for the current Edwardsport plant.

Whereas at the IURC hearing in Bloomington in August the focus of comments had been on the economic benefits the plant would provide to Knox County, Thursday night the comments had a different tone, with a focus on the environmental impact of the plant.
And that was not without a purpose.

"We all assumed (before) that no one would actually think a rational person would support something that could possibly harm their family, so we just took that for granted," explained Burkhart. "And then there were some comments from opponents that we down here in Knox County didn't care about the environment.

"So, tonight, we wanted to make sure that we were clear in our reasoning for supporting this project," he said.

Rep. Kreg Battles, D-Vincennes, who is also a chemistry teacher at Lincoln High School in Vincennes, said that while he sees the potential in the plant for his students to get good-paying jobs in the future, he wanted to make it clear that if there was any chance of the new plant creating a public health problem, he wouldn't support it.

"But I can stand here tonight and look you in the eye and say with a clear conscience that I totally support this plant," Battles told the IDEM officials.

Edwardsport town council member Jim Newkirk recalled that while he was growing up in the town there would be black specs in the snow from particulates spewing out of the plant's smoke stacks. He said that wouldn't be the case with the new plant.

Duke officials say upwards of 2,000 jobs will be created during the major portion of the plant's three-year construction period, with average employment of between 800 and 900 workers.

Once the plant is online - which could be as early as 2012 - the workforce will total around 100.
In addition, the increase in assessed property value will both help lower property-tax bills as well as allow the North Knox School Corp. to raise more money with the same or even a lower tax rate.

Duke Energy spokeswoman Angeline Protogere has said the plant is expected to boost Duke Energy customers' rates an average of about 16 percent by about 2012.

She said that could rise higher, however, if the utility installs equipment to remove some of the plant's carbon dioxide emissions.

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JAG program to help prepare students

The school corporation has officially agreed to become an affiliate of Jobs for America’s Graduates, a national school-to-career program aimed at keeping students in school. The local office of WorkOne will use federal money to hire a career counselor who, beginning next semester, will meet each school day for an hour with 10-15 members of the junior class.

David Chapman, principal at Lincoln High School, explained that the only “cost” to the corporation was to supply a room - “and the kids, and I think we can do that.”

Chapman said there are programs in place that help the gifted and talented students at one end, and other programs for those with special needs.

But there are students in the middle who need help that currently isn’t available.

“We want to target the right young people who are in some ways slipping through the cracks,” he explained. “We want to keep them in school and hopefully graduate, or provide for those who may not graduate to get a GED or to come back for a fifth year and get their diploma.”

Board president Alan Stewart agreed there were students in the corporation “who need just this kind help.”

“I really feel good about this, that it’s a great program and it’s another example of how we’re doing some really great things to help our students and the community,” he said.

Chapman said the goal was to have 10-15 juniors sign up next semester, and then to expand the program to include juniors and seniors next year.

He said the classroom instruction would focus on “employability skills” for those graduates expecting to move directly into the workforce, and in preparing other students to go on to receive some type of professional training.

He said the career specialist running the class would work closely with WorkOne and Vincennes University, which pleased VCSC board members Bryan Thais and Phil Grounds.

Thais, who works for the state department of labor, says a recent conversation with David Tucker, VU’s vice president for workforce development and community service, convinced him not just that the JAG program was needed at Lincoln, but also that the university was interested in helping implement it.

“That was the impression I got, that they saw the value in this and want to help us,” he said.

Grounds, a retired civil engineer, praised Chapman’s efforts to involve groups outside the school.

“We have assets in the community that we should take advantage of, and I’m glad you’re doing that,” he said.

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Vincennes University Awarded 2 Workforce Grants

”These grants are designed to better prepare our secondary and post-secondary students for the jobs of tomorrow,” said Teresa Voors, commissioner of the Indiana Department of Workforce Development.

“They encourage innovative programming in our career and technical education programs to better equip our students with the skill sets to succeed in the workplace. It is our hope that these grants will provide our career and technical education system with the means and opportunity to help meet these new demands on our emerging workforce.”

