Enterprise describes the essential elements of creating a successful, healthy, growing economy. It includes invention of new products and innovation of new processes or markets.

But equally important are entrepreneurs having the critical and unique talents to build a strong, growing company. Kosciusko County has a rich abundance of talented inventors, innovators and entrepreneurs which we are celebrating through the Kosciusko County Entrepreneur and Innovation Hall of Fame.

Last year, our selection committee reflected on the history and current strength of the Kosciusko County economy. It was decided that our first inductees should be from the two tremendous wealth generators in our county: agriculture production, processing, equipment and the orthopedics industry.

In 2011, Revra DePuy Justin Zimmer and Dane Miller, respectively from DePuy, Zimmer and Biomet in orthopedics; and Hobart and Russell Creighton, Donald Wetzel and Howard Brembeck, respectively from Creighton Brothers, Maple Leaf Farms and CTB Inc., Chore Time-Brock in agriculture, were honored as Hall of Fame inductees.

This year the selection committee looked at the broad range of innovation and entrepreneurial skills reflected in the Kosciusko County economy. Our inductees for the second annual induction reflect companies in orthopedics, agriculture, our strong recreational boat industry, our unique and world-class manufacturing industries, and our retail sector.

Last year, the selection committee set as an operating principal: the inventor, innovator or entrepreneurs are critical for success, so are the talented employees and investors that our companies find in this county and region. Therefore, two awards are presented: one to the key individual and one to the company itself.

The 2012 Hall of Fame inductees are Jan and John Rinker of Rinker Boat, Tobias Buck of Paragon Medical, Adele De Berri of Da-Lite Screen, Miles Igo of Warsaw Orthopedic/Medtronic, Wallace E. Stouder of Penguin Point, and Kip Tom of Tom Farms.

The second annual induction ceremony and dinner will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 6, at the 2517 Restaurant in Warsaw. Reservations are now being accepted. A reservation form is available HERE.