The Economic Development Perspective

Marshall County Economic
Development Corporation
Get to Know Marshall County Businesses: Ameri-Can Engineering

Corporate Headquarters: Argos, IN
Date Established: 1988  
Industrial Sector: Portable Sanitation Manufacturing  
Primary Product: Custom Restroom/Shower Trailers 
Number of Employees: 25  
 
Ameri-Can Engineering is a third-generation, family owned business in the heart of Argos. The business is an innovative manufacturer of products unlike anything else in the region, offering the most customization available in its industry. Ameri-Can Engineering manufactures high-quality portable sanitation trailers including luxury restroom trailers, decontamination trailers, laundry trailers, and shower trailers for disaster relief. Every trailer is custom crafted from the frame up allowing them to be used in a wide variety of environments from concerts and events to industrial and construction sites.
 
Argos has been home to Ameri-Can Engineering for 27 years. Marshall County is highly suitable to their business needs because it is centrally located with easy access to transportation of finished goods and delivery of raw materials. The area also provides a safe and beneficial cost of living for their employees. Ameri-Can Engineering boasts a terrific culture and core employee base with a family atmosphere of highly skilled, custom crafters.
 
Ameri-Can Engineering expects continued growth in the market and innovation in manufacturing materials and technology. They are striving to continue advancing the mobile sanitation trailer market by incorporating smart home features and remote monitoring capabilities. According to Ameri-Can Engineering COO, Keegan Campbell, "We are proud to be located in Marshall County and wish to continue to build and develop our workforce here."
The Recipe for Success: Pretzels Inc. Announces $70 Million Expansion

Plymouth's shell building, originally developed in 2014, was a proactive economic development plan to attract new business. This strategy continues to be successful with Pretzels, Inc. expanding three times in less than three years. The most recent expansion came this month when Pretzels announced a $70 million capital investment including construction of an additional 110,000 square feet. The investment will add four more production lines, increase efficiencies with existing operations, and be a catalyst for the creation of over 180 new jobs. This comes off a $9 million expansion just last year, as well as Pretzels' initial $18 million investment when the company located to Plymouth in 2016. Altogether, Pretzels is becoming one of Plymouth's largest manufacturers, creating 280 jobs and investing $97 million in just three years. Pretzels' sustained growth shows that this facility was a smart investment for both the company and community.
Re-Shoring Lands in Plymouth

Across the United States, companies are continuing to bring business back from abroad, a trend known as re-shoring. Indiana Wheel Company (IWC), a joint venture led by China-based, Jingu Company Limited (Jingu) and two U.S. based businesses, announced plans to launch operations in Plymouth, establishing Marshall County as a prime location for re-shoring companies. IWC specializes in the production and distribution of steel wheels for all trailer types and RVs. IWC will invest approximately $23 million in the expansion and plans to create nearly 117 jobs by 2022.
 
IWC will benefit from Jingu's 33 years of experience in the steel wheel manufacturing industry. In this time, Jingu has become the largest supplier of small trailer wheels in the world, supplying wheels for General Motors, Ford, and Volkswagen. The new Plymouth location represents IWC taking over a sizable building left vacant by Bay Valley when the company closed about one year ago, displacing approximately 150 employees. IWC's expansion will include improvements to the 300,000 sq. ft. production facility, as well as the purchase and install all the manufacturing equipment necessary to fabricate, assemble, and distribute steel wheels. 
Hoosier Racing Tire Expansion

One of Plymouth's largest employers, Hoosier Racing Tire Corporation, has announced a $2.8 million expansion to build capacity as they expand into a new, global market. This expansion represents the company's first step into the two-wheel racing market. The new product, motocross tires, is already being well received in the market. Expansion plans will include the purchase and installation of all the equipment necessary to assemble and cure a motocross tire. Hoosier Racing Tire has been a part of the Plymouth community for over 60 years and employs approximately 400 people at the local level. Thanks to the City of Plymouth for supporting this expansion through an approved tax abatement.  
Harrington Noodles to Expand Operations

Plymouth has once again attracted a business to its northwest industrial corridor. Harrington Noodles is undergoing a $632,000 expansion including a new facility and equipment that will triple its production space and number of employees. The new facility is currently under construction just across the street from Pretzels, Inc. Harrington Noodles is a 3rd generation family-owned and operated business that originated in Bremen in 1963 and gained popularity for their Amish style egg noodles. Harrington Noodles products can be found in your local Kroger or Martins, as well as several other grocery stores in the Midwest. The new location will improve efficiency and operations, helping to continue the family business by scaling it up to meet a growing market demand.
Marshall County Named Stellar Finalist
 
