On this episode, host Michael Allen welcomes Valerie Shaffer, the dynamic president of the Economic Development Corporation of Wayne County. Valerie's journey from her first job to her influential role in economic development is nothing short of inspiring. She shares her personal story and insights, highlighting her education at Indiana University East and experiences at First Richmond Realtors and the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, all of which fueled her passion for community growth. Valerie’s commitment to Wayne County shines through as she discusses her vision and initiatives to foster local development.
We also take a closer look at the dedicated team at the Economic Development Corporation and their significant contributions to the revitalized depot district in Richmond. The strategic relocation of their office to a historic train depot is a testament to their commitment to economic revitalization. Valerie introduces us to her team, including Rhonda Fisher, Teresa Lindsay, Renee Doty, and Sarah Mitchell, whose roles are pivotal to the EDC's mission. The episode explores the structure of the 12-member board of directors and emphasizes the importance of community involvement in shaping Wayne County's future.
This episode tackles the broader challenges and opportunities in Wayne County’s development landscape. From addressing transportation and workforce issues to overcoming infrastructure barriers, we explore various facets of community development. Valerie sheds light on programs like Make My Move and the Housing Accelerator Program, aimed at attracting new residents and supporting local employers. We also discuss the critical role of educational institutions like Ivy Tech in bridging workforce skill gaps. Throughout, the importance of strategic planning, political stability, and community feedback in shaping Wayne County’s future is underscored.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:01):
Michael Allen from Manpower.
We are a national brand, yetlocally owned franchise.
We are familiar with thechallenges businesses face.
It's tough recruiting andretaining qualified employees.
That's why working withManpower is a smart,
cost-effective solution.
Our entire focus is talentacquisition.
We'll manage your hiring andtraining and provide ongoing,
customized support.
Since 1966, we have been yourcommunity-invested partner,
(00:24):
uniquely positioned to helpeliminate the hassles and save
you time and money.
Let us help contact Manpowertoday.
Here on the Hub, we interviewvarious local businesses,
community partners and specialguests, and our mission is to
share and spotlight informationand stories of companies and
organizations and people who aremaking a difference in our
community.
(00:44):
And today's guest is ValerieSchaefer, and Valerie is the
president of the EconomicDevelopment Corporation of Wayne
County.
Welcome, valerie, good morning,thank you for having me Well,
thank you for joining us today,and I'm looking forward to
hearing about what's going on atthe EDC and in our region.
Going on at the EDC and in ourregion.
(01:08):
But before we start, we kind ofhave a tradition here and it's
where we ask each guest abouttheir very first job.
So going back not too far agomaybe.
Speaker 2 (01:17):
Longer than you think .
Speaker 1 (01:19):
So what was your like that first job you had where
they took taxes out of yourpaycheck and all that kind of
stuff?
What was that job you had wherethey took taxes out of your
paycheck and all that kind ofstuff?
What was that?
Do you remember?
Speaker 2 (01:26):
Well, I was a West Sider and so when I was 15, I
knew that I needed a job to savemoney to buy a car.
So I worked at Racks and Icleaned the dining room and I
stocked the salad bar andeventually worked my way into
the cashier position Nice, butit was a really great
(01:47):
opportunity.
I met great friends there andlearned a lot about work ethic.
Speaker 1 (01:51):
For a minute I thought you were going to say
you worked at Henry's.
Oh I don't know if you rememberthat I barely remember that
that's where Subway is now, butit was kind of just like a local
hamburger joint and you couldgo in and buy a pound of fries.
Oh, my goodness, and localhamburger joint and you could go
in and buy a pound of fries.
Oh my goodness, and I rememberthat very much.
But yeah, I mean that Iremember back in the day that
salad bar was a prettyimpressive spread.
Speaker 2 (02:13):
Sundays were very busy.
People would come after churchand they loved that fried
chicken.
Speaker 1 (02:18):
Yeah, I mean, was that kind of a tough job having
to deal with that salad bar?
Speaker 2 (02:22):
I mean, just just, it seems like people go, I mean
you get it all nice and cleanedup and then people just come and
destroy it.
Speaker 1 (02:29):
Yeah, but we needed something to do, otherwise you
just stood around.
So it was fine.
So, yeah, those were, uh uh,you know great restaurants and
they were very popular for had anice little run there.
Speaker 2 (02:38):
So yeah, there's still a few racks around yeah, a
couple of them.
Speaker 1 (02:43):
uh, before, um, I go into you know things going on
with the edc, I would like foryou to share just a little bit
about yourself for people maybedon't know about you and and, uh
, you know, growing up here,education, maybe any work that
you may have done prior to theedc, so you can share that.
Speaker 2 (03:05):
Sure.
Well, I was a first-generationcollege student, so, growing up
in the community, I knew that Iwanted to go to college and I
would be responsible financiallyfor that education.
So I made the decision to stayhere and attend Indiana
University East, where Ireceived my bachelor's degree in
(03:26):
business administration.
And it was my last semester ofcollege where I was working at
First Richmond Realtors at thetime as a receptionist, and I
met the incoming president atthat time who was looking to buy
a house and he also needed anadministrative assistant, and so
that was my opportunity to getin and work at the EDC.
(03:46):
I had no idea what economicdevelopment was, but was very
excited about the opportunity towork on behalf of the community
.
But I am a lifelong resident,graduated from Richmond High
School and married my highschool sweetheart, brian, and
we're married almost 17 yearsnow.
We do not have any children,but we have fur babies.
We have two dogs that I'm justobsessed with.
Speaker 1 (04:11):
We've had several guests who are huge dog fans, so
I think maybe that's areoccurring theme.
We may have to do like apodcast on just our fur babies
or something.
Speaker 2 (04:20):
Yeah, let's do it.
Speaker 1 (04:20):
I'll share all the pictures.
There's so many people thathave brought that up, so I think
you just celebrated about 20years, right Am.
Speaker 2 (04:31):
I right yeah At the EDC.
Speaker 1 (04:33):
Yeah, it's wild.
I mean this April I would havebeen at Manpower for 34 years
and it just seems like it goesso fast.
Speaker 2 (04:43):
Does it feel like that to you?
It does, it absolutely does.
Yeah, I, I still can't believeit so who was the incoming?
Speaker 1 (04:50):
who was the president at that time?
I don't know.
If I recall don holbrook.
Okay, all right, so is he.
How many direct?
How many presidents have therebeen from the time you came in
to when you became president?
I think in 12?
.
Speaker 2 (05:05):
The end of 12, yeah.
I worked for three.
Speaker 1 (05:08):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (05:08):
Well, actually four, because Bill Martis was an
interim director two differenttimes in between presidents.
But I did leave for one yearand went over to the Indiana
Economic Development Corporation.
Speaker 1 (05:20):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (05:21):
And learned about statewide economic development
and was a regional projectmanager for east central indiana
, so that gave me a lot ofinsight as to what other
economic development officeswere doing I would think that
would have served you well towork with several different
directors to kind of pick.
Speaker 1 (05:40):
You know, maybe the able to look at the good, the
bad, the ugly of I mean notsuggesting that any of those
people did a poor job, but justto see how each one operated and
how they dealt with businessesand whatever.
I would assume that was a niceopportunity to learn from that.
Speaker 2 (05:58):
Absolutely.
I learned a lot from each andevery one of them, and
especially their differentmanagement styles, and kind of
led me to be the type of managerthat I am today.
Speaker 1 (06:09):
Well, you've obviously been doing a great job
, because you've held this postfor longer than all those people
and you've, over the years,I've seen where your
organization.
You've received numerous awardsand just recently the Chamber
awarded you Nonprofit of theYear, so congratulations for
that, thank you.
(06:29):
Continue to do a great job inour community, and I really
appreciate that.
Tell us a little bit about yourstaff.
There's five of you there andyou're the wayne bank building
no, you've moved there.
Speaker 2 (06:47):
Yeah, we're in the um former train depot in the depot
district.
Speaker 1 (06:51):
Okay, that's right yeah, yeah, I forgot about that
because you know your officewere you when you were in, that.
I mean, our office was there atone time and uh, so, uh, yeah,
I I guess I've just kind ofslipped my mind there that
you've moved over there.
So how was it being in thedepot?
How do you like being in thatbuilding?
Speaker 2 (07:09):
We love it.
When the opportunity came to usto relocate, to me it was an
important decision to makebecause at that time the depot
district was really goingthrough revitalization and we
wanted to be a part of thatrevitalization and being the
first tenant in that buildingafter it was vacant since the
1970s.
There was a lot of challengesright in a hundred year old
(07:31):
building, but we love it.
It's beautiful.
It shows really well toprospects who come and visit the
community.
It's very impressive to see howit's been revitalized and
preserved and so it's kind ofshowcases commerce too, with the
railroad coming through.
Anyone that needs rail can seehow frequently the rail line
(07:52):
runs through the community so isit?
Speaker 1 (07:55):
I mean, does rail come through there still on a
perfectly?
Oh fairly regular basis and dowe see that changing at all?
Speaker 2 (08:02):
no, not at all.
Speaker 1 (08:03):
No, not at all so I I'll go back to my question.
So you've got five staff,including yourself, right?
So tell us a little bit abouteach person and kind of just a
snippet of what they do.
Speaker 2 (08:15):
Sure.
Rhonda Fisher she's a lifelongresident of Richmond as well.
She's our office manager.
She keeps everything going andmaking sure we all have
everything we need to do ourjobs.
She pays all the bills, keepsthe lights on and is really a
fantastic support person for thewhole team.
And then we have Teresa Lindsay.
She is our manager of existingbusiness and workforce
(08:39):
development.
She has a really bigresponsibility of going out and
meeting with all of our existingbusinesses to check in on them,
see what kind of tools andresources they may need, what
kind of challenges are theyfacing that we might help
alleviate and then alsounderstand their workforce needs
and kind of be that linchpinbetween education and business
to make sure we're communicatingeducational needs, both k
(09:02):
through 12 and higher ed.
And then we have Renee Doty.
She's our manager of marketingand communication.
So she does just that.
She manages two websites,multiple social media platforms,
new marketing efforts, and soshe works really closely with
our marketing team at Iron GateCreative for a lot of the EDC
(09:23):
efforts that we're putting out.
And then Sarah Mitchell she'sour economic development manager
.
That's somewhat of a broadtitle because she handles a lot.
She's the former city plannerfor the city of Richmond, so she
brings a wealth of knowledgewith her, and so she works a lot
on industrial park development.
Housing development helpsdevelop new programs that we
(09:46):
implement, such as the blightelimination program and our
housing accelerator program thatare both underway right now.
So she's a huge asset to theteam.
Speaker 1 (09:56):
Well, I've been impressed with your staff.
I think you have a really greatteam you do, and I've probably
had more interaction with Sarahand Teresa more than the other
two Worked with.
