Western Indiana update.

• Author: Matthew, Jan
• Position: Business trends and developments

The eight-county region of Western Indiana includes all the chapters of an economic bestseller - manufacturing expansions, new industrial parks, residential and retail growth, proactive partnerships.

The story further reflects the influences of a diverse landscape, from the manufacturing hubs of Frankfort, Lafayette and Crawfordsville to the abundant acres of farmland surrounding Fowler, Covington and Veedersburg.

CLINTON COUNTY

A strategy of satisfying existing industries is succeeding in Clinton County, where economic-development officials view a 3.6 percent jobless rate as both a blessing and a challenge.

According to Joyce Elferdink, chamber chief executive and Clinton County economic-development director, many of the county's 19 manufacturers - which employ about 4,500 workers - are finding it difficult to expand.

In response, the Clinton County Chamber will introduce the Learning Network, a new workforce-development program slated to begin later this fall. The program will recruit trainers and educators to offer services to companies hoping to increase productivity and reduce turnover, and will also assist job seekers. About $60,000 in funding for the program includes grants from Cinergy, Workforce Development, county economic development board Partners in Progress and the Indiana Department of Commerce's Strategic Development Fund.

Despite workforce challenges, however, Elferdink says local manufacturers are healthy and looking to grow.

Frito-Lay, the county's largest employer, added pretzel manufacturing to its product line and boosted employment to 1,300. Federal-Mogul Corp., which manufactures transmission seals, suffered temporary layoffs this summer because of the General Motors strike. The company's permanent workforce stands at about 900 employees.

Donaldson Co. completed a 60,000-square-feet addition. The plant, which makes filtration systems for heavy-duty diesel engines, increased employment to 280.

UNR-Rohn - with a 150-person workforce that makes telecommunication towers, shelters and cabinets - completed a new facility in Frankfort's industrial park. Van Diest Supply, a distributor of agricultural products and chemicals, also constructed a 20,000-square-foot warehouse in the industrial park.

Exide continues to maintain only a minimal labor force at its Frankfort distribution center. The company closed its manufacturing operations, which once employed about 475 workers.

"Although we are always receptive to new industries...