As a Stellar finalist for the 2nd year, Marshall County is taking a broader focus by creating a Quality of Life Plan that will grow our community for years to come. Marshall County's Quality of Life Plan is being developed to position the region the region for future population growth. The benefits will be attracting more people and businesses to the area, as well as enhancing quality of life for existing residents. Elements of this Quality of Life Plan will include:
  • Quality-of-place projects
  • Infrastructure and trail projects
  • Housing
  • Education and training
  • Workforce development
  • Health initiatives
  • Art initiatives
  • Leadership capacity building
This year, the Stellar designation has changed to select one region, allowing for more resources to be allocated to that region including approximately $16 million in funding. The Regional Development Plan is due in September, Marshall County will present the plan to the State in November, and the designee will be announced in December. Our goal is to put together a plan that will pave the way to Stellar success and guide quality of place initiatives in Marshall County for the next 20 years.
 
Engagement Guides Stellar Success
 
Community engagement and support is vital in securing Stellar designation, in fact, it is one of the criteria upon which our application will be judged. In a show of community support, over 80 stakeholders attended a recent Stellar workshop, allowing them to learn more and get involved in the planning process. These workshop attendees are already being integrated into a variety of subcommittees to best utilize their skills and expertise. Subcommittees include:
  • Projects List
  • Special Projects
  • Public Engagement
  • Marketing & Communications
  • Education & Skills Training
  • Arts & Culture
  • Industry & Entrepreneurship
  • Workforce Development
  • Partnerships & Investment
Empowering Entrepreneurs through IDEA Week

As a returning sponsor for Notre Dame's IDEA Week, we are positioning Marshall County as a destination for innovators. IDEA Week introduces entrepreneurs, developers, and investors to each other and highlights the economic growth in our region. MCEDC awarded $25,000 in funding to Vital View Technologies through the McCloskey New Venture Competition. The startup has developed a home monitoring solution for patients with cognitive heart failure that reduces costs and delivers real-time data to physicians. Thanks to John DeSalle, Dave Miller, Gary Neidig, and Joel Neidig for helping to select the winner. Sponsoring IDEA Week has allowed us to take steps towards growing entrepreneurship efforts and launching two E-Hubs in Marshall County. MCEDC will continue to participate in IDEA Week in the coming years and engage with the entrepreneurial networks in our region.
Marshall County Tech Startup Recognized for Innovation

Local startup, SIMBA Chain, is putting Marshall County on the map for entrepreneurship and technology advancements by winning the 1st Source Bank Commercialization Award at Notre Dame's IDEA Week. The company was one of four finalists for the award, which honors exceptional research discoveries and the translation of these discoveries into marketable products and services. SIMBA Chain was formed in 2017 by Indiana Technology and Manufacturing Companies (ITAMCO) to develop a secure, unhackable messaging and transaction platform for the United States military. Today, SIMBA's cloud-based blockchain platform enables anyone to quickly deploy their applications with ease. The SIMBA team is made up of several software developers, engineers, researchers, and digital technology experts.
Culver Supports Workforce Housing Development
The Paddocks, known by many as Phase II of Sand Hill Farm, is ready to break ground later this year, thanks to support from the Town of Culver through a residential tax abatement. The 48-unit housing development is the next step in Culver's continuing effort to support local employers with more workforce housing to ensure that their employees can live and work in Culver. The new complex, located across the street from the Sand Hill Farm apartments, will include a mix of townhomes and apartments, with 36 three-bedroom units and 12 two-bedroom units. Design work is underway, with construction anticipated to start later this year.
Collaborating with Local Jurisdictions to Benefit the County

Marshall County's local jurisdictions play a vital role in MCEDC by collaborating on activities to meet the diverse needs of our county and supporting our programing. We recently held joint meeting between the MCEDC Board of Directors and local leaders to strengthen this relationship. Discussion included the many successes within our county including being named a Stellar finalist for 2 consecutive years, nearly 7 years of planning through County Development for the Future, and the 10 local projects receiving a combined $5.8 million in Regional Cites funding. The group also conferred on community needs and opportunities for growth, as well as how MCEDC could sustain Marshall County's Quality of Life Plan over the next 10 to 20 years. We intend to hold similar meetings in the future in order to continue advancing these partnerships and potentially increase support for our increased services. We believe that tomorrow's success will be determined by the collaboration and conversations happening today.  
Veteran Recruitment Program Update

