City of Anderson News Feed

City, County try to attract Asian development

11/13/2008 12:00:00 AM

(FROM: The Herald Bulletin, 11/13/2008)

By Aleasha Sandley, Herald Bulletin Staff Writer

ANDERSON — From their trip to Asia, city and county economic development officials brought back plenty of international business opportunity.

Anderson Economic Development Director Linda Dawson, Deputy Mayor Greg Graham, economic development specialist Iyako Girt and Madison County Economic Development Director Rob Sparks visited China and Japan earlier this month to market the city and county to overseas investors.

They met with government dignitaries from China’s Yuhang District, which is Anderson’s sister city, site consultants and manufacturers in an attempt to attract them to the area’s central location and low cost of living.

“Several of the site consultants expressed interest in looking at our area as a distribution point,” Dawson said. “Obviously transportation is a huge component of products made in China, and the general feeling is that they could do distribution to one point.”

Madison County is within eight hours of 75 percent of the United States, Dawson said, a fact that she hopes will draw more Asian companies to explore the Midwest instead of stopping at the West Coast.

“Now they’re seeing the cost savings of a better transportation system and less expensive cost of doing business,” she said.

Two companies were particularly interested in Anderson: an all-terrain vehicle maker and a brake shoe component manufacturer. The ATV maker was interested in manufacturing the vehicles in the Midwest so he could put a “Made in the USA” label on them and sell them to South America, Dawson said.

“‘Made in USA’ products in South America can bring a higher price tag than ‘Made in China’ products,” she said.

The brake shoe company was interested in the fact that Anderson is located within an hour and a half of Subaru, Honda and Chrysler plants.

The delegates stressed Anderson’s location, cost of doing business and the fact that more interstates cut through Indiana than any other state, Graham said.

“You could build you product today and have it on the shelf tomorrow,” he said.

Asian businesses also were impressed that Nestlé, a big brand name there, chose Anderson for its largest plant.

A large part of the delegation’s visit to Asia emphasized the fact that Asian business people like to build personal relationships before making business deals.

“In our research with other communities and businesses that do operate within the Asian market, they have stressed that continuous relationship building is very important, so we hopefully, if the budget will allow, plan to visit potential companies and government entities in the near future,” Dawson said. “I definitely feel like relationships with the companies, the site locators and the government entities were greatly strengthened.”

Sparks said the relationships helped the Asian companies understand more about Anderson and Madison County’s work force.

“We’re out there selling the work force to these folks, letting them know we have people who want to work and understand the global economy,” he said. “I’m pretty upbeat and encouraged that we’ll have some further dialog on both sides and it will eventually lead to new jobs.”

Sparks and Girt stayed in Japan an extra day to visit the parent company of ELSA, an automotive component manufacturer in Elwood.

Graham hopes the city and county can further their relationships with Asian industry and plans to talk to universities to expand their educational contacts and hospitals to further health care contacts.

“We very much increased the knowledge of Anderson with these folks,” he said. “We talked to a lot of people and we told the story of why this is a good place to invest and to live.”

Veterans' Commons Bricks Again Available

11/11/2008 11:04:30 AM

(Anderson, Indiana)-- In honor of Veterans Day, the City of Anderson Department of Parks and Recreation is again opening the Shadyside Park Veterans’ Commons area for brick sales. Around 850 inscribed bricks, sold in 1998 and 1999, now fill the Veterans’ Commons. Approximately 100 more spaces for bricks have been made available; bricks will be offered for sale by between Veterans Day and December 31. The bricks will cost $125 each and may be purchased through the Parks Department.

Bricks may be inscribed with the name, branch of service, and dates of service, all facts which must be verified with discharge papers (Form DD214).

As President Eisenhower proclaimed, Veterans Day is our chance to “solemnly remember the sacrifices of all those who fought so valiantly, on the seas, in the air, and on foreign shores, to preserve our heritage of freedom, and let us reconsecrate ourselves to the task of promoting an enduring peace so that their efforts shall not have been in vain.” For more information about honoring a veteran with the purchase and installation of a brick in Shadyside Memorial Park’s Veterans’ Commons, call the Parks Department office at 648-6850 or stop by in person at the Park Department office (101 E. Oak Street) Monday through Friday between 9am and 4pm.

City purchases new fire truck

11/7/2008 12:00:00 AM

(Anderson, Indiana)-- The City of Anderson unveiled the newest addition to the City fleet this week, a 2008 pump truck with a distinctive “Chicago Style” black and red paint job.

The pump truck was purchased at a cost of $275,000, a price the City was able to pay in cash, thanks to Medicare and Medicaid payments resulting from ambulance user fees. “Reinvesting those fees in equipment upgrades is a way to provide fast and professional service to people when they need it, without adding undue strain on taxpayers”, said Assistant Chief Dave Cravens, of the Anderson Fire Department, who, along with Assistant Chief Jerry Burmeister and Chief Mechanic Rick Isom, negotiated the purchase and identified the funds to complete the deal. Mayor Kris Ockomon said, “This team was able to negotiate the best equipment at the best price, and to patronize one of the last family owned fire truck companies in the United States.”

“Presently, the fire department is forced to send a ten year old aerial truck to respond to medical runs and crashes, which is a highly inefficient use of fuel and equipment. The new truck will now be used to respond to many of those emergencies, in turn, saving additional money by extending the life of the aerial truck”, said Chief David Clendenen. 18,000 runs were completed by the fire department in 2007, with a projected increase to 19,000 for 2008.

Fall Leaf Pickup Underway

10/20/2008 12:00:00 AM

(Anderson, Indiana)-- Fall foliage will soon be at its peak in Anderson, and not long after, leaves will accumulate on the lawns, sidewalks, and streets of the City. Citizens can dispose of the leaves they rake through Best Way Disposal, as outlined below:

- Citizens may dispose of leaves, grass clippings, weeds, bushes, and branches under 3” in diameter. Branches must be bundled and tied in lengths not over four feet long.

- Leaves must be placed in biodegradable paper bags (available from local home improvement stores), in their own waste receptacle, or in the Best Way trash bins, placed curbside with the lid left open.

- Leaves will be picked up the day after regular trash collection, beginning at 5am.

- Leaf pickup will continue until December 15.

Please contact Best Way Disposal at 649-7272 with additional questions regarding Fall Leaf Pick Up.

Anderson Airport Hosts Rocket Test

9/29/2008 3:58:45 PM

UPDATE: The October 11 static test was temporarily delayed due to mechanical difficulties. Check local news sources and this site for the next testing date!

The Anderson Municipal Airport will be the site of a live, static rocket engine test on Saturday, October 11, as the University of Dayton Advanced Rocket Team (UDART) completes static testing of its kerosene-liquid oxygen systems. Anderson based AirBuoyant is the corporate sponsor of the creation of the UDART Rocket.

The UDART Rocket will reach an altitude of 30,000 feet and will carry high altitude measuring equipment when launched. Rick Wills, UDART Team Leader, said the tests completed on October 11 would allow the team to be able to safely ascertain the stability of the thrust of the engines, as well as the pressures of the fuel system during thrust testing. Testing will be fueled by a new fuel mix, a partial bio-fuel, which will also be tested for consistency. The engine for the UDART rocket is a donated Vernier engine from an Atlas rocket.

Pete Bitar of AirBuoyant said, “although the rocket will not actually fly during this test, we are making a big step forward with UDART’s systems tests. The Anderson Municipal Airport is now dipping its toes into the pool that is aerospace and this may lead to building inter-state project development experience which will help attract cutting-edge, new technology companies to Anderson and also open up the community’s horizons to its possible economic future”.

Bitar became involved with the UDART rocket project through another scientific connection with UDART team leader Rick Willis. The two are team members of Team LunaTrex, now competing for the Google Lunar X Prize- a reward of $30 million to the first team to complete a mission to land a rover on the moon, travel on the lunar surface, and transmit HD video to Earth.

Mayor Kris Ockomon said of the UDART testing, “This project is tailor made for Anderson, as it exemplifies the commonalities between advanced manufacturing, engineering, and business incubation offered here, and showcases Anderson’s welcoming environment for these projects at Aero Park and the Anderson Municipal Airport”.

Fall Burning Season to be Oct.1- Nov. 30

9/22/2008 1:07:11 PM

The fall burning season for the City of Anderson, Indiana will begin on Wednesday, October 1^st, 2008 and will end on Sunday, November 30^th, 2008. Residents of the City of Anderson will be allowed to burn wood products and leaves on their personal property if the following guidelines are followed:

-Only clean dry wood or leaves may be burned.

-All burning is to be conducted in a non-combustible container with solid enclosed sides and ventilation near the bottom edges of the container, such as a metal 55-gallon drum with holes drilled near the bottom edge of the container.

-The fire must be attended at ALL times.

-A means to extinguish the fire must be readily available.

-All burning must be extinguished by 6 PM.

-If the burning creates a nuisance or hazard, it must be extinguished.

-Open burning on the ground is not permitted in the State of Indiana.

Violations of the city’s open burning regulations can carry a civil penalty of up to $2,500.00 per violation. If there are any questions regarding the open burning regulations, please contact the City of Anderson Air Management Division at (765) 648-6158.

Residents Urged to Report Damage

9/17/2008 3:54:22 PM

Residents who sustained damage caused by the storm on September 13th are urged to call a toll free number to report damage. The number is 1-888-335-9490, and is staffed from 9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. EST Monday - Friday by the Indiana Office of Faith Based and Community Initiatives.

Callers will be asked to provide their name, address, phone number, damage to property and type of damage the property sustained. Losses can include structural damage to homes and loss of personal property.

Individuals calling will not be in conversation with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Information will be used to assist local emergency management agencies and the Indiana Department of Homeland Security preliminarily assess damage to determine if federal assistance can be pursued. This is one of eight steps that must be taken to decide if eligibility for federal assistance is met. This is not an application for assistance. Residents are reminded to consult local permitting officials prior to starting any repairs.