Well, I continue to you do too,because we're on the board at
the Boys and Girls Club butworked with Sarah on a project
at the club once and reallyenjoyed spending time with her
(10:18):
and working on that project andI've known Teresa forever and
she's had different jobs wherewe've crossed paths over the
years and she has a tremendousamount of energy.
Speaker 2 (10:31):
She does, she does and I'll say so myself Rhonda,
sarah and Teresa, we're alllifelong residents of.
Richmond, and so I think thatbrings such a wealth of passion
to the work that we're doing.
And Renee, she's lived in waynecounty for I don't know 25, 30
years, so, uh, she's verypassionate as well well, uh,
(10:51):
congratulations on bringingtogether a great team.
Speaker 1 (10:55):
Uh, you also have a board of directors, and when
I've reviewed that, there'sseveral that are almost are all
of them appointed every one ofthem yes so there's a
cross-section of uh of boardmembers who are appointed and uh
the different organizations orentities that that appoint those
(11:19):
board members, and theynormally serve like three-year
term is that correct.
So just how many board membersare there currently?
Speaker 2 (11:28):
there are 12.
Speaker 1 (11:29):
Okay, and who, for those that don't, are followers
who don't know where.
Where do they come from?
As far as the being, appointed,sure?
So I'll first explain how we'refunded, because that kind of
leads us into how the board ismade up, the EDC.
Speaker 2 (11:46):
We are a 501c3 not-for-profit organization but
we are contracted by the WayneCounty government to be the lead
economic development agency andwith that we sign a four-year
agreement with the county Excuseme and every four years after
we extend our contract then theEDC goes out and we meet with
(12:09):
cities and towns throughoutWayne County to ask for their
participation in countywideeconomic development through a
unit contribution agreement, andwhat that means is they're
committing to provide one halfof their economic income tax
revenue to countywide economicdevelopment.
Those funds are pulled togetherinto what we call the
consolidated edit fund.
(12:29):
That's jointly controlled bythe EDC board of directors and
the Wayne County commissioners,with final approval of the Wayne
County council who has toappropriate the funds.
So with that, if a communitysigns on, if they are within a
community with a school district, they have a board seat.
Speaker 1 (12:48):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (12:49):
So a good example is Fountain City.
They have not been aparticipating community for
numerous years.
They do not have a board seatcurrently, but they could if
they decided to sign on.
So currently we have threeboard members are appointed by
the Chamber of Commerce and thatis to ensure we have great
representation from the businesscommunity.
And then we have threerepresentatives from Wayne
(13:12):
County, three from the city ofRichmond and then one each from
Cambridge City, centerville andHagerstown.
Speaker 1 (13:19):
Okay, when you're working on projects and bringing
in prospective clients and justthe different activities that
you're involved in, how do you,how do you make the small that
you know, the small towns thatare part of it, like centerville
(13:41):
, and I think you mentionedhagerstown and cambridge city?
Yes you know, sometimes I feellike in you know, in the state
government, there's indianapolisand like everything sometimes
it's probably not true, butevolves around them and then you
have, like richmond, we're outhere, you know, on the edge of
the state, and it's like, youknow, don't forget about us, or
(14:01):
whatever.
And so what do you?
How do you manage that?
As far as in a smaller level,you know, don't forget about us,
or whatever.
And so how do you manage that?
As far as in a smaller level,you know, richmond being a big
part of the county, but otherparticipants in the smaller
towns feel like they're notbeing forgotten about.
How do you kind of balance that?
Do you understand?
I absolutely understand.
Speaker 2 (14:21):
Yeah, we have that conversation all the time and
really over the years, you know,the EDC has stayed true to its
mission of primarily beingfocused on business development.
So that's through cultivatingbusiness retention here, making
sure businesses don't leave,cultivating business expansion
opportunities but then alsobringing in new businesses.
(14:42):
So that is core to what we do,and so everyone who lives in
Wayne County can benefit fromworking at any of those
businesses that we're supporting.
So I think that's primarily theways in which the smaller
communities benefit from thework that we do.
No matter where a company islocated in the county, they have
an opportunity to work there.
(15:03):
But outside of that, over theyears we have really broadened
the definition of economicdevelopment.
It is no longer just businessdevelopment, it is quality of
life and it's talent recruitmentand retention.
You have to have all of thosethings to have a very viable
community.
No longer do businesses locatein a community who don't have
(15:24):
adequate opportunities for theiremployees, right, because it's
tough to attract the righttalent, and so we have to have
amenities for individuals towant to live and work here, and
so we have created a lot ofother initiatives to support
those other areas, such ashousing development.
We have to have adequate placesfor individuals to live, such
(15:44):
as housing development.
We have to have adequate placesfor individuals to live and so
right now the HousingAccelerator Program we just
launched is to help extendinfrastructure to platted
unfinished subdivisions andthat's available to any
developer builder in the countyto apply for those funds to
start new housing.
Speaker 1 (16:02):
Michael Allen from Manpower.
We are a national brand, yetlocally owned franchise.
We are familiar with thechallenges businesses face.
It's tough recruiting andretaining qualified employees.
That's why working withManpower is a smart,
cost-effective solution.
Our entire focus is talentacquisition.
We'll manage your hiring andtraining and provide ongoing,
customized support.
Since 1966, we have been yourcommunity-infested partner,
(16:25):
uniquely positioned to helpeliminate the hassles and save
you time and money.
Let us help contact Manpowertoday.
We have foods, Taconic and SugarCreek all located out there and
I guess if you add up all thosejobs, there's several hundred
jobs that are in that part ofour county where people could go
and find employment there anddon't have to drive as far if
(16:50):
people live in that part of thecounty.
Speaker 2 (16:52):
And I will just add that the smaller communities we
ask them to reach out to us andwe can find creative ways to
support them.
We're not their planningdepartment, we can't handle
everything for their communities, but if they bring us alongside
their plans, you know we canhelp cultivate interest from
outside investors, whether thatis a commercial venture or
housing development, whateverthat may be, we want to be their
(17:14):
partner.
So as long as they'recommunicative with us and we
understand what their needs are,we'll help support them.
Speaker 1 (17:20):
It's been great to see how the Boys and Girls Club
has really branched out into thecounty and offered kids
opportunity to be part of theprogramming that the Boys and
Girls Club of Wayne Countyoffers to them.
So I think about things likethat too.
You've mentioned so many thingsand all these questions are
(17:42):
swimming in my head and I haveall these notes too.
But what's your what's kind ofon your wish list for amenities
that we don't have?
If you could, I mean, do youhave a couple in mind that I
wish we could have this or hadthat in our community?
It would be so awesome.
I mean, do you think come tomind on that?
Speaker 2 (18:05):
I dream of a hustling and bustling downtown.
You know, you see newercommunities, what Fishers and
Carmel and you know evendowntown Indianapolis has been
able to do over the years.
You know, obviously we won't beto that scale with our
population size, but justthinking of the different types
of amenities that exist in mostdowntowns, you know better
(18:28):
nightlife, more things for kidsto do, just different services
and restaurants and bars thatexist that collectively provide
different amenities that appealto different types of people.
And so I truly believe we areon the cusp of that here in
Richmond with the Elder BeermanRedevelopment Project that's
(18:51):
underway, combined withEarlham's Revitalize Richmond
Project.
We have numerous buildings thatare targeted for revitalization
downtown and I just am excitedto look back in three or four
years and see what we'veaccomplished.
Speaker 1 (19:06):
It seems like, at least to me and I've been in
this community my whole life uh,going back as early as when we
had the explode.
I was a child when we had theexplosion here uh, tragic, and
quite a few people lost theirlives.
And then they're rebuildingfrom that and I think the build
(19:27):
manpower's building is one ofthe first buildings that was
built later after that Not thefirst one, but part of some of
the redevelopment ofinfrastructure and buildings and
it seems like we've been onthis cycle of trying to
revitalize and then kind of stubour toe and then it goes again.
(19:48):
And I really feel like, when Ilook back over the years, that
what we have going on now isprobably one of our best
opportunities to really make ithappen and I just I'm a little
fearful that if we don't do, ifwe don't get it right this time,
then it's going to be like gameover.
(20:12):
And it's going to be like gameover and you never say never.
But we've had so many cycles ofinitiatives that I feel like we
really, hopefully, can cometogether and make it happen this
time, because it seems likethere's a lot more money
available.
There seems to be, I hope, uh,more of um, uh, people,
(20:38):
different groups, comingtogether.
We, we with the same goals,that that we want to see it
happen.
Um, you know, I'm, I'm excited,I think it's great that the
housing is going to be builtwhere elder Berman was.
I'm, I'm sorry for those whokind of had that sentimental
feeling about that buildingbeing torn down and and, uh, you
(21:00):
know, I, but I just don't know,and I mean obviously it coming
down was going to be themajority thought that because it
wouldn't have been torn down if, just if, the right people come
together and decide, okay, it's, it's got to come down, and uh,
so, uh, uh, it's down now.
Speaker 2 (21:20):
so we just need to move on and uh and see how this
development goes we held thatbuilding for four years and for
three years we market it,marketed that building to
outside developers.
It just wasn't a viableredevelopment opportunity.
It was a concrete fortress.
There was nothing aestheticallypleasing about the building.
(21:42):
It wasn't a historic structure,in my opinion.
We tried our best and there wasno reason to save it.
To pass on this new developmentopportunity I think would have
been silly of us to havehigh-end, market rate apartments
in the heart of our downtownthat will help cultivate
additional investment and otherretail and services downtown.
I really feel like this is agreat project to help move us
(22:07):
forward.
Speaker 1 (22:08):
And I think if those, once that's developed and
people live there I think thatwill it's surely going to feed
the other properties andbusinesses all throughout.
Speaker 2 (22:19):
I mean that's what we're hoping on right,
absolutely Banking on it and youhave to have residents in order
to cultivate new businessesdowntown.
They're a built-in customerbase.
Without that, we've experiencedthat already We've had hardly
any housing down here andbusinesses are not surviving,
and so we've got to increasethat built-in clientele and you
(22:41):
do that through residents livingin the area.
Speaker 1 (22:45):
One thing that's been a challenge or issue with the
downtown is some of theseabsentee owners that have kind
of bought up the properties.
I think there's been a move totry to wrestle those away from
those folks.
To your knowledge, I think westill have some more that we
(23:08):
would like to bring back inlocal ownership and work on.
I mean, how do you feel that'sgoing?
Speaker 2 (23:16):
It's going really well.
There are numerous buildingsunder contract currently as part
of Revitalize Richmond and Iwant to distinguish the
difference between anout-of-town owner.
So we often say you know,out-of-town owners are bad, we
want it under local control, youwant it under the right control
, with individuals that have thewherewithal, to redevelop a
(23:38):
property, that have theresources and the knowledge.
These are very unique propertieswe have downtown.
They're historic and so inorder to adequately preserve
them, you need people who areexperienced in historic
preservation and who have theappetite for big, risky projects
like these.
Speaker 1 (23:56):
Right Now I misspoke on that.
For the thousands of you thatwatch this podcast, I meant no
offense to that, because we do.
I mean great point the rightkind of owner, because we have
local owners that don't managethese properties well either.
That's correct.
So it's not about that.
(24:17):
It's just the right owner whoreally want to develop that
property and have it contributeto the overall community,
whether it's housing or retailor services provided or whatever
.
Speaker 2 (24:32):
And I would like to go back to the point you made
earlier about.
You know different visions overthe years and how we've tried
different things downtown, and Ireally think it's because
there's been a lack ofconsistent leadership.
So with every new mayoraladministration the vision
changes and the focus changes.
Main Street Richmond has evolvednumerous times over the years.
(24:54):
With every new director therethere was a different focus and
so we haven't had a consistentdowntown development corporation
focused on our downtown.
And I just joined the MainStreet Board of Directors and
we're going through a strategicplanning process now and I
really believe that Main StreetRichmond has the opportunity to
be that entity and help us carryall this work and momentum
(25:17):
forward so that it's a continuedfocus by a single organization
and they don't lose sight ofthat mission.
Speaker 1 (25:24):
Sure, I mean, with the political turnover, I mean
that's, that's tough.
You know, um, mayor Oler isonly guaranteed four years, you
know, and then if he decides torun again, then he's got to get
elected.
If he wants to continue andwith his agenda and vision that
he has as a leader that he hopesthat you know, the residents
(25:47):
would have elect him to do so,yeah, it would be interesting to
see as things move forward, butI do like the feel, the vibe,
right now and I think it's great.
Speaker 2 (25:58):
Yeah, we've got a great group of people who are
working collaboratively together.
Speaker 1 (26:02):
So just kind of going back now, looking back over
last year as far as certaintopics, I have here the first
one's, business development, anyhighlights regarding that that
might want to share, or justkind of review that maybe some
of our followers weren't awareof.
Speaker 2 (26:22):
Sure.
So last year we worked withRichmond Beverage Solutions and
TransCindia Both had sizableexpansion projects, and so
collectively, those twobusinesses are in the process of
investing almost $62 million intheir facilities and creating
about 95 new jobs.
That's coming off the heels of2023, where we had over $500
(26:47):
million in new commitments, andthe majority of those are in the
Midwest Industrial Park.
So Blue Buffalo is justfinishing a $220 million
expansion, and green ingredientsjust opened late last year with
a $40 million pet foodprocessing facility I'm sorry,
pet food ingredient processingfacility and then we have
(27:09):
liberation labs.
That is under constructioncurrently.
That construction was pausedfor a short period, but it's
resuming now.
And then, lastly, menashaquietly invested about $66
million in their facilities.
They came in and boughtColorbox a couple of years ago,
and so we're very fortunate thatthey chose to reinvest in these
(27:29):
facilities, because oftentimes,when a company is acquired, you
fear that they will shutter itand just take the book of
business with them to theirother existing plans yeah,
minasha, that would be on mylist of my early jobs oh, really
, I worked in the plant, uh,when it was color box, back in
uh, 1983, wow, in the summer of83, and I just really enjoy the
(27:52):
opportunity to get to lookingback now.
Speaker 1 (27:55):
I really liked the opportunities I had through
manpower as a temporary employeeat that time, uh, to work in
manufacturing companies.
Quinex is another one.
I worked in Okay, used to becalled Imperial products and uh.
So I really enjoyed the, justthe experience of what it meant
to be in manufacturing and buildthings be a part of that
(28:17):
process.
So that's just always stuck withme and something that I'm very
grateful that at least now, asan older adult, maybe at that
time maybe I wasn't excitedabout it but I'm really, really
thankful for that.
Speaker 2 (28:32):
I love my job.
I get to tour Menasha laterthis afternoon.
Speaker 1 (28:34):
Yeah, that's awesome.
Speaker 2 (28:35):
It's awesome to see how things are made.
Speaker 1 (28:37):
So are you going out on the north side?
Speaker 2 (28:40):
Yes, okay.
Speaker 1 (28:40):
Yeah, I think that's where the production continues
to grow in that facility ratherthan the G Street.
Anything else.
As far as last year, I thinkVandor had a little bit of
investment last year they did.
Speaker 2 (28:56):
Yeah, I forgot about Vandor.
They've been great partners inthe community.
So the city of Richmondactually owned the building at
1400 Industries Road, formerlyoccupied by Wolverine Worldwide.
At the end of Wolverine's lease, they decided they were just
going to go all remote.
It worked so well during COVID.
They did not see a need fortheir customer service
(29:18):
representatives to be in abuilding any longer, and so
suddenly I had that building tomarket.
And along came Vandor and theyentered into a lease of the
building with an option topurchase, and since then they
have purchased the building andare making it their company
headquarters.
Many don't know Vandor hasother locations across the US,
(29:39):
and so we're very fortunate thatthey call Richmond home to
their corporate headquarters,absolutely.
Extremely important that we haveland under control and
available for development,because when we get requests
from the Indian EconomicDevelopment Corporation for
leads, a company wants X amountof acres close to the interstate
, within so many miles of aninternational airport.
This is the zoning that theyneed.
(30:02):
We need to have sites in ourdatabase that we're able to
submit right away, and havingadditional land, with larger
tracts of land, is enabling usto compete for larger projects.
The largest tract of groundthat we have now is 160 acres,
and so we haven't had a piece ofground that large since Blue
(30:22):
Buffalo purchased their 90 acrelot.
Speaker 1 (30:25):
Yeah, how bad do we want that I-70 work to be to
start and be done?
I just want it to be done, yeah.
Speaker 2 (30:30):
I mean it's going to be good to start and be done.
I just want it to be done.
Speaker 1 (30:32):
Yeah, I mean it's going to be good but, it's going
to be a little painful.
Speaker 2 (30:37):
We're used to pain.
Speaker 1 (30:38):
Yeah, we're loose, we're used to I said maybe we
won't even.
It won't even mean anything tous, we can get through it.
Yeah, yeah.
So I think that's I'm so happyit's going to finally it's
getting close to starting.
Yes, it's kind of already kindof started.
They're doing little things.
Speaker 2 (30:56):
Yeah, they are.
Speaker 1 (30:57):
They are.
Speaker 2 (30:57):
And it'll be very important for truck traffic.
Oh, for sure For industry, bothdeliveries in and out of Wayne
County, but also for our abilityto attract additional industry.
Speaker 1 (31:11):
They'll be able to get moving quicker industry,
they'll be able to get movingquicker.
You touched on a little bitearlier in our conversation
about talent attraction and alsoretention is important for our
community Anything that you canshare about that.
As far as what the EDC isinvolved in, Mm-hmm.
Speaker 2 (31:32):
Well, outside of the Home and Wing campaign, you know
, we really try to just workcollaboratively with our
employers to find out.
You know what are thechallenges that you're having in
recruiting talent, because it'spretty widespread.
But we are hopefully later thisyear our regional economic
development group is going toembark on a skills gap analysis
(31:56):
and really dive into what arethe skills that we're lacking
here and I think that willreally help us understand what
kind of additional training andhigher educational needs that we
have, but then also help usunderstand the challenges that
our employers really are havingrecruiting specific skill sets
into the community.
Speaker 1 (32:24):
Yeah, I mean with Manpower.
I mean we have a lot ofcompanies that do have those
skill positions that it seemslike they always have openings
and various different skill sets.
I mean, there's still an ongoingrecruiting for entry-level
manufacturing, which isimportant.
And one of the impediments thatwe experience is one thing I
wanted to ask you I talked tothe mayor about it and I'll just
(32:46):
get your opinion about it is Ifind that child care is one, but
also I found thattransportation is a huge
impediment for, uh, for part ofour local workforce, you know,
to be able to take certain jobsand or keep jobs, because you
(33:07):
know they'll, they'll miss worka lot because they can't get
there and then and then they endup losing their jobs.
And one thing about about ourdevelopment, especially on the
industrial side, is thosedevelopments are outside the
city limits.
You know we are in CambridgeCity and far in the west side of
Richmond, so the bus linesdon't really address some of
(33:30):
those needs we do not have.
I mean, we have some taxicompanies who are trying to make
a go of it, but I don't thinkwe have a real solid taxi cab
base here that can address allthe needs of the citizens.
(33:52):
And then the problem is is if Iwere to take a cab to work
every day and home I'm going tospend at least a hundred dollars
a week for just those fees andI don't really out well.
I mean it's helping me get towork and and you know, but still
it's at $20 a day.
(34:14):
It takes a chunk out of theirchecks which and a lot of these
folks can't don't really havethe means to secure a loan for a
vehicle.
I'm not sure what $400 can getyou for a car these days.
Speaker 2 (34:29):
Maybe, maybe.
Speaker 1 (34:30):
I don't know.
I don't know I'd have to.
I haven't shopped for a usedcar in a while.
So, and that price range so Idon't because you have the
insurance and gas and you knowcar payments I don't know if
$400 is really going to cover it.
So it's just that to me istough.
But I don't know how you getpeople from where they live
(34:52):
within the community out tothose places economically and
efficiently?
Speaker 2 (34:57):
Absolutely, you're right.
It's something we hear fromemployers, especially those out
in the industrial parks that areoutside of the city bus route,
and it's a challenge and it'snot a challenge that the EDC has
decided to tackle, but Ibelieve the city is embarking on
a transportation plan this year.
(35:18):
And so I'm really hoping thatwill shed some light on some
potential areas of improvement,but that still doesn't tackle
our countywide issue Right, soit's a tremendous challenge.
Speaker 1 (35:32):
There's only so many things that your organization
can do Right, and we are not.
Speaker 2 (35:37):
that is a big challenge to tackle and I don't
think our organization can do it.
Speaker 1 (35:43):
Yeah, yeah.
So, but just to validate though.
I mean, you're hearing thatfrom different employers, yeah,
and so at least for those whowho can make try to make an
impact on it, I mean you supportthe idea that we definitely
need to continue to find ways tohelp people get to their job
absolutely um, make my move.
(36:08):
Uh, program.
I'm kind of been a little bitinterested in that lately
because, uh, one of my, one ofmy sons, is a remote worker in
Tennessee and we're trying toget him to come back to Richmond
and made him aware of thatprogram and so kind of where
does that stand Is that?
How long is that going to keepbeing available?
(36:29):
And you could tell maybe alittle bit about it?
Speaker 2 (36:32):
Sure, and you could tell, maybe a little bit about
it.