One project that will directly benefit from additional support of local jurisdictions is the Veteran Recruitment Program. In 2017, the Marshall County Commissioners and Council allocated $75,000 to fund this programing, which was greatly appreciated. Further support is anticipated as the program is being beta tested and is expected to launch later this year. Recently, MCEDC conducted a workforce survey with 70 Marshall County Manufacturers. Findings show that there are approximately 300 currently open positions, with 800 more expected to be created in the next two years. Combined with Marshall County's current unemployment rate of 2.8%, our there is a clear need to attract more skilled workers to the area. The Marshall County Workforce Development - Veteran Recruitment Program, will attract these valuable employees through an online job portal. This project will build our workforce in unprecedented ways in order to facilitate continued business growth.
Connecting Businesses and Students at Made in Marshall County
 
"Made in Marshall County" is an opportunity for businesses to showcase their good paying jobs and encourage students, especially those without established career paths, to stay in Marshall County. April marked the 3rd time this event was held, with more participating businesses than ever before. This year, 30 businesses engaged with students from 7 schools to help them learn more about the variety of jobs and internships available in their own back yards. Made in Marshall County intends to fill current and future open positions by providing students a vision for their futures.  
Welcome U.S. Senator Representative

Business growth and innovation, as well as county-wide collaboration were on display for Mary Martin's, Regional Director for U.S. Senator Mike Braun, recent visit to Marshall County. Ms. Martin toured some of our fastest growing and pioneering businesses including Hoosier Racing Tire, ITAMCO, and Pretzels Inc. She also got the chance to experience County Development for the Future (CDFF), our quarterly economic development roundtable meeting. CDFF started over 6 years ago and serves as a model for how other communities can promote collaboration and teamwork at the regional level. We thank Ms. Martin from Senator Braun's office for coming to see what makes Marshall County a great place to live, work, and play.
Growing Kids Open for Business
 
Growing Kids, a leading childcare and education provider with 8 locations across northern Indiana, opened its doors in Marshall County on June 3rd, providing a much-needed service to our residents. Growing Kids is located in the new Early Childhood Learning Center at 2680 Miller Drive in Plymouth. The building also houses the Marshall County Community Foundation and United Way of Marshall County, both of which moved in at the beginning of May. Growing Kids provides programing for children ranging from 6-weeks-old to 12-years-old and offers state vouchers to qualifying families through the On My Way Pre-K program. These services will give children from low-income families an educational head-start and allow more parents to enter the workforce. We're excited to officially welcome Growing Kids to the Marshall County Community. 
Aquatic Center Nears Completion   

Just next door, another quality-of-life-enhancing project, the Aquatic Center, is making steady progress towards completion with approximately two thirds (66%) of construction work finished. The building will be finished by August, just in time for the start of the 2019-2020 school year. Completed items include:
  • Foundations
  • Building pad
  • Load bearing masonry
  • Precast plank installation
  • Canopy
As construction continues, so does the Aquatic Center Capital Campaign, with the Plymouth Board of Works and Plymouth Common Council recently agreeing to contribute $142,500 to the Aquatic Center Capital Campaign. Thanks go out to the City of Plymouth for supporting this project by contributing to the campaign.
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:
  • Walmart - In Kind
Returning investors include:
  • Centier Bank
  • Michiana Contracting, Inc.
  • Indiana Technology and Manufacturing Companies (ITAMCO)
  • Abonmarche Consultants, Inc.
  • Schoberg & Schoberg, Inc.
  • Collins & Company Realtors
  • Culver Redevelopment Commission
  • Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO)
  • Hughes Insurance Group
  • Oasis Lifestyle, LLC
  • McKesson Title Corporation
  • Masterson & Associates, Inc.
  • Farm Innovators, Inc.
  • Banner Electric, Inc.
  • Indiana Michigan Power
  • First Federal Savings Bank - Plymouth
  • Business Development Corporation
  • Vanadco Signs
  • Morrow Insurance Agency, Inc.
  • Applegate & Company, PC
  • SRKM Architecture, LLC
Thank you, together we will strengthen and grow Marshall County's economy.
MCEDC | mail@marshallcountyedc.org | 574-935-8499 | www.marshallcountyedc.org
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