Carol Johnson, Southern Indiana Business Report
Ground breakings, ribbon cuttings, new investments, mergers, acquisitions and plant expansions. The year 2024 gave us a year of headlines of what’s going on in the Radius Indiana region.
As we begin 2025, it’s a good time to look back on the developments that took root in 2024. This week, Southern Indiana Business Report looks back on the top business and economic development stories from the eight-county Radius Indiana region.
As determined by reader views, here are those stories that were the most popular.
January 2024
- Crane Army Ammunition Activity releases a plan for new pyrotechnic facility. The $100 million project, planned for completion in FY 2031, will modernize CAAA’s pyrotechnics capabilities. The current facility has been in use for more than 70 years. The new facility will be constructed in a mostly vacant and wooded area more than a mile south of its current location.
- Engineers and landscape designers unveil the design, features and construction timeline for Phase I construction of the Monon South Trail during a meeting at the Depot Railroad Museum in Salem. Phase 1 will begin in Borden and concentrate on the six trailheads located in Borden, New Pekin, Salem, Campbellsburg, Orleans and Mitchell. The trailheads will include restrooms and water fountains, covered shelter space, benches and parking.
- Milltown reaches its crowdfunding goal to add permanent lights to the Milltown bridge. A 60-day campaign raised $10,042 that was matched with $10,000 from the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority’s CreatINg Places program. The campaign used the Patronicity crowdfunding site.
- Beacon Credit Union enters a purchase agreement to acquire Mid-Southern Savings Bank, which is headquartered in Salem. The deal is valued at just over $45 million in cash. In addition to the main office in Salem, Mid-Southern operates branches in Mitchell and Orleans and has loan production offices in New Albany and Louisville. Beacon Credit Union was founded in 1931 in Wabash. The transaction will mark Beacon Credit Union’s first acquisition of a community bank and continues its expansion into southern Indiana.
February 2024
- French Lick Resort CEO Chuck Franz updates stakeholders on repairs to the hail-damaged roof of the West Baden Springs Hotel dome as well as plans to develop a new 9-hole chip and putt course at the Resort.
- Robert Koontz, the head professional at the Pete Dye Course at the French Lick Resort, is named the PGA of America Merchandiser of the Year. Koontz is the French Lick Resort’s first PGA National award winner.
- If you’re a town with an unusual name, incredible historic architecture and you’re the birthplace of tomato juice, then of course you’re going to make the list of Quirkiest Towns in Indiana. World Atlas issued the list and noted French Lick’s history of mineral springs and luxury spas and colorful past make it a town worth visiting.
- Castle Knoll Amphitheater partners with The Eric Group to manage and promote a new outdoor amphitheater in Orange County. A Journey tribute band is announced as the first concert of the 2024 season at the historic property. The Orange County venue and property are owned by Fuhs Properties and Wilstem Wildlife Park, led by Jerry Fuhs and his daughters Carrie Berg and Audrey Brames.
March 2024
- Grecco’s in Bedford re-opens to diners after extensive renovation and expansion. The restaurant, which opened in 1945, added 1,300 square feet to the building, creating a large kitchen and storage area, office and customer restroom, something it didn’t have before. Owner Dave Sabatier and his daughter Jaclyn made sure to keep the same look and feel of the dining room.
- Possibilities in Paoli, Historic Shoals River District and INergize Linton become members of the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs Downtown Affiliate Network. Groups of volunteers in each community spent months learning about Indiana Main Street and exploring how the program could benefit their downtowns.
- With a new name and renovated space, Lost River Co-op & Cafe prepares to re-open in Paoli. The building near downtown was damaged by a tornado in 2023. The market closed a few months later to re-structure and renovate. Lost River Co-op & Cafe expanded the cafe and deli sections and continues to carry local produce, locally produced meats and bulk items.
- Heidelberg Materials is accelerating its carbon capture efforts at its Mitchell plant with the announcement that it will receive up to $500 million in federal funds to construct a carbon capture and storage system.
- Heidelberg Materials makes historic announcement to advance its plans to further reduce the Mitchell plant’s carbon emissions. A gathering of local, state and federal officials that includes Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb and Department of Energy Under Secretary David Crane is on hand for the news that Heidelberg will receive up to $500 million in federal funds to construct a carbon capture and storage system.
- NSWC hypersonics Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division holds a groundbreaking ceremony for a new strategic and hypersonics research, development, test and evaluation (RDT&E) facility.
- CAP Inc. invests $7.5 million to expand its Bedford facility. The expansion will add 190,000 square feet and up to 50 new employees. It’s projected the additional jobs will generate $1.5 million in wages. CAP uses a fully automated pressline and four manual presses to trim and finish auto parts, primarily for the Bedford GM plant, located nearby. The factory opened in 2017 in what was previously a limestone mill and aluminum recycling plant.
April 2024
- Longtime Bedford businessman and Purdue alum Ralph Anderson follows his beloved Boilermakers to the Final Four. Anderson, 89, also got to meet his favorite player, Zach Edey. Anderson waited over 40 years for the Boilermakers to reach the Final Four. With his family by his side, he made the trip. Sadly, Anderson passed away in July.
- A Washington golf cart business that refurbishes and sells used golf carts expands to a second location in North Carolina. Owner Merlin Knepp started M&K Sales LLC in 2019. With the expansion, the business name changed to Classic Custom Carts. Knepp said there is growing demand for golf carts in the Southeast.
- The 25th annual Buy Indiana Expo draws large crowds to the French Lick Resort. About 150 vendors filled the Exhibition Hall. The event gives Hoosier businesses a one-on one with engineers and procurement staff from Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane. As a conduit of commerce, Crane is vital to Hoosier businesses. In fiscal year 2023, Crane spent $65 million with Indiana businesses.
- Through a partnership between Shoals High School and Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane and the USSOCOM Mobile Technology & Repair Complex, the school received prototyping and fabrication equipment including, 3D printers, welder, CNC plasma table, benchtop water jet, mill and generator. The equipment opens a door for students to learn new skills that can lead to future employment opportunities.
May 2024
- The Central Indiana Land Trust Inc. purchases 80 acres in Orange County that will eventually be added to the Hoosier National Forest. The property, known as the Lowe tract, was purchased from private owners for $541,000.
- Otis, a 25-foot tall sasquatch at French Lick Cabins at Patoka Lake, is chosen for the cover of the spring/summer issue of Indiana’s official travel magazine. Otis was carved by the Bear Hollow carving team in 2023 and became an instant selfie sensation with visitors to the area. Bear Hollow owners are Jason and Cindy Emmons.
- A 1936 downtown Paoli building re-opens with new owners following an extensive renovation. Court Street Commons owners Chris and Brandy Terrell bought the building in 2023 with a vision of the building enhancing community interaction and offering a spaces for professional services.
- League Stadium in Huntingburg makes plans to host the inaugural Big League Baseball Classic. The August event will bring former MLB players to Dubois County for a game with local players.
- Indiana Center for Recovery opens its newest mental health and substance use disorder treatment facility in the former Dunn Memorial Hospital in Bedford. The hospital closed in 2022.
June 2024
- Southern Indiana Stone Supply, a woman-owned stone supply company in Lawrence County, is founded. Owners Marci Bennett, Jamie Norman, Danielle Martin and Carrie Stremming saw a void in the retail aspect of stone products and after months of planning, launched their business. Southern Indiana Stone Supply can supply many types of natural stone and can assist customers with incorporating stone into the design of a project.
- A new lodging option opens at Patoka Lake. Developed by Stephen Bartels, Stephen Shirk and Heather Setser, the 28-room Old Homestead Hotel provides visitors another option for lodging. Decorated with touches from the Prohibition era, the hotel is adjacent to Old Homestead Distilling Co. and is located between Patoka Lake Winery and Patoka Lake Brewing.
- The guys of Good Good Golf, social media savants who love the game of golf, come to play the Pete Dye Course and bring 3,000 spectators to watch them play the challenging course.
- Orleans High School’s Bulldog Manufacturing & Design is profiled in a documentary about school-based enterprises and work-based learning in rural communities.
That wraps up the first half of 2024. Up next, SIBR will review the rest of the year.