Carol Johnson, Southern Indiana Business Report
Over the past 12 months, the Southern Indiana Business Report has brought stories from the region that included major expansions and ground breakings, features on small businesses, downtown developments, tourism and investments in infrastructure.
Before we get too far into 2024, here’s a look at some of the top stories from the eight counties that make up Radius Indiana from January to June.
January
Tiny houses having big impact in Shoals – A trailer park that was in need of some TLC is turned into a fresh, new tiny house community in Shoals. Bob Tedrow and Lee Bell transformed what had been an eyesore into an attractive area that provides needed housing.
Daviess County poised for ‘explosive growth’ – The landscape of Northern Daviess County is on the cusp of what likely will be the biggest investment – and change – to come to the community. WestGate One is expected to add 549 high-paying jobs between 2024-2028. The new, specialized jobs will be critical in advancing American-made microelectronics verification, validation and production of critical microelectronics components in the U.S.
February
Salem High School students, winners of 2021 pitch competition, featured in Indiana Entrepreneurship magazine – Zion and Xavier Dunaway turned their hobby of making fishing lures into a successful startup. Southern Indiana Bait Co. has products in tackle shops in Kentucky, Indiana and Florida. They currently offer 16 styles of soft plastic fishing lures. The brothers pride themselves on customization and offer more than a dozen styles of soft plastic fishing lures.
Shaking up business: BNL student learning about business one lemonade at a time – Carson Boady always knew he wanted to be in business for himself. The teenager is setting big goals for himself and tasting success as he takes his lemonade business on the road to fairs, markets and sporting events.
March
COSMOS director wins state IMPACT award – Apryl Kidd, director of the Collaboration of Shoals, Mitchell and Orleans Schools, is named the Career Development Professional of the Year at the 2023 Work-Based Learning IMPACT Summit featuring the 17th annual IMPACT Awards Feb. 21 in Indianapolis.
HNI to acquire Kimball International – HNI Corporation and Jasper-based Kimball International Inc. announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which HNI will acquire all the outstanding shares of Kimball International in a cash and stock transaction valued at approximately $485 million.
Washington breaks ground on $3.1M Commons project – The multi-use facility will host concerts, civic events, farmer’s markets, celebrations and extended gatherings of organizations and families.
April
Portillo’s launches new burger in Bacon, Indiana – The Chicago-based fast casual chain chooses the small Orange County hamlet to celebrate the launch of a new menu item, the Rodeo Burger. More than 200 guests are treated to a day of bacon-themed activities and samples the new burger.
Niehoff named CEO of USTF – Bryant Niehoff is announced as the new CEO of the Uplands Science and Technology Foundation, leaving his role as leader of the Daviess County Economic Development Corporation.
NSWC Crane, Purdue partners on educational pilot program to prepare students for future tech jobs – A pilot program to prepare high school students for jobs in the microelectronics sector is being developed through a partnership with Crane Naval Surface Warfare Center, Purdue University and four southern Indiana high schools. Washington, Washington Catholic, Loogootee and Holy Trinity high schools will participate in SCALE (Scalable Asymmetric Life-cycle Engagement).
May
Holcomb, mayors celebrate in Salem the future Monon South Trail – Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb leads a celebration of what will become Indiana’s longest recreational trail in southern Indiana. The Monon South will follow the route of the historic Monon Railroad through five counties. Beginning in New Albany, the trail will run through Borden, Salem, Campbellsburg, Saltillo, Orleans and Mitchell. The state’s Next Level Trails program provided $29.5 million to design and construct the trail.
WRV senior named to Conexus Rising 30 – Michael John Solliday is recognized by Conexus Indiana as a member of the Rising 30 2023 cohort. As CEO of Wolverine Enterprises, the school’s student-run venture that operates six different businesses, Solliday took on the task of building a website that would make it easier for customers to place orders for merchandise. He did this on top of his responsibilities as WE CEO and keeping up with his classes.
Shoals, Paoli exploring Main Street designations – Two Radius communities announce their plans to form exploratory groups that would ultimately lead to the towns becoming affiliated with the downtown revitalization network.
June
Castle Knoll Farms undertaking barn restoration, announces plans for concert stage – An early 20th century Orange County farm that is a well known landmark for its white fence and barns along US 150/Ind. 56 undergoes a restoration and will offer live entertainment.
West Baden Hotel dome damaged by hail storm – The West Baden Springs Hotel is open to guests but the atrium is temporarily closed after a hail storm causes damage to all 12 of the curved glass panes of its famous dome.
Sultan’s Run prepares to host Senior LPGA tournament – The Jasper golf club hosts its first ever LPGA event as a field of 74 competes for a $400,000 purse.
Crane expands presence at WestGate – NSWC Crane will occupy 14,000 square feet at WestGate Tech Park, which will include its Workforce Development office and six classrooms used for training.
Heidelberg Materials celebrates $600M modernization of cement plant in Mitchell – The new plant will significantly reduce its carbon dioxide emissions and energy consumption while also increasing production levels. The plant will be capable of producing more than 2.4 million tons of cement a year and is expected to help address U.S. cement supply chain constraints. Local, state and federal officials attend the ribbon cutting along with Heidelberg’s leadership team.
Stay tuned for a recap of the second half of 2023.