WARSAW — George Robertson presented the Kosciusko Economic Development update in high spirits at the Redevelopment Commission meeting on Nov. 10.

According to Robertson, president of the Kosciusko Economic Development Corporation, local employment levels continue to go up. Kosciusko’s unemployment is now down to a mere 3.4 percent.

The KEDC president stated that a concern everyone throughout the county will be facing is the lowest level of capital investment in corporate America in the last 20 years. He reasons that this is because of a “scary” situation in Europe, China and the global economy. Robertson does feel good, however, that many businesses that had halted expansion projects are looking to resume those expansions now that the Presidential Election is over.

Robertson advised the board that Kosciusko County is in good shape regarding its capital investment. Robertson stated that the average age of manufacturing equipment in the country is 22.8 years, the oldest age since 1925. “This is surprising to me because what we see in this county, we see incredible investment in equipment…I think it speaks well to our type of industry and how we are always updating our machinery.”

Robertson has spoke in the past about the importance of “quality of place” to bring in young workers. Quality of place is now ranking in the top 10 qualifications for workers when choosing a work place, a qualification that once did not place in the top 20. Robertson stated that the board will be seeing more talk of the importance of providing quality places and activities for workers outside of the work place.

He went on to discuss the importance of housing development and being able to provide affordable housing for young people. Robertson specified that this does not mean low-income properties, but affordable houses and apartments to attract young workers and newly married couples. Currently Warsaw does not have a housing development committee.

Robertson stated that Indiana and Kosciusko are “gearing up” for foreign companies to open US locations in a failing global economy, advising that there is strength in the US economy. “Despite all of our problems…we are still the most secure economy in the world,” concluded Robertson.

In other business:

• The board discussed Curt Nisly’s draft for the Lakefront River District Legislation. Nisly was looking for feedback – the board approved the draft with two changes regarding the distance from the waterfront and the type of money used to finance the project.