ATWOOD — Babies, infants, senior citizens, and everyone in between came out Sunday, Nov. 1, to the grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Atwood Community Park.

The ADA-compliant park is located behind the Atwood Community Building in an area that previously only consisted of a gravel walking path. Now it includes a pavilion with picnic tables and electrical outlets, a multi-purpose court lined with basketball and pickleball courts and a playground serving children as young as 6 months.

The walking path has been extended to about a half mile and has been paved, while the parking lot was resurfaced.

Amy Irwin, Atwood Community Building chairperson, welcomed everyone to Sunday’s event.

“This park is a wonderful example of what we can accomplish when a community comes together with a shared vision. Thank you to the generosity and hard work of so many people. We now have a place where children can play, families can make memories and neighbors can connect,” she said.

The park also is an investment in generational health, Amy continued, encouraging people of all ages to stay active, spend time together and build healthy habits for years to come.
“I’m grateful to everyone who made this vision a reality, and I’m excited to celebrate this milestone with you today!” she stated.

Amy thanked the park’s many donors, starting out with Kosciusko County Commissioner Cary Groninger for ensuring the park was a part of the Community Amenities Program (CAP).

Donors included OrthoWorx, K21 Health Foundation, Harrison Township, Atwood Lions Club, John and Juanita Wolf Federich family, Creighton Brothers LLC, Atwood Otterbein Church, Core Mechanical Services Inc., Irwin Farms, Ken and Brenda Collins, Atwood Christian Fellowship, Kosciusko County Community Foundation, Good Excavating & Hauling, Jacob and Andrea Semonis, Atwood Aldersgate United Methodist Church; Lemon, Keirn & Rovenstine LLP; Lee Barker, S & T Supply, Paul and Ashley Barrow and the McGowan Insurance Group.

Amy said that every contribution mattered and they appreciated every gift.

“We are also grateful for the grants that helped us accomplish even more than what we could have done on our own. A special thank-you to OrthoWorx and K21 Health Foundation for their (CAP) matching grant. This opportunity allowed our fundraising dollars to go twice as far. This helped us create a more complete park than what we could have ever done through fundraising alone,” she said. “We also want to thank K21 Health Foundation for additional support toward the poured-in-place rubber playground surface.”

She said the Kosciusko County Community Foundation administered the WindSwell (Foundation) grant, which helped support inclusive playground equipment and ADA-compliant surfacing to make the park more accessible and welcoming to everyone.

“I want to thank the John and Juanita Wolf Frederich family for their gift in memory of their parents, who enjoyed using the walking path. It’s meaningful to know this path holds special memories for their family, and we’re grateful they helped preserve that connection to our community,” she stated.

“A project like this takes more than just funding. It takes people willing to give their time, talent, equipment and hard work,” she continued.

She thanked Kosciusko County Community Coordinator Amy Roe who helped them get started on the park with her guidance and grant opportunities. “Her early support was really invaluable.”

Joe Irwin, Jim Moyer and John Good were thanked for helping to clear the woods for the walking path, providing and operating equipment throughout the process; and Joe and Jim also helped plan the park layout, as well as worked with Amy to reach out to donors.

Rich and Carter Grossman helped burn the brush and debris under fire control, helping the project to move forward safely, she said.

“Rich, Sara and I then worked on the final grading, and we had three young helpers pitch in with grass seeding,” Amy said. “A special thank-you to Carter Grossman, J.J. and another young volunteer who preferred to remain unnamed. It’s wonderful to see young people take pride in their community!”

Amy thanked the Yates family and the Atwood Community Building Board members who helped assemble all the picnic tables.

She gave Board Treasurer Sara Grossman a special thank-you for all she did behind the scenes, from helping to manage payments and helping with designing and color decisions to being Amy’s sounding board.

“To everyone who helped through physical labor, equipment, planning, fundraising or the many details along the way, thank you! We couldn’t have done this without you,” Amy said.
Her final thanks were to the people who helped make Sunday’s celebration special.

