LaGrange County Economic Development Corporation's Mission

The Mission of the LaGrange County Economic Development Corporation is to improve the quality of life for the citizens of LaGrange County, Indiana through the enhancement of employment opportunities resulting from the responsible growth and retention of business and industry.

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Recent Events

As the snow falls in LaGrange County, the LaGrange County EDC has been busy at work. We have been very active this fall visiting many of our companies. A sample of these companies include Custom Steel Designs LLC, LureCraft, KZ-RV, and Jag Wire LLC.

The LaGrange County EDC, along with the LaGrange County Commissioners and LaGrange County Council, are also very glad to announce the launch of the new Revolving Loan Fund in LaGrange County! The Revolving Loan Fund in LaGrange County will be used to further the economic development and business development efforts in LaGrange County. There are many objectives of the Revolving Loan Fund, including: to promote significant opportunities for the employment of LaGrange County residents, to encourage the creation and retention of permanent jobs with a wide range of wage scales appropriate to our community, to create new wealth and above average wages, to leverage private investment in the county, to maintain and improve a positive business climate in LaGrange County, and to retain existing businesses and encourage new business creation. For more on the LaGrange County Revolving Loan Fund, please visit LaGrangeCountyEDC.com.

We are thankful for the opportunities to reconnect with our existing businesses, as well as connect with new ones. During this winter season we are looking forward to upcoming visits and new investments that will be made in LaGrange County!

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LaGrange County Growing in the Right Direction

As of November 2013, we are proud to announce the significant decrease of unemployment and the growth of per captia income in LaGrange County! According to data released by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, per capita income levels for LaGrange County for 2012 were up 9.6% from 2011. National growth in PCI was 3.4%, putting LaGrange County's growth levels at almost three times the national average. Average per capita income in LaGrange County historically has been lower than state and national averages.

As for unemployment, according to data released by the Indiana Department of Workforce Development, September 2013 unemployment rates for LaGrange County came in at 5.7%, with October up slightly at 5.9%. For comparison, the state of Indiana average for October was 7.0%. The September unemployment rate for LaGrange County is the lowest since May of 2008.

"We are thrilled that our community has continued to prosper coming out of the recession," said Keith Gillenwater, President/CEO of the LaGrange County Economic Development Corporation. "This is a testament to both the hard work ethic of LaGrange County employees and to the strength of our manufacturing base emerging out of the worst economic times most of us have ever faced."

Please visit LaGrangeCountyEDC.com for more information about LaGrange County's unemployment rates and per capita income.

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Auto Supplier Moves Operations to LaGrange County

EXO-S US, LLC, a supplier of injection and blow molded thermoplastic systems, announced plans to relocate its operations from Three Rivers and Centreville, Michigan to LaGrange County, creating up to 250 new jobs by 2016.

The company will invest $6.8 million to move its manufacturing to a 191,000 square-foot facility in LaGrange County. With plans to begin Indiana operations early this year (2014), the company's move will optimize its production costs and add space to accommodate future expansions.

"As one of the country's leading manufacturing states, there is no better place for EXO-S to bring its business than Indiana," said Governor Mike Pence. "As a state that works for business, EXO-S is going to enjoy calling LaGrange County home."

EXO-S, which currently has more than 200 full-time employees at its Three Rivers and Centreville, Michigan facilities, plans to begin hiring machine operators, manufacturing associates, technical and engineering personnel early next year to support the transfer of operations.

"We are thrilled that EXO-S has decided to make their home in LaGrange County," said Jac Price, president of the LaGrange County Commissioners. "We look forward to working with them as they start their new Howe location."

Please visit LaGrangeCountyEDC.com for more information about the relocation of EXO-S to LaGrange County, Indiana.

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President's Perspective

We have had a great fall here at the LaGrange County EDC. We are on the verge of making the year 2013 the best in our short history with our successes and project wins. A "win" for the LCEDC means that a company expanded its location in LaGrange County, allowing more job creations, more investment dollars in businesses, and directly received a service from the LCEDC. During 2013, we have had 10 project wins, creating $35.2 million in investment, 369 new jobs, and 1,442 jobs retained.

It's been a successful 2013 at the LaGrange County EDC, and we are excited to finish the winter in our wonderful community.

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