By Josh Sigler
jsigler@thepaperofwabash.com

The announcement from the Treasurer of State Kelly Mitchell on July 10 that the state’s tax-advantaged College Choice 529 education savings program had exceeded $4.5 billion in assets came as music to Clint Kugler’s ears.

Kugler was instrumental in helping create the Wabash County Promise college savings option for students in the county.

Five years ago, the Wabash County Promise was created. As community partners have worked together to create opportunities for children, when the Wabash County Promise was created, only 6 percent of kids in Wabash County under the age of 18 had a college savings account.

“We’ve seen radical increases in that,” Kugler said. “We’ve helped activate and engage families in the College Choice program, as well as doing lessons in the classroom and doing experiential college visits to Manchester University. We helped really shape their identity as someone who is important to our community long-term.”
 

By Josh Sigler
jsigler@thepaperofwabash.com

Metropolitan School District of Wabash County Superintendent Mike Keaffaber gave some insight into what the district might do with grant funds from the Indiana Secured School Safety Board when the MSD board met Tuesday, July 10.

The district was award $25,000 in grant money, which it must match with its own funds. The grant funds can be used for the employment of school resource officers (SRO), to purchase equipment or conduct threat assessments.

“It’s not exactly what we thought it was going to be, but we did get half of it,” Keaffaber said. “When we applied several months ago, we were looking at equipment, not the SRO. We applied for $50,000 for equipment, one thing wasn’t approved and that was worth $25,000, so they cut it back $25,000.”
 

By Joseph Slacian
jslacian@thepaperofwabash.com

The Wabash Redevelopment Commission approved signing a quit claim deed to give the City of Wabash a tract of land just south of the downtown area.

Doing so will qualify the city for a possible Brownfield Grant from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management.

The land, the former A. Sposeep & Sons scrapyard, is at 55 Water St., was donated to the Redevelopment Commission earlier this year by the Sposeep family. However, the donation was done too early to qualify for the grant, according to Keith Gillenwater, President and CEO of Grow Wabash County.
 

By Joseph Slacian
jslacian@thepaperofwabash.com

10X Engineered Materials LLC, a clean-tech science and engineering startup company, plans to establish operations in Wabash County, creating 26 new, high-wage jobs by 2021, state, local and company officials announced Monday morning, July 9.

The firm will be located in the former Spiece Warehouse building, 11672 Manchester Ave.

"Indiana's reputation as a hub for innovation continues to grow as high-tech companies like 10X choose our state for growth," said Elaine Bedel, president of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC). "Our talented workforce and business-friendly environment make Indiana the best place to start and scale a business. We're excited 10X has chosen Indiana for growth and look forward to seeing the new technologies they develop and jobs they create in northeast Indiana."
 

By Josh Sigler
jsigler@thepaperofwabash.com

The 2018 Wabash County 4-H Fair features an abundance of events and activities that all members of the community will enjoy.

Purdue Extension of Wabash County educator Angela Christopher said excitement and anticipation is through the roof for this year’s installment of the fair.

“We’re always excited for the fair because it’s the culminating activity for the kids for many months of hard work,” Christopher said. “Our clubs have been meeting since January. So, this is the final activity to show what they’ve worked on.”
 

By Joseph Slacian
jslacian@thepaperofwabash.com

Fifteen local agencies will benefit this year from the Wabash Cannonball Chili for Charity Chili Cook-off, officials announced Monday, July 9.

“In an attempt to service as many groups as possible in Wabash County,” Chili committee chair Todd Titus said, “we chose 15 charities once again this year from a long list of applicants.”
 

By Josh Sigler
jsigler@thepaperofwabash.com

Vernon Health and Rehabilitation, prides itself on being proactive in the Wabash community.

The non-profit organization provides a plethora of healthcare services to the community, but members of management sometimes worry that the community is unaware of the scope of services Vernon Manor has to offer.

So, events like the Hot Dog Free Lunch Celebration on Friday, July 6, put on by Vernon Health staff, is a way to show thanks while also educating the community.

“We do this for the community just to give back to the folks that give so much to us,” said Kathleen Boles, community liaison for Vernon Manor. “We have a really special community here with pediatric through geriatric skilled nursing care, and the community really rallies around them. So, we wanted to give back. We do little events like this every so often to show our support back to the community.”
 

By Eric Christiansen
echristiansen@nmpaper.com

NORTH MANCHESTER -- Following a family theme, North Manchester native and Purdue University student Janzin Cripe dove into the business world.

Chillz, a new ice cream shop located at 1302 State Road 114 W, opened Sunday, July 1.

The shop sits on the same property of Rhinestones & Roses, owned by his sisters Josi Cripe and Jentri Cripe.

“One of the reasons my family wanted to do this is that we felt there was a need here, and we heard that from a lot of people,” Cripe said. “There was that outdoor experience that was lacking.

“You can just come hang out and meet people, and hang out with friends. I really wanted to bring that here.”