EDC HOSTS ‘WHITLEY COUNTY USDA ROAD TOUR’ EVENT

COLUMBIA CITY, Ind. (October 31, 2016) – Last week, the Whitley County Economic Development Corporation (EDC) hosted a road tour event showcasing several area businesses.

The purpose of the Whitley County USDA Road Tour was to highlight several Whitley County businesses that have utilized funding from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development through grants, loans and EDC programming. The USDA has funded a large portion of the EDC Small Business and Entrepreneurship Initiative (SBEI), and the revolving loan fund program, a low-interest loan program. Through SBEI programs, the EDC is able to provide small business coaching and mentoring, and partner with organizations to provide classes and training to start-up companies and small businesses in the county.

Most recently, the EDC partnered with Purdue University to offer a digital manufacturing assessment to Whitley County manufacturers. From this assessment, Purdue will design a program specifically tailored to help manufacturers in Whitley County with implementing digital manufacturing.

“The USDA’s commitment to rural development has allowed us to provide a wide array of programs to our growing businesses in Whitley County,” said EDC President Jon Myers, “Eighty-eight different individuals have utilized programs and 13 companies have received loans from the EDC Revolving Loan Fund Program, all funded by USDA.”

Several representatives from USDA attended the event, including local elected officials, community leaders, several lenders, and business owners. The EDC Team, Mayor Ryan Daniel and Whitley County Commissioner George Schrumpf opened by welcoming everyone to the community.

“The USDA has many tools and resources to assist rural communities with economic and community development activities,” said USDA Business Program District Director, Anthony Kirkland, “The Whitley County EDC has certainly done a great job of utilizing the available resources. We were able to take a road trip and see several projects that have come to fruition with jobs being saved and/or created. The impact is what our mission statement is all about – Economic and Community Development; the Whitley County EDC, the Mayor’s Office, elected officials, and USDA Rural Development all working together to make things happen.”

The group toured local manufacturing business Impact CNC, downtown business Running Around Screen Printing & Embroidery, and finished the day at Precision Plastics. During lunch, Brian and Renee Kyler of Be Adaptive Equipment, Tad Varga of Three Birds Casual and Pete Allen of STAR Financial Bank & Insurance (represented Churubusco VFW project), joined the group to share their business stories, and their experiences with USDA funded projects.

“USDA Rural Development appreciates the Whitley County Economic Development Corporation’s commitment to the region’s rural businesses,” said Indiana State Director of the USDA, Rural Development, Phil Lehmkuhler, “Through the EDC, we have been able to provide funding to allow many of the small businesses to benefit from our programs and services. During last week’s tour, we were able to see first-hand the growth of some of the area’s tremendous business ventures who continue to grow and prosper. We applaud the efforts the Whitley County EDC has brought to these entrepreneurs.”

To learn more about the USDA visit www.rd.usda.gov/in. Interested in starting or growing your business? Contact the EDC at 260-244-5506 or edc@whitleyedc.com.
About Whitley County EDC
The Whitley County Economic Development Corporation (EDC) is the lead economic development agency in Whitley County, Indiana. The EDC works closely with local, regional, and state partners to support our industry clients’ growth and success. Our mission is to lead a comprehensive economic development program that retains and expands employment opportunities for local residents and attracts business investment to Whitley County. The Whitley County EDC was established in 1992 and represents Whitley County, Columbia City, and the Towns of Churubusco, Larwill, and South Whitley. For more information about the EDC, visit: whitleyedc.com.

Media Contacts:

Katie Dewitt (Whitley Co. EDC) – 260.244.5506

Aaron Schoon, owner at Impact CNC, LLC gives a tour of the facility.

Ryan Richey, owner at Precision Plastics provides a tour for the group.

Small business owner of Running Around Screen Printing & Embroidery, Jo Ann Bird, proudly shows off her new storefront in downtown Columbia City!