Pleasant View Church contributed toward the food and beverages, covering the costs of the bounce house and Gaga ball pit and volunteered to operate those attractions for Sunday’s games. She thanked Rich and Sara Grossman for planning Sunday’s menu, and the Atwood Fire Department volunteers for their service to the community and for grilling the hot dogs and hamburgers. Mike Harmon provided wagon rides.

“Our hope is that the Atwood Community Park will be enjoyed by generations to come. A place filled with laughter, friendship, activity and community pride. We hope it encourages children to play, families to spend time outdoors together and neighbors of all ages to connect. By creating opportunities for recreation and connection, we can help support generational health and well-being throughout our community. Thank you for being here and supporting this project and helping us celebrate this exciting milestone for Atwood,” Amy concluded before the ribbon-cutting ceremony with board members, donors and the Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce.

Amy thanked many people in her comments, but she didn’t mention all the work she put into it herself.

After the ceremony, her husband, Joe Irwin, said, “She spent hours doing the grants, helping with design. Even down to the little things like picking colors, stuff like that. She got all the contractors around and the times they needed to be here in and out. She’s really the catalyst behind the whole thing, and I can’t even begin to tell you all the work that she’s put into it.”

He said they started the project probably about a year ago and she really started tackling it this past spring.

“So it’s come together fairly quickly,” Joe said, noting the hours and hours of work Amy put into it from calling contractors and getting bids to filling out grant paperwork. “She went with me to talk to businesses and churches to get funding, so there’s a lot that goes into it, especially when you’re not incorporated. This is all volunteer stuff.”

Jill Gross, K21 Health Foundation Board member, said K21 is always happy to help provide funding that benefits the health and wellness of people in Kosciusko County. “It’s great to see how wonderful the park is and how it will help generations now and in the future,” she said.

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WARSAW — Slate Auto will be one of 14 companies participating in a job fair hosted by OrthoWorx and other groups on Thursday, Oct. 1.

Job seekers looking for their next career opportunity will have the chance to connect directly with some of Kosciusko County’s leading employers at the upcoming HireKosciusko Hiring Fair from 10 a.m. to 1 pm at Zimmer Biomet Center Lake Pavilion in Warsaw.

Sponsored by OrthoWorx in partnership with the Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce, KEDCO, the Kosciusko County Community Foundation, the Kosciusko Human Resource Association (KHRA), and WorkOne Northern Indiana, the county-wide hiring fair is being held.

Participating employers include:

• Avalign Implants & Instruments
• Cardinal Services
• Danco Medical
• Goodwill Industries
• Hoosier Racing Tire
• LeGrand AV
• Maple Leaf Farms
• Micropulse
• Paragon Medical
• Seasons HomeCare
• Slate Auto
• Tecomet
• Wildman Business Group
• Zimmer Biomet

With employers from manufacturing, medical devices, technology, services, healthcare, and more, the HireKosciusko Hiring Fair offers job seekers an opportunity to explore careers they may not have considered and connect directly with organizations hiring in the community.

Slate Auto, in particular, has already hired more than 500 people for its future electric pickup truck manufacturing plant that will open later this year at the refurbished former home of RR Donnelley and Sons facility on Old Road 30.

The company hopes to hire upward of 2,000 people for the Warsaw plant.

“This is a great opportunity for job seekers to get in front of some of the major employers in our community, while also discovering the many different career paths available right here in Kosciusko County,” said Allyn Decker, VP Operations & Engagement, OrthoWorx.

“Whether someone is actively looking for a new position or simply curious about what opportunities are available, we encourage them to come prepared to make connections and have conversations.”

In addition to employer representatives, Ivy Tech Kosciusko, Grace College, and WorkOne Northern Indiana will be on site to provide education, employment, and career resources to attendees.

Prospective employers are seeking applicants with a variety of skill sets and backgrounds for roles throughout their organizations. Job seekers are encouraged to pre-register and come prepared with resumes, although walk-ins are welcome.

To learn more, view participating employers and register, visit hirekosciusko.com.

