The Economic Development Perspective
Marshall County Economic
Development Corporation
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Get to Know Marshall County Businesses - AutoCam360
Corporate Headquarters: Plymouth, IN
Parent Company: Kessler Crane
Industrial Sector: E-commerce
Primary Product: Photography and video recording equipment
Number of Employees: 30
A new business, unlike any other in the area, is soon set to officially launch in Plymouth. The success of this innovative company shows that Marshall County is an excellent place for small businesses to grow and thrive. The business, known as AutoCam360, began within Plymouth-based Kessler Crane in March of 2018. Thanks to an overwhelming market response and explosive growth, AutoCam360 will be launching as its own business in January 2019.
AutoCam360 is built on the foundation of Kessler Crane, an industry leader in motion control products and support for video and photography for over 15 years in Plymouth. AutoCam360 offers a suite of systems and studio services that cater to the e-commerce product photography and video markets. This technology gives online retailers the ability to offer customers a 3D or 360-degree view of their product. What makes AutoCam360 special is its variety of products and services offered, including hardware, software, design, studio services, and support-all based in the United States at the Plymouth facility.
The future looks bright for this new startup, which is expected to bring on more employees as the system sales and studio services portion of the business grows. The company is also planning on building a larger system to
facilitate 360 and 3D multi-angle spin photography of items like cars and furniture.
One of the best things about operating a business in Marshall County is its vibrant, supportive business community. To that end, Marshall County businesses are invited to learn more about AutoCam360. Sales & Operations Director Chris Beller says, "If you are a manufacturer or brand with an online presence, we would like to work with you to improve your product representation, decrease your returns, increase site time visits, and increase your overall sales." Visit www.autocam360.com for more information.
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What's Next for Marshall County Stellar
This year, Marshall County's regional Stellar initiative has brought remarkable results for the entire region. Although Marshall County was not designated a Stellar community, there have already been tangible benefits to the planning process. Leaders have come together to create a plan for the region based on the shared goals of connecting, collaborating, and creating. The outcome of this plan is raising quality of place and improving quality of life.
After being named a Stellar Community finalist in April, Marshall County underwent a robust community engagement process. As a result, 16 Stellar projects and 13 complimentary projects were developed that will impact every city and town across Marshall County. Leaders will continue meeting in 2019 to organize priorities, develop strategies, and create a timeline to execute projects based upon regional impact.
Our community is driving forward at full speed with projects that will enhance quality of life, increase population and school enrollment, attract skilled workers to the area, and diversify housing options. That is the true measure of success for Marshall County.
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More Housing in Culver
Recently, IHCDA awarded state funding to "The Paddocks," the Town of Culver's latest workforce housing initiative. This development is the next step in Culver's ongoing effort to support local employers by increasing housing options and ensuring their employees can live and work in Culver. The Paddocks was awarded $975,000 and has a total of $9.6 million capital investment. Culver's status as a 2017 Stellar Designee was paramount in securing this funding due to the IHCDA setting aside 10% of the total tax credit allocation for Stellar designated communities. The development will feature 48units of workforce housing in 6 buildings, including 12 two-bedroom and 36 three-bedroom units and will be located across the street from Sand Hill Farm. Half of all units will be rent-to-own townhomes and the remaining half will be apartment buildings.
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Additional Housing in the Works for Marshall County
Centennial Crossing, a vital housing project that has been in development for years is finally moving forward in Plymouth. Housing continues to be the next priority in the City of Plymouth. The new development will provide housing to help attract a workforce and aid in continued business growth by ensuring employees can live and work in Plymouth. This is vital given the numerous announced jobs created by Marshall County businesses.
Recently, the Plymouth Common Council approved annexation of about 40 acres of land on the north side of Plymouth. This land will be the future home to Centennial Crossing, a housing development including approximately 55 houses and 220 apartments. The City is also planning to create a new TIF district in 2019 to support the development. Currently, the project developer is finalizing the layout and planning documents. Centennial Crossing is on track to break ground in April 2019.
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2018 Year in Review
As the year draws to a close, we'd like to reflect on some of the accomplishments that our County has experienced. This snapshot of economic development activity shows that 2018 was a year that stands out as a success. We are sure that this momentum will continue in the coming year thanks to the support of our community.
