Goshen: "hometown flavor and big-city access." (Indiana municipality)

• Author: Fishburn, Doyle

"It's easy to sell Goshen for people who are looking for a place to live," says Mike Puro, mayor of the Northern Indiana community, population 24,000.

The sell gets a little tougher when prospects are told the government will not abate taxes. That's where the rest of the Goshen story comes into play. A municipality, the mayor explains, simply cannot have an up-to-date wastewater-treatment plant, well-paved roads and other public amenities if sufficient taxes aren't collected.

There are some companies that simply will not look past the no-tax-abatement policy, the mayor laments. "They say that abatements are available in other communities--and then we have long talks. I say, 'Drive around that community and look at their infrastructure--the roads, the park systems, the school systems."

The mayor advises such prospects that the short-term incentive of an abatement is outweighed by long-term advantages, like a better quality of life, a safe environment in public schools and more. Much more.

In spite of its unwillingness to play the give-away-the-store economic-development game, Goshen has experienced tremendous growth. Between 1980 and 1990, the city experienced 21 percent population growth. The statewide average was 1 percent during that same period.

Puro says the city will continue to grow, though perhaps at a somewhat slower rate. He foresees a tremendous growth in housing and says manufacturing plants will be expanding.

"We continue to have companies interested in relocating in Goshen," he says. Indeed, more than 10 companies have opened in Goshen in the last eight years.

Some major companies with an established history include Johnson Controls, Goshen Rubber Co. and Home Crest Corp., which makes kitchen cabinets and bath vanities. Two Goshen-based RV companies, Cobra Industries Inc. and Starcraft Automotive Corp., both had initial public stock offerings in 1993.

Goshen is the county seat of Elkhart County, with a $9 million annual budget and a net assessed valuation of $165.8 million for 1991-92. Rarely does unemployment hit 6 percent.

Goshen's downtown is bustling. Merchants have converted older buildings into antiques malls, clothing boutiques and quaint eateries.

A perfect example is the Old Bag Factory, originally built as a soap factory in 1896 before two bag companies occupied it. Today, it is an oasis for craftsmen including potters, a furniture maker, a blacksmith, a dollmaker and a stained-glass artist.

The city is home to Goshen...