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WARSAW — Kosciusko County is on the verge of its biggest bump in job growth in a long time with the arrival of Slate Auto at a revamped facility on Old Road 30 and Autocam Medical’s 100,000-square-foot production site currently under construction a mile away along US 30.

[caption id="attachment_134506" align="alignright" width="350"] Part of Slate Auto's parking lot, pictured last week, is already often crowded as it ramps up toward employing 1,900 workers later this year. News Now Warsaw photo by Dan Spalding.[/caption]

Slate Auto is expected to begin production of its electric pickup trucks later this year at its facility in the old RR Donnelley parking and a large number of vehicles from employees and contractors can already be seen every day as it plans to eventually employ upward of 1,900 workers.

Combined, those two numbers represent a 5.2% increase in the Kosciusko County workforce, based on US Census statistics.

Officials with Warsaw and the county have been working to address the need for more housing for years, but is seeing some results, with the opening of two new apartment complexes in Warsaw anticipated this year, and with construction of several other subdivisions across parts of the county.

But more plans are in the works.

Peggy Simmons, the executive director of KEDCO, acknowledged that they want to see more of the new and future workers find homes nearby rather than commuting from other nearby counties.

She said they've been working on a housing plan for two years.

"We're going to be making some announcements pretty soon," Simmons told News Now Warsaw last week. "The team at KEDCO has been working with Club 720 and Mission Build from Fort Wayne to bring attainable housing here."

Simmons, in an interview for the public affairs show, In the Know, also commented on a recent story by News Now Warsaw about the increased fuel sales at the Warsaw Municipal Airport in the past year. Much of that is attributed to flight traffic involving Slate and Autocam, according to the airport manager.

Simmons said she thinks that kind of increase, if sustained, could boost the airport in the future.

“We are hoping that the increase in usage and sales in fuel will spur the airport to grow. We know that if we want to land larger jets, we need a longer runway. So hopefully, we're starting to make the case that the numbers speak for themselves and that there is room for growth,” Simmons said.

Plans for lengthening the airport's east-west runway have been discussed for years but is still not a top priority.

Other long-term changes, such as a still-unresolved solution to CR 100E, have become an immediate concern.

A tunnel or another solution to that road issue is needed before runway expansion can be considered.

Simmons said KEDCO’s annual banquet is Sept. 9 at Oakwood in Syracuse and the featured speaker will be Polywood CEO Brady Maller. Representatives of Slate and Autocam are also expected to address the gathering.

Simmons joined OrthoWorx CEO Ryan Christner for last week's public affairs show on Kensington Digital Media radio stations.

Christner highlighted current work undertaken by OrthoWorx. You can see that story here.

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WARSAW — While Slate Auto is capturing national attention as it prepares to open its manufacturing facility in Warsaw, the robust local orthopedic industry — and specifically OrthoWorx — is having another memorable year. 

The non-profit, which works to support the orthopedic industry in Warsaw in various ways, will host its first-ever OrthoWorx Summit on Wednesday in Winona Lake.

The event at the Manahan Orthopaedic Capital Center begins at 1 p.m. and will include speeches and group discussions, and is a chance for guests to further appreciate what's happening locally in orthopedics.

OrthoWorks CEO and President Ryan Christner calls it "a deliberate convening of the entire ecosystem."

“We want anybody in attendance to come and understand … some of the history about the Orthopedic Capital of the World, what OrthoWorx has done in the past, but also, and more importantly, how to engage in the future to help write the next chapter of the Orthopedic Capital of the World," Christner said in a recent interview with News Now Warsaw.

The program will include a "fireside chat," a keynote speech and a handful of breakout sessions on a variety of subjects, including innovation.

You can learn more about how to participate with this link.

The local industry is also seeing a direct benefit from another event held in December of last year.

The first-ever Made Here Manufacturing Showcase highlighted local industry and attracted hundreds of people in Winona Lake.

Among those also attending were representatives of industry from outside the region.

Christner said the program was a key moment for a German company looking to establish a presence in the United States.

“We met with them the day after the showcase, and they were just amazed. They actually thought that we put the showcase on just for them coming here … They just were so in awe of the expertise that we have, 130 years plus of orthopedic expertise,” Christner said.

“They said right then and there, we're going to put a facility here in the Warsaw area,” he said.

The company, Amnovis, specializes in titanium 3D printing and is working toward opening a facility near North Webster. 

Much of the work will involve orthopedic applications. 

Christner said they'll begin operations with about 20 employees.

Christner was joined by Peggy Simmons, the CEO of KEDCO, the county's economic development wing, for a wide-ranging discussion about business activities in Kosciusko County.

You can hear it this weekend on In the Know,  the public affairs show that airs on Kensington digital media radio stations this weekend.

Much of OrthoWorx mission involves education that improves strengthening the workforce pipeline for local orthopedic-related companies.

Other highlights: The organization raised $3,500 for local STEM programs through a "Bones & Barrels" fundraiser and launched the Spring and Summer 2026 Orthopedic Scholar Institute series alongside local hiring fairs.

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WARSAW — OrthoWorx is celebrating a transformational milestone for Indiana’s life science ecosystem following the announcement that the NSF IMPACT Engine in Indiana, led by Indiana University, has been selected as part of the National Science Foundation Regional Innovation Engines program.

The NSF Engines program is one of the nation’s most competitive initiatives, designed to strengthen regional innovation ecosystems by accelerating research, commercializing breakthrough technologies, developing talent and creating long-term economic growth. As one of only a select group of regions chosen nationwide, the NSF IMPACT Engine in Indiana will receive $15 million over the next two years, with the potential to receive up to $160 million over the next decade as milestone goals are achieved. The initiative is further supported by $179 million in commitments from partner organizations across Indiana.

The NSF IMPACT Engine builds on the work of the Indiana Musculoskeletal Health Partnership for the Advancement of Care and Treatment, bringing together more than 170 partners representing industry, health care, higher education, research, workforce development, entrepreneurship and government. Together, the coalition will accelerate the development and commercialization of musculoskeletal technologies while creating one of the world’s largest integrated musculoskeletal data resources to support research, product development and patient care.

For Kosciusko County, the Orthopedic Capital of the World®, the announcement reinforces the region’s global leadership in orthopedic and manufacturing innovation and creates new opportunities to connect local expertise with statewide research, entrepreneurship and workforce initiatives.

“This is an exciting moment not only for Indiana, but especially for the Orthopedic Capital of the World®,” said Ryan Christner, president and CEO of OrthoWorx. “Our community has long demonstrated what’s possible when manufacturers, educators, health care providers, entrepreneurs and community leaders work together. The NSF IMPACT Engine recognizes the strength of that collaborative model and creates new opportunities to accelerate innovation, strengthen our workforce and improve musculoskeletal health for patients around the world.”

The initiative aligns closely with OrthoWorx’s mission to advance talent development, community enrichment and innovation while strengthening the long-term competitiveness of Indiana’s orthopedic industry.

“We are thrilled by the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) recent grant announcement focused on musculoskeletal health,” said Dr. David Hoffert, Superintendent, Warsaw Community Schools, “As a national leader in STEM education, Warsaw Community Schools’ instructional practices and innovative methodologies served as a cornerstone of the K-12 programming included in the grant application. Through this investment, we are excited to see these best practices continue to expand throughout our community and across Indiana, helping prepare students for high-demand STEM careers and strengthening the future workforce.”

Grace College has long partnered with industry to prepare students for careers in orthopedic medical device manufacturing, innovation and business leadership. The NSF IMPACT Engine further strengthens those connections by creating new opportunities for research, workforce development and entrepreneurship.

“The NSF IMPACT Engine reinforces what makes our region exceptional: the willingness of education, industry and community partners to work together toward a common goal,” said Dr. Drew Flamm, president of Grace College. “For Grace College, it creates even greater opportunities to prepare students for meaningful careers while collaborating with industry leaders to advance research, innovation and entrepreneurship. We are excited to be part of an ecosystem that is shaping the future of musculoskeletal health and developing the talent that will lead it.”

