News Release

WINONA LAKE — Student entrepreneurs will take center stage on April 16 at the third annual Kosciusko Student Venture Challenge in Winona Lake.

The 2026 Student Showcase will be from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Manahan Orthopaedic Capital Center at Grace College and is free to attend.

The event is hosted by the Kosciusko Student Venture Challenge Steering Committee in partnership with Believe in a Dream, Inc.

The Kosciusko Student Venture Challenge (KSVC) program now includes all local high schools, adding Triton Jr.-Sr. High School this year.

Partnering with KSVC has been a tremendous opportunity for Triton and its students, according to Joel Grindle, Triton Jr-Sr. High School Business Teacher.

“We have been able to connect our students with community members and entrepreneurs in order to help them build real-life businesses. It has been a tremendous experience for our students to learn and launch functional businesses in our community. KSVC has allowed our students to take their business Ideas and turn them into a reality," Grindle said.

The program, originally co-founded with regional entrepreneurship expert Steve Franks, has transitioned to local leadership. 

Student programming is now facilitated by teacher-coaches Scott Greene of Warsaw and Aaron Engbrecht of Tippecanoe Valley, and they've been working with students from Lakeland Christian Academy, Tippecanoe Valley, Warsaw, Wawasee, Whitko and Triton high schools. 

“Over the past several months, these students have shown an incredible level of dedication, creativity, and perseverance,” said Kosciusko County Coordinator and program co-founder Amy Roe. 

“They’ve spent countless hours developing their ideas, learning the fundamentals of entrepreneurship, and working through the challenges that come with building a business concept from the ground up. We invite community members to come out, see what these students have accomplished, and show their support as the next generation of entrepreneurs take the stage,” Roe said.

The goal of the program is to grow and strengthen the local entrepreneurial ecosystem by introducing high school students to an entrepreneurial mindset and foundational business principles.

The program covers topics such as initial business idea development, elevator pitches, prototyping, marketing and lead generation, financial goals and more.

“From my perspective, KSVC creates a powerful bridge between the classroom and the real world. While I teach digital media, the Student Venture Bootcamps bring together students from across the school who have ideas they want to explore and develop. Programs like this help students realize they don’t have to wait until after graduation to start building something that matters,” said Warsaw teacher, coach and co-facilitator, Scott Greene.

Visitors are welcome to come and go throughout the evening on April 16.

The schedule of events includes:

• 5 p.m. — Enjoy appetizers on us while meeting new friends and learning more about the program.
• 5:15 pm. — 5:30 p.m. - Welcome, Amy A. Roe, Kosciusko Community Coordinator, and Scott Greene, Warsaw Teacher Coach and Co-Facilitator
• 5:30 p.m. — 7:30 p.m. - Visit student business booths "expo" style. Peruse the rows of student businesses. You may even find something you can’t live without!
• 8:00 p.m. — Awards
• 8:45 p.m. — Closing remarks

While the event is free to attend, attendees should RSVP via the link below by Thursday, April 2, by clicking here.

Sponsors include: HELP Kosciusko, Believe in a Dream, Glaze Foundation and Don Wood Foundation as Lead Sponsors; Dekko Foundation, Gold Sponsor; Award Sponsor, Core Mechanical; and Supporting Sponsors, Grace College, KEDCO, Kosciusko County Chamber of Commerce, Lakeland Christian Academy, Orthoworx, Plug & Play Kosciusko, Split Road Media, Tippecanoe Valley High School, Triton Jr.-Sr. High School, Whitko High School, Warsaw Community High School, and Wawasee High School.

Look for more updates on the Kosciusko Student Venture Challenge and opportunities to support the program in the future.

The post Kosciusko Student Venture Challenge at Grace College April 16 appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

By Dan Spalding
News Now Warsaw

WARSAW — Attracting a new start-up car manufacturer with the financial backing of Jeff Bezos — one of the richest men in the world — would be a grand slam story for almost any small community in the country.

But add to that the separate announcement of Michigan-based Autocam Medical’s decision to expand with a new orthopedic facility in Warsaw, and you have a memorable year in economic development likely unmatched in local history.

