Page 56 - FDI Alliance International Magazine. Winter 2020 Digital Interactive Issue.

Whitley County, Indiana is a rural county primely located less than Local elected officials and the Whitley EDC work closely together
three hours from Chicago, Detroit and Indianapolis offers a diverse to provide incentives that fit the needs of each party. Sharing a
portfolio of industry, talent and workforce development initiatives building with the county government makes access to public officials
and entrepreneurs comparable to larger more urban counties. just a walk across the hallway. Whitley EDC’s relation with the town
and city councils ensure business needs are met in a timely manner
The Whitley County Economic Development Corporation (EDC) is a
and a business is never without support from the local leadership
single-point of contact for businesses in one of Northeast Indiana’s
and Whitley EDC.
manufacturing counties and has Dale Buuck leading as the Whitley
EDC president. ࣿ Leading Workforce Development
As a rural community, Whitley County knows the value of education
Whitley County neighbors Indiana’s second largest city but proves and opportunities when training a workforce and students do not
business is still a viable decision when choosing to locate to rural have to go far to find their training. In fact, a career academy and
counties. While, predominantly hosting manufacturing in automotive a new high school opened in two districts in Whitley County in
and medical device, the county hosts one of the United State’s largest August 2020, with innovative models to meet the growing demand
defense contract and a surplus of cutting-edge entrepreneurs. for trained and upskilled labor.

ࣿ Industry Leaders Found in Rural Areas Nearly 25 percent of the county’s population are school aged youth
Several of Whitley County’s industry leaders chose a rural setting. and the rural county has the opportunity to capture those youth and
For example, Micropulse, Inc., which was started up by a local train them for the local employment opportunities though Whitko
entrepreneur in his garage, is a leader in medical device and the Career Academy (WCA). The academy offers education in trades
orthopedic world. Ultra Electronics – USSI, who hosts one of the like advanced manufacturing, agribusiness, business, construction
country’s largest defense contracts chose Whitley County for an trades, nursing and more. In the first year, more than 75 percent of
additional site years ago. The small town of South Whitley hosts eligible students chose a course at the new academy.
Fox Products who produces double reed instruments for the largest
Whitley County Consolidated Schools opened a new high school
symphonies in the world.
and moved their technological academy to the same campus
With access to major highways, interstates, airports, and rail the competing with the local districts and providing a new standard
rural setting makes an ideal location for businesses and leaders of curriculum. Columbia City High School and Eagle Tech focus
who want direct access to the shipping routes and the largest cities. on small-group interactions and project-based learning focused

56. FDI ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL