City of Anderson

AGAPE to Locate in Union Building in downtown Anderson

kpaul.mallasch — Thu, 1 May 2008 13:11:50 -0700

ANDERSON, IN - Mayor Kris Ockomon announced today the addition of a new business to Anderson’s local economy. The company, AGAPE, LLC, is a start up company that will immediately employ 75 people in the call center industry and intends to grow to 400 employees within one year.

Managing partner Jeff Rogers spoke of AGAPE’s site selection process, “AGAPE searched throughout the Midwest for a location to base our operations. We chose Anderson because of the positive business climate; Anderson has the combination we most needed, a large and capable workforce and the ready accessibility of fiber optic infrastructure.”

The Mayor’s office, Economic Development Department, and Anderson Municipal Light and Power have worked with AGAPE since February to assist in selection of their Anderson location. The City offered the extension of fiber optics to the new location at a cost of three thousand dollars. Linda Dawson, Executive Director of Economic and Community Development for the City of Anderson, commented, “In respect to return on investment, the City’s financial investment in this project will be recovered in the first minutes of AGAPE’s presence in Anderson.”

AGAPE has chosen to locate in downtown’s historic Union Building, a Sullivanesque, terra cotta building constructed in 1902. The building was purchased by Albert Golukhov in 2006. Golukhov has invested two million dollars in renovations since that time. Jeanne Clarkson, property manager for the Union Building, stated, “The Union Building is under-going a multimillion dollar renovation, creating over 30,000 SF of additional Class A office space with the latest in state of the art amenities and services available to current and potential tenants. We are marketing locally, nationally and internationally for new businesses to relocate to Anderson.”

“The fact that AGAPE chose not just to locate in Anderson, but in downtown Anderson, is great news for our citizens, and our other downtown businesses. Adding 75 new downtown workers—growing to 400 new downtown workers within a year—will have an overwhelmingly positive impact for retail and commercial businesses and even downtown events,” added Mayor Kris Ockomon.

Positions will pay an average of $10 per hour. AGAPE plans to begin hiring immediately. If interested in employment with AGAPE, please direct an email to Apply@AGAPEcomUSA.com or check www.AGAPEIndiana.com after May 15.

Source: City of Anderson Press Release

Anderson City Spotlight - New Mayoral Newsletter

kpaul.mallasch — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 20:00:51 -0800

The first edition of the Anderson City Spotlight has been released.

Get Connected. The Anderson City Spotlight is the newsletter of Mayor Kris Ockomon. Issued on the 1st and 15th of every month, the Anderson City Spotlight is the Mayor’s communication to our community. Sign-up today at www.cityofanderson.com

Rev J.T. Menifee Citywide Fall Cleanup Saturday, November 3

kpaul.mallasch — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 02:46:50 -0700

ANDERSON, Ind. - Saturday, November 3, will be the city’s second annual Fall Cleanup Day. All Anderson residents are urged to clean their properties and neighborhoods from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event is in memory of Rev. J.T. Menifee who originated the Westside Neighborhood Clean up 22 years ago.

The main staging area for the Cleanup will be at Athletic Park, 8th Street and Milton Ave., from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dumpsters will be available for trash drop off. Anderson residents may drop off limbs and yard waste at no charge at the city Yard and Garden Recycling Center, 2000 W. 8th St. (proof of residency required). Large item pickup will also be available that day for tires, major appliances, furniture, etc. by calling 648-6445.

The Clean Up is for Anderson residents only and no business or contractor disposal will be permitted. Tire disposal will be limited to four per household. The city of Anderson reserves the right to refuse any item or material it deems unacceptable for regular waste disposal.

Gloves and trash bags, will be available upon request at Athletic Park.

Anderson Resident Survey

kpaul.mallasch — Sun, 21 Oct 2007 21:28:15 -0700

ANDERSON, Ind. - The City of Anderson is asking for opinion from citizens about life in Anderson, Indiana. A short survey is available online at the CityofAnderson.com website.

From the website, "Your valuable opinions and comments will assist the Community Development Department in determining the needs of the community as we draft the Department's 2008 Annual Action Plan."