The NSF IMPACT Engine also creates new opportunities to support startup companies, attract investment and bring groundbreaking technologies from the laboratory to the marketplace, building on the collaborative ecosystem that has made Indiana a global leader in orthopedic medical devices.

“Innovation happens when great ideas are supported by strong partnerships,” said Jim Lancaster, interim CEO of the NSF IMPACT Engine in Indiana. “The NSF IMPACT Engine gives Indiana an unprecedented opportunity to unite researchers, clinicians, entrepreneurs, manufacturers and investors around a shared vision for advancing musculoskeletal health. By connecting these strengths, we can accelerate commercialization, attract new companies and talent, and ultimately improve quality of life for patients worldwide.”

To help the community better understand what this historic investment means for northeast Indiana, OrthoWorx will feature a dedicated panel discussion during the inaugural OrthoWorx Summit on Aug. 12. Leaders representing education, innovation, entrepreneurship, workforce development and the orthopedic industry will explore the significance of the NSF IMPACT Engine, discuss opportunities for the region, and examine how organizations across sectors can contribute to its long-term success.

“The OrthoWorx Summit was created to bring people together around the conversations shaping the future of our region,” Christner said. “There is no better example of that than the NSF IMPACT Engine. We invite educators, manufacturers, entrepreneurs, health care professionals, community leaders and anyone invested in the future of the Orthopedic Capital of the World® to join us as we explore what this means for our region and how we can work together to maximize its impact.”

Registration is now open for the OrthoWorx Summit, and more information can be found on the Events page of OrthoWorx’s website: orthoworxindiana.com.

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WARSAW — OrthoWorx has announced the sponsorship of the 2026 Peace Builder Award at Warsaw Community Schools and Lakeland Christian Academy.

This award was presented to one student at each of the Warsaw Community Schools and acknowledges their empathy builder characteristics, aligning with Warsaw Community Schools’ values, and furthers the OrthoWorx diversity initiatives.

The Peace Builder Award recognizes students who have shown outstanding citizenship and modeled the value of diversity through the willingness to accept and include fellow students and school staff. They have created a culture of helping other students thrive in value, self-esteem, self-worth, purpose, healthy relationships, and leadership qualities. Embracing diversity increases creativity and productivity, providing a welcoming environment for all people.

This award targets a student who has exemplified Warsaw Community School’s ‘Empathy Pillar’ as they “acknowledge others’ feelings, emotions, and experiences as valuable and as a result, all individuals understand, relate, and/or are moved to action by experience and perspectives outside their own.”

These students recognize what results from a lack of empathy in themselves and others and know that they are at their best when they deeply understand others inside their classrooms, community, and the larger world.

“The Peacebuilder Award honors a student who consistently demonstrates kindness, empathy, and a commitment to resolving conflicts peacefully,” says Brooke Friedberg, Talent Director, OrthoWorx. “This individual leads by example, fostering a sense of inclusion and respect within their school and community.”

OrthoWorx is proud to sponsor this award as it aligns with our mission of “fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment focused on sustained economic opportunity”. Award recipients were chosen by the faculty and staff from their respective schools.

Congratulations to the Peace Builder Award winners and thank you to all students that exemplify the Empathy Pillar.

The students who have been acknowledged are listed below:

• Harper Ferveda, Claypool Elementary
• Haley Fawley, Eisenhower Elementary
• Elijah Argumedo Mendoza, Harrison Elementary
• Jake Finley, Jefferson Elementary
• Knox Shilling, Leesburg Elementary
• Lydia Miller, Lincoln Elementary
• Lynken Harmon, Madison Elementary
• Vincent Jacoby, Washington Elementary
• Brenna Overman, Edgewood Middle School
• Baylee Wieringa, Lakeview Middle School
• Eva Demopoulos, Warsaw Community High School
• Mya Heaton, Lakeland Christian School

OrthoWorx is an initiative formed in 2009 in the Orthopedic Capital of the World® through initial funding from Lilly Endowment Inc, to fill a critical void in the industry, serving as a connector for industry, education, and our community, leveraging resources to drive positive change.

