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What began in the early 1990’s as a dream of an industrial park, has come to fruition in 2015 when representatives of the City of Rushville, the Rushville Redevelopment Commission, and the Rush County ECDC held a ribbon cutting ceremony to signifying the completion of the infrastructure development throughout the 80-acre parcel.  This included road construction, installing curbs and gutters for those internal roads, sanitary sewer, a lift station, water mains, storm water facilities, soil erosion control measures, a fiber network, lighting and other related appurtenances. The project also called for widening State Road 3.

The property, now known as The Commerce Park at Rushville, was designated “Shovel Ready” in February, 2007.  The City purchased the land that same year.  In August, 2012, the U. S. Economic Development Administration awarded $1.66 million to the City of Rushville for the development of the Park.  The City matched those funds with $1.66 million of local dollars, and let bids in 2013.  Construction was started by King Trucking & Excavation, Inc. after the official groundbreaking in March, 2014.

At the ceremony, ECDC Executive Director John McCane commented that the development of the industrial park has been achieved through from the labor of five mayors, six economic development directors, dozens of city councilmen, and countless community leaders.  “This project is the culmination of dedicated efforts from countless public servants, volunteers, various levels of government participation, and even the input from local citizens,” said McCane.

McCane, went on to say that the park is not only shovel ready, but it is now “pad-ready”.  Because the infrastructure and zoning is in place, city and economic development officials contend that this will serve as an enticement to interested parties looking to expand a business in Rushville.

Cathy Wenning, Chair of the Rush County ECDC, thanked those in the audience for braving the cold and rain to come help celebrate the completion of the park.  She reiterated that this property opens the door for many new economic development opportunities for Rushville and Rush County.

Mayor Mike Pavey said “I just want to thank everybody who participated in this, whether it was the boards that supported this, the people who actually got the construction done, or whether it was Ann (Copley – City Clerk Treasurer) who paid the bills, I want to thank everyone for their efforts. I think this shows that we are a truly progressive community, and that we do make significant financial investments in the economic development of this community.”

The intent of this RFQP is to request technical qualifications from qualified environmental consulting firms (Respondents) interested in providing environment assessment services to the City with the needs outlined in the RFQP. The City plans to qualify a single Respondent that meets the threshold and selection criteria outlined in this RFQP.  The RFQP is open to all qualified environmental professionals (QEPs) capable and qualified to meet the objectives and requirements described in this document.  Qualified DBE/MDE/WBE organizations are encouraged to respond.

For complete RFQP, visit:  http://cityofrushville.in.gov

The City of Rushville announced today that Ivy Tech Community College will become the first tenant in the soon- to- be renovated City Center Building on Main Street. Current Ivy Tech Richmond offices and classrooms at 126 South Main Street will move to the City Center Building in late 2016.

Rushville Mayor Mike Pavey said, during the 11 a.m. ribbon cutting, “I have looked forward to this day since I became Mayor in 2012. We are saving a community and downtown landmark, and creating a new vibrant cultural center that will provide entertainment and educational opportunities as well as house city offices and streamline services.”

John McCane, Rush County Economic & Community Development Corporation executive director, said, “Today, we are taking an important step to assure Rush County’s new and existing businesses have the educational resources available to support their current and future needs and those of their employees.”

Richmond and East Central Regions’ Chancellor Andy Bowne said, “These plans have been a long time in the making, starting with our previous chancellor, Dr. Steve Tincher.  The students of Rushville and Rush County need access to high quality at a price they can afford, and a location that makes starting their educational journey possible.  We are excited to partner with Mayor Pavey and community leaders to make this happen.”

Chad Bolser, Richmond Campus President said, “It was an offer we couldn’t refuse. We are thrilled to be in the central part of Rushville with visibility, great technology access, classrooms and office space.  It is a wonderful opportunity for current and future students of Ivy Tech Community College.”

The City of Rushville acquired ownership of the building in November, 2014. The first floor building renovation, in addition to the space for Ivy Tech, will provide opportunities for multiple cultural events including a movie theater; a large live music seating forum (winter extension and bad weather venue for the Riverside Park Summer Concert Series); the performing home of the Rush County Players-Live theater troupe. The second floor will be used for consolidation of city-related offices, enhancing efforts to streamline Rushville city services.

