MCEDC CEO Greg Hildebrand reviews 2024 with County Commissioners

Greg Hildebrand, CEO of the Marshall County Economic Development Corporation, updated the County Commissioners on what happened in 2024. 

He told them, “Our mission is to expand and diversify the economy of the county and its communities by fostering investment in new and existing facilities and creating entrepreneur capacity.”  Hildebrand also detailed the makeup of the ten board of directors including the commissioner’s appointment of Eric Holsopple, Administrator of the Saint Joseph Health System Plymouth Medical Center. 

Hildebrand said that in 2024, the county had over $50 million of estimated capital investment, most of which was for existing employers, including new product lines and increased productivity automation, and created over $9 million in added payroll.

The county economic director told the commissioners the average wage in Marshall County as of November 2024 is $24.12 hourly with the state’s at $28.90 and nationwide it’s $34.09.  He noted that the county is running behind and said, they are working on increasing the average in the county.

Projects during 2024 in the county include SDC a diecast company currently located in Missouri that was purchased locally and will relocate to a new facility being constructed on Pioneer Drive in Plymouth.  It’s estimated they will have 25 employees.   Bomarko, AK Industries, Oasis, BCI, Hardwood Interiors Design, Viking Paper, and Zentis have all expanded their operations and their workforce.  Shells Inc. of Bourbon completed their first installation of a 3D sand mold and core machine which has expanded their market and brought additional business, and they will add additional lines soon.  The machine is a $5 million investment and the building they repurposed can hold 5 machines.  American Container and Southwire continue their expansion projects that were started in ’23.  All Points Tool Manufacturing, a woman-owned and run enterprise in Plymouth received a Manufacturing Readiness Grant from Conexus to automate part of their manufacturing process.

Hildebrand also listed the top five employers in Marshall County based on the number of full-time employees. Southwire in Bremen was number one and Hoosier Racing Tire in Plymouth was number two.  The others were the Plymouth Community School Corporation, Culver Academies, and Oasis was fifth.