County 58: Jay

Jay County was my third and last Hoosier Crossroads Tour stop of the day. While driving to Portland, I was reminded of a term my staff and I use when we are on the road all day long, “survival.” You just never know what’s going to happen to slow you down while on the road. It is typical to experience bad weather, car accidents, and road construction.



I arrived in Portland to meet with local economic development officials at the Community Resource Center. Once we arrived, I was immediately impressed by the level of organization and detail that went into the preparation of this meeting. My friends John Coldren, Representative Bill Davis, and Economic Development Director Bill Bradley met me by the door. However, once inside I was welcomed by 20 local leaders each who play a role in developing opportunities to grow the local economy.



Lt. Governor Skillman talks to community leaders during
an economic development meeting in Jay County.



Each person, from the mayor to the hospital CEO to a farmer, delivered a 1-2 minute update using a PowerPoint presentation.  This community has had a strategic community and economic plan for almost 30 years. They continue to make improvements, and compete for state grants. Recently, the town of Redkey received wastewater upgrades. But they are also continuing to explore additional opportunities for economic development, including wind turbine energy development.

There is a lot to be proud of in Jay County, thanks to local leaders who know how to work together to accomplish the county’s goals. Days on the road can be hectic, but it is all worth it to be able to work with local leaders to help move our state forward. 

County 57: Adams

In 2005, I traveled to Berne to discuss the town’s plans for a new giant clock tower in honor of the city’s Swiss heritage. Fast forward to 2012, I returned to Berne to view the final project. The community raised $3.4 million in private money, and did not rely on public funding, to make their plan a reality. 

The clock tower has spawned additional development. Local officials have created a park around the clock tower.  They’re finishing up on the final touches of a pavilion and a splash pad, which will send water out of the ground like a sprinkler. The town also plans to host a summer concert series on the grounds.  I wanted to share a few photos and a video, to show the impressive clock and park Berne has built.

Also, check out what the Decatur Democrat wrote about my recent visit, http://www.decaturdailydemocrat.com/content/skillman-praises-grand-vision-shown-berne





County 56: Benton

I traveled to Benton County in April, taking the scenic route to my visit with local leaders.  When you cross over into Benton County, it’s not long before the familiar sight of wind turbines grace the horizon.  This is the powerhouse of Indiana’s wind energy production and the front line of our work to pursue alternative energy sources for Hoosiers.

Lt. Governor Skillman tours the Benton County
Wind Farm during a visit in 2008. 

In 2005, I commissioned a study through our Office of Energy Development that revealed Benton County as the best wind resource in the state.  It has proven to be just that over the years.  Even after all currently approved wind energy construction is complete across the state, Benton County will still be home to 52 percent of our state’s wind power.  

The county’s three wind farms, Benton County Wind Farm, Fowler Ridge Wind Farm and Hoosier Wind Farm, produce almost 837 Megawatts of operational wind power.  That represents a huge economic footprint for Hoosiers that extends well beyond county lines.  That’s something all Hoosiers can get excited about. 

Indiana’s wind farms are a critical part of our state’s national leadership in alternative energy, and they are daily helping us move forward into a complete economic recovery.   I hope you’ll take the time to visit Benton County and see the progress for yourself.  It’s an experience you won’t soon forget.   

County 55: Huntington

I was delighted to join executives from Helena Chemical as they celebrated their new facility in Huntington.  

There is competition for every investment, and we know companies can choose to put down roots wherever they like.  It is a huge vote of confidence in our workforce and our communities when they choose Indiana first.  Helena Chemical’s multi-million dollar investment will bring 20 new jobs to the region. 

You can read more about this investment and my visit to Huntington at www.wane.com.  

Helena Chemical to open in Huntington

Published : Tuesday, 17 Apr 2012, 8:52 PM EDT

HUNTINGTON, Ind. (WANE) -- Helena Chemical Company is opening a new state-of-art fertilizer facility in Huntington. The terminal will serve five to ten million acres of agricultural production and can hold over 70,000 tons of product.

Lieutenant Governor Becky Skillman, company leaders, and elected officials attended a ribbon cutting ceremony Tuesday at Industrial Park 24.

Helena says it chose Huntington because of the Norfolk Southern rail line and its room for growth.

The new facility currently has nine employees and the company could add as many as 15 more. 

County 54: LaGrange



In the middle of Indiana’s Amish country where tourists gather at flee markets full of homemade furniture and food, a new attraction has everyone talking. The Pumpkinvine Trail is giving walkers, runners, and bikers from Shipshewana to Middlebury to Goshen a safe path for recreation. When complete the Pumpkinvine Trail will cover 17 miles in all. The Pumpkinvine Trail links up to the Maple City Greenway in Goshen which connects to the Maple Hart Trail leading into Elkhart. In total, the three trails will stretch 26 miles from Elkhart to Shipshewana.

Check out this short video clip of me on the Pumpkinvine Trail in Shipshewana as John Yoder explains the construction process. 

County 53: Noble

I’m always honored when asked to be the keynote speaker at an organization’s event. It allows me the opportunity to reflect on successes we’ve had and the chance to share stories of Hoosiers transforming our state.



This invitation was to the Albion Rotary, a club that has about 30 members. We met in their local library, which is a magnificent building by the way. As I walked into the room, I could feel the energy and hear the light hearted laughter of the members.



Lt. Governor Skillman delivers the keynote
address at the Albion Rotary



I felt right at home as we sang songs, prayed, and answered trivia questions for fines, which went to the local food pantry. After we finished our fellowship, we got down to business as I gave an update on the state’s economic progress Indiana’s economic health has always been our top priority. The best way we can help Hoosiers get ahead is to focus on making our state the number one choice for investors and new jobs. Recently, Governor Mitch was in Noble County to announce the expansion of Busche, a company that plans to create 120 new jobs and invest $17 million.

Noble County plays a key role in our state’s agricultural industry as it ranks sixth in the number of farms. The county is number one in sheep production, third in alfalfa hay, eighth in dairy cows, and ninth in chickens. As I travel the state, I’m always encouraging local economic development leaders to include agriculture in their strategic plans.

There is so much potential for growth in Indiana, and Rotarians understand that best. This is a group that is in our communities and around the world. Just last month, the Rotary throughout the state provided a boost to southern Indiana, an area recovering from devastating storms and tornadoes. The Rotary was not only fundraising, they were also on the ground providing assistance. They are proof that we can each make a difference, and that together we are able to accomplish great things. 

County 52: Steuben

Seeking state funding for community projects is an extremely competitive process for cities, towns, and counties. Agencies that I oversee have administered hundreds of millions in grants and awards in recent years. We have seen numerous communities develop impressive strategic plans, including Angola. I wanted to see first hand the fruition of the city’s great ideas.



Lt. Governor Skillman talks to local leaders in Angola
about their downtown revitalization efforts.



Driving into downtown, I immediately noticed the beautiful campus of Trine University. It is a great luxury to have a resource for higher education right in your own backyard. It has been a few years since I was last in Angola’s downtown circle. I could feel the buzz the moment I opened my car door. People were enjoying the numerous storefronts, the old brick courthouse that exudes the American spirit, and the convenience of having the city’s offices close by.


Mayor Hickman met me on the side walk, and we headed upstairs to the council chambers to talk with local leaders about future community and economic development plans. Local leaders have been hard at work to compete for state grants for Steuben County. Since 2005, $72.6 million has been distributed to the county through the offices of the Lt. Governor. The awards have been for housing development, downtown revitalization, energy grants, and planning grants.  

Angola officials have won $1,340,000 in grants, a good portion of that has been invested in downtown revitalization projects.  As the mayor and local leaders will tell you, the southwest side of the downtown circle is the final stage of the revitalization efforts. They want to upgrade the street lights, window fronts, and sidewalks. By fixing the curbs and sidewalks they hope to increase public safety. This will bring their downtown economic development plan full circle, no pun intended. It is easy to see how they have accomplished so much in a short period of time; local leaders understand the importance of collaboration. I left Steuben County feeling rewarded, knowing that this community is working together to put grant money to good use.