A major positive announcement is expected soon for Kosciusko County.

George Robertson of Kosciusko Economic Development Corporation, gave the good news at Thursday’s meeting of the county redevelopment commission. “There will be a significant increase in employment,” he told the board without giving any more information.

Robertson said there have been challenges to economic development. He said with most new jobs in the county being part-time, “That doesn’t grow an economy.” Robertson added that Indiana Economic Development Association has a new definition of economic development. It defines it “as the facilitation of investment that leads to long-term community prosperity.”

He said IEDA wants to create good jobs because higher skill levels means higher salaries. He said facilitation means getting together the right people to solve issues.

“It’s the hallmark of what we do,” said Robertson, adding that more skill levels are going to be needed for future jobs.

“Indiana is in the bottom third in terms of the population with post secondary degrees,” he said.
Meetings in Warsaw have proven to be productive and have included Ivy Tech, Work One and Warsaw Community Schools. The goal of the meetings is for seamless progress for career-bound students. Robertson noted, “We are moving productivly.”

One idea is to have high school seniors go to Ivy Tech for 18 months to obtain a two-year degree and raise skill levels. Next, Robertson said it’s been a year of mergers and acquistions. He said he predicted earlier this year that these would happen. Start-up business are way down, however, because it’s tough to get funding.

He said he is partnering with chambers and towns to help with economic development. “It’s a great partnership,” he said. One held in Syracuse was successful. He is planning meetings in Silver Lake and Mentone on Oct. 22.

Robertson also addressed housing and real estate noting there is an issue with affordable housing, especially with the lower and middle class. He said there is no one entity responsible for housing development.

Next, he addressed the business prospects looking at Kosciusko County and said prospects are down. One of the reasons is the age of buildings. He said prospects want a building that was built in 2000 after. “They want shell buildings,” he noted, adding that shell buildings have gotten competitive. “More companies are willing to buy a building than lease.” Also, Robertson said rail sites are a necessity.

Robertson also addressed transportation needs. After attending an infrastructure meeting Wednesday, the No. 1 priority for the region is to finish U.S. 31.

The second priority is to get INDOT to make U.S. 30 to a closer interstate standard than it is now, which is not an inexpensive process.

The third priority is to put an expressway grade highway from Interstate 80/90 to U.S. 30, possibly via CR 17 in Elkhart County. “This was discussed the most,” Robertson said, adding it was recommended that 10 years from now a four-lane road will be needed from U.S. 30 to 80/90. Also, improvements are needed on CR 15 from CR 300 North to Leesburg.

It was also recommended to not create a “dead end” at U.S. 30 and create a road system that continues south and cuts over to SR 15 in order to access Mentone, Claypool and Silver Lake; one that is truck friendly is ideal, he noted.

Another recommendation from the meeting was a by-pass around Chicago, called the “Ill-Iiana” express.

Board member Bruce Woodward said CR 17 should be a priority. Funding is a big issue in getting it extended to Kosciusko County. It’s about $3 million a mile to add to CR 17 and $2 million per bridge.

The possibility of making CR 17 a state road was also discussed so state funds could be used rather than local funds.

Robertson noted that CR 1300 North extension near Milford is one that will change traffic patterns. The road is eventually going to be extended to SR 15. Plans are for the project to start in 2017. Once it is complete, an ideal plan is to extend it to CR 17, if it ever gets extended south.

An overpass is also planned for over the railroad tracks that run through Milford Junction. Thirty-two school buses stop at the railroad tracks in Milford.

“They would be greatful to have that overpass,” Ron Robinson, county administrator said.
Also, Maple Leaf Farms’ TIF district money is set to expire in 2016. At stake is $186,000, which some board members said could be used for road repairs.

The next meeting will be at 1 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 14.