Federal Court Dismisses Former Anderson Building Commissioner Suit

kpaul.mallasch — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 13:18:28 -0700

ANDERSON, Ind. - A federal civil rights lawsuit filed by former Anderson Building Commissioner David Eicks was dismissed Friday by the U.S. District Court in Indianapolis. The Court granted summary judgment in favor of the City of Anderson and Mayor Kevin S. Smith.

The Court rejected Eicks’ claim that his civil rights were violated by his removal from the position of Building Commissioner. The Court found that Eicks’ removal was the result of a candidate search process where all applicants wishing to serve as Building Commissioner in incoming Mayor Kevin Smith’s administration, including Eicks, applied to a search team. The search team then interviewed likely candidates, and recommended the most qualified individual for hire. Mayor Smith accepted the search team’s recommendation that current Building Commissioner Michael Widing was the most qualified applicant.

Summary judgment is a procedural tool used by courts to weed out claims that can be decided without a trial. Each party is given a chance to submit evidence and legal arguments to the judge. The judge must then decide if there are any real factual issues that need to be decided at trial, and if not, whether one party is then entitled to judgment as a matter of law.

After dismissing Eicks’ claim under federal law, the District Court remanded one remaining state law claim to Madison County Superior Court for a decision. Eicks’ was paid 170 hours (four weeks, and one and one-quarter days) of vacation when he separated from employment. His remaining state law claim is that he should be paid for four more weeks of vacation, and 1,149 hours of overtime he worked during his employment with former Mayor Mark Lawler’s administration. The City of Anderson has asked that the court grant summary judgment on these claims as well.

Source: City of Anderson

Personal Service Limousine - ABI

kpaul.mallasch — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 20:40:36 -0700

Customers will experience luxury in this 2008 Cadillac DTS limousine owned by Personal Service Limousine. Story -

Excitement Rules at Anderson Business Incubator

CATS Unveils Fixed Route Buses

kpaul.mallasch — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 18:18:42 -0700

Anderson Community Schools Assistant Superintendent Lennon Brown says that hourly fixed route service to Highland High School will benefit students and their families who will be better able to participate in parent-teacher conference and after-school activities. Mayor Kevin S. Smith (left) also reported that in celebration of the seven new fixed-route City of Anderson Transit buses, fares will be discontinued through Saturday, October 27.

Excitement Rules at Anderson Business Incubator

kpaul.mallasch — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 16:49:17 -0700

ANDERSON, Ind. - At 10 months, the downtown Anderson Business Incubator houses six thriving businesses and an unlimited amount of entrepreneurial excitement. The downtown facility opened its doors Thursday afternoon and introduced the six business owners, described the application process for additional clients and celebrated the ABI’s tremendous success in creating small business.

Mayor Kevin S. Smith, Anderson University Falls School of Business Dean Terry Truitt and ABI Director DeWayne Landwehr applauded the partnership that has brought new business to Anderson’s downtown. Anderson University is the city’s partner in the highly successful, high tech Flagship Enterprise Center at Exit 22 and the FEC also oversees the management of the ABI. Business students participating in SIFE (Students in Free Enterprise), as well as SCORE (Society of Retired Executives) provide counseling for business practices, plans or promotion.

Located at 7th and Meridian Streets in the former Anderson Police Station, the ABI clients are operating according to written plans and they are building clientele in diverse businesses, such as silkscreening, vinyl sign graphics applications, debt collection, artistic visual creations, journalism and limousine services.

The six companies are:

ID Graphics - The lost art of screen printing has been revived by ID Graphics owner Dan Wehner. Having worked out of his home for 3 years before expanding the company into the ABI, Wehner has experienced outstanding growth in previous quarters and expects to add up to 8 jobs in the next year. He focuses on high quality screen printing applications and is proud to be the first client to take residence, and expand, in the ABI.

Vision Signs - In the past Mark and Cynthia Paschal have run their business, Visions Signs, out of their home and were literally out of space. At the ABI, they are able to print materials for a variety of applications including signs that are up to 64” wide. The most common applications that they print for are real estate signs, vehicle wraps, banners, and other signage for outdoor applications.