Sure, so Make my Move is aremote worker attraction program
that Wayne County has signed upfor.
And Make my Move they have thewebsite, they do all of the
marketing, they do all of theback-end background checks and
validating candidates.
I simply review applicationsand approve individuals into the
(36:54):
program based on our parameters.
So an individual has to make aminimum of $55,000 a year.
That's one of the qualifiers,and once they get through that
application process and they'reapproved, then they can
essentially qualify for a $5,000relocation package as well as
(37:16):
choose from community packagessuch as different arts
organizations providememberships or fitness passes,
and passes to golf courses arein our sports package, and then
we have a history package, andso there's different avenues of
packages they can choose from.
That also gets them out into thecommunity to experience some of
(37:38):
our assets and amenities.
But once they decide to movehere, upon providing proof of
residency, they get theirinitial $2,500.
And then, after they stay forone year and prove that they're
still here, they get theirsecond installment of 2,500.
So we have 24 people in theprogram today.
I believe eight have been herefor their one year, and so we
(38:01):
have six spots remaining,because our goal is 30.
And we have until September toget there.
That's how long our contract iswith Make my Move to provide
their services.
Speaker 1 (38:11):
Okay.
So, sam, if you're watchingDad's podcast, you better get in
quick, because there's only sixleft son.
So you've got to make a move onthat as soon as possible.
Do you think that will berenewed?
Do you think there will be amove to try to do once you've
kind of gone through that?
Do you think you'll kind of tryit again, or is there funds
(38:33):
available to do that?
Speaker 2 (38:36):
I'm not sure, but there has been discussions with
local leaders about tryingsomething different on our own,
where we're actually helping ourexisting employers recruit
high-demand jobs and we'resupporting them in their
recruitment efforts by maybedoubling down or increasing
their financial package forrecruitment, because the remote
(38:58):
worker program is great.
You know, individuals can workanywhere and we have such a low
cost of living that it's anappeal to them to move from
major markets here and, you know, stretch their income further.
But it's not supporting ourexisting employers.
So we'll talk about how wemight pivot in that direction.
Speaker 1 (39:18):
You mentioned earlier in our conversation.
It's just the span of whatyou're trying to do has expanded
and you mentioned one of themwas housing development, and
part of it you mentioned theHousing Accelerator Program was
housing development and part ofit?
You mentioned the HousingAccelerator Program, I believe
(39:41):
from my notes, there is a half amillion available to support
infrastructure extensions.
Speaker 2 (39:46):
Yes.
Speaker 1 (39:47):
And has that been?
How much of that money has beendipped into so far?
Speaker 2 (39:54):
So none yet the applications are open.
So, if you are a housingdeveloper or builder that has an
interest in the program, youcan get a hold of me and we will
get you the application.
I think the applications areopen until mid-March March 15th
I believe and then at that timewe will evaluate all the
applications.
We're thinking we might be ableto support two to three
(40:16):
developments with that money andin our work with Wayne County
government they've said that ifthere is a high need then we'll
look to see if there'sadditional funding available.
Speaker 1 (40:27):
So does the Smith Hill subdivision or the project
at the Elder Behrman site.
Do they qualify for that?
Speaker 2 (40:44):
They do not.
So Smith Hill is a newsubdivision and so we're looking
at current platted, unfinishedsubdivisions.
So think about neighborhoodswhere you see a stub at the road
and there's vacant ground right.
There's an additional sectionof that subdivision that could
be developed, but a lot of thosehave not because of the barrier
of the cost of extending thatinfrastructure, and so we're
trying to eliminate that barrierand finish some of these
(41:05):
subdivisions throughout thecounty.
Speaker 1 (41:06):
And are there significant ones?
I mean out there.
Speaker 2 (41:11):
Yeah, there are.
Okay, yeah, by our countsthere's about 20.
Speaker 1 (41:16):
Really Okay, all right ones.
I mean out there.
Yeah, there are okay.
Yeah, by our counts there'sabout 20.
Really okay, all right.
Um, the blight program we didtouch on that a little bit,
where we're just going in andremoving buildings that are in
disrepair, primarily uh, I Ithink some of the the cleanup
(41:37):
that wasn't funded through thefederal government, part of the
cleanup from the fire that wehad over at the.
What's the street, is it h?
Speaker 2 (41:48):
oh, what's what?
Speaker 1 (41:49):
where the hofko building right and the recycling
did some of that?
Some of that money was used tohelp with some of the costs,
wasn't it or not?
Speaker 2 (41:58):
no, no these blight funds um.
Speaker 1 (42:00):
They're the consolidated edit and county
edit funds that we've pulled forthis program I know there were
some, some local monies used tohelp that I was talking to mayor
.
I just can't remember if thatwas it could have part of that
fund.
Speaker 2 (42:11):
it could have been part of the city's budget for
unsafe structures, all right.
Speaker 1 (42:15):
How long do we let a rundown residential home just
sit and sit and sit?
I mean, unfortunately in ourcommunity we have our fair share
of those.
I mean it would be interestingif you just take some drive in
certain neighborhoods in ourcommunity.
It's amazing how many that wehave.
(42:35):
And whatever we can do to kindof clean those up I think in the
long run is probably to ourbenefit.
Speaker 2 (42:42):
Yeah, well, we definitely need some more
neighborhood stabilizationprojects um you know funding
available for that so that wecan try to save some of these
homes before they get so fardeteriorated that there's no
bringing them back.
Speaker 1 (42:55):
We talked about.
I had written a note.
I think we kind of talked abouta little bit about what are
some of your thoughts that maybe about the available workforce
and how.
I mean I think we have peopleavailable for jobs, but I think
the skill issue is, you know,people with the right skill set
(43:16):
is still an ongoing issue andI'm not sure what different
relationships or programs areyou aware of that are trying to
address that other than anythingthat we may have mentioned
already or hit on.
I mean, is that part ofdiscussions that you have on an
ongoing basis?
Speaker 2 (43:35):
Ivy Tech.
Right now they have a programthey're working on it's called
Manufacturing Reimagined wherethey're working with
manufacturers in the region ondeveloping a new manufacturing
lab and really focusing on thoseskill sets that are needed by
our primary employers.
So I applaud them for thateffort and reinvesting in
(43:56):
technology and new trainingopportunities for existing
employers.
But back to your question abouthaving an adequate workforce.
Our commuter base has grown andgrown over the years because we
have added employmentopportunities, and so we have
over 12,000 people now thatcommute to Wayne County every
day to work.
The nut that I think we have tocrack is our labor
(44:20):
participation rate, which sitsat about 55%.
So what's the remaining 45% ofour age-qualified workforce
doing?
So that's a question no oneseems to be able to answer.
So I think it's about those whoare able-bodied how do we get
them back to work and in acareer that they really enjoy?
Speaker 1 (44:45):
That all kind of I hate going back and talking
about the pandemic.
I think I've already said thatcomment on several former
podcasts.
Speaker 2 (44:53):
You can't avoid it, but yeah it's tough.
Speaker 1 (44:55):
It was a moment in our country's history that just
had an impact on us, and everycommunity was affected by it,
probably some more than others,but I think that workforce
participation was greatlyimpacted by that, and maybe
(45:15):
forever.
I don't know I mean it's untilyou move through some
generations, but that definitelyhad an impact on that and I
don't know what we do to getpeople back.
You know, and now they'reliving, now they're surviving,
not being gainfully employed.
I don't know if assistance isinvolved and they're just
(45:40):
learning to kind of survive onless.
So I don't know.
Speaker 2 (45:45):
I have no clue.
I look to Department ofWorkforce Development and others
at Eastern Indiana Works to tryto solve that issue for us.
They're the experts, yeah.
Speaker 1 (45:57):
Who goes switching gears we're going to wrap up
here in a minute, but communityfeedback sessions who runs those
?
Speaker 2 (46:05):
The ones that are underway right now are managed
by Ford Wayne County, which isthe community development arm of
the Wayne County Foundation.
So right now Ford Wayne Countyand Wayne County government are
joining forces for a newcountywide planning process.
We just went through that twoyears ago, through the Hoosier
Enduring Legacy Program,otherwise known as HELP, where
(46:26):
we had numerous jurisdictions,cities and towns volunteer to be
a part of that planning process, and at the end of it we had a
plan and each communitycontributed 30% of their ARPA
funds.
But Wayne County contributed 30%of their ARPA funds, and that
was $5 million, I believe, andso all of those dollars were
reinvested into the programs andprojects that were identified
(46:49):
in that planning process.
We've completed that plan, andso now we're embarking on a
second planning process.
The difference is there's nomoney at the end of it to
implement the projects, but ourhope is new programs always
develop, whether it's at thefederal or state level or even
at the local level.
We could come up with somefunding to help implement some
of the projects that areidentified, and so I believe
(47:12):
there are 10 or 11 differenttowns in the city that are
participating this time, and sowe want community feedback as to
you know what's important toyou and your communities as we
develop the plans there are somesessions that you have where
you actually go.
Speaker 1 (47:26):
you have a location and people come and so who
conducts?
I mean, who's the person thatgoes and tries to answer those
questions?
Because those kind of meetingscan be very interesting.
You know, people have a lot ofpassion about what they feel
like and they come and you know,I mean I think it's great to
(47:47):
try to have those open forumsand be transparent and go and
answer those.
But it also can be kind ofinteresting moments can come
from those times.
Speaker 2 (47:56):
Absolutely.
That's why we hireprofessionals at HWC Engineering
who are consultants that managethat.
They collect all the feedbackand they know how to consolidate
it into information that we canthen read and review and
determine what we do with it,okay, all right, uh, touched.
Speaker 1 (48:17):
We've kind of been all over the gamut of things, so
hopefully it makes some sensewhen, uh, I, we go back through
this again and watch it.
But, uh, anything else that isnoteworthy that you'd just like
to share?
Maybe not.
We've covered, I think, a lot,but I may have missed something.
I don't know.
Speaker 2 (48:36):
Just sitting in my seat.
It's very interesting of thepublic's opinion of the work
that's being done in thecommunity.
So as you hear about projectsand programs that are launching,
try to be open-minded about howit impacts other individuals.
Not everything is going to beappealing to you.
Not every project or businessis going to be a place that you
(49:01):
visit personally.
But try to be open-minded abouthow different the needs of
individuals are in the communityand how it might be supporting
someone else's family, someoneelse's livelihood or someone
else's interests.
So I just want people to bemore open-minded about the work
that's being done.
Speaker 1 (49:17):
Yeah, Just not always say well, what's in it for me,
and it's easy to fall in trapabout being self-introspective
about what I want but, I, thinkyou make a great point about
what's good for us as acommunity and and how other
lives can be enriched bydifferent programs and
initiatives that go on, and ifit's for the greater good, then
(49:41):
I think everyone's going tobenefit from it in the long run
so no I appreciate your wordsabout that.
so, valerie, thank you forcoming on and speaking with me
today and appreciate the workthat you and your team are doing
, and just keep up the greatwork.