When local business and industry leaders shared the struggles they were having in filling current job openings, a task force of representatives from the Rush County ECDC, the Rush County Chamber of Commerce, and WorkOne embraced the challenge to identify workers capable of filling the void.

The First Annual Rush County Economic Development Job Fair was established as the means to help meet the worthy goal. Last week, 24 regional employers came together to meet and interview prospective employees from Rush and surrounding counties.

Several employers stated they were able to find quality applicants that day.

“To have the opportunity to share your business with the community is a positive for everyone regardless of open positions. Finding great qualified applicants is just a huge plus. This event was very successful and I look forward to speaking with some applicants we received throughout the day,” Dennis Fogle, vice president of Human Resources for Rush Memorial Hospital, said.

Max McMichael, co-owner of FarmBoys Smokehouse BBQ, said, “We came away with a stack of completed applications, and are beginning to call some candidates in for interviews. We were very pleased with the turnout and the whole process of the job fair.”

“I talked to several of the manufacturing firms participating in the job fair, and some had already found the workers they needed,” Sandy Fussner, Executive Director of the Rush County Chamber of Commerce, said. “It was a great opportunity to connect job seekers with local and surrounding businesses. We’ll definitely do it again next year.”

Some employers provided prizes that were given away, and ten of the job seekers who attended will be getting phone calls to inform them of prizes they won during the day. Those winners will be notified to pick up their prize at their local WorkOne office.

“I believe the organizers hit it out of the park when they decided to host the event on a Saturday,” ECDC Client Services Manager Carolyn Bunzendahl said. “This provided currently employed individuals who seek better jobs the opportunity to visit with regional employers without having to miss their regular work.”

Posted: Friday, August 21, 2015 7:00 am

By Kate Thurston Rushville Republican

The Rush County Economic & Community Development Corporation announced that JM CNC, LLC, a computer numerical control (CNC) manufacturer, plans to expand its operations to Rush County, creating up to 62 new jobs by 2018.
The homegrown Hoosier company will invest $4.5 million to add 40,000-square-feet to its Rushville location. The renovation will provide additional space for 20 new CNC machines, employees, and production output. Formerly known as JM Manufacturing, the company changed its name to JM CNC on August 1 to reflect its new owner, Columbia City-based Impact CNC.
JM CNC, which currently has 38 full-time employees in Rushville, plans to begin hiring CNC operators, set-up, assembly, quality assurance and shipping & receiving positions immediately. Interested applicants may apply in person at JM CNC located at 167 East 200 North in Rushville.
“Indiana is such a business-friendly state that has so many resources to support business growth,” said Jerry Busche, CEO of Impact CNC. “Other businesses talk about the Midwestern worth ethic, but I believe that the Hoosier work ethic and family values far surpass those in any of our neighboring states, making Indiana a great place to live and work.”
JM CNC will act as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Impact CNC, its new parent company. Impact CNC currently supplies CNC work to the automotive, heavy truck, off-highway and oil industries. Impact CNC earned the distinction as a 2014 Company to Watch as well as receiving the Outstanding Supplier Support Award from Toyota the same year.
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered JM CNC, LLC up to $400,000 in conditional tax credits based on the company’s job creation plans. These tax credits are performance-based, meaning until Hoosiers are hired, the company is not eligible to claim incentives.

“Rush County continues to be a pro-business community where industry leaders have confidence in the progressive economic environment, pragmatic workforce development programs, and local elected officials who encourage and welcome economic investment and growth,” said John McCane, Executive Director of the Rush County ECDC. “Rush County is excited to welcome JM CNC, LLC to our community. At the same time, we honor JB Vogel for his years of commitment to building a stronger Rush County.”
The Rush County Council will consider additional incentives at the request of the Rush County Economic & Community Development Corporation. “This is fantastic day for Rush County,” said County Councilperson Janet Kile. “Rush County maintains its efforts to create the best business environment for companies looking for a place to grow.”

The manufacturing sector accounts for approximately 25 percent of Indiana’s economy, contributing $64 billion each year and employing about 450,000 workers, according to Conexus Indiana. Indiana continues to have the nation’s highest concentration of private sector manufacturing jobs.