TransAtlantic Collections - Carolyn Scott, an attorney, has taught as an adjunct professor at Anderson University and most recently has become an entrepreneur, started her own debt collection firm earlier this year. Because of Scott’s legal expertise, TransAtlantic Collections has the ability to pursue accounts through all three phases of the collection process: pre-judgment, court, and post-judgment. To their advantage TransAtlantic Collections has the potential to be both a W.B.E. and an M.B.E.

Personal Service Limousine - As Anderson’s premier limousine service, Personal Service Limousine (PSL) and owner Randy Willis is setting the bar high for service. By building their fleet from two 2008 Cadillac DTS limousines, PSL combines the utmost luxury with the most up-to-date technology available. Their vehicles are equipped with On-Star, are driven by licensed chauffeurs and offer passengers a luxury experience second to none.

Tim Kern INK - As an aviation writer and consultant, Tim Kern’s bylined work has appeared in over two dozen aviation publications including: Plane & Pilot, EAA Sport Aviation, Professional Pilot, AOPA Pilot, Aviation Safety, and Ultraflight. At Tim Kern INK, he also advises and trains clients; as a writer/editor, he polishes their publicity work, prepares PR materials, and produces specialty literature for members of the aviation community: brochures, White Papers, articles, scripts, catalog copy, and many, many press releases. He has an MBA in both finance and operations from Northwestern University and is a private pilot and an NBAA-certified CAM (Certified Aviation Manager). In addition to his writing and editing, Tim is launching a new electronic publication, www.121five.com, at the Incubator. He also teaches economics part time at Ivy Tech.

L.A. Boram - A local painter, this entrepreneurial artist has moved her studio into the second floor of the ABI. After being commissioned to create a large multi-panel mural for the Pendleton Community Library, Boram needed such a space to complete her work. She specializes in work combining traditional painting techniques and contemporary works with multi-layered canvases and mixed media. The studio is open by appointment.

Customers will luxuriate in this 2008 Cadillac DTS limousine owned by Personal Service Limousine.

ID Graphics owner Dan Wehner demonstrates his ability to silkscreen any time, anywhere.

Mayor Kevin S. Smith, City of Anderson Part of National Effort to Revitalize Vacant Properties

kpaul.mallasch — Tue, 9 Oct 2007 23:54:08 -0700

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Anderson Mayor Kevin S. Smith is participating in a national effort to revitalize vacant brownfield properties for new economic development today.

On Tuesday, October 9, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) convened a select group of high-level officials from the federal government, local communities, state governments, the corporate sector, and environmental groups to seek solutions to the challenges of revitalizing “mothballed brownfield” properties. Mayor Smith was invited because the City of Anderson is underway with a nationally-recognized initiative to turn vacant and contaminated General Motors facilities into commercial offices that bring new jobs, new tax base, and economic revitalization.

Mayor Smith said, “Anderson is poised for an economic resurgence, and we aim to work with allies in the private sector and the state and federal government to convert these long-vacant properties into new prosperity.”

The City of Anderson is underway with an initiative to convert closed and contaminated properties into new business and jobs for the community. There are more than 125 properties city-wide that are idled, potentially contaminated, and in need of revitalization.

Since the time that Mayor Smith first identified the revitalization of these sites as a priority, Anderson has received $200,000 in U.S. EPA brownfields grant funding to identify brownfield sites, assess their contamination, and create strategies for their redevelopment. Anderson has put this funding to work. The emerging success story at Anderson sites has been recognized nationally, and was featured at the U.S. EPA’s 2006 Brownfields Conference in Boston. At the EPA meeting on October 9, Anderson will describe how determined efforts to forge partnerships with the private sector can overcome barriers to economic revitalization at mothballed brownfield sites.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is conducting a nationwide initiative to explore the causes of mothballed brownfield properties, and seek potential solutions to overcome barriers to the revitalization of these sites. On October 9, U.S. EPA is conducting a forum with selected invitees who have valuable perspectives on the issue. The meeting will have 70 participants, including senior EPA management running the national brownfields program, corporate executives from Fortune 500 companies, state environmental officials, local government officials, and environmental groups promoting brownfields revitalization.