We appreciate it.
Speaker 2 (49:59):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (49:59):
Thanks for coming.
So, whatever platform thatyou're watching or listening
today, I just ask you to pleasespread the word, like, share and
subscribe Michael Allen fromManpower.
We are a national brand, yetlocally owned franchise.
We are familiar with thechallenges businesses face.
It's tough recruiting andretaining qualified employees.
(50:20):
That's why working withManpower is a smart,
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Our entire focus is talentacquisition.
We'll manage your hiring andtraining and provide ongoing
customized support.
Since 1966, we have been yourcommunity invested partner,
uniquely positioned to helpeliminate the hassles and save
you time and money.
Let us help contact Manpowertoday.
Michael Allen from Manpower.
We are a national brand, yetlocally owned franchise.
We are familiar with thechallenges businesses face.
It's tough recruiting andretaining qualified employees.
That's why working withManpower is a smart,
cost-effective solution.
Our entire focus is talentacquisition.
We'll manage your hiring andtraining and provide ongoing,
customized support.
Since 1966, we have been yourcommunity-invested partner,
(00:24):
uniquely positioned to helpeliminate the hassles and save
you time and money.
Let us help contact Manpowertoday.
Here on the Hub, we interviewvarious local businesses,
community partners and specialguests, and our mission is to
share and spotlight informationand stories of companies and
organizations and people who aremaking a difference in our
community.
(00:44):
And today's guest is ValerieSchaefer, and Valerie is the
president of the EconomicDevelopment Corporation of Wayne
County.
Welcome, valerie, good morning,thank you for having me Well,
thank you for joining us today,and I'm looking forward to
hearing about what's going on atthe EDC and in our region.
Going on at the EDC and in ourregion.
(01:08):
But before we start, we kind ofhave a tradition here and it's
where we ask each guest abouttheir very first job.
So going back not too far agomaybe.
Speaker 2 (01:17):
Longer than you think .
Speaker 1 (01:19):
So what was your like that first job you had where
they took taxes out of yourpaycheck and all that kind of
stuff?
What was that job you had wherethey took taxes out of your
paycheck and all that kind ofstuff?
What was that?
Do you remember?
Speaker 2 (01:26):
Well, I was a West Sider and so when I was 15, I
knew that I needed a job to savemoney to buy a car.
So I worked at Racks and Icleaned the dining room and I
stocked the salad bar andeventually worked my way into
the cashier position Nice, butit was a really great
(01:47):
opportunity.
I met great friends there andlearned a lot about work ethic.
Speaker 1 (01:51):
For a minute I thought you were going to say
you worked at Henry's.
Oh I don't know if you rememberthat I barely remember that
that's where Subway is now, butit was kind of just like a local
hamburger joint and you couldgo in and buy a pound of fries.
Oh, my goodness, and localhamburger joint and you could go
in and buy a pound of fries.
Oh my goodness, and I rememberthat very much.
But yeah, I mean that Iremember back in the day that
salad bar was a prettyimpressive spread.
Speaker 2 (02:13):
Sundays were very busy.
People would come after churchand they loved that fried
chicken.
Speaker 1 (02:18):
Yeah, I mean, was that kind of a tough job having
to deal with that salad bar?
Speaker 2 (02:22):
I mean, just just, it seems like people go, I mean
you get it all nice and cleanedup and then people just come and
destroy it.
Speaker 1 (02:29):
Yeah, but we needed something to do, otherwise you
just stood around.
So it was fine.
So, yeah, those were, uh uh,you know great restaurants and
they were very popular for had anice little run there.
Speaker 2 (02:38):
So yeah, there's still a few racks around yeah, a
couple of them.
Speaker 1 (02:43):
uh, before, um, I go into you know things going on
with the edc, I would like foryou to share just a little bit
about yourself for people maybedon't know about you and and, uh
, you know, growing up here,education, maybe any work that
you may have done prior to theedc, so you can share that.
Speaker 2 (03:05):
Sure.
Well, I was a first-generationcollege student, so, growing up
in the community, I knew that Iwanted to go to college and I
would be responsible financiallyfor that education.
So I made the decision to stayhere and attend Indiana
University East, where Ireceived my bachelor's degree in
(03:26):
business administration.
And it was my last semester ofcollege where I was working at
First Richmond Realtors at thetime as a receptionist, and I
met the incoming president atthat time who was looking to buy
a house and he also needed anadministrative assistant, and so
that was my opportunity to getin and work at the EDC.
(03:46):
I had no idea what economicdevelopment was, but was very
excited about the opportunity towork on behalf of the community
.
But I am a lifelong resident,graduated from Richmond High
School and married my highschool sweetheart, brian, and
we're married almost 17 yearsnow.
We do not have any children,but we have fur babies.
We have two dogs that I'm justobsessed with.
Speaker 1 (04:11):
We've had several guests who are huge dog fans, so
I think maybe that's areoccurring theme.
We may have to do like apodcast on just our fur babies
or something.
Speaker 2 (04:20):
Yeah, let's do it.
Speaker 1 (04:20):
I'll share all the pictures.
There's so many people thathave brought that up, so I think
you just celebrated about 20years, right Am.
Speaker 2 (04:31):
I right yeah At the EDC.
Speaker 1 (04:33):
Yeah, it's wild.
I mean this April I would havebeen at Manpower for 34 years
and it just seems like it goesso fast.
Speaker 2 (04:43):
Does it feel like that to you?
It does, it absolutely does.
Yeah, I, I still can't believeit so who was the incoming?
Speaker 1 (04:50):
who was the president at that time?
I don't know.
If I recall don holbrook.
Okay, all right, so is he.
How many direct?
How many presidents have therebeen from the time you came in
to when you became president?
I think in 12?
.
Speaker 2 (05:05):
The end of 12, yeah.
I worked for three.
Speaker 1 (05:08):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (05:08):
Well, actually four, because Bill Martis was an
interim director two differenttimes in between presidents.
But I did leave for one yearand went over to the Indiana
Economic Development Corporation.
Speaker 1 (05:20):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (05:21):
And learned about statewide economic development
and was a regional projectmanager for east central indiana
, so that gave me a lot ofinsight as to what other
economic development officeswere doing I would think that
would have served you well towork with several different
directors to kind of pick.
Speaker 1 (05:40):
You know, maybe the able to look at the good, the
bad, the ugly of I mean notsuggesting that any of those
people did a poor job, but justto see how each one operated and
how they dealt with businessesand whatever.
I would assume that was a niceopportunity to learn from that.
Speaker 2 (05:58):
Absolutely.
I learned a lot from each andevery one of them, and
especially their differentmanagement styles, and kind of
led me to be the type of managerthat I am today.
Speaker 1 (06:09):
Well, you've obviously been doing a great job
, because you've held this postfor longer than all those people
and you've, over the years,I've seen where your
organization.
You've received numerous awardsand just recently the Chamber
awarded you Nonprofit of theYear, so congratulations for
that, thank you.
(06:29):
Continue to do a great job inour community, and I really
appreciate that.
Tell us a little bit about yourstaff.
There's five of you there andyou're the wayne bank building
no, you've moved there.
Speaker 2 (06:47):
Yeah, we're in the um former train depot in the depot
district.
Speaker 1 (06:51):
Okay, that's right yeah, yeah, I forgot about that
because you know your officewere you when you were in, that.
I mean, our office was there atone time and uh, so, uh, yeah,
I I guess I've just kind ofslipped my mind there that
you've moved over there.
So how was it being in thedepot?
How do you like being in thatbuilding?
Speaker 2 (07:09):
We love it.
When the opportunity came to usto relocate, to me it was an
important decision to makebecause at that time the depot
district was really goingthrough revitalization and we
wanted to be a part of thatrevitalization and being the
first tenant in that buildingafter it was vacant since the
1970s.
There was a lot of challengesright in a hundred year old
(07:31):
building, but we love it.
It's beautiful.
It shows really well toprospects who come and visit the
community.
It's very impressive to see howit's been revitalized and
preserved and so it's kind ofshowcases commerce too, with the
railroad coming through.
Anyone that needs rail can seehow frequently the rail line
(07:52):
runs through the community so isit?
Speaker 1 (07:55):
I mean, does rail come through there still on a
perfectly?
Oh fairly regular basis and dowe see that changing at all?
Speaker 2 (08:02):
no, not at all.
Speaker 1 (08:03):
No, not at all so I I'll go back to my question.
So you've got five staff,including yourself, right?
So tell us a little bit abouteach person and kind of just a
snippet of what they do.
Speaker 2 (08:15):
Sure.
Rhonda Fisher she's a lifelongresident of Richmond as well.
She's our office manager.
She keeps everything going andmaking sure we all have
everything we need to do ourjobs.
She pays all the bills, keepsthe lights on and is really a
fantastic support person for thewhole team.
And then we have Teresa Lindsay.
She is our manager of existingbusiness and workforce
(08:39):
development.
She has a really bigresponsibility of going out and
meeting with all of our existingbusinesses to check in on them,
see what kind of tools andresources they may need, what
kind of challenges are theyfacing that we might help
alleviate and then alsounderstand their workforce needs
and kind of be that linchpinbetween education and business
to make sure we're communicatingeducational needs, both k
(09:02):
through 12 and higher ed.
And then we have Renee Doty.
She's our manager of marketingand communication.
So she does just that.
She manages two websites,multiple social media platforms,
new marketing efforts, and soshe works really closely with
our marketing team at Iron GateCreative for a lot of the EDC
(09:23):
efforts that we're putting out.
And then Sarah Mitchell she'sour economic development manager
.
That's somewhat of a broadtitle because she handles a lot.
She's the former city plannerfor the city of Richmond, so she
brings a wealth of knowledgewith her, and so she works a lot
on industrial park development.
Housing development helpsdevelop new programs that we
(09:46):
implement, such as the blightelimination program and our
housing accelerator program thatare both underway right now.
So she's a huge asset to theteam.
Speaker 1 (09:56):
Well, I've been impressed with your staff.
I think you have a really greatteam you do, and I've probably
had more interaction with Sarahand Teresa more than the other
two Worked with.
Well, I continue to you do too,because we're on the board at
the Boys and Girls Club butworked with Sarah on a project
at the club once and reallyenjoyed spending time with her
(10:18):
and working on that project andI've known Teresa forever and
she's had different jobs wherewe've crossed paths over the
years and she has a tremendousamount of energy.
Speaker 2 (10:31):
She does, she does and I'll say so myself Rhonda,
sarah and Teresa, we're alllifelong residents of.