About JM CNC, LLC
Founded in 1977 by Roy Vogel, JM Manufacturing has experienced a series of rapid expansions under its current owner, JB Vogel, who purchased the company from his father in 1991. JM Manufacturing is a precision parts manufacturer that uses CNC equipment to produce intricate parts that are shipped to clients worldwide. JM Manufacturing will be a wholly-owned subsidiary of Impact CNC, LLC and will be renamed JM CNC, LLC.

PLAINFIELD, IND. –
Duke Energy customers in Indiana are getting a break on their summer electric bills, and they can expect additional savings through the end of the year due to lower fuel costs.

Rates for the average residential customer have declined about 8 percent compared to last July, in large part due to lower coal costs. That amounts to about $10 in savings on a monthly bill for a customer using 1,000 kilowatt-hours.

Costs in 2015 are also lower because extreme winter weather in 2014 drove up fuel and purchased power costs.

Rates for more energy-intensive customers, businesses that use large amounts of power, have declined about 9 to 10 percent compared to last summer.

Costs will reduce further over the next few months as lower-cost fuel replaces higher-cost supplies. Those additional savings, if approved by the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission in a filing made today, would amount to $2 monthly for an average residential customer during October, November and December. Some of the savings are also due to a true-up of previous cost projections.

“A large part of the decreases is due to a settlement with one of our large coal suppliers, which means reduced fuel costs to produce electricity—savings that we pass along to customers,” said Duke Energy Indiana President Melody Birmingham-Byrd. “These are significant rate decreases that will help our customers, especially industries and large businesses, reduce and control their costs, particularly during the summer when customers use more power and bills are higher.”

Indiana state utility regulators review utility fuel costs four times a year, and costs fluctuate, but a significant part of these decreases are due to lower pricing for a long-term coal contract. Fuel costs are one of the largest components of a customer’s bill.

The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission first approved a portion of the decreases in late March as part of the company’s quarterly fuel clause filing. Lower costs began appearing in customer bills in April.

Duke Energy Indiana

Duke Energy Indiana’s operations provide about 7,500 megawatts of owned electric capacity to approximately 810,000 customers in a 23,000-square-mile service area, making it the state’s largest electric supplier.

Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., Duke Energy is a Fortune 250 company traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol DUK. More information about the company is available at duke-energy.com.

In a concerted effort to promote private investment in broadband infrastructure, The City of Rushville and the Rush County Economic & Community Development Corporation completed all steps required to apply for the Broadband Ready Community certification. Application was made to the Indiana Economic Development Corporation and its Broadband Ready Communities Development Center.

The City of Rushville has been notified that it is the first of Indiana’s 119 cities to be certified as a Broadband Ready Community (BRC). “Having this certification sends a signal to the telecommunication industry that our community has taken steps to reduce barriers to broadband infrastructure investment”, said John McCane, ECDC Executive Director. “We have been meeting with our partners at NineStar Connect to move this process forward; they of course are extremely supportive, and have been a partner with Rushville and Rush County for several years.

Kroger Central Division leaders celebrated the grand opening of a new fuel center adjacent to the company’s Rushville store at 202 South Main Street in Rushville Friday morning.
The total economic investment in this fuel center is $1.2 million. Kroger’s project was led by Project Manager Reggie Henderson. This investment strengthens Kroger’s economic and workforce commitment to the local Rushville community and will create additional jobs.
At a time when many companies, particularly retail companies, have slowed or stopped their investments in facilities and job creation in Indiana, Kroger Central Division has accelerated their pace of investment.
According to President of Kroger Central Division Jeff Burt, “The grocery, pharmacy and fuel markets are very competitive in Indiana, but also very important for The Kroger Co. Our solid success in the marketplace allows us to make significant economic and work force investments in our Indiana stores. Our investment in Rushville is a strong vote of confidence and allows us to continue providing quality products, competitive prices and outstanding customer service, while being a supportive community partner. The Rushville fuel center will allow us to provide the nation’s best retail fuel rewards program to customers in that neighborhood.”
As part of the grand opening event, Kroger is donating $250 in fuel gift cards to the Rushville Volunteer Fire Department and $250 in fuel gift cards to the ARC of Rush County.