HHIC Inc.: Years of Persistence Showing Definite Signs of Paying Off - Finally

"The Hoosier Heartland Corridor is on the verge of moving from a dream to a necessary reality." Those words were spoken by Curtis Wiley, Commissioner of the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) at a ground breaking ceremony in Logansport on May 20th for a $10 million project that expands the Logansport bypass from two to four lanes. The Heartland Highway running from Lafayette to Fort Wayne and, eventually, to Toledo, OH will tie together a number of communities, making them economically competitive.

"The May 20th ground breaking marks the beginning of several such events over the next two years along this corridor," Commissioner Wiley said. "The patience and perseverance of the Hoosier Heartland Corridor supporters are just about to pay off."

Commissioner Wiley recalled how then gubernatorial candidate Frank O'Bannon pledged last year to make the Hoosier Heartland one of his highway priorities. "I'm here today to start honoring that commitment," said the man who Governor O'Bannon appointed earlier this year as INDOT Commissioner.

The Governor's Crossroads 2000 program, which the General Assembly approved when it passed the biennial budget, will provide about $125 million worth of construction funding over the next two state fiscal years for the sections of the corridor from Logansport to Huntington, which includes, of course, the Wabash to Huntington segrnent. "Despite dwindling highway construction funds over the past two years, INDOT continued development activities such as finished design plans, bought right of way and relocated residences and businesses along the corridor," the Commissioner said.

"In hindsight, INDOT's decision to continue developing this project proved beneficial because, as the Governor and the General Assembly earmarked more money for building roads, the Hoosier Heartland is at the head of the list to get a sizable portion of that money," Commissioner Wiley explained.

"Most jobs created in recent years are within ten miles of an interstate or a four lane limited access highway," said State Representative Rich McClain, (R-Logansport). "The Heartland Highway would link several existing four lane routes and bring our communities closer together."

"Without this link, we have lost out on potential development. Unless we become part of the regional economy, by the development of this four lane highway, we are not going to be on the map," said State Senator Thomas Weatherwax (R-Logansport).

The Heartland Highway will indeed put this region of Indiana on the map by creating a number of significant transportation links and tying together the region into a more productive economic union. The committment by the O'Bannon administration to use state resources to move this project forward further underscores the need for reform at the federal level on how gas taxes are redistributed to the states.

The results we are beginning to see are an example of what can be accomplished by several communities working together with a common interest toward a common goal. All communities along the Hoosier Heartland Industrial Corridor will benefit from the efforts of the organization known, by now throughout the nation, as HHIC, Inc. as many other similar organizations have modeled themselves after this one.

Chamber Member News

Community Foundation of Wabash County Announces Spring 1997 Grants: The foundation approved grants totaling $20,720 during its Spring Grant cycle; those grants included: Wabash Carnegie Public Library, $11200; Habitat For Humanity, Inc. of Wabash County, $2,500; Wabash City Schools, $1,000; Mental Health Association of Wabash County, $150; Wabash County United Fund, $4,000; Wabash Area Community Theater, $2,000; St. Bernard Elementary School, $700; Wabash County Council On Aging, $19000; Metro School District of Wabash Co., $1,160; North Manchester Historical Society, $4,000; Ivy Tech State College, $3,000. Interested in the grant application process? Contact the Foundation office at 219-982-4824.

Founded in 1972, Prepaid Legal Services, Inc. designs, administers and markets legal service plans. Small Business Plan can help you prepay your most common legal needs for one low monthly fee! For more information contact Greg Lewis at 219-563-7123.

Yohe Realty Inc. held an open house on May 20 & 21 to showcase the improvements to their building which includes a 700 sq. ft. addition for staff stations, new siding and landscaping. The company is also celebrating its 20th year in business this year! Contact Yohe Realty at 219-563-8366.

St. Bernard Elementary School will be holding its Ball and Auction on October 4th at the Honeywell Center. Good food plus wonderful items to bid on - so come join the fun! Contact Jean Scech or Karyn Williams at 219-563-5746.

Vernon Manor Children's Home announces that they now have a web site on the internet. You may visit them at http://www.vernonmanor.com. They may also be contacted by e-mail. Contact Jerrie McCoy at 219-563-8438.

Wabash Agency Announces "Most Admired Company" Ranking in Fortune Survey: Northwestern Mutual Life has been recognized as America's Most Admired life insurance company by Fortune Magazine, according to David L. Mann, Northwestern district agent in Wabash. "This honor is extremely significant because it is determined by our peers and competitors, who know the insurance business better than anyone," said Mann. "We have worked hard to build and maintain a reputation of excellence throughout the industry, and the Fortune survey recognizes our continued success." Contact the David L. Mann Agency at 219-563-6881.

The Wabash County Mental Health Association was presented with two state awards at the Mental Health Association in Indiana's 46th Annual Meeting on May 9 in Indianapolis. Mary Ann Mast, Executive Director, received the 1997 Distinguished Chapter Award for chapters with a budget under $40,000. The second was to Cindy Appleton, a senior at Northfield High School, who was the Wabash Coounty and the Indiana Christmas Gift Lift poster contest winner. Her artwork will appear on thousands of posters and brochures in connection with the 1997 ISTA/MHAI Christmas Gift Lift campaign. Contact Mary Ann Mast at 219-982-7766.

ServiSoft/Eco Water is celebrating 50 years in business!! 3rd generation now on board - Brian Myers. Contact ServiSoft/Eco Water at 219-563-7484.

Norwest Bank announces that Tami Johnson has assumed the responsibility of Teller Supervisor of both Wabash and LaFontaine offices. Melissa Showalter has assumed the responsibility of Banking Assistant at the Wabash office. Contact Norwest Bank at 219-563-1116.

The Ken Collins Agency has recently been named a "Premier Service Agency" by Allstate Insurance Company. The rating is based on consistently superior service to customers. Contact the Ken Collins Agency at 219-569-9117.

Did You Know?

...That you can also buy mailing labels for a variety of lists and directories at 5 cents per label for Chamber members and 10 cents per label for non-members. Call the office with questions.