NORTH WEBSTER, Ind. (October 5, 2023) – The Kosciusko Economic Development Corporation (KEDCO) hosted its annual meeting on Wednesday, October 4 at Owl’s Nest Event Center in North Webster to highlight economic development efforts and community progress in Kosciusko County, and celebrate businesses and individuals for leadership and contributions to the community.
“We are pleased to once again recognize individuals and organizations throughout Kosciusko County for the impact they are making,” said KEDCO CEO Alan Tio, “It has been five years since our strategic relaunch and we continue to build partnerships and progress throughout K-County.”
Tio highlighted how KEDCO is building upon its offerings for the local entrepreneurial community, continuing to work with local communities to bring more market-rate workforce housing to the area, and supporting local employers to attract and retain talent by offering targeted events and programming.
KEDCO shared a video highlighting transformative projects happening throughout the community. Some featured projects included: The Gatke Warehouse and Lofts rehabilitation and development project in Warsaw, workforce housing projects throughout the county including the new Eastfield Housing development in Milford, and Warsaw’s Community-Centered Economic Inclusion plan.
Special guests Fred Cartwright, CEO of Conexus Indiana and Andrew Kossack, Executive Vice President of Partnerships and General Counsel at the Applied Research Institute joined Tio for a fireside chat on technology and innovation and what’s on the horizon for Indiana, and opportunities for Kosciusko County to take part and capitalize on its unique community strengths.
For the fourth year, KEDCO continued its recognition program highlighting Rising Leader, Business Impact, Community Impact, and Community Catalyst awardees.
The Rising Leader award recognizes “under 40” emerging leaders in the community who making an impact in the workplace as an employee or in their own businesses, and through their involvement in the local community. Ten Rising Leaders were recognized by KEDCO this year.
2023 KEDCO Rising Leader Awardees
Jessica Camarena, Live Well Kosciusko
Jeremy Dewell, Zimmer Biomet
Cori Humes, Kosciusko County Convention & Visitors Bureau
Craig Isabel, Stonehenge Golf Course
Lauren Klusman, Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce
Heather Lardino, 1st Source Bank
Hannah Ogden, Medartis US
Tyler Ostrom, SYM Financial Advisors
Lauren Slagle, Precision Medical Technologies
Luke White, Priority Medical LLC
The KEDCO Business Impact award recognizes businesses in Kosciusko County for investments in the community such as launching or expanding a business, job creation, or other unique workplace contributions that increase the prosperity of our community.
2023 Business Impact Awardees
Aluminum Insights
DMMG
Mentor Media
Team FaB
YouTheFan
Zimmer Biomet
The Community Impact award recognizes community development and placemaking projects in Kosciusko County. Four awardees were recognized this year, including a collaborative award for Lutheran Kosciusko Hospital and Zimmer Biomet for their partnership on The Orthopedic Hospital – Warsaw Surgery Center.
2023 Community Impact Awardees
Lutheran Kosciusko Hospital + Zimmer Biomet
Town of Silver Lake
Urban Retrend
The Community Catalyst award recognizes a difference-maker who is making an impact on people and the community through their private careers, public service, and community involvement. The Community Catalyst award was presented this year to State Representative Craig Snow for his dedicated service as a business and community leader locally and at the state level.
“We could think of no other business or community leader who is doing more as a catalyst for good in K-County than Craig Snow,” said Tio. “The standing ovation Craig received reinforced that we made the right call in recognizing Craig as an individual who works to lift up our entire community.”
Snow was not present to accept the award because he was representing Kosciusko County in important discussions regarding the U.S. 30 project. KEDCO surprised Snow with a “congratulations” video and will present the award in-person at a later date.
View and download photos from the KEDCO 2023 Annual Meeting online via Flicker: https://bit.ly/KEDCOMeeting2023. Stay connected with KEDCO on Facebook, Linkedin and Instagram @kosciuskoedc and www.kosciuskoedc.com.
About Kosciusko Economic Development Corporation
Kosciusko Economic Development Corporation (KEDCO) was formed in 1984 as Kosciusko Development, Inc. to promote economic and community development throughout Kosciusko County. KEDCO is the economic development corporation serving Kosciusko County and all the municipalities therein. Our mission is to convene, build, and show Kosciusko County’s talent, ideas, and capital. Learn more at www.kosciuskoedc.com.
The Orthopedic Hospital – Warsaw Surgery Center.
