FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
May 11, 2021

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Jake Adams, Executive Director/CCEDC
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 765-432-4224 (c)

Randy Mitchell, President/WCEDO
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Dr. Roberto Gallardo, Director/PCRD
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CARROLL COUNTY, WHITE COUNTY Ind. – The Carroll County Economic Development Corporation in partnership with the White County Economic Development Organization will begin to study the economic impact of Lake Freeman’s reduced water levels in Carroll and White Counties. The study, being performed by the Purdue Center for Regional Development (PCRD) is slated to last throughout the summer of 2021 and will look to include an economic impact analysis on retail, tourism, entertainment, and supportive industries in each county.

The primary goal of the study is to get a macro level picture of the effect that the reduced water levels of Lake Freeman have had on Carroll and White County. In 2020, many businesses in the region struggled to keep their doors open. The most obvious concern conversely, is that recreational spending for Hoosiers began to hit record numbers during the pandemic. If you were a business, visitor, or resident impacted by the lowering of Lake Freeman, we ask you to reach out to your local economic development organization or directly to the Purdue Center for Regional Development for information. Our study will provide 100% confidentiality for you and your individual business.

“The more engaged our community is with this study, the better we can tell the story of how important Lake Freeman is to our economy.” stated Jake Adams, Executive Director of the Carroll County Economic Development Corporation. “Currently, Jefferson Township (which mostly encompasses the Lake Freeman) is nearly 25% of Carroll County’s assessed value. I believe it is very important that we have a grasp on the impact.”

Randy Mitchell, President of the White County Economic Development Corporation offered “the SFLECC has been promoting the environmental enhancement of our lakes since 1995. During this time, we have been frustrated with the slow and onerous Federal actions to date that have caused irreputable harm to the residents and businesses along Lake Freeman. It is vital that we have a professional assessment as to the cost that these delays have created.”

“The whole community is affected when the lake level is down”, stated John Koppelmann, Real Estate owner in White County and Task Force Chairperson for the Shafer & Freeman Lakes Environmental Conservation Corporation. “If our out-of-town visitors do not come to the area, they do not purchase groceries, gas, ice or eat at our restaurants. Nor do they need their boat or wave runner serviced. When that occurs, those business owners feel the ripple effect, which in turn can affect what the business owner has to spend locally or influence their hiring practices.”

“Natural amenities are a powerful economic development driver in rural communities, not to mention its impact on the quality of place. We are excited to partner with [Carroll & White Counties] to conduct an economic impact study of Lake Freeman in the region to tell the story and help design strategic economic development policies to make the most out of this natural asset.” Roberto Gallardo, Ph.D., Director, Purdue Center for Regional Development

Businesses' Survey

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
December 29, 2020

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Shannon Kelley-Telfer, Office and Communications Manager
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 765-564-2060 (o)

CARROLL COUNTY, Ind. – The Carroll County Economic Development Corporation has named Jake Adams as its new Executive Director. Adams who has served North Central Indiana recently within Ivy Tech Community College, is excited about the opportunity to serve his home community. “It is certainly a dream come true,” stated Adams. “I have been able to participate in some amazing work for the college and the state during my tenure, and I am confident that we will accomplish many more goals right here in Carroll County.”
Jake Adams, CCEDC Exec. Dir.According to Bret Rinehart, the Carroll County Economic Development Corporations Board President, “Adams brings an extensive knowledge of workforce and economic development with him and has a successful track record of leadership throughout the region. We look forward to having him work with the Board of Directors in 2021 and to the new energy he will bring to the organization”

Not only is the local community excited about hiring Adams, but Steve Eberly, Executive Director of Hoosiers For Renewables said, “As a former member of the economic development community, I am so pleased for Carroll County, and frankly for Indiana, to welcome Jake Adams as the new Executive Director of Economic Development for Carroll County.”

The hiring of Adams also caught the attention of State Senator Stacey Donato who stated, “Having worked with Jake over the last few years, I am confident his hiring will be a great asset to communities across Carroll County.” Sen. Donato added, “Now more than ever we must work to advance economic initiatives to combat the negative impact COVID-19 has had on our district and across much of Indiana. As a member of the Senate Committee on Commerce and Technology, I look forward to working with Jake to further economic interests in our part of the state.”

Brian Anderson, Economic Development & Public Relations Director for Wabash Valley Power Alliance said of Adams hiring, “WVPA is excited to work with Jake Adams as the new Executive Director of the Carroll County EDC. Mr. Adams is well known in the Carroll County community, and throughout this region of Indiana. We've previously crossed paths with Mr. Adams in economic and workforce development and believe he will prove invaluable in his new position at the Carroll County EDC. We look forward to working with Mr. Adams in 2021 and beyond.”

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• https://www.kokomotribune.com/news/covid-19/ivy-tech-kokomo-helping-gm-hire-workers-to-build-ventilators/article_22474c7e-88bb-11ea-ab88-63fcff333570.html
• https://www.casscountyonline.com/2019/12/ivy-tech-kokomo-sets-dec-17-information-session-to-kick-off-cdl-a-training/
• https://www.kokomotribune.com/news/business/business-briefs-feb-2-2020/article_9539df76-4527-11ea-abb7-c37d8287e87d.html
• https://ivytechcommunitycollegekokomo.wordpress.com/2020/12/03/for-keenan-bates-ivy-tech-is-his-pathway-to-a-better-future/

September 28, 2020 – Delphi, Indiana. Mayor Anita Werling today announced the appointment of Dr. Gregory Norman to the Carroll County Economic Development Corporation board as one of the City of Delphi’s three representatives. Norman and Miller Eye Care is a mainstay business in Delphi since 1982, now with branches in Lafayette, Frankfort, Crawfordsville, and five other locations. He has served on the boards of the Carroll County Community Foundation, Delphi Rotary, Delphi Preservation Society, Oracle Club, and other not-for-profit organizations. Dr. Norman is immediate Past-President of the Indiana Optometric Association and an officer in the Indiana University School of Optometry Alumni Association. In 2015, Dr. Norman received the Samuel Milroy Award for service to the community from the Greater Delphi Chamber of Commerce.

“Greg Norman has the business acumen, community involvement, and leadership experience that I was seeking for this appointment,” Werling stated. “He will join Delphi’s other representatives—Joe Mayfield and Ken Walton—at this critical juncture for the Carroll County Economic Development Corporation as it seeks a new executive director and with several exciting prospects on the horizon.”

Additional information about the City of Delphi may be found at www.cityofdelphi.org or by contacting Anita Werling at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Additional information about the Carroll County Economic Development Corporation may be found at www.carrollcountyedc.com.

The Carroll County Economic Development Corporation is a private, not-or-profit, corporation leading the county's economic development strategy to add  more jobs and diversify the local economy while enhancing the area's unique natural and cultural environments. The EDC is a catalyst for creating a vibrant economy that is sustainable and globally competitive.