Richmond, and so I think thatbrings such a wealth of passion
to the work that we're doing.
And Renee, she's lived in waynecounty for I don't know 25, 30
years, so, uh, she's verypassionate as well well, uh,
(10:51):
congratulations on bringingtogether a great team.
Speaker 1 (10:55):
Uh, you also have a board of directors, and when
I've reviewed that, there'sseveral that are almost are all
of them appointed every one ofthem yes so there's a
cross-section of uh of boardmembers who are appointed and uh
the different organizations orentities that that appoint those
(11:19):
board members, and theynormally serve like three-year
term is that correct.
So just how many board membersare there currently?
Speaker 2 (11:28):
there are 12.
Speaker 1 (11:29):
Okay, and who, for those that don't, are followers
who don't know where.
Where do they come from?
As far as the being, appointed,sure?
So I'll first explain how we'refunded, because that kind of
leads us into how the board ismade up, the EDC.
Speaker 2 (11:46):
We are a 501c3 not-for-profit organization but
we are contracted by the WayneCounty government to be the lead
economic development agency andwith that we sign a four-year
agreement with the county Excuseme and every four years after
we extend our contract then theEDC goes out and we meet with
(12:09):
cities and towns throughoutWayne County to ask for their
participation in countywideeconomic development through a
unit contribution agreement, andwhat that means is they're
committing to provide one halfof their economic income tax
revenue to countywide economicdevelopment.
Those funds are pulled togetherinto what we call the
consolidated edit fund.
(12:29):
That's jointly controlled bythe EDC board of directors and
the Wayne County commissioners,with final approval of the Wayne
County council who has toappropriate the funds.
So with that, if a communitysigns on, if they are within a
community with a school district, they have a board seat.
Speaker 1 (12:48):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (12:49):
So a good example is Fountain City.
They have not been aparticipating community for
numerous years.
They do not have a board seatcurrently, but they could if
they decided to sign on.
So currently we have threeboard members are appointed by
the Chamber of Commerce and thatis to ensure we have great
representation from the businesscommunity.
And then we have threerepresentatives from Wayne
(13:12):
County, three from the city ofRichmond and then one each from
Cambridge City, centerville andHagerstown.
Speaker 1 (13:19):
Okay, when you're working on projects and bringing
in prospective clients and justthe different activities that
you're involved in, how do you,how do you make the small that
you know, the small towns thatare part of it, like centerville
(13:41):
, and I think you mentionedhagerstown and cambridge city?
Yes you know, sometimes I feellike in you know, in the state
government, there's indianapolisand like everything sometimes
it's probably not true, butevolves around them and then you
have, like richmond, we're outhere, you know, on the edge of
the state, and it's like, youknow, don't forget about us, or
(14:01):
whatever.
And so what do you?
How do you manage that?
As far as in a smaller level,you know, don't forget about us,
or whatever.
And so how do you manage that?
As far as in a smaller level,you know, richmond being a big
part of the county, but otherparticipants in the smaller
towns feel like they're notbeing forgotten about.
How do you kind of balance that?
Do you understand?
I absolutely understand.
Speaker 2 (14:21):
Yeah, we have that conversation all the time and
really over the years, you know,the EDC has stayed true to its
mission of primarily beingfocused on business development.
So that's through cultivatingbusiness retention here, making
sure businesses don't leave,cultivating business expansion
opportunities but then alsobringing in new businesses.
(14:42):
So that is core to what we do,and so everyone who lives in
Wayne County can benefit fromworking at any of those
businesses that we're supporting.
So I think that's primarily theways in which the smaller
communities benefit from thework that we do.
No matter where a company islocated in the county, they have
an opportunity to work there.
(15:03):
But outside of that, over theyears we have really broadened
the definition of economicdevelopment.
It is no longer just businessdevelopment, it is quality of
life and it's talent recruitmentand retention.
You have to have all of thosethings to have a very viable
community.
No longer do businesses locatein a community who don't have
(15:24):
adequate opportunities for theiremployees, right, because it's
tough to attract the righttalent, and so we have to have
amenities for individuals towant to live and work here, and
so we have created a lot ofother initiatives to support
those other areas, such ashousing development.
We have to have adequate placesfor individuals to live, such
(15:44):
as housing development.
We have to have adequate placesfor individuals to live and so
right now the HousingAccelerator Program we just
launched is to help extendinfrastructure to platted
unfinished subdivisions andthat's available to any
developer builder in the countyto apply for those funds to
start new housing.
Speaker 1 (16:02):
Michael Allen from Manpower.
We are a national brand, yetlocally owned franchise.
We are familiar with thechallenges businesses face.
It's tough recruiting andretaining qualified employees.
That's why working withManpower is a smart,
cost-effective solution.
Our entire focus is talentacquisition.
We'll manage your hiring andtraining and provide ongoing,
customized support.
Since 1966, we have been yourcommunity-infested partner,
(16:25):
uniquely positioned to helpeliminate the hassles and save
you time and money.
Let us help contact Manpowertoday.
We have foods, Taconic and SugarCreek all located out there and
I guess if you add up all thosejobs, there's several hundred
jobs that are in that part ofour county where people could go
and find employment there anddon't have to drive as far if
(16:50):
people live in that part of thecounty.
Speaker 2 (16:52):
And I will just add that the smaller communities we
ask them to reach out to us andwe can find creative ways to
support them.
We're not their planningdepartment, we can't handle
everything for their communities, but if they bring us alongside
their plans, you know we canhelp cultivate interest from
outside investors, whether thatis a commercial venture or
housing development, whateverthat may be, we want to be their
(17:14):
partner.
So as long as they'recommunicative with us and we
understand what their needs are,we'll help support them.
Speaker 1 (17:20):
It's been great to see how the Boys and Girls Club
has really branched out into thecounty and offered kids
opportunity to be part of theprogramming that the Boys and
Girls Club of Wayne Countyoffers to them.
So I think about things likethat too.
You've mentioned so many thingsand all these questions are
(17:42):
swimming in my head and I haveall these notes too.
But what's your what's kind ofon your wish list for amenities
that we don't have?
If you could, I mean, do youhave a couple in mind that I
wish we could have this or hadthat in our community?
It would be so awesome.
I mean, do you think come tomind on that?
Speaker 2 (18:05):
I dream of a hustling and bustling downtown.
You know, you see newercommunities, what Fishers and
Carmel and you know evendowntown Indianapolis has been
able to do over the years.
You know, obviously we won't beto that scale with our
population size, but justthinking of the different types
of amenities that exist in mostdowntowns, you know better
(18:28):
nightlife, more things for kidsto do, just different services
and restaurants and bars thatexist that collectively provide
different amenities that appealto different types of people.
And so I truly believe we areon the cusp of that here in
Richmond with the Elder BeermanRedevelopment Project that's
(18:51):
underway, combined withEarlham's Revitalize Richmond
Project.
We have numerous buildings thatare targeted for revitalization
downtown and I just am excitedto look back in three or four
years and see what we'veaccomplished.
Speaker 1 (19:06):
It seems like, at least to me and I've been in
this community my whole life uh,going back as early as when we
had the explode.
I was a child when we had theexplosion here uh, tragic, and
quite a few people lost theirlives.
And then they're rebuildingfrom that and I think the build
(19:27):
manpower's building is one ofthe first buildings that was
built later after that Not thefirst one, but part of some of
the redevelopment ofinfrastructure and buildings and
it seems like we've been onthis cycle of trying to
revitalize and then kind of stubour toe and then it goes again.
(19:48):
And I really feel like, when Ilook back over the years, that
what we have going on now isprobably one of our best
opportunities to really make ithappen and I just I'm a little
fearful that if we don't do, ifwe don't get it right this time,
then it's going to be like gameover.
(20:12):
And it's going to be like gameover and you never say never.
But we've had so many cycles ofinitiatives that I feel like we
really, hopefully, can cometogether and make it happen this
time, because it seems likethere's a lot more money
available.
There seems to be, I hope, uh,more of um, uh, people,
(20:38):
different groups, comingtogether.
We, we with the same goals,that that we want to see it
happen.
Um, you know, I'm, I'm excited,I think it's great that the
housing is going to be builtwhere elder Berman was.
I'm, I'm sorry for those whokind of had that sentimental
feeling about that buildingbeing torn down and and, uh, you
(21:00):
know, I, but I just don't know,and I mean obviously it coming
down was going to be themajority thought that because it
wouldn't have been torn down if, just if, the right people come
together and decide, okay, it's, it's got to come down, and uh,
so, uh, uh, it's down now.
Speaker 2 (21:20):
so we just need to move on and uh and see how this
development goes we held thatbuilding for four years and for
three years we market it,marketed that building to
outside developers.
It just wasn't a viableredevelopment opportunity.
It was a concrete fortress.
There was nothing aestheticallypleasing about the building.
(21:42):
It wasn't a historic structure,in my opinion.
We tried our best and there wasno reason to save it.
To pass on this new developmentopportunity I think would have
been silly of us to havehigh-end, market rate apartments
in the heart of our downtownthat will help cultivate
additional investment and otherretail and services downtown.
I really feel like this is agreat project to help move us
(22:07):
forward.
Speaker 1 (22:08):
And I think if those, once that's developed and
people live there I think thatwill it's surely going to feed
the other properties andbusinesses all throughout.
Speaker 2 (22:19):
I mean that's what we're hoping on right,
absolutely Banking on it and youhave to have residents in order
to cultivate new businessesdowntown.
They're a built-in customerbase.
Without that, we've experiencedthat already We've had hardly
any housing down here andbusinesses are not surviving,
and so we've got to increasethat built-in clientele and you
(22:41):
do that through residents livingin the area.
Speaker 1 (22:45):
One thing that's been a challenge or issue with the
downtown is some of theseabsentee owners that have kind
of bought up the properties.
I think there's been a move totry to wrestle those away from
those folks.
To your knowledge, I think westill have some more that we
(23:08):
would like to bring back inlocal ownership and work on.
I mean, how do you feel that'sgoing?
Speaker 2 (23:16):
It's going really well.
There are numerous buildingsunder contract currently as part
of Revitalize Richmond and Iwant to distinguish the
difference between anout-of-town owner.
So we often say you know,out-of-town owners are bad, we
want it under local control, youwant it under the right control
, with individuals that have thewherewithal, to redevelop a
(23:38):
property, that have theresources and the knowledge.
These are very unique propertieswe have downtown.
They're historic and so inorder to adequately preserve
them, you need people who areexperienced in historic
preservation and who have theappetite for big, risky projects
like these.
Speaker 1 (23:56):
Right Now I misspoke on that.
For the thousands of you thatwatch this podcast, I meant no
offense to that, because we do.
I mean great point the rightkind of owner, because we have
local owners that don't managethese properties well either.
