UPDATE 8/18/10:
Additional paving projects have been completed. The list linked below now reflects this.
The 2010 paving project list was presented before the Anderson City Council at the June meeting, and features nearly $3 million in projects, including those funded through local funds, state projects, and federal stimulus awards. The project list is subject to change based on the accuracy of estimated bids that are still outstanding, and the accuracy of revenue projections on which the projects are based.
To see the complete list, click here.
Publ.Date : 8/18/2010 12:00:00 AM
Publ.Date : 7/14/2010 12:00:00 AM
The Born Learning Connection, City of Anderson Community Development, City of Anderson Parks and Recreation, and United Way of Madison County dedicated Madison County’s fourth outdoor learning trail at Shadyside Park on Saturday, August 14. The trail is located near the Shadyside shelter house and play area off of Broadway Street in Anderson. Born Learning Coordinators were on hand to distribute books, balloons and refreshments to children ages 0-5. The Born Learning Trail is a series of nine learning activities that any adult can play with young children, including activities such as hopscotch and “Watch! Stop! Learn! Play!” The activities encourage adults to follow the child’s lead, building the child’s curiosity and confidence. “The Born Learning Trail promotes fun and games- important components of early learning,” said Nancy Vaughan, United Way of Madison County President. “Research tells us children are literally ‘born learning.’ That means five years of education take place before they even enter kindergarten. We know that what happens in a child’s early years matters- for success in life and for school readiness. We want to help parents, grandparents and caregivers use everyday outings- including trips to the Jackson Park Trail- to support that learning.” she stated. The trail is funded with Community Development Block funds set aside in 2008 by the City of Anderson Community Development Department. The trail includes signs in both Hispanic and English in low-mod income parks in Anderson. Beth McKenzie, City of Anderson Community Development Department representative said, “The department obligated $10,000 in 2008 CDBG funding for this project which was used to construct Born Learning Trails in areas occupied by large numbers of families living with low incomes. Since that time, two trails have been constructed and the department continues to partner with United Way on this project through volunteer efforts as well as working on other anti-poverty strategies. Anderson Rotary Club also provided funds to purchase books for kids 0-5. Anderson Rotary has also donated funds for a trail at Pulaski Park that will be dedicated Tuesday, August 31 as part of the United Way’s community campaign kick-off event. The City of Anderson Parks and Recreation provided space and the labor to install the trail. Joanne Hadley, Born Learning Connection Coordinator said, “The success of the installation and dedication of the Shadyside Park Born Learning Trail was made possible by the extraordinary cooperation and support from the Anderson Parks Board, staff and Community Development Department staff and volunteers.” Today, in Madison County 66 percent of our children enter kindergarten behind the national average in early reading abilities. This year a projected 900 + students will not have the necessary pre literacy skills as they enter kindergarten to be proficient readers by third grade. Our youngest children lack adequate exposure to the written and spoken word. Born Learning will work with our parents, giving them the tools and confidence they need to teach and nurture their children everyday through teachable moments. The goal of the Born Learning Connection is to ensure all Madison County children enter school with the skills to be successful learners. Born Learning Connection made up of representatives from schools, agencies, and community partners identifies and recommends strategies to increase parental involvement in early childhood development of young children in Madison County. Strategies include: Blast Off to Kindergarten, Family Literacy Parties, Play-n-Learn Groups, Pre and Post Natal Outreach, Books for Babies and the Born Learning Trails. Born Learning Connection is a service of United Way of Madison County. United Way of Madison County supports human services throughout Madison County, Indiana and is governed by a 24 member volunteer board of directors. The organization has been a member in good standing of United Way of America since 1973. For more information, contact 765-643-7493 or visit www.unitedwaymadisonco.org.
Publ.Date : 8/18/2010 12:00:00 AM
Publ.Date : 7/22/2010 12:00:00 AM
By Abbey Doyle for The Herald Bulletin
ANDERSON, Ind. — It has been years since Anderson has seen money from General Motors, but a Tuesday announcement of a partnership between the motor company and Anderson’s Bright Automotive means the automaker is once again investing in the community.
Newly formed General Motors Ventures will invest $5 million in Bright and will own a minor stake in the company, said Jon Lauckner, president of GM Venture. This is the first company GM Ventures has invested in, and it will help accelerate Bright’s production of the IDEA, a plug-in hybrid commercial vehicle.
The $5 million is an initial investment, GM spokeswoman Sherrie Arb said, as the purpose of GM Ventures is to provide seed money to start-up companies with innovative technology ideas. Future funding is possible, she said.
The strategic relationship between the two could mean an additional 6,000 jobs, although it is still unclear if those jobs will be here in Anderson — 1,000 would be direct production jobs and 5,000 in the way of suppliers and to support infrastructure.
“Indiana has been a wonderful partner, and we really appreciate coming of age there, and we are doing all that we can to match the best (site) selection with those communities we are really close to,” said Reuben Munger, Bright Automotive Chairman and CEO. “Anderson is at the front of that list.”
And Anderson’s Flagship Enterprise Center — where Bright is currently located — can accommodate an expansion by Bright if the company decides to remain here for production, Flagship President and CEO Charles Staley said.
Bright is currently expanding its laboratory for Bright eSoultions with a 3,500-square-foot facility, and an 80,000-square-foot building is being built near the Flagship Center that could act as an interim step-up for Bright to go from its present space to some elevated prototyping and light manufacturing, he said.
Staley said they have been working with Bright to look at spaces in the area to accommodate a much larger expansion and production but stressed that the Flagship and Anderson would have to compete with other cities and states to earn it.