The grants are being funded through the federal Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act provided by the U.S. Department of Education. The Indiana Department of Workforce Development administers the Perkins Act.

Vincennes/Knox County Convention and Visitors Bureau Receives Grant

Lt. Governor Becky Skillman has announced that 11 Indiana communities will participate in a community assessment program designed to help improve tourism and economic development. The assessments are scheduled to take place between April and November 2008 and will be led by Roger Brooks, founding member of the Destination Development group. Each of the 11 communities will receive $5,000 toward the cost of participating in the program, provided by the Indiana Office of Tourism Development.

“Roger Brooks will provide a wealth of knowledge and ideas on how Indiana can create new avenues for tourism,” said Lt. Governor Skillman. “This program offers a unique opportunity for communities to learn ways to increase tourism marketing and achieve future economic success.”

The Association of Indiana Convention and Visitors Bureaus (AICVB) facilitated the grants.

Duke Energy gets Indiana okay for $2 billion coal gasification plant in Knox County

Mike Roeder, director of corporate communications for Vectren, said: “ … Anything that utilizes clean-coal technology to meet future energy needs, we would see that as a good thing for the state.”

Roeder said Vectren dropped out of the project after officials concluded the amount of energy the Edwardsport plant would generate was way more than Vectren would need to meet future needs.

Canola Plots Growing at Vincennes

It’s too early to say interest in canola is heating up again. But it is fact that Chuck Mansfield has canola varieties in comparison trials in his research plots at the Southwest Purdue Ag Center located near Vincennes.

Mansfield is testing the varieties on behalf of a company interested in making alternative fuel from canola seed. The company is located in the western US. According to the canola breeder who helped select varieties for Mansfield to try, canola can reportedly kick out more oil than soybeans. However, the by-product left behind does not apparently make good feed without additional tweaking, vs. products left behind after processing soybeans into oil that feeds soy biodiesel production plants.

Canola is grown successfully in Canada. However, they grow spring canola primarily there, Mansfield notes. The canola farmers were asked to grow here was fall-planted canola. That’s the type Mansfield is evaluating now.

Dow AgroSciences is in the process of developing a large market for canola oil in the food industry. It competes against low linolinic soybean oil as a healthy oil for cooking purposes. So far, the majority of acres used to grow canola for the Dow product have been in Canada.

KCDC Web Site Receives Economic Development Ditectory Award for Content

Vincennes University Plans Advanced Manufacturing Facilities

Helton says the university's expansion of advanced manufacturing helps the university attain its goal of providing a well-equipped workforce.

"We think it's important for economic development in this state," Helton says. "The bottom line is if we're able to continue to develop our economy, that helps the state of Indiana, particularly the state coffers, as we generate more revenue and it's less impacting on everybody. So, it just seems natural to us that we would continue to develop a really good, strong workforce to drive the Indiana economy."

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Purdue to Offer Degree Program at Vincennes University

The Indiana Commission for Higher Education approved the degree program June 4, which will be jointly administered by Purdue and Vincennes universities. The 120-credit-hour program will feature the same curriculum currently offered through three other Purdue College of Technology statewide locations and will prepare graduates for jobs in advanced manufacturing.

"For several decades, Purdue's statewide technology program has had a positive impact on the state of Indiana by educating workers for the jobs of tomorrow and, in turn, revitalizing the state's economy," said Niaz Latif, assistant dean for the College of Technology's statewide program. "There is a strong and growing demand for technical personnel in southwestern Indiana, with thousands of job openings in manufacturing ready to be filled with qualified individuals.

"This new degree will give students in the area the kind of education they need to succeed in this rapidly changing manufacturing environment." Arthur Haase, dean of the technology division at Vincennes University, said the new degree will build on the advanced manufacturing and computer-integrated manufacturing associate degree curriculum currently offered at Vincennes.

"The partnership between Purdue and Vincennes University will significantly enhance the quality of the education our students are already receiving," Haase said.

