Report: Marion, Elkhart, Allen Counties Hold Most Patents in State

Press Release

ELKHART COUNTY, Ind.--In a world rendered flat by low-cost outsourcing to the Third World countries, increasingly competitive global markets, and innovative technology offshore, a recent study shows that Elkhart County, Indiana, stands out as a shining star of manufacturing and innovation in the fertile American Midwest.

The study confirms that Elkhart County has more patents filed per capita than any other county in the state of Indiana. Elkhart County is the second largest producer of patents in the state producing over 2,000 of the 23,104 patents since 1976 when the statistics first became available electronically.

These are the conclusive facts produced by an in-depth study completed and electronically published on the web by the Economic Development Corporation of Elkhart County (EDC of Elkhart County) and its strategic partners in late 2006. Elkhart County’s Innovation Landscape Study was completed and published online in the fourth quarter of 2006. Access this illuminating report by going to the EDC of Elkhart County's website at www.edcec.com.

This easy-to-read study, in an intuitive format, speaks for itself. Elkhart County has the highest per capita number of patents in the state: surprisingly higher per capita than many of the larger and more populous counties in Indiana.

Marion County (Indianapolis) - Patents: 8,441 Ranking: 1 Population: 863,596

Elkhart County- Patents: 2,008 Ranking: 2 Population: 191,768

Allen County (Fort Wayne)- Patents: 1,695 Ranking: 3 Popultion: 342,168

Sources: US Census Bureau and STATS Indiana.

Diversity was the key. Not only was Elkhart County the national capital of the recreational vehicle manufacturing industry—bringing together patent innovations in automotive, plastics, composites, fabrics, and metallurgy and other fields—it was also high in patents in manufacturing technology, electrical and testing systems.

Elkhart County’s Innovation Landscape Study: Finding Our Place in the New Global Economy, was completed and published online in the fourth quarter of 2006. To learn more about the EDC of Elkhart County or Elkhart County, go to www.edcec.com or email them at edc@elkhartcountybiz.com.

Source: Elkhart County Economic Development Corp.