September 2024 Alliance Newsletter

The Drive Competition returns Oct. 3.

The Drive is a 'Shark Tank'-style business pitch competition presented by Inventrek Technology Park. Finalists will pitch their business idea to a panel of judges in front of an audience in an effort to win the $10,000 prize. As an initiative of the Greater Kokomo Economic Development Alliance, the contest is open to those with a startup idea or expansion of an existing business located within Howard County. This year’s finalists are:

• Crystina Diaz of The Kingdom Kids Learning Center: Seeking to expand her facility to welcome more children.

• Luke Talley of Back Woods Trading Company: Eyes an expansion of his retail marketing from his online-based, custom leathercraft shop.

These two entrepreneurs are currently working with Alliance staff on their business plans and will make their pitches to our judges on Oct. 3 at Ivy Tech Kokomo Hingst Hall. The event is free and open to the public. Learn more here.

Why you should attend the event:

This is a unique opportunity to witness the innovation happening right here in our community. It’s not just about cheering on local entrepreneurs; it's about being part of the excitement and growth that will shape the future of our local economy.

Whether you’re a potential investor, a fellow business owner, or simply passionate about local success stories, this event offers inspiration, networking, and a chance to support businesses that are ready to take the next step and expand their impact.

GREATER KOKOMO VISITORS BUREAU

Work begins on downtown hotel/conference center

Following the Aug. 13 groundbreaking ceremony, crews have been on site at the future home of the downtown hotel and conference center.

The project will significantly enhance the local economy and provide a state-of-the-art venue for small conventions, meetings, conferences and more. The project is a partnership between the Greater Kokomo Alliance and Visitors Bureau, the City of Kokomo, Howard County and SSG Hotels. The Kokomo Conference Center is a 55,000-square-foot facility that can accommodate events for up to 1,000 guests.

It’s a project first envisioned for downtown with a Downtown Kokomo Master Plan Update in 2013. At that time, researchers and city planners stressed that a city’s quality of life was impacted greatly by investment in an active and vibrant city center.

The master plan identified the development of a hotel and convention center as a key investment that would create a “Destination Anchor” for downtown. Such a facility would drive economic development for downtown and give visitors an instant opportunity to patronize downtown businesses.

Click here to read more about the project

Kokomo to play host to major sporting event

The Alliance Fastpitch Championship Series is set to renew its contract to host national softball tournaments in Indiana, bringing all age division competitions to the state in 2025.

In 2024, Kokomo welcomed teams from across the nation and 2,000 enthusiastic fans for the All-Star Game, which was broadcasted on CBS Sports.

Kokomo will once again host the series' All-Star game in 2025, ensuring the city remains in the spotlight with a televised broadcast.

The Greater Kokomo Visitors Bureau played a pivotal role in securing the series' return, reinforcing Kokomo’s status as a premier destination for major sporting events.

Kokomo to be featured in Midwestern Traveler

The Greater Kokomo Visitors Bureau enhances our community's visibility through targeted regional and statewide publications, including the upcoming edition of Midwestern Traveler.

By showcasing local attractions, events, and businesses, the visitors bureau plays a vital role in attracting visitors and new residents alike. These promotions not only elevate Kokomo’s profile but also drive economic growth by encouraging visitors to explore and invest in our area. With each feature and advertisement, the visitors bureau helps create a vibrant narrative that highlights our unique offerings, fostering pride among residents and establishing Kokomo as a must-visit destination in Indiana.

Submit your community event!

The Greater Kokomo Visitors Bureau compiles a complete list of events for Kokomo and Howard County monthly. To have your event included in our calendar, contact Sherry Matlock at 765-457-6802 or smatlock@visitkokomo.org.

You can also submit your listing online by visiting visitkokomo.org/submit-your-event

Check out the Community Calendar

GREATER KOKOMO DOWNTOWN ASSOCIATION

2024-25 Artist Alley introduces new art to downtown Kokomo

On Sept. 6, the Greater Kokomo Downtown Association and Kokomo Art Association unveiled the 11th installation of Artist Alley. Sixteen art pieces from local artists contribute to downtown Kokomo's art scene with its variety of styles, media, and content.