Argos
- Argos Manufacturing Center building completed and currently being marketed - $2.2 million capital investment
- Successfully advocated for interchange at US Hwy 31 and SR 10 instead of J-turns
- Colonial Estates housing development Phase I & II planned
- Broadband expansion completed with 3 hubs build serving residents, businesses, and schools
- Argos marketing campaign launched, and new logo unveiled
- Community Building planned on Marshall County Fairgrounds
Bourbon
- Bourbon Dollar General expanded to Bourbon - $1.0 million capital investment
- Bourbon promotional video developed: https://youtu.be/jCs4lRIONmY
- Cedar Road housing development planned and owners working to secure housing credits
- Mixed Use Commercial Development planning continued
- Committee formed to implement Comprehensive Plan
- RTC & REMC formed not-for-profit with plans to run fiber to REMC substations in Bourbon and throughout Marshall County
Bremen
- Innovator RV, LLC expansion - TBD capital investment
- Bremtown Cabinetry expansion, tax abatement secured - $3.4 million in a building expansion
- Nisco expansion, tax abatement secured - $285,000 in new equipment
- South Jackson Street townhouse development underway with 6 out of 18 units completed
- Regional Cities funded Rolling Meadows housing development under construction with 5 out of 53 units completed
- Southwire expansion planned for 2019 with 28 acres of land annexed and rezoned
- Recipient of $45,000 OCRA planning grant for streetscape project
- Hometown Collaboration Initiative placemaking project under way - $10,000 capital investment
- Lift stations upgrades underway throughout town - $1.4 million capital investment
- Façade grant funded 9 business exterior revitalizations - $30,000 capital investment
Culver
- Culver Business Expansion and Retention program surveyed 19 commercial businesses
- Culver Meadows mixed use development planned with 77 acres of land annexed
- Sand Hill Farm (broke ground in 2017) utilities and road extended to property
- The Paddocks housing development received IHCDA funding
- Sign depicting new Culver logo installed in Culver Town Park
- Stellar project Damore Amphitheater ribbon cutting held, raised $45,000 through crowdfunding campaign - $140,000 capital investment
LaPaz
- Town investigated and determined capability of sewer extension to new commercial development after rezoning 2 properties to C2 Commercial in 2017
- Improvements completed on 4 roads including widening of 1st Road to accommodate truck traffic
- American Electric Power purchased land for a new substation with construction underway
- Demolition completed on Community Building, town investigating funding for new building
Plymouth
- Winona Building Products expansion - $60.0 million capital investment
- Pretzels, Inc. expansion, tax abatement secured - $9.0 million in new equipment
- Weir Enterprises LLC expansion, tax abatement secured - $500,000 in a building expansion
- Oasis Lifestyle, LLC expansion, tax abatement secured - $1.8 million in a building expansion and $134,00 in new equipment
- Bomarko, Inc. expansion, tax abatement secured - $2.0 million in building improvements and $3 million in new equipment
- American Containers expansion, tax abatement secured - $1.2 million in new equipment
- Aquatic Center and Early Childhood Learning Center under construction, to be completed August 2019 and April 2019, respectively - $10.6 million capital investment
- MCEDC owns building and is managing construction
- River Gate South (broke ground 2017) footbridge installed - $150,000 capital investment
- City Hall and Chamber of Commerce buildings renovated - $2.5 million capital investment
- River Park Square Kayak Lunch project raised $11,000 through crowdfunding campaign
- REES Theatre raised $1.5 million to secure $300,000 in Regional Cities funding
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Invest in Marshall County
The Marshall County EDC would like to say thank you for supporting the "Invest in Marshall County" campaign. The private/public partnership was launched in 2015 to increase private sector support for economic development.
New investors contributing funds to the campaign and partnering with MCEDC include:
Returning investors include:
- Elkay Wood Products Company
- First Farmers Bank & Trust
- Plymouth Redevelopment Commission
- Construction-Management & Design, Inc.
- Faulkner Fabricating, Inc.
- Pioneer Railroad Services, Inc.
- Plymouth Industrial Development Corporation (PIDCO)
- Hoosier Racing Tire Corporation
We'd also like to acknowledge all of our 2018 investors. The full list also includes:
- Marshall County
- Town of Argos
- Town of Bourbon
- Town of Bremen
- Town of Culver
- Town of LaPaz
- City of Plymouth
- 1st Source Bank
- Abonmarche Consultants, Inc.
- AK Industries, Inc.
- American Containers, Inc.
- Anco Office Products
- Applegate & Company, PC
- Banner Electric, Inc.
- Bona Vita Architecture, Inc.
- Bremen Chamber of Commerce
- Brockey Insurance Agency
- Business Development Corporation
- Centier Bank
- CenturyLink
- Mr. James N. Clevenger
- Collins & Company Realtors
- Comcast Business Services
- Comfort Suites, Plymouth
- Community Hospital of Bremen
- Country Auto Center
- Culver Chamber of Commerce
- Culver Redevelopment Commission
- DAC Enterprise, Inc.
- Easterday Construction Co., Inc.
- Easterday Houin, LLP
- Farm Innovators, Inc.
- Farmers Mutual Insurance Company
- First Farmers Bank & Trust
- First Federal Savings Bank - Bremen
- First Federal Savings Bank - Plymouth
- First Merchants Bank
- Gibson Foundation, Inc.
- Graphix Unlimited, Inc.
- Harmony Marketing Group
- Hughes Insurance Group
- Indiana Michigan Power
- Indiana Technology and Manufacturing Companies (ITAMCO)
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- Jones Huff Jones & Richeson, LLP
- Kil Architecture Planning
- Lake City Bank
- Lukenbill & Lukenbill, LLP
- Majority Builders, Inc.
- Marshall County Community Foundation
- Marshall County Convention and Visitors Bureau
- Marshall County Museum
- Marshall County Rural Electric Membership Corporation (REMC)
- Masterson & Associates, Inc.
- McKesson Title Corporation
- Meridian Title Corporation
- Michiana Contracting, Inc.
- Miller Insurance Group
- Morrison Law Office
- Morrow Insurance Agency, Inc.
- Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO)
- Oasis Lifestyle, LLC
- Ozinga Ready Mix Concrete, Inc.
- Plymouth Chamber of Commerce
- Plymouth Foundry, Inc.
- Pregis Innovative Packaging, LLC
- Pretzels, Inc.
- Rees Theatre Inc.
- Saint Joseph Health System / Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center
- Schoberg & Schoberg, Inc.
- Sherwin-Williams Paint Store
- SRKM Architecture LLC
- South Bend International Airport
- Swan Lake Resort & Conference Center
- Teachers Credit Union
- Troyer Group
- United Way of Marshall County
- Viking Paper Corporation
- Wabash Valley Power Association, Inc.
- Wiers International Trucks, Inc.
- Zentis Food Solutions North America, LLP
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Thank you, together we will strengthen and grow Marshall County's economy.
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