Mayor Matt Nicholson will release each task associated with the Burkart Opportunity Zone Agenda and what is being done.
The Tribune will provide information as it is released from the city of Seymour. The city released information on tasks 1.1 and 1.2 of the Burkart Opportunity Zone Agenda.
These tasks deal with training existing workers for advancement and encouraging small business growth through entrepreneurial support.
We will highlight why these tasks were identified, what is being done to accomplish each one, who is responsible for completing the tasks, how they will be funded and a timeline for completion.
Due to low unemployment in Seymour, the community must focus less on attracting new businesses and more on retaining and equipping the existing workforce with the skills and training they need.
Local employers are reporting a lack of employees trained in machine maintenance and employees are looking for more free time and higher wages to address a rising cost of living.
Jackson County Industrial Development Corp. and other local organizations are working together with employers to eliminate barriers to further education for full-time workers, provide advancement opportunities for the existing workforce and fill skilled positions.
One way this is being accomplished is through the creation of a maintenance training program currently being offered in Seymour through a partnership with Vincennes University. The program is designed to offer additional training once a cohort completes the first level. This will facilitate additional adult education trainings and courses at the Jackson County Learning Center as employer needs, including Spanish or other language offerings, are identified.
To develop pipelines to local employment, Seymour has invested in high school programs like Owl Manufacturing and the Seymour Ag-Science Center, where students are exposed to a variety of career opportunities and learn advanced manufacturing skills to prepare them to enter the workforce.
Given these strong programs, there is a need to track student participation and employment post-graduation to continue to build the programs and provide connections between the local workforce and local employers.
This task will take at least two years to complete with Jackson County Industrial Development Corp., the Jackson County Education Coalition and Vincennes University leading implementation with support from the Community Foundation of Jackson County, local large employers, Seymour Community Schools, the Jackson County Learning Center, and Leadership Jackson County.
Identified sources for potential funding include the Community Foundation of Jackson County, the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, local employers, and Vincennes University.
Now we move on to Task 1.2 – Encouraging small business growth through entrepreneurial support.
Increasingly, Seymour residents and workers report traveling out of the city for food and restaurant options and to buy clothing and other goods typically found at small businesses. Additionally, new businesses often open and operate without support in business planning, marketing, and peer-to-peer networking which could increase their likelihood for success.
Although Seymour Main Street provides assistance and guidance to downtown businesses, the organization’s limited staff size along with language and cultural differences of immigrant-owned businesses serve as barriers. There is also a greater overall need of support for entrepreneurs in Seymour navigating site selection, business planning, staffing, and networking to encourage local business starts and growth.
Steps to address these needs include compiling a list of business properties available for immediate occupancy, expanding an existing partnership with Indiana Economic
Development Corp.’s Small Business Development Center to provide support for local small businesses including translation services, providing outreach and a forum for small business owners to meet and discuss challenges and successes regularly, establishing a fund to support local entrepreneurs and creating a small-business incubator space to help startup businesses grow and succeed by providing free or low-cost workspace, mentorship, expertise and access to investors.
This task will take at least three years to complete with the Jackson County Chamber, the Mayor’s Office and Elevate Indiana leading implementation with support from Seymour Main Street, Jackson County Industrial Development Corp., the Indiana Economic Development Corp.’s Small Business Development Center and the Jackson County Learning Center.
Identified sources for potential funding include the City of Seymour, the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce, corporate support and private entrepreneurs, the Seymour Redevelopment Commission, the Community Foundation of Jackson County, Elevate Indiana, Indiana’s Small Business Development Center, the U.S. Economic Development Administration, the Service Corps of Retired Executives and the US Department of Agriculture.
You can read the entire Burkart Opportunity Zone Inclusive Economic Development Agenda on our website at https://seymourin.org/…/pdf/2023-0801-Burkart-Agenda.pdf.
This agenda was developed with the input of many people. The Core Team was Mayor Matt Nicholson, Community Foundation President and CEO Dan Davis, Jackson County Industrial Development Corp. Workforce Partnership Director Jackie Hill and JCIDC Executive Director Jim Plump. The Advisory Coalition is made up of Kevin Johnson, Marvin Veatch, Dan Robison, Dr. Eric Fish, Nate Tormoehlen, Ryon Wheeler, Ginger Schneck, Maci Baurle, Rexanne Ude, Brandon Harpe, Danny Mendez, Andy Royalty, Colin Smith, Heather VonDielingen, Brian Terrell, Marnie Dirks, Solomon Rust, Sehrish Sangamkar, Tammy Barker, Yesenia Otero and Ardell Mitchell. Focus groups were conducted with Pet Supplies Plus employees, Aisin USA employees, the Mayor’s Youth Council, Seymour High School’s Jobs for America’s Graduates Program, local pastors, Seymour Young Professionals, Brown Elementary School leaders and the 4-H Juntos Group and their families.