Combined, Slate Auto and Autocam Medical's plans easily represent the biggest story of the year in Kosciusko County.

Peggy Friday, the executive director for Kosciusko County Economic Development Corp., said she thinks efforts in industrial growth merit an A+ grade.

[caption id="attachment_124829" align="alignright" width="400"] Slate Auto CEO Chris Barman speaks during an open house in late August at its facility on Old Road 30 in Warsaw. News Now Warsaw photo by Dan Spalding.[/caption]

"Landing Slate, making a case for Autocam and finding a location for them — that doesn’t just happen overnight or by chance," Friday said. "It’s very intentional."

KEDCO worked closely with Kosciusko County officials on an incentive plan to lock in Slate's consideration.

Friday was hired in May of 2024 to replace KEDCO's previous leader, Alan Tio.

"For the first year of KEDCO that I’ve been here. I think it’s been phenomenal. We have a lot to be proud of," Friday said.

[caption id="attachment_124742" align="alignright" width="400"] Construction of Union Station Lofts on McKinley Street is progressing. News Now Warsaw photo by Dan Spalding.[/caption]

Slate is investing around $400 million over two decades to transform the former national printing plant and plans to employ upward of 1,900 people.

Autocam Medical, which became enamored with the local workforce after using part of Medtronic’s facility over the past year or so, announced plans to construct a new plant in the Warsaw Technology Park that will employ 300 people with a promise of good wages.

Slate's arrival also checks the proverbial box in terms of working to diversify the economic base beyond orthopedics — a goal held by many local leaders who worry about relying too much on a single industry, even though medtech's future trajectory for sustained growth continues to look bright.

[caption id="attachment_124735" align="alignright" width="400"] Lake City Bank's $12 million renovation of a building west of its headquarters will result in an Innovation and Technology Center ready for occupancy in 2026. News Now Warsaw photo by Dan Spalding.[/caption]

Slate’s reconfiguration of the 1.4 million square foot property on Old Road 30, which began last summer, is also a huge victory in terms of reinvigorating a massive industrial property that went silent just over two years ago and could have easily fallen into decay.

The plant is expected to start making the electric pickup trucks in late 2026.

Those two instances of industrial growth also coincide with significant development in or near downtown Warsaw, much of which is expected to come to fruition in 2026.

Those include the construction of the Millworks apartment complex planned for the old Owen's grocery store west of downtown.

Another apartment complex, this one on the site of the old Gakte property, Union Station Lofts, is currently under construction on McKinley Street just north of Winona Avenue.

Another huge investment involves Lake City Bank's $12 million renovation of a 35,600-square-foot building west of its headquarters along Center Street for an Innovation and Technology Center.

At the same time, the Warsaw Redevelopment Commission lined up a company to significantly redevelop the old Marsh grocery store on South Buffalo Street for a future large antique mall and other proposed retail uses.

The city acquired the land for $1.25 million in hopes of somehow reinvigorating the commercial property and is now expected to eventually recover nearly all of its investment.

Renovations to the old Marsh building are expected to continue into much of 2026.

The city also pulled off a victory in convincing the owners of Hobby Lobby to build a new store in the Marketplace of Warsaw, which has been on the rebound in the past two years after officials worried it could eventually become entirely vacant.

Fans of Hobby Lobby had been hoping to see the company have a presence in Warsaw for years, and the future store should open late next year after several storefronts on the east end of the shopping center are razed to make room for new construction.

In terms of economic development, Friday said there's more to come in 2026.

"We’re going to have a lot to celebrate in ‘26," Friday said. "There are so many projects that are in the hopper for right now, and we look forward to the momentum that we’ve gained.” 

She also points out that the recent 'County of the Year' from the Indiana Chamber of Commerce underscores what’s happening.

“That was just a rubber stamp that we must be doing something right,” she said.

[caption id="attachment_124737" align="aligncenter" width="781"] The early stages of construction for the Millworks apartments west of downtown began this fall. News Now Warsaw photo by Dan Spalding.[/caption]

The post 2025 was a banner year for business growth in Kosciusko County appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

WINONA LAKE — Everyone’s heard about the high-profile orthopedic firms like Zimmer Biomet, OrthoPediatrics and DePuy Synthes, but there is also a slew of smaller contract manufacturers that industry heavyweights rely upon.

