The Mail-Journal, Volume 21, Number 21, Milford, Kosciusko County, 6 June 1984 — Page 11

County developmental report given

The following data is presented as a condensed version of a report written by Joyce Conlon and Jack Ellison as their final project in the third class of the Kosciusko Leadersihip Academy. The purpose of the final project was to analyze various community objectives, using factual background material, and finally make reccomendations based on the material gathered. By JOYCE CONLON And JACK ELLISON Today, many of us view Kosciusko County as having one of the strongest, fastest growing local economies in the state of Indiana. Much of the economic growth of Kosciusko County has taken place over the past 30 yeans. The purpose of this paper is to ’ update and redefine, in easily understandable terms, statistical information relative to the historical economic growth of Kosciusko County since the mid 1950’5. It is our hope that the information presented in this paper will be helpful and useful for investors, businesses and individuals who are considering locating in Kosicusko County. Further, we feel that presenting statistical information in graphic form would be a valuable tool for governmental agencies in identifying trends and projecting growth.

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Population Growth Population growth in Kosciusko County since 1950 has been rapid and steady. Since 1950 the county’s population has grown by more than 80 percent, and since 1960 the county’s population has grown by more than 47.5 percent. The graph, which accompanies this article, shows population growth of Kosciusko County since 1940. In no decade since 1950 has the county’s population growth been less than 19 percent per decade. Population growth projections for Kosciusko County predict continued growth throughout the balance of this century. Automobile Registrations Automobile registrations are another indicator of increasing population and, also, of the increasing affluence in the county. In 1955 there was one automobile registered in Kosiusko County for every 1.76 persons in the county. By 1965,’ that figure had changed to one automobile registered for every 1.56 persons in the county. And, in 1980. there was one automobile for every 1.15 persons in the county. Os the 59,55 people residing in the county in 1980, 16,933 were under the age of 16 years — the legal age at which one can obtain a driver’s license in Indiana. In other words, there were 42,622 people in Kosciusko County who were of legal age to obtain a

driver’s license. And, there were 51,811 automobiles registered in the county That is 1.22 automobiles registered to every person old enough to obtain a driver’s license in the county! Bank Deposits Kosciusko County is the home of some of the most profitable banks in the state of Indiana. As ,?Sf, MEDICAL DIRECTOR — Bowen Center executive director Daniel D. Steiner and the board of directors have announced the appointment of Richard C. McNabb, M.D., of Martinsville, as the center’s full time medical director. Dr. McNabb will assume his responsibilities June 1. McNabb has been at the center as consultirig psychiatrist, part time, since May of 1983. He brings over 30 years experience to his new position. Prior to his association with the center, he served as director of child mental health for the State of Indiana Department of Mental Health at Indianapolis. He was appointed deputy commissioner for the department in 1978, a position he held until 1983. During his tenure with the DMH, McNabb assisted in establishing the Community Mental Health Center in Muncie, and also served as director of child and adolescent services at Laßue Cartel • Hospital in Indianapolis. He also spent six years in general medical practice in Knightstown. McNabb received his medical and psychiatric training at Indiana University. Since 1963, he has been a faculty member at the University of Indiana School of Medicine and holds the rankcrf.. assistant professor. McNabb says he “agrees with the concept that created the Community Mental Health Center system. I totally endorse the idea of treating patients as close to their homes as is possible.” He continued, "I look forward to implementing this concept in the Bowen Center catchment area, and I enthusiastically look forward to continuing my association with the excellent staff at the center.” McNabb, his wife Joyce Ahn, a professional artist, are parents of six children. He, his wife and son John David, aged 12, plan to move to the Bowen Center catchment area in the near future.