Kevin Smith will represent local governments, as the only invited mayor, and has been asked to give the opening presentation at the EPA meeting. Officials from other localities that will also be participating include representatives of the City of Rochester, NY, Emeryville, CA, and Charles Town, WV. One important segment of the session will focus on how individuals, companies and small businesses that mothball brownfields can inhibit downtown and community revitalization. The session will seek positive approaches to collaboration with such site owners to realize value from these properties.

The Environmental Protection Agency hopes to use the input from the meeting to understand how to provide more tools and resources to localities and businesses on the mothballed brownfields challenge. Mayor Smith of Anderson plans to use these lessons learned, and the relationships built through this October 9 forum, to promote the creation of new businesses and community improvements in idled sites throughout Anderson.

Source: City of Anderson

Established Neighborhood Gets New Homes

kpaul.mallasch — Sat, 6 Oct 2007 00:45:54 -0700

ANDERSON, INDIANA - A young Anderson mother will own a cozy new home when it is complete early in 2008 thanks to a partnership between the City of Anderson Department of Community Development and Rural Opportunities Inc. Prospective homeowner Treva Long took part in a groundbreaking ceremony recently that will be the first of three new homes being built in the 1800 block of Sheridan Street.

Two years ago, the city’s Community Development Department partnered with Rural Opportunities Inc. in a NeighborWorks project that beautified homes on Nichol Avenue with plantings and cleanup. That partnership worked so well, the two agencies are now collaborating to build three homes. The city’s contract with ROI pledges $153,000 towards the project.

“We are utilizing Anderson’s share of federal dollars to create better neighborhoods and we are taking advantage of partnerships to make those dollars go even farther,” said Mayor Kevin S. Smith.

“We are pleased at the success of our partnership with ROI,” said Debra King, housing rehab administrator for the city. “These new homes will add to the value of our target neighborhood and provide home ownership opportunities for deserving citizens.”

The next two homes will be built by December 2008. ROI’s director for Indiana and Ohio, Michal Urrutia, said she hopes her organization can enter into similar partnerships in Ohio to put deserving citizens in new homes.

Other new homes have been constructed in the established neighborhood that is bounded by 14th Street, Lincoln Street, King Boulevard and Madison Avenue. Three homes were built between 2005 and 2006 in partnership with Habitat for Humanity and Anderson Community Schools Ebbertt Center building trades classes.

Other city efforts in this neighborhood:

Demolition of 17 derelict properties
Rehabilitation of four rental homes
Rehabilitation of five resident-owned homes
Reconstruction of streets, sidewalks and sewers
Grant application for 12 additional homes that are architecturally fitting with the neighborhood
$475,000 federal CDBG funds have been invested in this project,
$120,000 in federal HOME funds leveraged.

Homeowner Treva Long breaks ground for her new home with lender representative Angela Nadeline at 1804 Sheridan.

Community of the Year Celebration Thursday, October 4

kpaul.mallasch — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 20:15:29 -0700

ANDERSON, INDIANA - Every Anderson citizen is invited to celebrate Anderson’s Indiana State Chamber of Commerce Community of the Year Designation on Thursday, October 4, from 5-7 p.m. at Town Center Park.

Free hot dogs, dessert and drinks (including Prairie Farms’ Red Diamond Iced Tea!) will be available; there will be live music and children’s activities. At 6 p.m. the Chamber of Commerce for Anderson and Madison County will present a short celebration program that will feature representatives of the Business Community Council that submitted the successful nomination for Anderson. A representative of the Indiana State Chamber of Commerce will also be present to share in the event.

The Herald Bulletin, Chamber of Commerce for Anderson and Madison County and the City of Anderson are sponsors of the Community of the Year Celebration. Decorative banners touting the city’s Community of the Year award will soon be placed at the city’s gateways and in various locations in the downtown. The Herald Bulletin will celebrate the award with a special section on October 4.

Aggressive business diversification efforts, comprehensive infrastructure improvements, and strong public-private partnerships were among the reasons why Anderson was selected as the Indiana Chamber of Commerce’s 2007 Community of the Year.

The Business Community Council is comprised of the following organizations: Chamber of Commerce for Anderson & Madison County, Corporation for Economic Development, Anderson/Madison County Association of REALTORS and Anderson/Madison County Visitor and Convention Bureau.