Southern Indiana Business Report
Four schools in the Radius Indiana region received early Christmas presents in the form of sponsorships to support their School-based Enterprises.
Conexus Indiana announced in December that 11 Indiana schools were awarded $10,000 each in sponsorships as part of the Conexus Student Industries program, a statewide network of high schools developing advanced manufacturing and logistics talent through SBEs.
Schools in the Radius region that received awards:
- Loogootee Community School Corporation – Lion Manufacturing, Loogootee
- Mitchell Community Schools – Cement City Industries, Mitchell
- Northeast Dubois Jr/Sr High School – Jeep Engineering & Manufacturing, Dubois
- Orleans Junior/Senior High School – Bulldog Manufacturing and Design, Orleans
Each SBE has its own lineup of businesses and services. Many of these enterprises are equipped with CNC machines, 3D printers, laser engravers, screen printers and vinyl printers.
Recently, students at Orleans Bulldog Manufacturing and Design, worked with Jasper Seating in Orleans to study the laminate factory processes. During a six-week project, students learned how the individual processes worked, about quality control, process flow, and lean manufacturing techniques.
The 2024 Conexus awards for SBEs total $110,000.
Other Indiana schools receiving sponsorships:
- Brown County Schools – Eagle Manufacturing, Nashville
- Eastbrook Community Schools – EBEAMS (Eastbrook Engineering and Manufacturing Solutions), Marion
- Western Wayne Schools – Lincoln Golden Eagles, Cambridge City
- Madison Consolidated Schools – Cub Industries, Madison
- Perry Central Community Schools – Commodore Manufacturing, Leopold
- Seymour High School – Owl Manufacturing, Seymour
- West Noble Schools, Turning Point Educational Center – Turning Point Coffee, Ligonier
Launched in early 2023, Conexus Student Industries continues to strengthen the state’s advanced manufacturing and logistics workforce by supporting student-run and -operated businesses that design, manufacture and commercialize products or services in a school setting.
“School-based Enterprises are transformative for students and we’re happy to be able to support their work,” said PJ McGrew, senior vice president of Talent Strategy and Programming at Conexus Indiana. “By participating in these programs, students gain hands-on experience in managing and operating businesses, better preparing them for high-tech careers while simultaneously meeting the needs of local industries.”
This funding will support the purchase of advanced equipment, raw materials and marketing resources, as well as fund wages for students during summer operations. The funding is part of Conexus Indiana’s broader mission to foster talent development in advanced manufacturing and logistics industries.