the graph below indicates, bank deposits have grown dramatically since the mid-1960’5. In fact, bank deposits in Kosciusko County have more than quadrupled since 1965 — an increase of about 425 percent. In 1965 deposits totaled 71,567,477, and in January of 1984 deposits totaled 304,002.144. Os course, some of the increase in bank deposits has been due, in part, to the inflationary cycles the nation experienced during the late 1960’s and 1970’5. However, the steady increase in bank deposits is indicative of the increase of disposable income in the county. Manufacturing Units The number of manufacturing. . .establishments in Kosciusko County increased steadily throughout the 1950’5, 1960’s and most of the 1970’5. Between 1976 and 1983, however, there was a decrease of sixteen manufacturing units in the county. It is our estimate that the recession years of th late 1970's and 1980 were in part, responsible for the decrease in manufacturing units in Kosciusko County. Jobs In Manufacturing Throughout the 1960’s and 1970’s Kosciusko County experienced dramatic growth in manufacturing employment. Since 1955 the number of jobs in manufacturing have increased more than 320 percent, and the 1980’s are still showing increased, but slower growth. In 1955, 3,080 jobs were available in manufacturing, and in 1983, 9,882 jobs were available. It is interesting to note that even though the number of manufacturing units in the county has decreased since 1976, the number of jobs in manufacturing has grown. Industry Payroll The payroll of the county’s industry has grown much faster than the number of jobs in manufacturing years of the 1970’s and 1980 have probably had an impact on the county’s industry payroll. In 1955 the payroll totaled 13, 296,970; in 1965, 33,731,797; in 1976, 75,100,000; and in 1983, 150,000,000 (estimated). * \ Unemployment ; The county’s unemployment history is probably the strongest indicator of our diverse industrial mix. The graph included with this article demonstrates that ■xKosciusko County’s unemployment rate has consistently been below that of the rest of the state, and generally below the nation’s unemployment rate. Gross Agricultural Income Kosciusko County is one of the top agricultural dollar producing counties in the US. The county currently ranks number one in ’the state in total agricultural production. Total harvested cropland in the county has increased from 15,641 acres in 1969 to 240,567 acres in 1981. In 1969 there were 2,038 farmes in the county, as compared to 1,527 farms in the county in 1981. The avrage farm size has grown from 144.5 acres in 1969 to 189 acres in 1981. Disposable Per Capita Income In the fifteen years from 1965 to 1980, disposable income in Kosciusko County grew by 355.6 percent. And in 1980 our disposable income was greater by more than 59 percent what it was in 1975. Disposable per capita income in 1965 was 2,097. In 1975 it was 4,673, and in 1980 per capita disposable income was 7,457. Total Retail Sales Total retail sales increased in the county by 80.6 percent between 1955 and 1965, and 86.8 percent during the ten years between 1965 and 1975. From 1975 to 1980, Kosciusko County increased 64.8 percent — double in comparison to the larger Elkhart County. However, Marshall and Whitley counties had even better growth with 80 percent plus. Conclusion In our opion, the information presented in this paper gives a good indication of the economic strength and growth of Kosciusko County. We found some of the information to be particularly

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revealing. In terms of straight dollar growth, we found the statistics on bank deposits, industrial payroll, agricultural income, retail sales all to be good indicators of Kosciusko County’s economic growth. However, the statistics we found the most amazing were those dealing with automobile registrations. The people of Kosciusko County have more than met the “American Dream” of having two automobiles to a family. We hope that studies such as this one will be updated from time to time in the future so that this kind of information can be made available to those who desire it. (When collecting information for the project, its authors discovered much of the statistical information of this nature is no longer available from local sources.)

/Jr B z ' ' - "»KS.. f I •J} .«• i •/ J . BEST COSTUME — Tracy Adair, standing with Blackbeard, was the winner in the Syracuse Buccaneer Days costume contest last weekend. Miss Adair works at Pilcher’s Shoe Store, which was the group winner. < -|| •»J SECOND PLACE — Barb Meyer’s was runner-up in the Buccaneer Days costume contest, sponsored by the Syracuse Retail Merchants Association. She is pictured with Blackbeard. Door vandalized Walter Steffen, 14986 CR 48 ed while parked at the Steffen Syracuse, reported to Elkhart residence. County Police the righit door window of his 1977 Dodge vehicle was Elkhart County Sheriff’s Ptl. broken. The vehicle wte Gary Shireman investigated.

I« r ril PB I 'ii. IS 111 IMNUw wl TEAM WORK — Employees from Pilcher’s Shoe Store, Syracuse, collectively put their efforts together to capture the best “team effort” award for Buccaneer Days’ costume contest. Pictured from left to right are, front row,-Tracy Adair, Tammy Hair, Tatia Littleton and Bob Pilcher. Standing in the second row are. Blackbeard, Steve Butt, Cheryl Mock and Liz Stafford.

Wed., June 6,1984 - THE MAIL-JOURNAL

.•xx'v ♦ - 11 1 x 11 * / T 1 .tea THIRD PLACE — Barbara Bradway displays her third place "Seal of Approval" given to in the costume contest during Syracuse’s Buccaneer Days. Blackbeard presented Mrs. Bradway her award. !*MILFORDSHOE 1 CLOTHING "mST J ■ * First Stop For Father's Day Gifts ■ campus &D.C. Sizes Sqt.9-4 " | ■ . Knits A Shirts . Slacks A j • Walking Shorts • Swimwear ■ • Nylon Warm-Up Suits • Ties • Dress Shoes Phone " • Work Shoes • Leather Wallets • Pajamas . . Etc.| 658-9326 „ pletMlf & Payne, Inc. | "Sine® 1955" ■ II Betting Air Cotwiitioflmf I Camebt Square - Downtown North Webster ■ |834-294l | ■ TIRED OF YOUR NEIGHBOR TELLING YOU HOW GREAT ( HIS ECHO j TRIMMER IS? Don’t spend another sumj n»er listening to how great || wZ TtZ-a ,n c *‘° trimmer to. Dis- • cov<r f° r V° why so many satisfied customers choose an ECHO! For J . I uncompromising reliability Fl * proven performance, go the leader, ECHO... L 1 1' Gne that lasts! Pi Mi’ I ' 1! •/ wll GT 160AE TRIMMER KIT with purchase of an Echo Trimmer • 1 lb. cutting line l cycle mh o*l SAVE • extra spark plug ana Est s I* —g°gg le * fJtaf Jasti/ ™ H & H Repair Shop, Inc. Diesel & Gas Engine Repair, Lawn Mower Sales & Service 1 Mile South 4 % Mile East Os Nappanee 219-773-2488

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