This Downtown Association initiative brings color and beauty to the alley between the county building and Artworks Gallery. The new exhibit will be available now until 2025.

Learn more here

First Friday brings Masquerade!

Usher in the spookiest time of the year with a huge costume party in downtown Kokomo! Find your favorite costume or Halloween attire and enjoy trick-or-treating well before the holiday! You can also find other festive activities and treats happening downtown.

This year, First Fridays are including First Friday After Hours which begin after 8 p.m. Experience the night life of downtown Kokomo with bars, pubs, live music, and exciting happenings designed for the adult crowd.

ick here to l earn more about First Fridays

Learn more about First Fridays here

Have you experienced the Kokomo Sculpture Walk?

The Kokomo Sculpture Walk is a mile long and winds along trails and waterways through the heart of the city. It’s dotted with a collection of nine large-scale sculptures created by regional and national artists.

An initiative of the Greater Kokomo Downtown Association, the juried collection is selected from submissions by artists across the country. The walk includes pieces that are visually interesting and enriching.

The exhibit changes every two years, with a new collection to be installed in 2025. The sculptures are on display along the Industrial Heritage Trail and Kokomo Riverwalk, both paved surfaces. Learn more here

INVENTREK TECHNOLOGY PARK

Linked to The Future Webinar Series helps local small businesses

As a small business owner, you have to do all the things such as marketing, cybersecurity, financials, and more, and hiring people to perform these tasks might not be in the budget or personal training might be too expensive or won't provide enough help to meet your needs. That is the issue that Linked to The Future is designed to fix.

Each session is free and open to all small business owners and their staff and will feature local experts with the answers you need. Since many owners have busy schedules that prevent them from leaving the office, we have also made it into a webinar, where attendees can join virtually via Zoom without ever stepping out of the office.

Learn more here

Office space opportunities at Inventrek now available online

Inventrek Technology Park has always had space available to lease for new and growing businesses in the technology industry and beyond. But now you can learn what spaces are available on the Alliance's website here.

There are small and large spaces now available. Find out how you can become a tenant today by clicking here.

GREATER KOKOMO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

September winner announced

The Greater Kokomo Chamber of Commerce honored The Jefferson House of Flowers & Boutique as its September Small Business of the Month winner.

This initiative celebrates the dedication, innovation, and entrepreneurial spirit of our Greater Kokomo Chamber businesses and organizations. Each month, the Chamber shines a spotlight on one small business, providing them with additional marketing exposure to help fuel their growth.

Learn more about this Chamber initiative here.

Award nominations now open

The Chamber will honor outstanding member businesses and organizations, as well as individuals, at the Annual Awards Celebration on Thursday, Nov. 7.

Nominations are now open for this year's awards in the following categories:

Small Business of The Year, Large Business of The Year, Ambassador of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, Businessperson of The Year, IMPACT Nonprofit Award, and Elizabeth Foster Award. Nominations are due by 5 p.m. Oct. 1.

Click here to nominate a deserving Chamber member

Korean Culture Business Training continues Nov. 6

Join us for the second session of Korean Business Culture Training Phase 2. Set for 9 to 10 a.m. Nov. 6 at The Hobson, this session is designed for hospitality and service partners and will cover best practices for interacting with Korean nationals in service-based settings.

With StarPlus Energy’s two electric-vehicle battery plants set to bring a significant influx of Korean residents, businesses and visitors to Kokomo, the Alliance is committed to fostering a welcoming environment. To that end, the Alliance created the training series thanks to a Community Foundation of Howard County grant. By preparing our community for these cultural exchanges, we aim to support successful integration and build strong local relationships.

The Nov. 6 event is free and open to the public, with refreshments provided by HMH Contractors. Don’t miss this important opportunity! Click here to register