Fostering Entrepreneurial Spirit for Economic Growth

October 2011: OrthoWorx e-Newsletter

An entrepreneurial spirit is a key component to a healthy economy. Where would the U.S. economy be without it? Jack Schultz, Boomtown Institute, states, “I believe that giving people, especially young people, the tools they need to be entrepreneurs is critical to the success and the future of our country.” (The Agurban e-zine, August 4, 2009)

Like many micropolitan cities, Warsaw, Indiana is known for its economic successes. Without the entrepreneurial spirit, would Warsaw and Kosciusko County be able to claim the following economic successes?*

• The Orthopedics Capital of the World (world headquarters for Biomet, DePuy, Zimmer, Paragon Medical, Symmetry Medical and more!)
• Fourth Strongest Agricultural Economy in Indiana—with significant state of the art processors (Creighton Brothers, Maple Leaf Farms) and the largest fully integrated soybean processing and biodiesel plant in the United States (Louis Dreyfus Biodiesel)
• World’s Largest Manufacturer of Projection Screens (Da-Lite Screens)
• Home to One of the Largest Gravure Printing Presses in the World (RR Donnelley & Sons)

Kosciusko Economic Development Corporation (KEDCo) is a valuable resource to entrepreneurs and small business owners in the county. Lisa Mahan is an entrepreneur/small business owner and recognizes that value. She co-owns Mahan 9 Group, LLC, a communications company and states, “The Small Business Success Classes and resources available through KEDCo are vital to business growth in our community. Through their seminars, courses, and one-on-one counseling, KEDCo moves potential entrepreneurs from an idea to actuality, providing the tools for building and growing a successful business. Anyone who is thinking of starting a business or has a recent start-up company would be well served to take advantage of KEDCo’s valuable services.”

George Robertson, President, KEDCo, is leading the organization to play an integral role in creating the companies of the future and providing them with knowledge and tools to succeed. “The greatness of this county has been its people, who have with invention, innovation and entrepreneurship created great companies,” noted Robertson. “Our mission is to reach out to the next generation and create the great products and companies of the future.”

To learn more about KEDCo, visit http://www.kdi-in.com/index.html or contact George Robertson at KEDCo.

*KEDCo website, September 2011.