Economic development plays a unique role in each community. It requires creativity, collaboration, and nearly anything but a “one-size-fits-all” approach. As the local economic development organization serving Kosciusko County, the Kosciusko Economic Development Corporation (KEDCO) highlights attributes and industries unique to our community such as medical devices, agribusiness, and recreation, with key focus areas on entrepreneurship, talent, and housing.
A ‘highlight reel’ of recent happenings
KEDCO kicked off the month of May by celebrating Economic Development Week. Created by the International Economic Development Council, the largest professional membership organization for economic developers, Economic Development Week is an annual event that recognizes the unique role that economic development has in creating vibrant communities with strong economies. It’s one opportunity to recognize and create a deeper understanding about local economic development, but the work is ongoing.
To offer a closer glimpse of recent happenings in economic development in our local community, here’s a highlight reel from KEDCO so far for the month of May.
Highlight – Milford breaks ground on new housing development
On May 15, KEDCO, the Town of Milford, Milford Redevelopment Commission announced plans and held a groundbreaking event for the Eastfield housing development in Milford, which will deliver more than 50 single-family homes to the area.
The project started as part of an effort to bring more market-rate workforce housing to the community. A housing needs study and strategy commissioned by the City of Warsaw, Kosciusko County, the Kosciusko County Community Foundation in partnership with the Housing Resource Hub, showed market potential for more than 3,000 new residential units throughout the county by 2024. And data from the study highlighted a specific need for housing that reduces commuting from outside the county, with a goal of growing the local workforce.
Learn more about the housing development project in this recent press release.
Highlight – Community ‘showcase’ for corporate recruiters
As part of its Talent Initiative, KEDCO hosted its first “community showcase” event for a group of corporate recruiters representing area businesses.
“Many corporate recruiters work remotely, so this event was an invitation for them to experience firsthand, what Kosciusko County has to offer,” said KEDCO Talent Partner Jessica Hauck.
Highlights from the two-day event included:
- A “welcome” tour at DreamOn Studios followed by a tour and demonstration at Warsaw Cut Glass;
- a dinner discussion at Noa Noa Wood Grill & Sushi Bar with leaders from OrthoWorx;
- presentations from INVets, Warsaw Community Schools, Kosciusko County Chamber of Commerce and Kosciusko County Convention & Visitors Bureau;
- a lunch discussion at The Pier & Back Porch with leaders from the Town of Syracuse followed by a tour of POLYWOOD.
“We received great feedback from recruiters who participated in this first event,” said Hauck. “Our goal is to continue offering these experiences so recruiters and companies can be more successful in finding people who are not only the right fit for the job, but who are seeking the amenities and offerings we have in our community.”
KEDCO plans to host more community showcase events in the future. The next recruiter showcase event is slated for September 14-15, 2023.
Highlight – KEDCO Downtown Business Studio
KEDCO relocated its offices in downtown Warsaw in April. KEDCO is now located at 207 S Buffalo Street (former Giverny Fitness Studio). New signage recently made an appearance, and this week, KEDCO put out requests for proposals for roles and offerings within the Downtown Business Studio.
“You can help us build the studio from the ground up, and we’ll share more on those opportunities in the coming weeks,” said KEDCO CEO Alan Tio.
Learn more about KEDCO and how the organization is making an impact in Kosciusko County by visiting www.kosciuskoedc.com. Connect with KEDCO on Facebook, Linkedin and Instagram @kosciuskoedc.