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WINONA — OrthoWorx, in partnership with Grace College, is excited to announce the Summer 2026 Orthopedic Scholar Institute Seminar Series, an educational program that is part of Grace’s Orthopaedic MBA program and open to industry interns and co-ops, young professionals, and others who want to learn about the industry.

The series will run from May 22 through June 26, with most sessions taking place on Friday afternoons, 1:30-4 p.m. at the Dr. Dane A. Miller Science Complex on Grace College’s campus in Winona Lake, Indiana. Each seminar features a different subject matter expert and offers participants an insider’s perspective on the complex and highly regulated world of orthopedics.

Seminars include:

• May 22 – Intro to Orthopedic Products and the Ortho Capital
• June 5 – The Orthopedic Hospital Warsaw Surgery Center Tour
• June 12  – New Product Innovation
• June 26  – Product and Business Portfolio Management

The Seminar Series is designed to engage students, young professionals, and community members with practical knowledge and career-relevant insights. Participants will have the opportunity to hear from experts, ask questions, and learn about the legal, financial, and compliance frameworks that keep the orthopedic industry thriving.

“We are pleased to offer the Summer 2026 series of the Orthopedic Scholar Institute, a key component of Grace College’s new Orthopedic MBA program, a one-year, hybrid master’s program that launched in May 2025. The seminar series aims to educate emerging leaders and connect them to the local orthopedic ecosystem,” remarked Allyn Decker, VP of Operations and Engagement at OrthoWorx, and industry liaison to the OMBA program.

For more details and registration information visit the Events page on the OrthoWorx website (orthoworxindiana.com). Individual registration is free for OrthoWorx member organizations and OMBA students, and $29 per session for non-members.

About OrthoWorx

OrthoWorx is an initiative formed in 2009 in the Orthopedic Capital of the World® through initial funding from Lilly Endowment Inc, to fill a critical void in the industry, serving as a connector for industry, education, and our community, leveraging resources to drive positive change. OrthoWorx was specifically designed to make our region the best place for orthopedic industry talent to grow and thrive.

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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.

WARSAW — The first job fair of the year in Warsaw is scheduled for March.

OrthoWorx, in partnership with the Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce, KEDCO, the Kosciusko County Community Foundation, and several other groups are sponsoring the first 2026 installment of the county-wide HireKosicusko job fair on Thursday, March 5, from 10 a. m. to 1 p.m. at the Zimmer Biomet Center Lake Pavilion.

Job-seekers will have the opportunity to connect with and interview with:

• Cardinal Services
• Danco Medical
• Grace College
• Grace Village
• Hoosier Racing Tire (Plymouth)
• Legrand AV
• Maple Leaf Farms
• Professional Roofing Solutions & Construction
• Winona Powder Coating
• 80/20, LLC

Additionally, representatives from Goodwill Industries, Ivy Tech Kosciusko, LITE, Warsaw Adult Education, and WorkOne Northern Indiana will be on site to offer education and employment resources to job-seekers.

Prospective employers are seeking applicants with an array of skill sets and backgrounds for a variety of roles in their organizations. Starting February 5th, area job-seekers will be able to pre-register and upload their resume so employers can preview their info and set interview appointment times.

“We’re excited to bring the HireKosciusko Hiring Fair back to our community,” says Allyn Decker, VP Operations & Engagement, OrthoWorx, “For many job-seekers the hiring process can feel impersonal, especially when applications stay online and conversations never happen. This event puts people face-to-face with employers who are actively hiring, creating real connections and real opportunities. We encourage anyone interested to register in advance so they can make the most of the day.”

Other sponsoring entities include the Kosciusko Human Resource Association (KHRA) and WorkOne/Employ Northern Indiana.

To pre-register and upload your resume, visit hirekosciusko.com starting Feb. 5.

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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.