[caption id="attachment_124395" align="alignright" width="420"] Thursday's event kicked off with an hour-long networking session that was well attended. News Now Warsaw photo by Dan Spalding.[/caption]

On Thursday night, more than 300 medtech representatives met in Winona Lake to showcase those companies at 'Made Here: A Manufacturing Showcase 2025.'

Some are well established and well-known, like Tecomet, but many others with little name recognition outside of the industry took the spotlight.

The network provides what some at the meeting consider to be a full complement of what those companies would need to compete.

“As far as a complete supply chain between Warsaw and Fort Wayne along that US 30 corridor, there’s over 100 companies that represent the orthopedic industry ecosystem," said Ryan Christner, CEO for OrthoWorx, who helped organize the showcase with the lcal economic developoment team, KEDCO and Priority Medical, a firm which provides engineering and business solutions  to the orthopedic community from its office in downtown Warsaw

[caption id="attachment_124415" align="alignright" width="402"] On display at each of the dinner tables were copies of a book by Dr. Mark Klaassen, an orthopedic surgeon who began work in 1987 and eventually started a joint replacement practice in Warsaw. Klaassen was one of the featured panelists at the event. News Now Warsaw photo by Dan Spalding.[/caption]

Another fact that seems to fly under the radar is the large concentration of orthopedic-related firms located between Warsaw and Fort Wayne.

"Everyone is using different vendors. Some of them are similar, some are different, and that's what makes our ecosystem so great is the interconnectedness that we have," Christner said.

Thursday night's gathering is the first of its kind in Warsaw, organized by OrthoWorx and Kosiusko County Economic Development Corporation.

The impetus was fueled by Priority Medical, a company founded in 2021 and has offices in downtown Warsaw.

Priority Medical assists companies with device development and design services.

Priority Medical previously sponsored several manufacturing roundtables with KEDCO.

“This is what came out of that, with Jake White with Priority Medical “We really started to challenge ourselves with how we can best put on display what is offered here.”

Organizers say they hope similar events will happen annually.

The evening featured a speech by Jay Pendleton, the founder of Medtech Voice. That was followed by a Q&A panel discussion and then a spotlight on 14 contract manufacturers.

Several of those speaking Thursday night said they see a strong future for the industry.

The orthopedic device market is expected to expand from $51.6 billion in 2024 to $65.8 billion by 2030, according to marketsandmarkets.com.

Innovations in AI and 3D printing are expected to further boost the industry’s future.

Among the featured companies included in Thursday's pitch were Autocam Medical, which announced earlier this year plans to construct a plant in the Warsaw Technology Park and employ 300 people with well-paying jobs.

The Grand Rapids-based company initially planned to move into the Medtronic plant along US 30, but Medtronic changed gears about moving jobs elsewhere and then announced last year it would continue to have a presence in Warsaw.

As a result, Autocam, after getting a taste of the local workforce after its temporary shared space arrangement with Medtronic, committed to expanding in Warsaw

Other companies include Complexus, of Mishiwaka, which offers robotic grinding and five-axis assisted milling; Sparc Engineering, a Warsaw company that started in 2024 and supports the medical device industry with robotics and process improvement, and Qualitex, of Columbia City, which manufactures external fixation rings, struts and clamps.

Pendleton recapped how the industry began in Warsaw and continues to thrive.

Much of that stems from the industry's foundation with Revra Depuy 130 years ago which then gained steam with Justin Zimmer a few years later.

"There’s something in the water. There’s something in the roots, he said.

“The truth is you’d be hard-pressed to find anywhere else in the world, the innovation, the talent, the legacy ... the know-how that comes from doing it over and over again,” Pendleton said.

[caption id="attachment_124422" align="aligncenter" width="785"] Participants gathered for a photo at the end of the program. Photo provided.[/caption]

Below are a few more photos of the event by Dan Spalding, News Now Warsaw.

[gallery columns="1" size="full" ids="124410,124412,124413"]

The post Orthopedic manufacturing showcase highlights network across 40-mile stretch appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

WINONA LAKE — Medtech experts and the public are invited to a meeting later this month that will showcase area manufacturing with a focus on orthopedics.

