Perspective: Northeast Indiana and the Defense Industry

"Northeast Indiana and the Defense Industry: Advancing with the Growth Curve"
By Dean Barber- Vice President, Business Development

While Northeast Indiana has a long history and tradition of auto-related manufacturing and assembly, less known is the fact that our region has a growing defense and aerospace industry. This growing presence is substantial enough that it should be hard to ignore. In fact, during 2005 and 2006, a total of $2 billion of prime contracts were awarded by the U.S. Department of Defense to six major defense contractors in Northeast Indiana. Additionally, more than 160 companies have been identified as suppliers to the defense industry in our region.

Clearly the industry is on a growth curve and requiring new and replacement workers. These are typically high-paying, high-technically skilled jobs. Fortunately, northeast Indiana's historic manufacturing skills presents the prime foundation on which to support the defense industry. The Talent Opportunity Success (TOpS) 2015 was formed to leverage the region's manufacturing capabilities and to upgrade the skills of our existing adult workforce while preparing K-12 students for a knowledge-based economy as well as ensuring and providing a skilled workforce to serve this industry.

Forbes.com recently highlighted various skill sets that the defense industry utilizes and demands. This article outlines several areas which northeast Indiana is focusing its attention as our workforce is enhanced.

Read Forbes.com "Defense Jobs And Where To Find Them"

Northeast Indiana Savvy Entrepreneurs Garner Attention

The entrepreneurial spirit northeast Indiana harbors is playing a key factor in our region's resiliency. Not only that, but with Indiana a top ranking exporter, the global economy is influenced by every Hoosier city and town.

During a recent visit to northeast Indiana, Purdue University President France A. Cordova noted the revolution of American Manufacturing that is taking place in the region. Prevalent "high-tech, high-value, innovative and client-driven" companies have leveraged Indiana's global economic presence and moved forward at a pace which compliments the advancements taking place in technology and industrial needs.

The market leader for custom-drawn precision fine wire in medical produces, Fort Wayne Metals and Huntington-based Shuttleworth were both highlighted in President Cordova's regional review for their capabilities in keeping pace with the world economy and embracing a global presence. In fact, Ireland is home to a Fort Wayne Metals facility while serves the European Union marketplace from facilities in ShuttleworthKuala Lumpur and Belgium.

These companies which President Cordova highlighted are merely two examples in a region full of innovation and technological advancement. Avilla, IN plans to be home to a new innovation center in the near future, bringing a green technology hub to the heart of northeast Indiana. And companies like Raytheon, ITT and ERAPSCO--to name a few--are acquiring defense industry contracts on a regular basis and supplying our country with state of the art technology.

Northeast Indiana's savvy innovation is showcasing to the world our region's success and President Cordova's acknowledgement is yet another supporting piece in our growing list of accolades.

Read Purdue University President Cordova's Full Article

An All America City Perspective by John Sampson

John Sampson
President/CEO of the Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership
As Published July 3rd, 2009 in the Greater Fort Wayne Business Weekly
Abbreviated Edition

Admittedly, I was originally a reluctant participant in the city of Fort Wayne’s bid to add an All-America City award to its trophy case for the third time. When Mayor Tom Henry called, I suggested an appropriate alternate. He didn’t bite. Throughout rehearsals and travel to Tampa, Fla., my mind was replete with missed appointments and a to-do list not done.

Sure, I wanted Indiana’s second-largest city and our region to have this honor — a testament to a community’s core values and civic responsibility. And as the Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership works to further northeast Indiana’s economic development, I selfishly acknowledged that quality-of-place factors such as an All-America City honor routinely influence business retention and relocation decisions.

I remained convinced that surely someone else would have been better suited for the three-day venture to Florida. Mayor Henry refused to take no for an answer; so, I committed to the assigned practices and began preparing answers for random but seemingly likely regional economic-development questions.

I was in for a surprise. I thought I was there to merely contribute my perspective, but not so. I was there to learn. While at rehearsals, I learned the story of Shafiquillah Fahim (who prefers simply “Shaq”), an Afghan refugee who has come to call northeast Indiana his home. I listened to and absorbed the tragic story of Sharon Repka and the loss of her husband in a bicycling accident. This sad story was turned glad through a grassroots community project, Aboite New Trails. And northeast Indiana was aptly represented by Sheena and Cheyenne, who are changing lives through the Great Kids Make Great Communities and Youth Summit programs as high-school authors and evangelists. These stories are what mattered. They are but a few reasons why northeast Indiana is a region fully worthy of the All-America City honor.

Yes, I could have been doing other things. Thankfully, I was in Tampa, simply providing backup to the real story of a great city and our region. What I discovered through the civic pride and celebration was well worth the after-hours rehearsals and now-forgotten travel hassles. I was able to witness the very fabric that makes up the Hoosier character of our region.

All together now: All-America City. All-America region.

Read John's Full Article "Residents’ stories, efforts made Fort Wayne an All-America City"

Happy 233rd Birthday to the United States of America

Photo Courtesy of travlinman43

Our sincere thanks and appreciation to our armed forces who continue to stand by America's side and for all those abroad who continue to fight for our freedom – we salute you!

Wishing you and yours a safe and wonderful Independence Day holiday!

Hotel Groundbreaking Unites Northeast Indiana Lenders

Participating Northeast Indiana Lenders and Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry Are Pictured Above at the Courtyard by Marriott Groundbreaking Ceremony

Northeast Indiana has a reputation for coming together for the betterment of our communities. This habit of ours reaches deep into the fiber of the region's fabric, with no industry lacking in community consciousness.

Following this tradition of collaboration, but yet in an uncommon turn of events, 7 northeast Indiana banks teamed together to finance a project traditionally funded by a single lender. First Federal Bank, Grabill Bank, Lake City Bank, Chase, Star Financial Bank, Tower Bank and Salin Bank contributed to the financing and support which was vital to construction of Fort Wayne's new Courtyard by Marriott hotel and the continuation of the Harrison Square project. Lack of financing briefly stalled the Marriott construction; however, after Centier Bank of Merriville stepped in, the 7 northeast Indiana banks followed.

Because of this collaboration, the Courtyard by Marriott construction was ceremoniously launched on Monday during a groundbreaking ceremony next to Parkview Field. Construction will now continue with local firms acquiring over half the contracts necessary for the project.

Even in an economic time in which lenders across the country are tight and dollar-conscious, teamwork still remains to be the reliable answer for success. Northeast Indiana lenders know what is best for the region and thus created an avenue which further development and investment in northeast Indiana could proceed. If it can be done, northeast Indiana understands how to make it happen.