Client News
Think smoking a pack of cigarettes a day is bad for you? Teenagers in Indiana vaping nicotine and other harmful substances through a disposable vaping device can inhale the equivalent of nearly 600 cigarettes a day. While there exist less than 30 legal vaping devices and e-cigarettes, teenagers and middle school children can access more than 55,000 types of vaping flavors, types and devices through a high-impact black market.
In addition to toxic levels of nicotine, teenagers and others who vape or consume e-cigarettes and related substances can consume or be exposed to many dangerous ingredients commonly found in vaping e-cigarettes, cartridges, tanks or mods. These include propylene glycol and diethylene glycol, which is used in antifreeze; formaldehyde and acetaldehyde, substances known to cause cancer; the weed killer acrolein; and numerous other toxic substances.
[This thought leadership piece appeared in social media throughout southern Indiana. It is part of a series of informational healthcare topics MEK produces for Southern Indiana Community Health Care]
VINCENNES – A $35 million housing project to support local talent attraction and retention has entered into the final stages of planning and approval. After final details are wrapped up later this summer, the project will begin building 240 new apartment units in Vincennes, according to Chris Pfaff, CEO of Knox County Indiana Economic Development. Details of the project, which has been more than a year in planning, were cleared by the Vincennes Redevelopment Commission in June and will now go to the Vincennes City Council for final consideration of key elements.
The new market rate apartments, which will include one-, two-, and three-bedroom options, are being designed and built by Simplified Developments, LLC and will be located on Bierhouse Boulevard in Vincennes. Simplified Developments and its general contracting arm Elite Construction Services have designed and built multiple new housing units (both apartments and single-family homes) in Gibson and Daviess counties.
“This new development comes at an opportune time with high local demand for market rate housing from expected talent attraction and workforce expansion associated with the $83 million construction of AgroRenew and other Knox County company expansions,” said Pfaff. “This is a strong strategic match for the needs of the community and county.”
[Coverage from this release appeared on Inside Indiana Business, WTHI-TV and other media outlets]
Fifth generation co-owner and industry leader set to drive next stage of growth at top one hundred broadband company.
ELLETTSVILLE, IND., July 1, 2024— Long-time telecommunications industry leader Cullen McCarty was formally appointed today as CEO of Smithville Telecom, LLC, a sister company to Smithville Communications, Indiana’s largest privately held telecommunications firm. Fourth-generation Smithville owner Darby A. McCarty will continue to serve as board chairman for Smithville Telecom and Smithville Communications. Ms. McCarty will also continue to serve as CEO of Smithville Communications while Mr. McCarty retains his active position as executive vice president of Smithville Communications.
The appointment of Mr. McCarty as Smithville Telecom CEO marks the first phase of a meticulously planned succession, co-architected by both Ms. McCarty and Mr. McCarty in 2021. The two senior executives, a mother-and-son team, prepared and established the plan to ensure a seamless leadership transition, maintain business continuity, and set clear long-range strategic aims for the 102-year-old firm.
[This release also appeared in coverage on Inside Indiana Business.]
Following is media information for AgroRenew’s $83 million bioplastics manufacturing facility in Knox County Indiana.
AgroRenew Founder and CEO Brian Southern outlined Knox County plans for growing the new bioplastics company on Inside Indiana Business – watch the pre-event statewide coverage here. MEK privileged to support through Knox County Indiana Economic Development.
AgroRenew set to break ground on Vincennes facility that will transform Knox County watermelon into 100% biodegradable plastic First recruiting wave to begin in July
Vincennes, Ind. – Vincennes-grown bioplastic startup AgroRenew is pleased to announce a Groundbreaking Ceremony on Wednesday, June 19, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. (EDT) at 701 E. Elkhorn Rd. in Vincennes, IN 47591, marking the commencement of construction for its first manufacturing facility where advanced technology will transform crop waste from Knox County fields into fully biodegradable plastics.
Lessons of foundational innovation: a number of years ago officials from the Indiana Department of Education joined local and regional representatives in rural Ellettsville. The occasion reflected the latest in broadband connectivity technology at the time. Smithville had partnered with Indiana Bell and other entities to create a then-exciting distance learning capacity for rural high school students – possibly then the first in Indiana – which was considered groundbreaking innovation.
Today, at first glance, this achievement may seem pedestrian, even basic by 21st century standards. But there exists a key point: the focus and commitment that combined to produce that-then major advancement represent the same risk-taking and pioneering thinking that is producing dramatic innovations across the plains in Indiana.