"MADE HERE: A Manufacturing Showcase" will shine a spotlight on the Orthopedic Capital of the World as it brings together orthopedic industry professionals from around the globe on Thursday, Dec. 18, at Rodeheaver Auditorium in Winona Lake.

The event is co-hosted by the Kosciusko Economic Development Corporation (KEDCO) and OrthoWorx and powered by local orthopedic company Priority Medical.

"With 130 years of orthopedic excellence, our industry ecosystem stands as a global model for innovation, collaboration, and expertise," said OrthoWorx President & CEO Ryan Christner. "This showcase brings together the brightest minds and bold ideas to shape the future of orthopedics and MedTech right where it all began. When innovation connects with expertise and education, the possibilities are limitless."

It’s the first of a multi-showcase series focusing on the rich orthopedic medical device ecosystem that supports the Orthopedic Capital of the World®.

"Five generations of manufacturing excellence will come together under one roof to answer the question: ‘Why produce your orthopedic medical devices anywhere else? If it’s orthopedics, it’s MADE HERE’," said Travis Christman, Priority Medical Operations & Quality Lead.

Emceeing the evening will be Jameil "Jay" Pendleton of the MedTech Voice, and the agenda will include dedicated time for connection and networking, a panel discussion with orthopedic surgeon Dr. Mark Klaasen, Brian Hodorek of Ignite Orthopedics, and Erik Kanalas of OrthoPediatrics, and a unique showcase highlighting 14 local contract manufacturers.

"Our goal is to welcome OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) and guests to forge new and meaningful relationships while unlocking new possibilities within this vibrant industry," said Christman. "Whether seeking a strategic supplier, technical partner, or a glimpse at the future of orthopedic manufacturing, MADE HERE is where it begins."

Orthopedic OEMs attending will gain access to consolidated supplier discovery and qualification, opening the door to streamlined strategic sourcing opportunities—where connecting with one supplier often leads to connections with many. The event also helps strengthen relationships across the ecosystem, gives attendees a clearer view of the region’s talent pipeline, and offers insights that support long-term growth.

"This is a wonderful opportunity to showcase the exceptional talent and expertise within our orthopedic ecosystem," said KEDCO CEO Peggy Friday. "When you create the right energy and bring the right people together, that’s when great business happens and lasting relationships are built."

Ticket registration is still open, but seats are filling quickly. Tickets can be purchased online at: https://bit.ly/MADEHERE2025.

The post Manufacturing showcase will spotlight region and role of orthopedic capital appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

WARSAW — A new education grant is aimed at supporting people who jumped into the workforce with little college experience, but are viewed by their employers as having strong leadership potential.

The $250,000 grant from the Don Wood Foundation was arranged through OrthoWorx, KEDCO, and Ivy Tech Kosciusko County.

This award will fully fund the next two cohorts of Ivy Tech’s Applied Organizational Leadership Studies program, providing 50 adults across the region with access to high-impact leadership training at no cost.

Allyn Decker, Vice President of Operations and Engagement for OrthoWorx, was asked who this grant could benefit.

“This is really for anyone who is already employed but who is new to supervision or leadership or would be considered a high-potential employee,” Decker said.

Leadership development, he said, is always at the top of the list for companies.

OrthoWorx and the Kosciusko Economic Development Corporation (KEDCO) will sponsor all tuition, instruction, materials, marketing, and program administration for the AOLS certificate program over the next two years, according to a news release from OrthoWorx.

The initiative directly responds to a growing regional demand for "upskilled supervisors" and emerging leaders capable of advancing into new roles, the release said.

“Leadership development is one of the most consistent needs we hear from local employers,” said Jessica Hauck, Housing & Talent Manager at KEDCO. “This partnership allows us to meaningfully scale a program that equips emerging leaders with practical skills and real advancement opportunities. We’re excited to support another two cohorts and see the ripple effects this investment will create across our community.”

The AOLS program is a flexible, 18-credit certificate built for working adults, offering one evening course at a time from August through May. Coursework includes team leadership, organizational culture, conflict resolution, multicultural leadership, and personal leadership development. Students also earn transferable college credits that can be applied toward an associate degree.

