Page 55 - FDI Alliance International Magazine. Winter 2020 Digital Interactive Issue.

in our town brought renewed energy to a
part of our downtown, which, not long ago,
was destroyed by a fire,” noted Wickersham.
“The artist’s creative energy enhanced our
Community spirit, which in turn, became a
source of encouragement to our industrial
and business communities.”
Huntington continues to tenaciously go about
its economic development life. Traditional
industrial development incentives are available.
The economic development corporation
recently acquired, with the support of the
City of Huntington and community based
the murder of George Floyd. “While some FDI Alliance International appreciates covering
banking institutions, one hundred and seventy
cities were frankly scared and experienced small markets like Huntington because it
more violence, ours genuinely engaged,” gladly encourages investors to consider two acres for a new industrial park called
said Wickersham. “I attended, as did our places like Huntington. They are wonderful Riverfork West Industrial Park.
Mayor, and Chamber of Commerce executive. locations for appropriately scaled foreign The area is also home to destination
Our police attended, not in riot turnout gear, direct investments. restaurants, retailers, and event venues.
but in plain clothes as friends who were The café at Golfo di Napoli Dairy is a true
equally offended at Floyd’s killing. No one Huntington County is currently home to 5-star eatery. Rustic River Outfitters offers
was injured and no property was damaged companies from several nations. Brazilian- a variety of tours and supplies for canoeing,
based Gerdau Steel; Canadian-based Onward
because we were the protestors,” he said. camping and hiking. TwoEE’s Winery is an
Manufacturing Company; French-based
“Just recently, there was a protest in our town Schneider Electric; German-based Knorr- award-winning producer of wine. The list of
because of COVID-19 mask-enforcement Bremse; Italian-based Golfo di Napoli; amenities for a small market like Huntington
policies. Instead of avoiding the issue, the Japanese-based Teijin and Marubeni each is amazing.
Mayor spent four hours that day peacefully have facilities in Huntington County, Indiana. The people of Huntington County truly have
discussing the issue with protestors. It’s who Other global giants such as Ecolab also have learned a lot as they “peek beyond their
we are,” Wickersham said. facilities in Huntington. masks.” To learn more visit their website
at www.hcued.com.
FDI Alliance International once referred to Investors will experience a collaborative spirit
Huntington County’s economic development not just in Huntington County but in all of
efforts as “quietly tenacious.” “I think that the Northeast Indiana Region. Serving the
is an excellent perspective on our efforts,” eleven county market in the corner of the
Wickersham remarked. “We believe in State of Indiana, is the Northeast Indiana
collaboration and teamwork and I serve as Regional Partnership. Its mission is to build,
a concierge to get things done,” he said. market and sell Northeast Indiana to increase
The idea of a one-stop-shop or single phone business investment, with a vision that by
number to call for help is especially appropriate working together, Northeast Indiana is a
for Huntington County, Indiana because magnet MARK WICKERSHAM
the 9-1-1 Emergency Telephone Number for the best business and talent and is EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
system in the United States found its original recognized as one of the nation’s most F
advocate in the U.S. Congress in the man of J.
prosperous regions. 8 West Market Street
Edward Roush, the former Congressman from Huntington, IN 46750
Huntington, Indiana. “During all the social Lofty goals like that have contributed to the
unrest of 1968, Huntington’s hometown hero, recent attraction into the Region of major ☎
Congressman Roush, quietly and tenaciously investments from Amazon, General Motors, Office: 260-356-5688
made it his mission to see the United States BAE Systems and others. At the same time, Cellular: 260-388-3939
adopt the 9-1-1 system,” said Wickersham. in an effort to attract talent to the area, the ✉
1968 was obviously a tumultuous year like group created an emphasis on public art mark@hcued.com
2020, but Huntington contributed to the which led to a Regional public mural festival,
creation of something very, very good and celebrating a variety of interests and creativity. www.hcued.com
did it with the quiet tenacity which is still “My agency’s primary mission is to promote
present in today’s Huntington County. industrial development but the public mural

55. FDI ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL