Articles
Governor Daniels' Weekly Update: 7/9/08
A look at news and events in the Daniels Administration
Volume 2, Issue 88
June 30 - July 6, 2008
Ag equipment manufacturer invests in its Milford operations
July 3, 2008- Agricultural equipment maker CTB, Inc. announced last week that it will upgrade its manufacturing operations in Milford and will provide advanced training opportunities for nearly 350 of its workers over the next two years with the help of a $47,100 grant from the state's Skills Enhancement Fund. Approximately 60 additional employees expected to be hired during the two-year period would be part of the group to be trained.
CTB's investment in machinery and training follows the completion of a 75,000 square foot expansion of its north central Indiana facilities earlier this year. The company designs and manufactures a wide variety of systems and accessories for the poultry, pig, egg production and grain industries.
"Creating an environment that encourages growth is essential to Indiana's continued economic success," said Governor Mitch Daniels. "Decisions like the one CTB is making to continue to invest in Indiana reflects a growing confidence in the business climate in our state."
With more than 1,400 employees worldwide and more than 580 in Milford, CTB plans to make additional investments in manufacturing technology and to host training in computer applications, maintenance technology training and learn manufacturing techniques.
Seven selected as Governor's Fellows
June 30, 2008- Seven young Hoosier leaders have been selected to the Governor's Fellowship, a year-long program designed to give recent college graduates experience serving in state government.
Fellows participate in the daily activities of state government, complete special projects, travel to observe how work in the State House translates into action throughout the state and experience firsthand how policy is made.
"An investment in the development of young leaders is an investment in the future of our state," said Governor Mitch Daniels. "We want the best and the brightest to utilize their talents and abilities to serve their fellow citizens and help build a stronger Indiana."
The Governor's Fellowship program was created in 1983 by Governor Bob Orr and is open to college graduates who earned their bachelor's degrees in either fall 2007 or spring 2008. While any such graduate may apply, special consideration is given to applicants from Indiana and candidates who have a B- or above grade point average.
The 2008-2009 Governor's Fellows are:
Josh Frasure
He is an Elwood native and Indiana Wesleyan University (IWU) graduate with a degree in history and political science. Frasure was an active member of the IWU Hill Society and served the IWU Wrestling Club as a team manager and assistant coach.
Amy Freiburger
A Fort Wayne native and Indiana University graduate, Freiburger earned a degree in political science and criminal justice and was an active member of the Mortar Board Honors Society and the College Republicans. She has served as an intern in Senator Richard Lugar's northeast Indiana office and also interned in the Indiana State Senate.
Ashley Gibson
A Vincennes native, she is a graduate of Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis with a degree in public relations. Gibson worked as a legislative intern for Krieg DeVault LLP and the Indianapolis Convention and Visitors Association. She previously interned with the Indiana House of Representatives.
Adam Hasiak
A Lake County native, Hasiak graduated from Butler University where he played football and earned a degree in media and cultural studies with an English literature minor. Hasiak has been active in the Big Brother/Big Sister Program of Indianapolis and previously interned with the United States Senate.
Margaret Terp
An Indianapolis native, Terp graduated from Gordon College with degrees in Spanish and English Language and Literature. She studied Spanish history and literature during a semester in Getafe, Spain and was an active member of Alpha Mu Gamma, a nationally recognized foreign language honors society.
Shane Whittington
He is an Indiana University graduate with a degree in social work. Whittington interned at Mental Health America and co-founded the Social Justice League at IU. He has previously worked as a volunteer for the Commission on the Status of Black Males.
Chelsey Wininger
She is a Brownsburg native and Indiana University graduate with a major in international studies and social policy and political responsibility. She served on the editorial board of the Undergraduate Journal of International Studies at IU and worked as a copy editor for the Indiana Daily Student.
Governor on hand for Madison Regatta
July 6, 2008 - Governor Daniels was on hand to present the 58th Indiana Governor's Cup at the Madison Regatta Sunday. The award was presented to race winner Jeff Bernard after the final heat of the race. Before the race, Daniels spent time visit with Madison residents and race fans enjoying the event along the banks of the Ohio River.
The Madison Regatta is an annual hydroplane race that takes place in the southern Indiana town along the Ohio River. At age 23, Bernard is one of the youngest drivers in the race's history to claim a first-place victory.
Manufacturer to relocate Ohio HQ, operations to Angola
July 7, 2008- General Products Corporation, a manufacturer of precision machined and assembled engine and chassis components, has announced it will relocate is Ohio headquarters and manufacturing operations to Steuben County, creating as many as 61 new jobs by 2011.
The company, which manufactures intake manifolds, pistons, gear covers and brackets among other chassis, transmission and engine components, will invest more than $7.8 million to relocate its Columbus, Ohio headquarters and manufacturing center to its existing 125,000 square-foot manufacturing center at 1411 Wohlert Street.
"We continue to outrun all of our Midwestern competitors for new job-creating investment from companies like General Products, but we can't let up for a minute. We can never take a rest, we have to get on to the next success and the next," said Governor Mitch Daniels.
General Products, which currently employs more than 60 in Angola, will begin hiring machine operators, maintenance personnel and professional staff later this summer to accommodate the facility's increased production demands.
IN THE NEWS
'Pedometers get INShape off and running'
Lafayette Journal and Courier
July 2, 2008
By Taya Flores
On a windy Wednesday afternoon, dozens of people wandered over to the INShape Indiana booth at the Sagamore West Farmers' Market to pick up a pedometer in exchange for their e-mail addresses.
Summer interns handed out the pedometers to help promote INShape Indiana -- Gov. Mitch Daniels' Web-based health initiative to encourage Indiana Hoosiers to live healthier lifestyles by choosing to eat better, be active and stop smoking. People who are interested can find nutrition, exercise and smoking cessation information at www.inshape.In.gov.
"It helps motivate people, keep them accountable and gives them new ideas to keep active and healthy as opposed to doing the same routine everyday," said Elise Gustafson, one of the INShape Indiana interns.
Using the pedometers, the goal is for users to walk 10,000 steps or about five miles a day.
The people who signed up at the farmers' market will receive a weekly e-mail with tips on how to lead healthy lifestyles and information on programs and events.
The pedometer was a selling point for Debra Dochuk of West Lafayette.
Dochuk considers herself to be fairly active. She jogs and tries to walk everywhere, so the pedometer will come in handy, she said.
She has visited the INShape Indiana Web site.
"I think it'll be great to get everybody moving and cut back on health care costs," the 38-year-old said. "With gas prices the way they are, maybe more people will be motivated to start walking."
Rachel Gray of West Lafayette signed up for the pedometer because it will help her complete her midyear resolution to walk for an hour everyday.
"It would be nice to have a pedometer to make my walking easier," the 19-year-old said.
Jim Rybka picked up the pedometer because, "it's just one more thing to try to be healthy," he said.
The 56-year-old said he considers himself active and health conscious, working out at the gym four mornings a week.
Cindy Krulitz of West Lafayette was another active person picking up the pedometer.
She teaches yoga classes and was curious to find out how much she was walking.
Teresa Hufnagel said she got one because she needs to get into shape.
"I need to walk," said the 44-year-old.
She said she hopes the pedometer will help motivate her to walk by helping her keep track of her progress.
Hufnagel also was familiar with the initiative.
"I think we as a nation eat more processed foods and we are getting so much heavier," she said. "There is so much heart disease. We have to start taking care of ourselves."
'Reagan Parkway Interchange to open'
Associated Press
July 4, 2008
BROWNSBURG, Ind. - The $17.4 million Ronald Reagan Parkway interchange at I-74 is scheduled to open Wednesday, about two months ahead of schedule.
Local and state officials, including Sen. Connie Lawson, R-Danville, and Rep. Greg Steuerwald, R-Avon, will attend a ribbon-cutting ceremony Monday to commemorate the completion of the work.
The project, which began last summer, is part of Gov. Mitch Daniels' Major Moves highway construction program.
The interchange could be an important link in Hendricks County's long-awaited Ronald Reagan Parkway. The north-south corridor eventually will extend nearly 15 miles through Plainfield, Avon and Brownsburg. The parkway eventually will connect I-70 and I-74.
The new interchange will be about two miles east of the Ind. 267 interchange.
'City doctor kept on IU board'
Governor grants reappointment until 2011
Fort Wayne Journal Gazette
July 4, 2008
By Kelly Soderlund
A Fort Wayne doctor who founded Canterbury School was reappointed to the Indiana University Board of Trustees, Gov. Mitch Daniels announced Thursday.
Dr. William Cast was first appointed by Daniels in 2005 and will serve in his reappointment until July 1, 2011. Cast received a bachelor's degree from IU in 1958 and graduated from the IU School of Medicine in 1962.
He is the founder of DuPont Hospital and was its first chairman. Cast's private practice, Ears Nose & Throat Specialists, has been in operation since 1969. Cast also helped found Canterbury School, a private school for pre-kindergarten through 12th grade.
Other IU and Purdue University board reappointments announced by Daniels were:
- Tom Reilly Jr., of Indianapolis, who was appointed to the IU board by Daniels in 2005. He retired in 2003 after 13 years as chairman of Reilly Industries.
-Mamon Powers Jr., of Gary, who was appointed to the Purdue board by Gov. Frank O'Bannon in 1996. Powers is president and chief executive officer of Powers and Sons Construction.
-William Oesterle, of Indianapolis, who was appointed to the Purdue board by Daniels in 2005. He is the founder of Angie's List, one of Indiana's fastest-growing companies.
This week, Evansville attorney Patrick Shoulders was re-elected by Indiana University Alumni Association members for a term on the board. Appointments to the boards of the University of Southern Indiana, Ivy Tech State College, Indiana State University and the Indiana Commission for Higher Education will be announced soon.