That's correct.
So it's not about that.
(24:17):
It's just the right owner whoreally want to develop that
property and have it contributeto the overall community,
whether it's housing or retailor services provided or whatever
.
Speaker 2 (24:32):
And I would like to go back to the point you made
earlier about.
You know different visions overthe years and how we've tried
different things downtown, and Ireally think it's because
there's been a lack ofconsistent leadership.
So with every new mayoraladministration the vision
changes and the focus changes.
Main Street Richmond has evolvednumerous times over the years.
(24:54):
With every new director therethere was a different focus and
so we haven't had a consistentdowntown development corporation
focused on our downtown.
And I just joined the MainStreet Board of Directors and
we're going through a strategicplanning process now and I
really believe that Main StreetRichmond has the opportunity to
be that entity and help us carryall this work and momentum
(25:17):
forward so that it's a continuedfocus by a single organization
and they don't lose sight ofthat mission.
Speaker 1 (25:24):
Sure, I mean, with the political turnover, I mean
that's, that's tough.
You know, um, mayor Oler isonly guaranteed four years, you
know, and then if he decides torun again, then he's got to get
elected.
If he wants to continue andwith his agenda and vision that
he has as a leader that he hopesthat you know, the residents
(25:47):
would have elect him to do so,yeah, it would be interesting to
see as things move forward, butI do like the feel, the vibe,
right now and I think it's great.
Speaker 2 (25:58):
Yeah, we've got a great group of people who are
working collaboratively together.
Speaker 1 (26:02):
So just kind of going back now, looking back over
last year as far as certaintopics, I have here the first
one's, business development, anyhighlights regarding that that
might want to share, or justkind of review that maybe some
of our followers weren't awareof.
Speaker 2 (26:22):
Sure.
So last year we worked withRichmond Beverage Solutions and
TransCindia Both had sizableexpansion projects, and so
collectively, those twobusinesses are in the process of
investing almost $62 million intheir facilities and creating
about 95 new jobs.
That's coming off the heels of2023, where we had over $500
(26:47):
million in new commitments, andthe majority of those are in the
Midwest Industrial Park.
So Blue Buffalo is justfinishing a $220 million
expansion, and green ingredientsjust opened late last year with
a $40 million pet foodprocessing facility I'm sorry,
pet food ingredient processingfacility and then we have
(27:09):
liberation labs.
That is under constructioncurrently.
That construction was pausedfor a short period, but it's
resuming now.
And then, lastly, menashaquietly invested about $66
million in their facilities.
They came in and boughtColorbox a couple of years ago,
and so we're very fortunate thatthey chose to reinvest in these
(27:29):
facilities, because oftentimes,when a company is acquired, you
fear that they will shutter itand just take the book of
business with them to theirother existing plans yeah,
minasha, that would be on mylist of my early jobs oh, really
, I worked in the plant, uh,when it was color box, back in
uh, 1983, wow, in the summer of83, and I just really enjoy the
(27:52):
opportunity to get to lookingback now.
Speaker 1 (27:55):
I really liked the opportunities I had through
manpower as a temporary employeeat that time, uh, to work in
manufacturing companies.
Quinex is another one.
I worked in Okay, used to becalled Imperial products and uh.
So I really enjoyed the, justthe experience of what it meant
to be in manufacturing and buildthings be a part of that
(28:17):
process.
So that's just always stuck withme and something that I'm very
grateful that at least now, asan older adult, maybe at that
time maybe I wasn't excitedabout it but I'm really, really
thankful for that.
Speaker 2 (28:32):
I love my job.
I get to tour Menasha laterthis afternoon.
Speaker 1 (28:34):
Yeah, that's awesome.
Speaker 2 (28:35):
It's awesome to see how things are made.
Speaker 1 (28:37):
So are you going out on the north side?
Speaker 2 (28:40):
Yes, okay.
Speaker 1 (28:40):
Yeah, I think that's where the production continues
to grow in that facility ratherthan the G Street.
Anything else.
As far as last year, I thinkVandor had a little bit of
investment last year they did.
Speaker 2 (28:56):
Yeah, I forgot about Vandor.
They've been great partners inthe community.
So the city of Richmondactually owned the building at
1400 Industries Road, formerlyoccupied by Wolverine Worldwide.
At the end of Wolverine's lease, they decided they were just
going to go all remote.
It worked so well during COVID.
They did not see a need fortheir customer service
(29:18):
representatives to be in abuilding any longer, and so
suddenly I had that building tomarket.
And along came Vandor and theyentered into a lease of the
building with an option topurchase, and since then they
have purchased the building andare making it their company
headquarters.
Many don't know Vandor hasother locations across the US,
(29:39):
and so we're very fortunate thatthey call Richmond home to
their corporate headquarters,absolutely.
Extremely important that we haveland under control and
available for development,because when we get requests
from the Indian EconomicDevelopment Corporation for
leads, a company wants X amountof acres close to the interstate
, within so many miles of aninternational airport.
This is the zoning that theyneed.
(30:02):
We need to have sites in ourdatabase that we're able to
submit right away, and havingadditional land, with larger
tracts of land, is enabling usto compete for larger projects.
The largest tract of groundthat we have now is 160 acres,
and so we haven't had a piece ofground that large since Blue
(30:22):
Buffalo purchased their 90 acrelot.
Speaker 1 (30:25):
Yeah, how bad do we want that I-70 work to be to
start and be done?
I just want it to be done, yeah.
Speaker 2 (30:30):
I mean it's going to be good to start and be done.
I just want it to be done.
Speaker 1 (30:32):
Yeah, I mean it's going to be good but, it's going
to be a little painful.
Speaker 2 (30:37):
We're used to pain.
Speaker 1 (30:38):
Yeah, we're loose, we're used to I said maybe we
won't even.
It won't even mean anything tous, we can get through it.
Yeah, yeah.
So I think that's I'm so happyit's going to finally it's
getting close to starting.
Yes, it's kind of already kindof started.
They're doing little things.
Speaker 2 (30:56):
Yeah, they are.
Speaker 1 (30:57):
They are.
Speaker 2 (30:57):
And it'll be very important for truck traffic.
Oh, for sure For industry, bothdeliveries in and out of Wayne
County, but also for our abilityto attract additional industry.
Speaker 1 (31:11):
They'll be able to get moving quicker industry,
they'll be able to get movingquicker.
You touched on a little bitearlier in our conversation
about talent attraction and alsoretention is important for our
community Anything that you canshare about that.
As far as what the EDC isinvolved in, Mm-hmm.
Speaker 2 (31:32):
Well, outside of the Home and Wing campaign, you know
, we really try to just workcollaboratively with our
employers to find out.
You know what are thechallenges that you're having in
recruiting talent, because it'spretty widespread.
But we are hopefully later thisyear our regional economic
development group is going toembark on a skills gap analysis
(31:56):
and really dive into what arethe skills that we're lacking
here and I think that willreally help us understand what
kind of additional training andhigher educational needs that we
have, but then also help usunderstand the challenges that
our employers really are havingrecruiting specific skill sets
into the community.
Speaker 1 (32:24):
Yeah, I mean with Manpower.
I mean we have a lot ofcompanies that do have those
skill positions that it seemslike they always have openings
and various different skill sets.
I mean, there's still an ongoingrecruiting for entry-level
manufacturing, which isimportant.
And one of the impediments thatwe experience is one thing I
wanted to ask you I talked tothe mayor about it and I'll just
(32:46):
get your opinion about it is Ifind that child care is one, but
also I found thattransportation is a huge
impediment for, uh, for part ofour local workforce, you know,
to be able to take certain jobsand or keep jobs, because you
(33:07):
know they'll, they'll miss worka lot because they can't get
there and then and then they endup losing their jobs.
And one thing about about ourdevelopment, especially on the
industrial side, is thosedevelopments are outside the
city limits.
You know we are in CambridgeCity and far in the west side of
Richmond, so the bus linesdon't really address some of
(33:30):
those needs we do not have.
I mean, we have some taxicompanies who are trying to make
a go of it, but I don't thinkwe have a real solid taxi cab
base here that can address allthe needs of the citizens.
(33:52):
And then the problem is is if Iwere to take a cab to work
every day and home I'm going tospend at least a hundred dollars
a week for just those fees andI don't really out well.
I mean it's helping me get towork and and you know, but still
it's at $20 a day.
(34:14):
It takes a chunk out of theirchecks which and a lot of these
folks can't don't really havethe means to secure a loan for a
vehicle.
I'm not sure what $400 can getyou for a car these days.
Speaker 2 (34:29):
Maybe, maybe.
Speaker 1 (34:30):
I don't know.
I don't know I'd have to.
I haven't shopped for a usedcar in a while.
So, and that price range so Idon't because you have the
insurance and gas and you knowcar payments I don't know if
$400 is really going to cover it.
So it's just that to me istough.
But I don't know how you getpeople from where they live
(34:52):
within the community out tothose places economically and
efficiently?
Speaker 2 (34:57):
Absolutely, you're right.
It's something we hear fromemployers, especially those out
in the industrial parks that areoutside of the city bus route,
and it's a challenge and it'snot a challenge that the EDC has
decided to tackle, but Ibelieve the city is embarking on
a transportation plan this year.
(35:18):
And so I'm really hoping thatwill shed some light on some
potential areas of improvement,but that still doesn't tackle
our countywide issue Right, soit's a tremendous challenge.
Speaker 1 (35:32):
There's only so many things that your organization
can do Right, and we are not.
Speaker 2 (35:37):
that is a big challenge to tackle and I don't
think our organization can do it.
Speaker 1 (35:43):
Yeah, yeah.
So, but just to validate though.
I mean, you're hearing thatfrom different employers, yeah,
and so at least for those whowho can make try to make an
impact on it, I mean you supportthe idea that we definitely
need to continue to find ways tohelp people get to their job
absolutely um, make my move.
(36:08):
Uh, program.
I'm kind of been a little bitinterested in that lately
because, uh, one of my, one ofmy sons, is a remote worker in
Tennessee and we're trying toget him to come back to Richmond
and made him aware of thatprogram and so kind of where
does that stand Is that?
How long is that going to keepbeing available?
(36:29):
And you could tell maybe alittle bit about it?
Speaker 2 (36:32):
Sure, and you could tell, maybe a little bit about
it.
Sure, so Make my Move is aremote worker attraction program
that Wayne County has signed upfor.
And Make my Move they have thewebsite, they do all of the
marketing, they do all of theback-end background checks and
validating candidates.
I simply review applicationsand approve individuals into the
(36:54):
program based on our parameters.
So an individual has to make aminimum of $55,000 a year.
