(This article appeared in the News Sun on Saturday, September 23, 2023. It is the first in a series of reports supplied by Be Noble Inc. related to economic development. The primary source of information cited is an archive of records kept by Be Noble Inc.)
Economic development over the years has helped make Noble County one of the top five counties in the nation for concentration of employment in manufacturing and raise household incomes. Focusing on economic development, and making workforce education systems a priority, has helped Noble County grow beyond its rich agricultural roots to become more resilient through diversification.
Economic development in Noble County prior to 2006 was left to the leaders in each incorporated community, with support from a variety of regional development organizations, all of whom sought to stabilize and grow the economy. They included Indiana Northeast Development (IND), a concept championed by John Riemke, Mayor of Kendallville from 1972 to 1992. IND became an incorporated, stand-alone entity in 1996.
1994 to 2004, America saw robust growth in the gross domestic product (GDP). According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the nation was experiencing annual GDP growth of about 3.4 percent. This trend slowed over the next three years, catalyzing new development strategies in northeast Indiana.
In 2006, an amendment to the Articles of Incorporation of IND were made in order to create the Northeast Indiana (NEI) Regional Marketing Partnership, an organization we now know simply as Northeast Indiana, or “NEI.” That same year, a new local economic development organization (LEDO) was formed to focus solely on economic growth in Noble County. The Noble County Economic Development Corporation (EDC) would become one of 10 LEDOs to join the NEI (the number would later expand to include 11 counties.)
Though the formation of the Noble County EDC would come in 2006, the spirit of economic development was alive in Noble County long before. In 1991, Chester E. Dekko, a Noble County entrepreneur and co-founder of one of the largest privately held industrial firms in northeast Indiana, started the Freedom Academy in Kendallville, offering adult continuing education programs. The Freedom Academy complemented the high school vocational programs offered in the region since 1969 by the Four County Area Vocational Coop (now known as the Impact Institute), also located in Kendallville.
As businesses began to take notice of Northeast Indiana, it was common for multiple towns, cities, and the NEI Regional Marketing Partnership to all receive the same requests for information – and wind up competing with one another for projects. This, and an opportunity to collaborate and become more effective, led to the launch of the Noble County Economic Development Corporation (EDC.)
On February 1, 2006, thirteen individuals came together as the Board of Directors of the brand new Noble County EDC. They gathered in the offices of the Noble REMC in Albion where John English, the newly elected board president, called the meeting to order at 7:45 a.m.
Minutes of the first board meeting, recorded by Secretary Jane Roush, reported that two bank accounts were opened at Campbell and Fetter Bank to receive the EDC’s first contribution, a funding allocation approved by the Noble County Commissioners, of $70,000. Funds were divided up, with $69,000 deposited into a money market account and $1,000 deposited into a checking account.
The Noble County EDC directors, at startup, were Mark Pankop, Noble County Commissioner; Randy Myers, Noble County Councilman; Glenn Longardner, Mayor of Ligonier; SuzAnne Handshoe, Mayor of Kendallville; Chris Magnuson, Town of Albion; Paul Shepherd, Town of Avilla; Bob Leamon, Town of Cromwell; Linda Yerick, Town of Rome City; Hertha Meyer, tourism; John English, utilities; Jane Roush, health; Bob Marshall, finance; Ray Scott, industry; Dan Parker, foundations; and Jackie Beery, education.
Within a few days following the first board meeting, the EDC would hire Rick Sherck to serve as its executive director. Sherck began work before the end of February 2006, after a 27-year stint with the LaGrange REMC.
An Investment Trust Fund was established by the EDC in 2006 as well. The fund has been supported by $200,000 in funding each year by the Noble County Commissioners, made possible by county economic development income tax (CEDIT) collections. Annual operating expenses for the Noble County EDC have been funded annually by a $120,000 appropriation of CEDIT money, as well contributions from incorporated communities and a handful of key corporate investors.
Since 2006, the Investment Trust Fund has invested more than $2.5 million in infrastructure and other projects aimed at attracting new employers, industrial park expansions, and key quality of life initiatives to help retain and attract new workers to Noble County.
In 2021, under its second director, Gary Gatman, the Noble County EDC restructured. The organization formed a new 501(c)3 non-profit, charitable organization called Be Noble Inc. The change in name was accompanied by new branding as well.
The name “Be Noble” alludes to the broader scope of efforts that economic developers are engaged in today, which vary significantly from the work being done in 2006. “Be Noble” challenges individuals to consider what it means to them to live, work, and play in Noble County. Whatever it means to each individual to “be” in Noble County, there is a significant chance that the economic development team is engaged at some level in efforts to sustain or enhance “it.”
Be Noble employees and directors sit on boards and commissions, and volunteer in the community, to help champion, catalyze, and realize positive growth. This work is often charitable and restructuring as a 501(c)3 has opened up opportunities to seek funding that was previously unattainable. This year, for example, Be Noble Inc. has secured $140,000 to launch a new servant leadership academy called Engage Noble. The first cohort will begin classes in October.
Be Noble Inc. continues to support the expansion of the industrial sector, but also seeks to bring entrepreneurial growth, fill gaps in the development of a talent pipeline, spark new housing initiatives, develop more affordable and high quality child care options, and advance its culture of collaboration.
Noble County – and Northeast Indiana – have come a long way since former Mayor Riemke and his colleagues recognized they could be more effective together than alone. In addition to traditional farming, Noble County’s ag sector has embraced innovation. Local manufacturers are engaged in ag and food production, medical, construction, utilities, advanced manufacturing, marine, and other markets. This diversity – and an abundance of outdoor recreation opportunities – helped Noble County weather the COVID-19 pandemic better than many other rural communities.
There is still a great deal of work to do! The economic measures that compare Noble County to other, similarly sized communities, is not all positive. This begs the question, “Where would we be without the EDC?”
Be Noble Inc. is committed to defining and executing more strategies in the months and years ahead. We must continue to see housing growth, attract and develop more skilled workers, and bring jobs that pay high wages. These things are reliant upon the sustainability of Be Noble Inc. and continued, effective collaborations as a region.
In this series we will also talk about CEDIT, tax increment financing (TIF) districts, and tax abatements, in an effort to help dispel misinformation and enhance overall understanding of how these economic development tools are designed to work, as well as their impacts.
On Wednesday, October 4, Be Noble Inc. will be joined by economic development leaders in DeKalb, LaGrange, Steuben, and Whitley County to host the 5-County ED Forum. The event is free and open to the public and promises to provide attendees with a foundational understanding of different economic development principles, strategies, and best practices, as well as insights into how economic development has changed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The event will run from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and includes lunch. Registration is required. Register at Eventbrite.com, find more information at www.onenobleco.com, or call (260) 636-3800.
This is the first in a series of reports related to economic development. The primary source of information cited is an archive of records kept by Be Noble Inc. For more information about economic development in Noble County, contact Melanie Kellogg, Executive Director, at (260) 636-3800 or exec@noblecountyedc.com.
