County EDC Leader: 2013 ‘Slowest’ in Memory
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowThe president of the Economic Development Group of Wabash County says attraction efforts “remain on life support.” Bill Konyha says leads on new businesses during the past year have been “almost non-existent” compared to 2012. He says concerns about the national economy, Affordable Care Act and debt ceiling are having a chilling effect in his area and throughout the state. However, he tells Inside INdiana Business localized efforts in the town of North Manchester and the city of Wabash have been paying off. He cites recent downtown revitalization projects that have made “significant strides.”
Statewide, Konyha says Hoosier legislators have created a “wonderful” environment conducive to business development, but says a recurring theme causing stalled growth is uncertainty linked to the federal government.
He believes statewide attraction projects through the end of last month have also decreased. However, a spokeswoman with the Indiana Economic Development Corp. says 51 projects have been secured through the end of October, compared to 44 during the same period a year earlier.
Konyha adds the EDC of Wabash County currently has two potential leads on hold. He says if one pans out by before January, a slow year would become an “acceptable” one.
Sources: Inside INdiana Business, The Economic Development Group of Wabash County, The Indiana Economic Development Corp.