For information or assistance, contact John Kinley, Deputy Director, Anderson Emergency Management at (765) 648-6302.

Nestle to expand Anderson operations

8/13/2008 11:30:07 AM

ANDERSON, Ind. - Governor Mitch Daniels joined executives from Nestlé USA today to announce the company's plans to expand its 880,000 square-foot beverage production facility here, creating nearly 135 new jobs by 2011.

The company, which is on track to begin full production at the central Indiana facility later this year, will invest $200 million to add additional beverage production and distribution capacity at the 190-acre site located approximately 45 miles northeast of Indianapolis.

"Nestle is making an even bigger commitment to Anderson and to Indiana. The company had a resounding response from Hoosiers who want to work at the new Anderson plant, and now before it even opens, the company is choosing to invest again in the facility and create new jobs for Hoosiers," said Daniels.

The expansion comes two years after the company initially announced plans to site its $359 million Nestlé Nesquik Ready-to-Drink and Nestlé Coffee-mate Liquid manufacturing and distribution center in the Indiana city. As part of the latest expansion, the company will hire engineering staff, technical support specialists, production associates and warehouse staff.

"We're very excited to be expanding in Anderson," said Michael Strong, factory and facility manager, Nestlé Anderson. "We are deeply appreciative to the State of Indiana and the City of Anderson for working with us during the evaluation period and making this announcement possible."

The Anderson, Ind. facility is one of 51 manufacturing operations and six distribution centers the company operates in the United States. A subsidiary of Vevey, Switzerland-based Nestlé S.A., Nestlé USA employs more than 14,000 across the country.

The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered Nestlé USA up to $1.325 million in performance-based tax credits and up to $50,000 in training grants based upon the company's job creation plans. The state will also fund improvements to roads serving the expanded facility, including the nearby I-69 interchange. The city of Anderson will provide the company with property tax abatement, construct two water towers to accommodate the increased demand from the facility and assist the company in recruiting new employees.

"The community is using its utility capacity and skilled workforce to fill the needs of today's high growth companies. We are thrilled with Nestlé's expansion and the jobs and investment it represents," said Anderson Mayor Kris Ockomon.

Mayor Presents Chief Anderson award to Richard Mort

8/13/2008 11:24:55 AM

(Anderson, Indiana)-- Richard Mort and the Mort Family have been selected by Mayor Kris Ockomon as recipients of the Chief Anderson award, the highest honor bestowed by the City of Anderson. The Chief Anderson award recognizes extraordinary leadership that serves to positively impact Anderson’s future.

“Mr. Mort and his family were instrumental in shepherding development to the Southern edge of Anderson, beginning with the location of Interstate 69, and continuing even today with the announcement of Nestlé’s expansion,” Mayor Ockomon explained.

Mort lives and does business along the corporate boundary between Anderson and Pendleton; an area which has undergone extreme change in recent years due to development along the I-69 corridor. Changing corporate boundaries and development patterns could make this area ripe for controversy, but Mr. Mort has served as a leader, peacemaker, and respected advisor to others in the area who are grappling with the changes brought about by economic development projects at The Flagship and continuing to the west.

Ockomon added, “Mr. Mort combines business acumen with the quiet, honest leadership that holds projects together. Many of Indiana’s economic development projects are won or lost with the grassroots farm families of our rural areas, frequently led by people like Mr. Mort who have a long range view of community betterment and the respect of their peers which give them the direction and the ability to lead.”

Mr. Mort and his wife Ellen, now deceased, were the largest landowners in the area where Nestle today announced a 180 million dollar expansion project to its $369 million dollar facility. Mary Starkey, friend of the Mort Family and director of the Corporation for Economic Development during the Nestle project, said, “The local project team was comprised of over 100 individuals from all walks of life, and Mr. Mort was chief among them. Unquestionably, that project could not have happened in Anderson without the patience and commitment shown by Mr. Mort and his wife, Ellen, who trusted in the vision of a successfully transitioning economy and who shared that trust and vision with others.”

The Chief Anderson award is a cast bronze work of art created by local artist Ken Ryden. Some past recipients of the Chief Anderson award are: Chuck Staley, Thomas McMahan, Bill McCarty, Ray McCaslin, Norma Schlossberg, Bill Hardacre, and Bill and Gloria Gaither.

Ground Broken on Montana Mike's

8/13/2008 11:22:13 AM

Mayor Kris Ockomon, along with David Baker and Tim Rohrer of Gnawbone Restaurants, officially broke ground on Anderson’s new Montana Mike’s, which will be located in the 6300 block of South Scatterfield Road, adjacent to 1-69 Exit 26. Mayor Ockomon commented, “high traffic counts and great visibility will ensure the long term success of this location.” Baker praised Anderson for its streamlined development process and business friendly atmosphere, saying, “With the development friendly attitude our business has experienced in Anderson, along with its location along the I-69 corridor, we see nothing but blue skies ahead for this community.”

Montana Mike’s Anderson location will create 100 full and part time positions when it opens in early November.