That's one of the qualifiers,and once they get through that
application process and they'reapproved, then they can
essentially qualify for a $5,000relocation package as well as
(37:16):
choose from community packagessuch as different arts
organizations providememberships or fitness passes,
and passes to golf courses arein our sports package, and then
we have a history package, andso there's different avenues of
packages they can choose from.
That also gets them out into thecommunity to experience some of
(37:38):
our assets and amenities.
But once they decide to movehere, upon providing proof of
residency, they get theirinitial $2,500.
And then, after they stay forone year and prove that they're
still here, they get theirsecond installment of 2,500.
So we have 24 people in theprogram today.
I believe eight have been herefor their one year, and so we
(38:01):
have six spots remaining,because our goal is 30.
And we have until September toget there.
That's how long our contract iswith Make my Move to provide
their services.
Speaker 1 (38:11):
Okay.
So, sam, if you're watchingDad's podcast, you better get in
quick, because there's only sixleft son.
So you've got to make a move onthat as soon as possible.
Do you think that will berenewed?
Do you think there will be amove to try to do once you've
kind of gone through that?
Do you think you'll kind of tryit again, or is there funds
(38:33):
available to do that?
Speaker 2 (38:36):
I'm not sure, but there has been discussions with
local leaders about tryingsomething different on our own,
where we're actually helping ourexisting employers recruit
high-demand jobs and we'resupporting them in their
recruitment efforts by maybedoubling down or increasing
their financial package forrecruitment, because the remote
(38:58):
worker program is great.
You know, individuals can workanywhere and we have such a low
cost of living that it's anappeal to them to move from
major markets here and, you know, stretch their income further.
But it's not supporting ourexisting employers.
So we'll talk about how wemight pivot in that direction.
Speaker 1 (39:18):
You mentioned earlier in our conversation.
It's just the span of whatyou're trying to do has expanded
and you mentioned one of themwas housing development, and
part of it you mentioned theHousing Accelerator Program was
housing development and part ofit?
You mentioned the HousingAccelerator Program, I believe
(39:41):
from my notes, there is a half amillion available to support
infrastructure extensions.
Speaker 2 (39:46):
Yes.
Speaker 1 (39:47):
And has that been?
How much of that money has beendipped into so far?
Speaker 2 (39:54):
So none yet the applications are open.
So, if you are a housingdeveloper or builder that has an
interest in the program, youcan get a hold of me and we will
get you the application.
I think the applications areopen until mid-March March 15th
I believe and then at that timewe will evaluate all the
applications.
We're thinking we might be ableto support two to three
(40:16):
developments with that money andin our work with Wayne County
government they've said that ifthere is a high need then we'll
look to see if there'sadditional funding available.
Speaker 1 (40:27):
So does the Smith Hill subdivision or the project
at the Elder Behrman site.
Do they qualify for that?
Speaker 2 (40:44):
They do not.
So Smith Hill is a newsubdivision and so we're looking
at current platted, unfinishedsubdivisions.
So think about neighborhoodswhere you see a stub at the road
and there's vacant ground right.
There's an additional sectionof that subdivision that could
be developed, but a lot of thosehave not because of the barrier
of the cost of extending thatinfrastructure, and so we're
trying to eliminate that barrierand finish some of these
(41:05):
subdivisions throughout thecounty.
Speaker 1 (41:06):
And are there significant ones?
I mean out there.
Speaker 2 (41:11):
Yeah, there are.
Okay, yeah, by our countsthere's about 20.
Speaker 1 (41:16):
Really Okay, all right ones.
I mean out there.
Yeah, there are okay.
Yeah, by our counts there'sabout 20.
Really okay, all right.
Um, the blight program we didtouch on that a little bit,
where we're just going in andremoving buildings that are in
disrepair, primarily uh, I Ithink some of the the cleanup
(41:37):
that wasn't funded through thefederal government, part of the
cleanup from the fire that wehad over at the.
What's the street, is it h?
Speaker 2 (41:48):
oh, what's what?
Speaker 1 (41:49):
where the hofko building right and the recycling
did some of that?
Some of that money was used tohelp with some of the costs,
wasn't it or not?
Speaker 2 (41:58):
no, no these blight funds um.
Speaker 1 (42:00):
They're the consolidated edit and county
edit funds that we've pulled forthis program I know there were
some, some local monies used tohelp that I was talking to mayor
.
I just can't remember if thatwas it could have part of that
fund.
Speaker 2 (42:11):
it could have been part of the city's budget for
unsafe structures, all right.
Speaker 1 (42:15):
How long do we let a rundown residential home just
sit and sit and sit?
I mean, unfortunately in ourcommunity we have our fair share
of those.
I mean it would be interestingif you just take some drive in
certain neighborhoods in ourcommunity.
It's amazing how many that wehave.
(42:35):
And whatever we can do to kindof clean those up I think in the
long run is probably to ourbenefit.
Speaker 2 (42:42):
Yeah, well, we definitely need some more
neighborhood stabilizationprojects um you know funding
available for that so that wecan try to save some of these
homes before they get so fardeteriorated that there's no
bringing them back.
Speaker 1 (42:55):
We talked about.
I had written a note.
I think we kind of talked abouta little bit about what are
some of your thoughts that maybe about the available workforce
and how.
I mean I think we have peopleavailable for jobs, but I think
the skill issue is, you know,people with the right skill set
(43:16):
is still an ongoing issue andI'm not sure what different
relationships or programs areyou aware of that are trying to
address that other than anythingthat we may have mentioned
already or hit on.
I mean, is that part ofdiscussions that you have on an
ongoing basis?
Speaker 2 (43:35):
Ivy Tech.
Right now they have a programthey're working on it's called
Manufacturing Reimagined wherethey're working with
manufacturers in the region ondeveloping a new manufacturing
lab and really focusing on thoseskill sets that are needed by
our primary employers.
So I applaud them for thateffort and reinvesting in
(43:56):
technology and new trainingopportunities for existing
employers.
But back to your question abouthaving an adequate workforce.
Our commuter base has grown andgrown over the years because we
have added employmentopportunities, and so we have
over 12,000 people now thatcommute to Wayne County every
day to work.
The nut that I think we have tocrack is our labor
(44:20):
participation rate, which sitsat about 55%.
So what's the remaining 45% ofour age-qualified workforce
doing?
So that's a question no oneseems to be able to answer.
So I think it's about those whoare able-bodied how do we get
them back to work and in acareer that they really enjoy?
Speaker 1 (44:45):
That all kind of I hate going back and talking
about the pandemic.
I think I've already said thatcomment on several former
podcasts.
Speaker 2 (44:53):
You can't avoid it, but yeah it's tough.
Speaker 1 (44:55):
It was a moment in our country's history that just
had an impact on us, and everycommunity was affected by it,
probably some more than others,but I think that workforce
participation was greatlyimpacted by that, and maybe
(45:15):
forever.
I don't know I mean it's untilyou move through some
generations, but that definitelyhad an impact on that and I
don't know what we do to getpeople back.
You know, and now they'reliving, now they're surviving,
not being gainfully employed.
I don't know if assistance isinvolved and they're just
(45:40):
learning to kind of survive onless.
So I don't know.
Speaker 2 (45:45):
I have no clue.
I look to Department ofWorkforce Development and others
at Eastern Indiana Works to tryto solve that issue for us.
They're the experts, yeah.
Speaker 1 (45:57):
Who goes switching gears we're going to wrap up
here in a minute, but communityfeedback sessions who runs those
?
Speaker 2 (46:05):
The ones that are underway right now are managed
by Ford Wayne County, which isthe community development arm of
the Wayne County Foundation.
So right now Ford Wayne Countyand Wayne County government are
joining forces for a newcountywide planning process.
We just went through that twoyears ago, through the Hoosier
Enduring Legacy Program,otherwise known as HELP, where
(46:26):
we had numerous jurisdictions,cities and towns volunteer to be
a part of that planning process, and at the end of it we had a
plan and each communitycontributed 30% of their ARPA
funds.
But Wayne County contributed 30%of their ARPA funds, and that
was $5 million, I believe, andso all of those dollars were
reinvested into the programs andprojects that were identified
(46:49):
in that planning process.
We've completed that plan, andso now we're embarking on a
second planning process.
The difference is there's nomoney at the end of it to
implement the projects, but ourhope is new programs always
develop, whether it's at thefederal or state level or even
at the local level.
We could come up with somefunding to help implement some
of the projects that areidentified, and so I believe
(47:12):
there are 10 or 11 differenttowns in the city that are
participating this time, and sowe want community feedback as to
you know what's important toyou and your communities as we
develop the plans there are somesessions that you have where
you actually go.
Speaker 1 (47:26):
you have a location and people come and so who
conducts?
I mean, who's the person thatgoes and tries to answer those
questions?
Because those kind of meetingscan be very interesting.
You know, people have a lot ofpassion about what they feel
like and they come and you know,I mean I think it's great to
(47:47):
try to have those open forumsand be transparent and go and
answer those.
But it also can be kind ofinteresting moments can come
from those times.
Speaker 2 (47:56):
Absolutely.
That's why we hireprofessionals at HWC Engineering
who are consultants that managethat.
They collect all the feedbackand they know how to consolidate
it into information that we canthen read and review and
determine what we do with it,okay, all right, uh, touched.
Speaker 1 (48:17):
We've kind of been all over the gamut of things, so
hopefully it makes some sensewhen, uh, I, we go back through
this again and watch it.
But, uh, anything else that isnoteworthy that you'd just like
to share?
Maybe not.
We've covered, I think, a lot,but I may have missed something.
I don't know.
Speaker 2 (48:36):
Just sitting in my seat.
It's very interesting of thepublic's opinion of the work
that's being done in thecommunity.
So as you hear about projectsand programs that are launching,
try to be open-minded about howit impacts other individuals.
Not everything is going to beappealing to you.
Not every project or businessis going to be a place that you
(49:01):
visit personally.
But try to be open-minded abouthow different the needs of
individuals are in the communityand how it might be supporting
someone else's family, someoneelse's livelihood or someone
else's interests.
So I just want people to bemore open-minded about the work
that's being done.
Speaker 1 (49:17):
Yeah, Just not always say well, what's in it for me,
and it's easy to fall in trapabout being self-introspective
about what I want but, I, thinkyou make a great point about
what's good for us as acommunity and and how other
lives can be enriched bydifferent programs and
initiatives that go on, and ifit's for the greater good, then
(49:41):
I think everyone's going tobenefit from it in the long run
so no I appreciate your wordsabout that.
so, valerie, thank you forcoming on and speaking with me
today and appreciate the workthat you and your team are doing
, and just keep up the greatwork.
We appreciate it.
Speaker 2 (49:59):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (49:59):
Thanks for coming.
So, whatever platform thatyou're watching or listening
today, I just ask you to pleasespread the word, like, share and
subscribe Michael Allen fromManpower.
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(50:20):
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