Grant Counties Premier Forum

Companies receive money for growth
Commissioners sign off on grant
http://www.chronicle-tribune.com/articl ... 681898.txt

By Maribeth Holtz
mholtz@chronicle-tribune.com
Published: Wednesday, March 3, 2010 1:10 AM EST
Three local companies will each receive $50,000, as Grant County Commissioners on Tuesday signed off on final paperwork for a $150,000 grant from the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs.

The commissioners were the governmental agency needed to submit the grant, which was done in partnership with the Grant County Economic Growth Council.

The funds will go to Melt Source Solutions, Computer Age Engineering and Advanced Cabinet Systems.

Originally, county officials had hoped the grant would be over $1 million. Commissioner Mark Bardsley said he’s disappointed, but at the same time grateful Grant County received some funding in the competitive grant process.


“That’s going to allow them to inject some new employment in their companies,” Bardsley said.

Officials from all three companies said they would purchase new equipment with their funds. A stipulation of the grant was that each business must use funds to purchase equipment and create at least 10 jobs.

The grant money is considered disaster relief funds. Grant County was among several communities eligible because of the recovery effort from weather-related disasters in 2008.

The grant is the same as the one three other companies — Atlas Foundry, General Cable and Wiley Metal — split over $1 million from in 2009. The companies together pledged to hire between 50 and 60 workers.

Also Tuesday,


•Commissioner Jeremy Diller brought up the idea of having a flexible spending plan for employee health insurance. Diller said the plan would be voluntary, and could help people pay for items before being taxed on income. The caveat, he said, is if they don’t use the money, they would lose it at the end of the year. Diller plans to look into the concept further. Commissioners discussed it last year as well. Commissioner David Glickfield said courthouse interior bid packages should be done in two weeks. After commissioners approve the bidding documents, the project can be advertised and companies looking for work can offer their services.Glickfield said designing air flow improvements is taking time.
•Commissioners signed a proclamation, declaring March 14-20 Severe Weather Preparedness Week.