Jobs: Lost and Found, Part Five - Jackson County

By Susan Robinson, The Republic Reporter

While some areas have been feeling the effects of sliding economic trends, Jackson County is holding its own.

With a labor force hovering around 22,000 and employment at 21,000, Jackson County boasts an unemployment rate of 2.1 percent.

Median and per capita household incomes have increased.

One reason for stability is the Jackson County Industrial Development Corp., according to Seymour Mayor Jim Bullard and Jackson County Commission President Gary Darlage. It’s an 11-year-old nonprofit public/private partnership, headed by Jim Plump, its first executive director.

The organization was formed in 1984, when the community had double-digit inflation and a stagnant tax base. Attracting new businesses and retaining current ones were priorities.

Employment steady

Bullard thinks Seymour is doing well, compared to cities of similar size.

“Factories are laying off 500 workers, 200 workers, then hiring a few back,” he said. “We’re not as erratic. We’re steady, and that’s good.”

Employment dropped by 280 over the last five years.

Plump said companies were “right-sizing” their work force, adjusting to meet customer needs.”

The county’s employment experienced a “pretty sizeable” dip in the early part of this decade, but Plump said the fluctuation has leveled.

Recruit vs. retain

The county’s focus on recruitment vs. retention has shifted.

The development corporation spent a decade focusing on new companies — about 80 percent of its effort, according to Plump, who pointed to high unemployment and a low tax base as the reasons. High school and college graduates had no opportunities to stay in the area.

“Now we deal with retention and expansion issues, because unemployment is lower and the county tax base has improved,” said Plump.

The past year has been good, with at least $60 million promised investment, which will create or affect 3,200 jobs.

Aisin USA recently announced a $4.8 million investment that would double the size of its building.

JCIDC’S 2006 marketing plan for 2006 contains a slight increase in recruitment including trips to Germany and Japan.

The organization also is marketing existing buildings, including structures at Freeman Field and a new, 100,000-square-foot building at Eastside Industrial Park.

“Most of our numbers show 75 to 80 percent of companies look at existing buildings, as opposed to coming in and buying land and the time involved in constructing and moving into a new building,” Plump said.

Jackson County offers two incentive packages to entice companies. Tax abatements are the most popular programs the county offers.

The county also offers low-interest small business loans.

Will they come?

Parts manufacturer Samtec found Jackson County ideal and set up its electronic components shop Versatech in Crothersville.

“The driving factor in starting an operation is growth,” said plant manager Craig Mull.

“You try to target areas that have a fairly stable labor pocket, and we would prefer to not have to build new buildings.”

Samtec also was attracted by Crothersville’s central location between Seymour and Scottsburg, both major manufacturing areas.

“This was a great fit,” Mull said. “It’s not a science; it’s a gamble; and it’s a gamble that paid off.”

Companies also look for freight service accessibility — like Interstate 65, U.S. 50 and U.S. 31 — plus an airport (Freeman Field).

The answer is a three-pronged approach in which city government and the Greater Seymour Chamber of Commerce play key roles alongside JCIDC.The communities themselves also draw companies to the area, with critical health, education and public services plus crucial employment levels.

“We’re fortunate to have a base of employees that attract employers,” Bullard said, adding that the outlook of local residents also helps.

It takes a joint effort between all aspects to make things work effectively, Darlage said. He listed several key recruiting attributes, including: