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. 

County 82: Marion

Ever since I was a little girl, my month of August has been spent at the Indiana State Fair. As a child in 4-H, I looked forward to displaying my projects at the fair. For the past eight years  as the lieutenant governor and the state’s secretary of agriculture, my role during the state fair is not the same. Of course, some things never change as I still get excited when I hear the music of the midway, smell the once-a-year food and see the crowds milling around the exhibits  

The Indiana State Fair, unlike any other attraction, provides nearly one million Hoosiers and visitors an up close educational experience into Indiana’s agriculture industry .The agricultural industry in Indiana contributes $26 billion every year to state’s economy and employs 17 percent of our workforce. The Indiana State Fair not only gives us a chance to learn about one of our state’s most important assets, it also allows us to celebrate Hoosiers inside the industry.



Lt. Governor Skillman talks to Hoosiers during the annual
pancake breakfast at the Indiana State Fair



This year I hosted the annual Celebration of Agriculture event inside the Normandy Barn. I recognized Kip Tom with the 2012 Hoosier AgriVision Award for his exemplary leadership towards moving the agriculture industry forward. We also recognized 74 families that have owned their farm for at least 100 years or more.

 The state fair brings together leaders from our commodity groups, the agriculture industry, Purdue University, the Indiana State Department of Agriculture and others. We took advantage of having everyone in the same setting and hosted a meeting. This meeting allowed each sector of our agriculture industry to provide a brief update of their accomplishments and concerns. The drought was certainly a topic of conversation during the fair, and it brought national media to Indiana. I talked to FOX Business News Network in the cattle barn about our response to the drought – Watch it Here.

The 17 days of the Indiana State Fair wrapped up on August 19 and more than 853,000 people visited. Indiana truly has the greatest state fair in the country, and I am so proud Indiana agriculture was on full display for all to experience. This may be my last state fair as lieutenant governor but it’s not my last state fair.  I’m like many Hoosiers who have made going to the state fair year after year a family tradition.

Counties 80 & 81: Jasper and Newton

Indiana is the 5^th largest pork producing state in the country, which is why it’s no surprise that Fair Oaks Dairy Farm will be expanding by opening a Pig Adventure. This pig farm will double as a family-friendly education center that tourists can explore with experienced producers on hand to explain the production in detail. Belstra Milling will own and operate the live hog farm named Legacy Farm. 



Lt. Governor Skillman breaks ground on the new
Pig Adventure at Fair Oaks Dairy Farm



It was a wow moment to see more than 300 of our friends in agriculture join us at Fair Oaks for the ceremonial ground breaking. Indiana’s largest agritourism destination, Fair Oaks Farms, boosts many supporters from all over the state. When the Fair Oaks Pig Adventure opens next summer, it will help to gain tremendous ground in our ongoing efforts to keep consumers informed about the producers and products they depend on.





Did you know only farmers only make up 2 percent of Indiana’s population? This means 98 percent of Hoosiers are not directly connected to the farm. Several years ago, Fair Oaks Farms found a way to attract people to their farm for entertainment and education. They opened up their dairy farm to the public and last year attracted more than 500,000 people. Watching the live birth of a calf, cow milking, and sampling dairy foods all provide folks with a real-life farm experience.

I know the new Pig adventure at Fair Oaks will certainly provide visitors from all over the state and beyond the same quality experience. I look forward to the continued growth and education Fair Oaks gives to visitors for many more years to come.