This initiative expands a successful 2025 pilot and will fully fund 25 students per cohort, improving access to leadership development and addressing countywide workforce advancement needs.

“This grant represents a powerful investment in Kosciusko County’s workforce and future,” said Decker.

“The AOLS program has already shown the impact it can make on rising leaders. With this support from the Don Wood Foundation, we’re able to remove financial barriers and open new doors for individuals who want to grow, advance, and contribute even more to our community,” Decker added.

The grant program honors the vision of Don Wood by funding scholarships and grants that help learners earn credentials in fields aligned with the Foundation’s mission, including advanced manufacturing, technology, sales and marketing, organizational leadership, and entrepreneurship.

“We see the potential this program offers the community,” said Laura Macknick, President & CEO, Don Wood Foundation. “The Don Wood Foundation is pleased to invest in programs benefitting people who are ready to learn and better equip themselves for future challenges.”

The AOLS program aligns directly with these priorities by equipping adults with immediately applicable leadership skills while supporting long-term career advancement and employer competitiveness.

“We are thrilled to expand access to the Applied Organizational Leadership Studies program,” said Ivy Tech Community College Fort Wayne & Kosciusko County Chancellor, Kim Barnett-Johnson. “The support from OrthoWorx, KEDCO, and the Don Wood Foundation helps us reach learners who may never have had the opportunity to pursue college credit or leadership training. This program changes lives, strengthens employers, and elevates our entire region.”

The post OrthoWorx, KEDCO work with Ivy Tech to expand leadership development with $250,000 grant appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

WARSAW — Kosciusko Economic Development Corporation is moving its offices.

KEDCO has had offices on 207 S. Buffalo Street since June 2023, when it was branded as the KEDCO Downtown Business Studio.

[caption id="attachment_121743" align="alignright" width="420"] KEDCO’s new offices will be at 2194 North Pointe. Photo provided.[/caption]

The new office will be at 2194 North Pointe, on the city's north side and west of Harrison Elementary.

"Over the next week, our office hours will be slightly limited. We plan to be fully 'open for business' at our new location on Nov. 4," KEDCCO said in a news release issued Monday morning.

The economic development firm said its office address may be different, "but our dedication to Kosciusko County remains the same."

"As needs shift and grow, this new space will allow us to enhance our focus on our mission," the statement said.

The post KEDCO moving its offices to North Pointe in Warsaw appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

WARSAW — Eighty-six new apartments in downtown Warsaw should be ready by the time Slate Auto revs up its new electric pickup production a year from now just west of Warsaw.

That little fact was aired at Tuesday’s groundbreaking for Millworks, which will offer market-rate apartments where the Owens Supermarket once stood.

The $21 million project will feature numerous amenities, including a rooftop deck, bike storage and pet-friendly facilities.    

There will be a courtyard in the middle, angled parking around the entire development, and a restaurant on the southeast corne of the lot.

The proposal faced numerous delays, and AP Development President Jon Anderson sounded eager to see construction commence.

He spoke at Tuesday's groundbreaking as a nearby construction crew began some initial work.

"I apologize for the noise, but that's why we're here. This project will go fast now ... Once we go vertical, it will go fast, and you will see it go up quickly. We plan to be open by this time next year if not sooner," Anderson said.

When complete, the apartment complex will make the downtown feel a little bigger, says Jeremy Skinner, the city's director of community and economic development.

"Our intent was to create housing opportunities, create density, and to support our downtown. This project does those three things," Skinner said.

Expanding housing options has been a top issue that took root under former mayor Joe Thallemer and into the Jeff Grose administration, as Slate and another orthopedic manufacturer, AutoCam, announced expansion plans earlier this year.

Millworks is one of two apartment projects currently under construction. The other is Union Lofts on Jefferson near Argonne Road and Winona Avenue.

[caption id="attachment_119964" align="alignright" width="220"] Peggy Friday[/caption]

Millworks will arrive at a good time as the community works to provide housing to a fast-growing workforce.

