Marshall County Economic Development Corp. CEO updates commissioners with quarterly report

Greg Hildebrand, ECO of the Marshall County Economic Development Corporation, gave his quarterly report to the County Commissioners on Monday. He said in the first half of 2025, the county has seen $87 million in cap-ex investment, and looking forward, he suspects another $25 million in projects, although at this time it’s not guaranteed. Hildebrand went on to say they are already above the 2024 numbers. 

Hildebrand told the commissioners that Indiana is ranked number three in the United States for Advanced Industries Employment, and in the world, Indiana is ranked fourth. He said Indiana has a large percentage of employment in Advanced Industries such as transportation and biomedical engineering.  Hildebrand said it’s important because these industry clusters, such as Warsaw with biomedical engineering and Elkhart with transportation. A graduate coming out of school with a special advanced manufacturing degree will go somewhere where there is a cluster of job opportunities.  He noted that they are good-paying jobs.   

The MCEDC director told the commissioners in the second quarter that Hoosier Tire in Plymouth announced a $16.8 million investment in machinery.  He said it typically takes 12 minutes to build a radial tire, and with the new equipment, it will take 1 minute and 20 seconds to build the same tire.

The County Economic Director said Sequel is expanding in Argos.  They are currently working on a $23 million expansion to their current building, and they are building a separate building, creating a separate company with a lot of the same ownership.  It will be another low-voltage wire company with high-paying jobs.  Hildebrand said the total being invested in Marshall County will be over $50 million. 

The next thing the Marshall County Economic Development Corp. CEO discussed was an engineering study currently underway.  The grant-funded study is for the area of Lincolnway West and Pioneer Drive, and it is looking at city utility expansion.  The plan is to develop the southwest corner for additional industrial growth.  The results of the study are expected to be announced soon. 

Hildebrand and Mayor Robert Listenberger attended the Northern Indiana Passenger Rail gathering in Indianapolis recently.  They presented at the event.  Hildebrand said the commuter rail line is proposed from Fort Wayne to Chicago with stops in Warsaw, Plymouth, Valparaiso, and Gary before reaching Chicago.  He said a trip from Plymouth to Chicago will take 45 minutes to an hour as the train travels 100 to 130 MPH.  The studies say this project could be feasible within 5 to 10 years.