Client News
Smithville recognized nationally for deploying fiber networks that transform local economies and improve communities’ quality of life, and for “introducing innovative technologies with game-changing potential.”
ELLETTSVILLE, Indiana – Recognized for designing and building fiber networks that extend for “thousands of miles” in Indiana, Smithville received national attention as a leading broadband enterprise. The 102-year-old privately held company was named as one of America’s top 100 national broadband companies, according to Brad Randall, editor of Broadband Communities magazine.
“Smithville holds a long and established history of building high-level fiber networks for both residential and commercial, investing more than a quarter of a billion dollars,” said Randall. “Smithville has created innovative means to collaborate and develop ‘smart services’ for next-generation fiber and continues its leadership in uniquely serving rural areas.”
INDIANAPOLIS – Mike Pence, 48th Vice President of the United States and 50th Governor of Indiana, will serve as the Keynote Speaker at Annual Gala of the Japan-America Society of Indiana (JASI). The 2024 JASI Gala will take place Thursday, October 17 at the Indiana Roof Ballroom in Indianapolis.
Vice President Pence will share his perspectives on the importance of the Japan-U.S. relationship and global alliances in a challenging geopolitical landscape, ever so important with increasing threats from adversaries to democracy such as China, Russia, and N. Korea.
“The Vice President is a long-time champion of the United States’ and Indiana’s relationships with Japan. His leadership, both nationally and locally, has greatly enhanced the development of bilateral initiatives, partnerships, and economic investment. We look forward to welcoming him back to this annual event celebrating the great Indiana-Japan relationship in which he has played a key leadership role.” said Theresa Kulczak, JASI Executive Director.
VINCENNES – Professionals from the Gen Z and Millennial generations prefer and expect different workplace attributes than older workers, which can create challenges if expectations are not met, according to Kathleen Lapekas, an expert human resources consultant speaking at the October 3 Knox HR Roundtable. Sponsored by Knox County Indiana Economic Development, the free event will feature a range of critical HR topics. Lapekas will be joined at the VU Center for Applied Technology by HR professionals Lacey Houle of the U.S. Department of Labor and attorney T. Graham Dycus from Hart Bell, LLC.
“HR professionals face a dynamically changing workplace environment and KCIED is sponsoring this event to help local human resources and related professionals meet these challenges,” said Mary Jo Wallin-Orlowski, Director of Business Development for Knox County Indiana Economic Development, who is organizing the free event.
Lapekas will address expectations of active learning experiences, work flexibility, work-life balance, and more of younger workers as part of her interactive presentation. “There exist several misconceptions and false perceptions about younger workers,” she said. “Gen Z characteristics include a very practical approach and independence, while Millennials like to move forward in a collaborative environment.”
The key is recognizing differences in creative ways in order to positively motivate workers to excel and achieve mutual goals.
Smithville has elevated its network peering and increased system performance with the completion of a second 100-gigabit wave link between Chicago and Smithville devices in Indianapolis, according to Jason Dauby, Chief Technology Officer for Smithville.
“This enhanced capability adds to the first 100-gigabit link we established in 2017 and improves the internet connectivity experience for our commercial and residential customers,” Dauby said. “The dual connectivity improves Smithville’s capacity to peer directly with global networks, reducing latency and resolution times, and improves our already-high reliability by making Smithville less susceptible to outages of other providers.”
Smithville established connectivity between a major data center in Chicago and two data centers in Indianapolis, which are networked to Smithville’s more than 3,000 miles of fiber in Indiana. The expanded network builds upon Smithville’s 100-gigabit nodes in Bloomington, Columbus, Evansville, Jasper, and the WestGate@Crane Technology Park in Indiana. Smithville’s network includes high-capacity internet connectivity to the Purdue Research Park in West Lafayette and internet service in Tipton County.
Conexus Manufacturing Readiness Grant (MRG) helps advance strategic equipment purchase to move 100-year-old facility toward Industry 4.0.
VINCENNES – A $2.5 million investment by Wabash Steel, a wholly owned subsidiary of Lenex Steel, will elevate both productivity and workforce capacity at its facility here, allowing the company to capitalize on a new IoT-driven high-tech blaster for complex steel cleaning and preparation. In partnership with the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC), Conexus Indiana provided a strategic catalyst for the new investment with the awarding of a $200,000 Manufacturing Readiness Grant (MRG) to support the equipment purchase, the first MRG made in Knox County Indiana.
Together with Vincennes University and other partners, Knox County Indiana Economic Development assisted and supported Wabash Steel in securing the MRG funding for the Knox County facility.
“This represents an investment in smart technology and introduces our operation to Industry 4.0, as it provides automated data allowing us to make smart decisions about its usage, maintenance, and throughput,” said Jason Turk, Executive Vice President of Operations for Wabash Steel. “The new equipment will be fully installed in 2025 and continue our positive momentum in the bridge industry renewing America’s infrastructure.”
More than 5,000 family members, coaches, 10-year-old players from across America and international areas expected to take part in the August 7-16 World Series competition in 2025.
VINCENNES – Top youth baseball players will take the field here next year in the 2025 Cal Ripken 10-Year-Old World Series, one of the largest youth sporting events in America. Organized by the Babe Ruth League, 24 teams will be drawn from eight U.S. regions and seven countries through progressive tournaments to compete
for the World Series title. The Babe Ruth League confirmed the Vincennes selection following its 2024 tournaments.
Representing the league’s 24 top teams, more than 5,000 players, coaches, families and friends are expected to travel to Indiana’s historic First City next summer, which has previously played host since 1994 to seven Babe Ruth World Series and 35 Ohio Valley Regional Tournaments for the youth sport.
“The World Series event is pretty significant for our community and region in terms of economic impact,” said Kirk Bouchie, General Manager of Vincennes Water Utilities, who is serving as the World Series Host President and as President of the Vincennes Cub League. “As we know from past experience, the World Series has a major positive tourism and cultural effect on Knox County and the region, and many families form lasting friendships with the visiting teams and families.”
New senior executive will spearhead a Smithville initiative to cultivate a best-in-class Learning and Development and Talent program that aligns with Smithville’s strategic objectives and values. The new initiative underscores Smithville’s unwavering commitment to nurturing talent, promoting safety, and fostering a culture of continuous learning and development.
ELLETTSVILLE, IN — Further advancing its Learning and Development and Talent initiatives, Smithville named Kendall Glavash as the company’s new Vice President of Human Resources. Coming to Smithville from a position as a Senior Organizational Development Consultant with Indiana University Health, Glavash earlier joined the company as Vice President of Learning and Development and Talent.
“Kendall’s position in our company reflects Smithville’s commitment to our most valuable asset: our people,” said Darby McCarty, Smithville Chairman and CEO. “Kendall brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record in driving learning and development, which is expected to help our company improve organizational effectiveness and employee engagement.”
Indiana is on an innovation roll. Reflecting a new dynamic of entrepreneurial expansion, Gov. Eric Holcomb and Elevate Ventures recently announced the creation of a new $100 million growth fund, a powerful addition to Indiana’s expanding innovation arsenal. A key question: where do the one-third of Hoosiers living in small cities and rural areas – some one million people – fit into this emerging entrepreneurial ecosystem?
Rural innovation represents key advancement opportunities for Indiana, especially in the realms of agribusiness and related fields. Forbes recently scored Indiana as a top place to start a business. In our competitive era, how can rural entrepreneurs thrive and create new opportunities and talent development?