"The technology laboratories housed at Vincennes University will be a wonderful resource that will benefit students and Purdue faculty who will be involved in the program. "

Employers in our area have expressed strong support for this degree program, and we're confident that offering this curriculum will result in greater employment opportunities in high-technology, high-paying fields that are available only to those with advanced education."

Students who want to pursue the bachelor's degree in industrial technology must seek admission through Purdue's statewide technology program. The first two years of the program will be administered through Vincennes University, and the junior- and senior-level courses will be administered through Purdue and taught by Purdue faculty. The bachelor's degree will be awarded from Purdue. Students who are currently enrolled in the associate degree program in advanced manufacturing and computer-integrated manufacturing at Vincennes University can apply for the bachelor's degree program.

Vincennes University will continue to grant the associate degree, and Purdue will grant all bachelor's degrees in the program. The first four semesters of the bachelor's degree program - administered by Vincennes University - will consist of general and introductory courses in such subjects as English, algebra, speech communication, science, computer graphics and problem-solving in manufacturing. The last four semesters of the program - administered by Purdue - will include courses in statistical quality, automated manufacturing, materials handling, fundamentals of electricity, and production and monetary planning.

Graduates will be qualified to work in business, industry and government as industrial engineers, manufacturing engineers, operations managers, product managers and quality-assurance engineers. In addition to Vincennes University, Purdue's College of Technology offers the bachelor's degree in industrial technology at its statewide locations.

The Purdue College of Technology, established in 1965, is one of the nation's largest and was one of the first of its kind in the country. It educates more than 5,700 undergraduates at locations around the state.

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Pride in a Job Well Done Starts Early in Knox County

Jonah will receive cash prizes, national media appearances and a Nintendo DS. His school received a new computer, $500 worth of Zane-Bloser (language arts and reading text book publisher) merchandise and a trip to Washington DC for the teacher who submitted his work to the competition.

“We are very proud of Josh and his accomplishments,” said Don Osburn, North Knox West Principal. “This shows that if you take pride in your work and do your best, great things can happen to you.”

This spirit of pride in a job well done is apparent throughout Knox County. The need for ongoing training and education is recognized and well addressed in the area.

The Knox County Development Corporation has received a $150,000 grant from the state to be used to fund a workforce and educational development project, "The Business Solution Project." The project will utilize the already established Employment Skills Academy and Vincennes University to provide training for area workers.

The academy is a basic skills certification program sponsored by KCDC, Vincennes University and a number of area employers and organizations including WorkOne and the Southwest Indiana Network for Education.

Selected candidates for the program get free training and help sharpening their job skills. They have to complete 96 hours of classroom instruction to earn a Basic Skills Manufacturing Certification. This continued investment in reinforcing Knox County’s ongoing mission to assist workers in doing their best by providing the necessary tools.

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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.

Wabash Steel named "Industry of the Year"

“Although it's a relatively new business in our community, what the Burgett family has done to rejuvenate a business that a little over a year ago was all but closed is truly remarkable,” he said. “They've been willing to make a commitment to and investment in our community, and that's certainly worthy of recognition.”

In March 2006 the Burgett family purchased what was then Vincennes Steel, a steel-fabrication plant at 2007 Oliphant Drive, which had all but closed its doors.

The company had been owned by the Day family, which struggled to keep it open against rising operating costs and competition from imported steel.

The company filed for bankruptcy in 2004, but managed to remain open with outside management and with wage and benefit concessions from the plant's 40 workers.

The Burgetts own Kokosing Construction Co., Fredericktown, Ohio, which has been in operation for more than 55 years.

Kokosing used Vincennes Steel girders on its bridge projects. Last year, when company officials learned the local business might not be able to meet its obligations, the family decided to buy the company and grow the business.

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KCDC Director Praises Community Involvement in Growth of Knox County

"I feel really good about the last five years, and fortunate to be in this job at this time" Gentry, told members at the organization's annual luncheon, held at Vincennes University's Robert E. Green Activities Center.

And, Gentry added, he feels even better about the future, in light of the prospects for Duke Energy's proposed $2 billion+ coal gasification power plant at Edwardsport and the opening of two coal mines in the Oaktown area by Vectren Fuels.

Charlotte, N.C.-based Duke Energy is expected to make a final announcement later this year on the project.

Vectren Fuels, a subsidiary of Evansville-based Vectren Corp., needs only final approval of permits to begin work on the mines. If they are approved as anticipated, company officials say the first mine should open in 2009, with a second to follow about a year later.

The two mines are will add over 400 high-paying jobs to the county's workforce and translate to another $125 million investment in the county.

Gentry said the Duke and Vectren projects would represent $30 million in new annual payroll.

Bernie Niehaus Encourages Enthusiasm and Customer Satisfaction to Grow Knox County

Niehaus spoke about the growth of the family’s business, their approach to leveraging opportunities and how this enthusiastic customer driven approach, paterned after the Disney model, can be utilized to encourage fcontinued growth and prosperity in Knox County.

Niehaus Companies is a family-owned business founded in 1933 by Benjamin Niehaus and his son, Francis. The company is comprised of eight separate businesses: Three Niehaus Home Centers, three divisions of Wholesale Building Materials (in Vincennes, Nashville, Tenn. and St. Louis),The Top Shop and Karran USA in Vincennes. Niehaus is a major supplier to Home Depot store nationwide.

KCDC Receives $150,000 Grant

The academy is a basic skills certification program sponsored by KCDC, Vincennes University and a number of area employers and organizations including WorkOne and the Southwest Indiana Network for Education.

Selected candidates for the program get free training and help sharpening their job skills. They have to complete 96 hours of classroom instruction to earn a Basic Skills Manufacturing Certification.

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By GAYLE R. ROBBINS, business editor, Vincennes Sun-Commercial
Gary Gentry, president of the Knox County Development Corp., said is was “appropriate and fitting” to have as the featured speaker at Wednesday’s KCDC annual meeting a senior official from Toyota’s Princeton plant.

The reason was simple: Hundreds of county residents are either employed directly at the plant at Princeton, or indirectly at one of the area businesses which supply parts for Toyota, such as Futaba Indiana of America and Excell USA, both located in KCDC’s U.S. 41 Industrial Park.

“Toyota has had a dramatic impact on the Knox County economy over the last 10 years,” Gentry said. “We probably have at least 1,000 county residents working either for Toyota or for a parts supplier like Futaba.

“Having a Toyota plant in southwestern Indiana literally means millions of dollars are added to the economy of Knox County,” he added.

R.J. Reynolds, vice president for administration at Toyota’s Princeton plant, told a near-capacity audience gathered in the Robert E. Green Activities Center at Vincennes University for KCDC’s 26th annual meeting that the Japanese automaker is expected to continue to grow as the newly-designed Tundra truck enters the United States market.

Reynolds said the truck, projected to compete directly with Ford and General Motors truck lines would start being assembled at the Princeton plant early next year.

That news is already having an impact locally, with Futaba expanding and adding workers to meet the demand for parts for the Tundra, according to plant manager Jim O’Donnell.

A 145,000-square-foot addition to the manufacturing facility houses a stamping process to make parts for the truck. Another, 180,000-square-foot addition to the original plant houses a laser-welding operation, also to make parts for the Tundra.

Futaba now makes parts for Tundra double-cab trucks, Sienna minivans, and Sequoia SUVs, all built at Toyota's Princeton plant, plus parts for the Camry and Avalon models assembled at plants in Georgetown, Ky., and San Antonio, Texas.

Futaba opened in 2002 and is now four times its original size, a $40-$45 million investment in the industrial park and the county's economy. It also has expanded its workforce to almost 300 employees.

All that is directly related to the existence of Toyota’s Princeton plant.

KCDC Board Chairman Tony Burkhart, owner of Burkhart Insurance Agency, 1600 Willow St., explained that Toyota’s impact on the local economy can also be seen in rising wages as other businesses in the community compete for skilled labor.