SOUTHERN INDIANA (April 11, 2024) – The Indiana READI 2.0 award announcements have been received and the Indiana First Region has been awarded $15 million, according to Chris Pfaff, Indiana First Chair and CEO of Knox County Indiana Economic Development. Prioritizing quality of life, place, and opportunity, the five-county region is prepared to generate extensive investment for Hoosiers in respect to housing, business development, innovation, and talent attraction.
The Indiana First Region, which includes Harrison, Knox, Perry, Pike, and Spencer counties have been steadfast at advancing their key priorities of Talent Attraction, Business Development, Development Viability, Housing, and Quality of Life and Place, through READI 1.0 funds, private capital investments, and regional collaboration. The first round of READI 1.0 funds began the catalyst movement of housing and infrastructure demands needed to support current and future Hoosier residents by the development and ongoing construction of nine (9) housing projects, 291 Single Family Homes, and 187 Multi-Family Housing Units.
“Economic development professionals and community leaders from Harrison, Knox, Perry, Pike and Spencer counties all collaborated at high levels to produce a solid proposal for READI 2.0,” said Pfaff. “We are grateful to be awarded this additional state investment of $15 million and we look forward to advancing the key Indiana First Region priorities of housing, business development, innovation and talent attraction.”
BEDFORD, Indiana – Smithville recently opened its third area offering symmetrical gigabit (1,000 Mbps) service and lit up one of the first homes with multi-gigabit fiber speed in Bedford. With the recent activation of two-gigabit fiber capacity at the Bedford home of Jeff and Paige Callahan, Smithville now presents a new technology capacity in rural Indiana, according to Darby McCarty, Smithville Chairman and CEO.
With the two-gig service activation, Smithville technicians Travis Enochs and Ryan Blann noted their personal satisfaction as Bedford residents to be able to launch the new service, a Smithville first.
“With quality service and a great product, we’re excited that Smithville is bringing their fiber product here to the Bedford community,” said Callahan, who recently retired as Athletic Director at Bedford-North Lawrence High School after 21 years of service. Added Paige Callahan, “I work from home two-days a week, so having that capacity to have high-speed upload and download is a big, big plus.”
“With the active launch of Smithville’s multi-gigabit capacity in Bedford, our company is also effectively launching a new dimension of high-speed connectivity for rural Indiana,” said Cullen McCarty, Executive Vice President of Smithville. “This capacity is especially important for future internet use and functionality, including an expanded capacity for remote work associated with defense industry and other technology companies.”
The nearby Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division (NSWC Crane) employs some. 3,800 professionals, making it one of Indiana’s largest high-tech employers. A significant portion of Bedford’s workforce is employed by NSWC Crane-related operations. The regional workforce is also expected to expand with the development of new microelectronics manufacturing capacity.
INDIANAPOLIS – New trends and highs in the Japan stock market, a strong 4th quarter capex, and new developments in semiconductor manufacturing today vault Japan industry and business to recent heights of interest. This is particularly true in Indiana, where the highest level of Japanese foreign direct investment (FDI) per capita remains focused in the Hoosier state as Japan corporations continue to find Indiana the best new home for expanding their businesses. On March 19, top Indiana business and Japanese leadership will highlight current trends of mutual interest in business, industry, trade and technology at the Japan Currents – Indiana the Intersection of Investment and Innovation symposium here.
Innovative technologies, updates on industry trends, new energies, and geopolitical considerations for the Japan-U.S. alliance will serve as the focus for the 2024 Japan-America Society of Indiana (JASI) signature event. Executive leadership from the Japanese Consulate (Chicago), the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), and the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) will join senior business leaders from Cummins, Subaru, and other Japan businesses.
“We have an excellent lineup of speakers and are looking forward to insightful presentations from Tony Satterthwaite, Senior Vice President of Cummins, Scott Brand, President and COO of Subaru of Indiana Automotive, the Honorable Jun Yanagi, Consul-General of Japan in Chicago; Hiroyuki Nemoto, Chief Executive Director, JETRO Chicago, and Tony Denhart, Executive Vice President of Workforce and Talent, Indiana Economic Development Corporation,” said Theresa Kulczak, JASI Executive Director. “For those interested in Japan innovation and networking, this afternoon truly represents a ‘can’t-miss’ event.”