County 89: Putnam

Indiana’s Stellar Communities program won a national award from the Council of State Community Development Agencies last month. We knew the program was a success and my recent visit to Greencastle, a pilot community in the Stellar Communities program, reinforced the fact that amazing things are taking shape.

Lt. Gov. Skillman meets with Audra Blasdel of DePauw
University and Deb Gould of Starbucks at the university's new
book store which is part of Greencastle's Stellar Community plan.

While in Greencastle, I toured DePauw University’s new Eli's Bookstore which includes a Starbucks Coffee shop. This bookstore is a shining example of what the Stellar Communities is all about – collaboration. Several state agencies have formed partnerships to fund comprehensive development projects, including the bookstore, in Greencastle where the city and DePauw University came together to win an entry into the program.

The local paper, the Banner Graphic, summarized my visit in a recent article,

Beaming from the moment she set foot in Eli's Bookstore Wednesday morning to the second she left with a Starbucks coffee in hand, Indiana Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman was as impressed as she was proud of what is happening in downtown Greencastle.

After all, in reality Skillman is the mother of the Stellar Communities program. And for now at least, Greencastle is her favorite child.

Skillman conceived it. She nurtured it along through proper state government channels. And now gets to watch it grow in Greencastle and three other Hoosier communities.

To continue reading this article from the Banner Graphic, visit http://www.bannergraphic.com/story/1900430.html.

County 88: Clark

My stop in Clark County for the One Southern Indiana Chamber luncheon marked my 26^th visit to the area since 2005. This visit was for a happier occasion than last time when I was on the ground in four communities after the severe tornado damage. As many families are still putting their homes and lives back together, they are on our minds as we continue to build a strong economy for all Hoosiers. 

Lt. Gov. Skillman talks with Tonya Fischer of One
Southern Indiana during the Chamber's luncheon.

I spoke to the Chamber about our state’s economic progress. With only three months left in office, Governor Mitch and I are still moving full speed ahead to help our people prosper and to maintain our competitive edge among the states.  Below are a few highlights of what I shared with folks at the Chamber luncheon.

• Indiana continues to be a leader in private sector job growth. So far in 2012, businesses working with the state have projected to create around 16,000 new private sector jobs with a private capital investment of nearly $3 billion.

• In the Clark County region, expansions and investments have come from Accent Marketing Services, Talon Logistics, Key Electronics, Flexible Materials and Idemitsu Lubricants.  These companies and more have committed to invest nearly $32 million, and that’s from only the companies who worked with the state.

• We continue to receive national and international recognition for the favorable business climate in Indiana.  This summer I lead my sixth international trade mission for the state, my second visit to China.  Business and government leaders in China continue to target Indiana as one of two states where they expect to invest.  

• We have kept our reputation as a fiscally responsible state with reserves intact, and a hard-won and maintained AAA credit rating by all rating agencies.  Hoosiers will actually see a taxpayer refund within this next year, due to a healthy surplus. 

• We also took steps to maintain our low cost of doing business.  We cut the corporate income tax by nearly 25 percent going forward, while other states have increased taxes. This means Indiana is not coming after business (the job creators) for a greater share of the tax burden.  That is perhaps even more important to the survival of small business.

• Clark and Floyd Counties received $104 million in grants, just from the five agencies of the lieutenant governor.  These highly competitive grants went to energy, housing, community and economic development projects.

To read more about my visit to Clark County, check-out what The News and Tribune wrote at http://newsandtribune.com/local/x403307846/Skillman-s-farewell-tour-stops-at-1si-event

 

County 87: Starke

Indiana is home to innovative companies that cannot be found anywhere else in the nation. During my recent stop to Starke County, I met with the leaders of J.W. Hicks in Knox. A manufacturer of refractory products and services for the metals industry, J.W. Hicks is the only one of its kind in the United States and there only four other companies in the world that produce similar products.

Lt. Governor Skillman meets with employees
of J.W. Hicks in Knox.

This highly specialized company, which opened its doors in 1985, continues to thrive in Indiana. In fact while I visited the company, they drove me down the road to see their latest expansion, a second facility for refractory recycling production. Few things are more rewarding than seeing a company expand and grow at a time when we most need jobs.

Indiana continues to be a leader in job growth. Our private sector gains are twice the national average, with manufacturing jobs leading the way. Indiana is fiscally sound, that means we are not coming after business for a greater share of the tax burden.  This is important to the survival of any business today. 

Nothing makes us happier than to watch a company stay and grow here, and J.W. Hicks is a great example of a homegrown Hoosier business. To read more about my visit to Starke County, check out this article from the local newspaper, http://www.thepilotnews.com/content/lt-gov-skillman-tours-jw-hicks.

County 86: Pulaski

Nestled away in the quiet farming community of Francesville is a Hoosier homegrown company, Fratco, which has manufactured drainage pipes since the early 1900’s. Fratco employs more than 70 Hoosiers in their Francesville plant, and is a major economic player in a town of just 850 people.  During my stop in Pulaski County, company officials took me on a plant tour which provided a great insight into the niche of drainage pipe manufacturing.



For the past eight years, the Governor and I have worked tirelessly to make certain family businesses like Fratco continue to thrive and grow in our state. We’ve made sure that our state’s economy is strong which is exemplified through a balanced budget and AAA credit rating. Our priority has always been to create an environment where businesses are able to grow and expand here in Indiana. During the past three years Fratco has grown twice. Few things are more rewarding than seeing a company expand and grow at a time when we most need jobs.

The Overmyer family, which owns Fratco, was a recipient of our state’s half century award for business longevity. I know their strong business model and quality products will keep them in business for many years to come. I look forward to hearing about their growth as I know they’ll help keep Indiana prosperous.



Lt. Governor Skillman learns about plastic drain pipe
manufactuering during a plant tour at Fratco



County 85: Madison

Nestled away inside Madison County is a 290 acre state park known as Mounds. Did you know that on the grounds are prehistoric earthworks shaped into mounds by the Adena-Hopewell Indians dating back to 160 B.C. During my stop, I met with the state’s Department of Natural Resources’ naturalist and other DNR employees to talk about the history and how locals today use the property.

Lt. Governor Skillman thanks staff from Mounds State Park
for their hard work and dedication

The mounds were used as gathering places for religious ceremonies. The land didn’t become part of the state parks system until 1930. Indiana’s state parks system was created as part of the state’s centennial celebration in 1916. Today, Indiana is home to some of the best state parks in the country thanks in large part to the dedicated staff at DNR. Hiking, swimming, camping and picnicking are just a few of the activities for families at any of our state parks. 

Mounds State Park sees nearly 400,000 visitors every year.  On any given day you’ll find many Anderson residents and visitors walking, biking or running along the trails. It has become a great gathering place for many Hoosiers, just like it was for the early Indians who formed the mounded land into what we see today.

Read more from the local paper about my visit to Mounds State Park……  

County 84: Randolph

It was a wow moment as Mayor Croyle and I took a walking tour of Winchester’s downtown square. I was recently in the city to receive a community and economic update on the progress being made. In 2011, the City of Winchester received a $500,000 community focus fund (CFF) grant from the Office of Community and Rural Affairs, an agency which I oversee.

Lt. Governor Skillman tours downtown Winchester
after several building facades were updated

The project included facade reconstruction of nine downtown buildings, new sidewalks and streetscapes. These upgrades have caused an influx in the number of businesses in the downtown square. The Towne Square Deli is one of the new businesses to fill in a vacant storefront. This trendy little eatery was full of local residents enjoying lunch. The deli is even connected to a three screen movie theatre, which I’m told is packed on Friday and Saturday nights. We even stopped in on a local jewelry store, where the owners were remodeling their business. This growth in business has given a boost to the local economy. It has also restored a sense of pride among local officials and residents.

The initiative by local leaders to upgrade their downtown district is paying huge dividends for their rural community. It’s important to help small businesses start, maintain and grow. It’s also important for local residents to support these family owned businesses. I applaud Mayor Croyle and local leaders for making the case for these CFF grant dollars. I look forward to seeing more business development in Winchester.  

County 83: Fayette

Construction workers were pounding away at streets and sidewalks beside downtown buildings with new murals during the 83^rd county stop of Fayette. I love driving into our smaller cities and towns and immediately seeing work being performed in the downtown districts. Progress in the heart of the commercial district is vital to the survival of business in rural areas.

I met with Mayor Urban who informed me that Connersville will celebrate its bicentennial next year and these improvements correlate with that important event. The city sees this as a great opportunity to showcase the downtown hub to all residents and visitors.

Lt. Governor Skillman talks to local leaders in Connersville
about new initiatives and programs in the community.

I traveled to Connersville to learn more about these new projects as well as an update from leaders in the community. As I arrived at the community center, which I must say is one of the nicest I have ever seen, I was greeted by many community leaders.  I discussed with local officials the successful programs and initiatives taking place in their community.

Although locals have had challenges, they are being creative with tax dollars and state grants to move the community forward. Since 2005, Fayette County has received more than $42 million dollars in grants from state agencies I oversee, which is a tremendous amount for a county this size. These dollars are highly competitive, and local leaders should be commended for their determination to improve the quality of life for local residents. The parks department created an innovative summer camp program for kids. They take part in many programs around town such as helping at the local pizza parlor, touring the fire department, playing games, and going swimming. These activities foster an excellent learning and social environment for children while school is out. The schools continue to have ISTEP scores above state standards. In addition to improvements to student programs, the local hospital is receiving state recognition for efficiency.

The improvements being made in Connersville and the surrounding area will certainly help attract additional investment and business to the area. I look forward to hearing more positive news to come from Connersville.