"Slate Auto will be opening at the end of 2026 for full production, so we really want those folks to live here and be engaged ... spend those dollars here in our community rather than leave the county," said Peggy Friday, the CEO of Kosciusko County Economic Development Corp.

Anderson was complimentary of the city's support, saying officials stood out mightily against other communities the company has worked with in the past.

Likewise, city officials said they found a good partner in AP Development for the project.

Funding came from several sources, including Indiana's Regional Development Authority (for $3 million) and money from the city of Warsaw.

Mayor Jeff Grose, whose family shopped at the Owen's store decades ago, thanked various people for their support in the project but said much of the credit goes to Skinner and former Mayor Joe Thallemer.

Thallemer also attended the ceremony and reflected on the lengthy efforts behind redeveloping the property.

"The moment it became available, that was the whole thought — that it would expand our urban core ... we had a great opportunity to get it done," Thallemer said.

Thallemer also tipped his hat to Rob and Nancy Gast, who owned a beloved bike shop behind the grocery store for many years.

"They owned a nice hunk of that property and they were very excited about the project and were willing to sell the old Tarkio Road bicycle shop," Thallmer added.

[caption id="attachment_119952" align="aligncenter" width="770"] An architectural rendering of the future Millworks apartments. Artwork provided.[/caption]

The post Future apartments will help expand downtown Warsaw’s footprint appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

WARSAW — OrthoWorx and KEDCO are excited to announce the launch of Speak Up, a new round-table event designed to give Young Professionals in Kosciusko County the opportunity to connect with community leaders and share their perspectives on the future of the county.

The event will take place on Thursday, October 2, 5-7 p.m. at the Zimmer Biomet Center Lake Pavilion in Warsaw.

There is no admission to attend; however, pre-registration is encouraged via orthoworxindiana.com/events/.

Speak Up is intended to amplify the voices of young professionals (people ages 40 and under) by providing a platform for open dialogue, fresh ideas, and collaborative visioning. Participants will engage directly with local leaders in business, education and community development, offering insights on what matters most to the next generation living and working in Kosciusko County.

“Young professionals are not only shaping the future, they're transforming how we live, work, learn, and play right now," said Ryan Christner, President & CEO of OrthoWorx. “Their perspectives are vital to our community’s growth, and Speak Up is about creating space for engaging conversation. By connecting emerging talent with experienced leaders, we’re building a stronger, more dynamic future together.”

The post OrthoWorx and KEDCO launch ‘Speak Up’ aimed at Young professionals appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

SYRACUSE — The Kosciusko Economic Development Corporation (KEDCO) hosted its Annual Dinner and Awards Celebration on August 28at the Oakwood Event Center at Oakwood Resort in Syracuse.

This event recognized the accomplishments of individuals and business leaders for their contributions to the local community. Nearly 460 elected officials, community stakeholders, and honored guests attended the sold-out event.

[caption id="attachment_118339" align="alignright" width="360"] KEDCO CEO Peggy Friday speaks during the group's annual dinner held recently in Syracuse. Photo provided.[/caption]

KEDCO CEO, Peggy Friday, opened the evening with a warm welcome, as Grace College Executive Director of the Catalyst Corridor, Dr. Emiko Kreklou, offered an invocation for dinner.

“Tonight, we recognize more than just another year of economic development; it is a celebration of the collaboration, innovation, and dedication that has propelled our community to unprecedented heights,” said KEDCO CEO Peggy Friday.

“This event brings together an impressive group of community leaders, who despite our diverse backgrounds, are united by a common perspective; a core of commitment to building a stronger, more prosperous economy for all”, she added.

Friday shared key updates from the organization, noting the shared vision, dedication, and collaborative spirit that has driven economic development through business attraction, retention, attainable housing, support for entrepreneurs, innovation, workforce development, talent attraction, advanced manufacturing, and marketing on a global stage.

Over 2,000 jobs are being created through business attraction and retention efforts with Slate Auto and Autocam Medical.  Attainable housing efforts in small towns are occurring.  She spoke of the human impact of economic development – families building a better future, workers gaining new skills, and a community strengthened by opportunity.

