Published: October 05, 2008 11:28 pm            

Daily named GKEDA chairman

Focus will be on retaining, bringing jobs

Stephen Daily has been named chairman of the board of directors for the Greater Kokomo Economic Development Alliance.

The Ivy Tech Community College Kokomo chancellor and former Kokomo mayor said Friday his role will be to help the board establish itself as a viable economic development group in Kokomo and Howard County.

GKEDA was formed through the merger of seven organizations that have been involved in local economic development efforts. The group is funded through a public and private partnership.

The first item on the board’s agenda is to hire a CEO who will oversee daily operations of GKEDA.

“The board is going to be a pro-active, innovative economic development group,” Daily said. “People on the board will be investing time, energy and money.”

The board doesn’t want to repeat what has been done in the community in the past, rather it will focus on retention and growth of existing businesses and attracting new investments.

“This is not a new approach,” Daily said of the merged groups into one organization. “But it is a critical move for this community with the amount of funding that is available.”

Daily said GKEDA is pooling the organizations’ efforts and getting focused on the needs of the community. The idea is to use the available resources effectively.

“I was around when all the groups were started,” he said. “They all had great potential. The time is right to bring them together.”

Daily said it is important the board doesn’t lose track of the community’s existing businesses.

“We have a great deal of talent and potential to expand our own businesses,” he said. “But we want to expand opportunities beyond our borders and attract companies that are not already here. A goal is to have a more diversified economy in the local community.”

Daily said the focus of the group will depend on the CEO that is hired by the board.

“We will be at least, and perhaps more, focused on our own businesses,” he said.

The presence of Ivy Tech, Indiana University Kokomo and Purdue University are critical to a skilled and trained work force in Howard County, Daily said. He said providing continued education and professional development will be an important part of the group’s plans.

“All the major employers are represented [on the board],” Daily said. “The right people are at the table, including the unions and government leaders.

“I’m confident with the right attitude we can be successful and it won’t take a lot of time,” he continued.

Laura Sheets, business relations manager for Duke Energy, was appointed vice chairman; Rick Smith, president and CEO of Smith Financial Group, will be secretary; and Chuck Bucheri, managing and founding partner of Bucheri, McCarty & Metz, will serve as treasurer.

The officers will serve a three-year term.

GKEDA consists of the following local organizations: Kokomo Howard County Chamber of Commerce; Kokomo Howard County Development Corp.; Inventrek; Kokomo Downtown Association; Urban Enterprise Association; Kokomo city government; and Howard County government.

Ken de la Bastide can be reached at (765) 454-8580 or via e-mail at ken.delabastide@kokomotribune.com

        

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