Keynote Speaker Chris Barman, CEO of Michigan-based Slate Auto, highlighted the journey of the EV-startup throughout the site selection process with several competing states and its involvement with KEDCO.  Barman noted how important confidentiality was while Project Racer, later known as Slate Auto, was in stealth mode, not sharing their identity.

“We knew we were going to be successful at the Warsaw site because it met a lot of our needs for producing our vehicle.  We knew it would be very successful because of the partnership between Kosciusko County and KEDCO”, Barman said.

Barman noted it is estimated the company will add $125 million through economic development to the county once fully operational and contribute some $39 billion to the state economy over time.

The Blank Slate is an affordable, safe, reliable and radically customizable EV vehicle that will be built in Kosciusko County, a special community with roots in manufacturing and a strong desire for revitalization. Each vehicle will be built the same with no paint or options, designed to be either a two-passenger truck or a five-passenger SUV customized, accessorized and wrapped by the customer after it leaves the retooled factory in Warsaw.  A Blank Slate that was converted to an SUV and wrapped in blue and white with the Indiana state flag was on display outside Oakwood.  A colorful sticker in the rear window simply said Warsaw.

The event honored the late Mike Long, Kosciusko Councilman and Chairman of the County’s Tax Abatement Committee by sharing a brief video clip of Long providing a letter of incentive to Slate at their second site visit to the plant.  Long was later appointed to the KEDCO Board of Directors by the county shortly before his passing.

KEDCO concluded the evening with its recognition program by announcing the 2025 award winners in several distinguished categories:

• Rising Leader: Ryan Christner, OrthoWorx; Thomas Holton, Priority Medical; Abigail Koorey, Cable Bullet; and Shanda Scheeren, Blue Barn Berry Farm
• Business Impact: Parkview Health; Share Capital, LLC; and Warsaw Chemical
• Community Impact Award: City of Warsaw and Rebar Development, Union Station Lofts
• Mentor Award: Cory Colman, Providence Holdings LLC
• Innovator of the Year Award: Aluminum Insights
• Community Catalyst Award (Posthumously): Late Kosciusko County Commissioner Mike  Long

The post KEDCO celebrarates solid year in economic development appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

SYRACUSE — Several hundred people packed the Oakwood Event for KEDCO’s annual dinner Wednesday night to hear Slate Auto’s CEO, Chris Barman, share insights into why the new electric vehicle company chose Warsaw for its manufacturing plant.

Barman is a Purdue University graduate and a native of Crown Point — just 90 miles west of Warsaw.

“Even though I’m from Indiana, there was never a time when I tried to put my thumb on the scale, and this community won outright," Barman said.

The Michigan-based company kept its plan under wraps as it developed a business model that would set it apart from other automakers.

"We wanted to find a manufacturing location where we knew that we were going to have a strong partnership in the community, but also we had to make sure that it really worked for us and our business plan,” Barman said.

"We didn’t share a lot about who we were. We actually approached the community with a project name. And I really appreciate that KEDCO and the community supported us even though they didn’t know who we were and what we were about and what we were going to build,” Barman said.

“And I’m sure there were things going through their minds like, is thing going to be some Chinese company that wants to come into our community?” she added.

What they've developed is intended to set it aside from the competition and is marketing it as an affordable, safe, reliable, and radically customizable vehicle that just happens to be electric.

The basic, stripped-down Slate models will sell for about $25,000 and are designed to be customized by the owner.

“We are building the affordable vehicle that has long been promised but never delivered,” she said.

The company is about one year away from ramping up production, but Barman said 100,000 vehicles have already been put on reserve, Barman said.

Kosciusko County’s initial discussions with Slate included the late County Council President Mike Long who died months later in February of this year in an accident at home. 

KEDCO and Slate both recognized Long’s role in discussion and his efforts to lure the company to Kosciusko County.

"He was so excited about the prospect of Slate that he wanted to be the first to buy a truck off the lot,” said Peggy Friday, executive director of KEDCO, who headed up negotiations with Slate.

Wednesday's event marked the first of three days of high-profile events involving Slate in Warsaw.

Later, on Thursday, the company will host tours of its reconfigured facility on Old Road 30 for guests.

On Friday, the company will host a public block party in downtown Warsaw

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