“We have an advantage,” he said. “We know the company. We have supported the company. We have walked this path with Bright and leveraged every resource we could for them. We have been in the trenches with them supporting them through the dark days. They know that.
“Do we have a lock on this though? No, we don’t. They are going to go out and look at other sites. That is due diligence on their part. But we do think we can compete. Indiana is a great place to do this sort of thing. The legacy here is in electrical engineering and hybrid platforms. This is the electrical engineering capital. They know that Anderson has supported them.
“I think we have the advantage, but we have to go back to the drawing board and put together a program and platform to seal the deal so they will do the manufacturing here.”
Lauckner said the partnership is one that will benefit both companies well. He wouldn’t elaborate about the share they now hold in Bright, only saying it was a minority one. He said the investment will advance GM’s position to develop energy-efficient powertrains and advance hybrid technology.
“We’re basically delighted to be in a partnership, a strategic relationship with Ruben (Munger) and the Bright team,” Lauckner said. “We hope as an early investor that we not only support Bright in development of production with technology we have with engines and transmissions, but we also hope to act as a catalyst to grow the capital base of the company and ultimately lead to the successful development of the Bright IDEA van.”
Bright and GM have been in talks since last fall about a potential partnership. Bright approached several original equipment manufacturers and GM emerged as the best, overall strategic fit, according to Bright officials.
Anderson Mayor Kris Ockomon said the partnership with GM is a “huge step” in the right direction.
“We’ve been awaiting this announcement,” he said. “This is going to spurn excitement and motion from the Department of Energy. Now we have to go to work and make sure this stays right here in Anderson.”
Bright has applied for a $450 million low-interest loan through the Department of Energy’s Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Loan Program to begin mass production of the IDEA by 2012. The company was previously denied DOE grants of $17 million and $18 million.
With delays in funding and a recession economy, Bright was forced to reduce staff and halt some efforts, pushing the release date for mass production closer to 2014, Munger said.
Rob Sparks, executive director for Anderson’s Corporation for Economic Development, said Ockomon and his team, including Sparks, have been working “very hard” and continue to do everything they can to bolster Anderson’s position to support Bright.
“Only time will tell how all of that will pay off,” he said.
The city is “fully supportive” in helping entice Bright to stay, though, Sparks said.
“We have been pretty aggressive doing what we can as a community,” he said. “There are some things out of our control, but everything within our reach we’ve done to try to help them. We have looked at about every scenario to try to assist them in order to land their manufacturing here. But we still have to climb a hill.”
Anderson Economic Development Director Linda Dawson said they have had many conversations with Bright to discuss possible future incentives and look forward to continuing those conversations.
“GM is an old, respected name in Anderson and served Anderson quite well for years,” she said. “Bright is the new name in Anderson. We hope with the partnership being formed that GM would once again have a presence in Anderson with Bright. There is obviously a qualified labor force well skilled in alternative energy technology.
“We feel like this would be a benefit to not only both companies and Anderson but also a benefit to the world in general by putting new renewable energy in a common transportation van.”
Contact Abbey Doyle, 640-4840, abbey.doyle@heraldbulletin.com.
Publ.Date : 8/4/2010 12:00:00 AM
Publ.Date : 7/7/2010 12:00:00 AM
Construction has really ramped up this summer at the Water Pollution Control Facility. Below are a few brief notes about what has been going on. Water Pollution Control Facility Improvements – Division 1 At the Dewey Street site the Contractor has started to put together the piping that will leave the new lift station. This piping connects to existing infrastructure and gives us flexibility in how we treat our wastewater. The electrical building foundation has been constructed this month. One of biggest undertakings for this project also started in July. The contractor has started excavating for the new influent screen. The screen structure is going to be built around our largest combined sewer. At Gene Gustin Way the administration building is taking form. The concrete work is complete and the Contractor has started placing the structural steel. The contractor is also preparing to change some of the underground piping to serve the facility better. Park Road Force Main and White River Interceptor Project – Phase I The Park Road Force Main project that will move wastewater from the Flagship area directly to the WPC treatment facility is moving toward completion. The Contractor has started to work on the last leg of the force main along 8th Street. This project should be complete in early September after all of the pressure testing is completed. The White River Interceptor Project has seen 1831 linear feet of 72 inch pipe installed. They have now begun the process of installing the siphon pipe under the river. This interceptor project will provide additional wet weather capacity and provide storage reducing the raw sewage that currently makes it way to the White River. Overflow Tower The overflow tower that will be at the termination point of the Park Road force main was complete this month. The contractor completed the last two segments of the 30 foot tall tower. By constructing this tower, odors that would have discharged in the collection system will discharge at the treatment plant where they can be better addressed.
Publ.Date : 9/1/2010 12:00:00 AM
Today, a special American Liberty Elm put down roots in General Pulaski Park as a starting ‘seedling’ for a proposed Kid’s Arboretum in Anderson. This is much more than a tree, It is a Liberty Tree Memorial, a living growing tribute to our country's freedom and founding. Just as Brigadier General Casimir Pulaski, the Father of the American Cavalry, was a great force in our country’s winning independence from England, the Liberty Elm was an independent force of its own, in being a location for citizens to rally and exclaim their hopes for freedom from tyranny.
Anderson’s Liberty Tree Memorial was made possible by Elm Research Institute, a non-profit organization in Keene, New Hampshire. A grant was awarded to the city which included receiving a 10 ft. tall ceremonial, disease-resistant, American Liberty Elm, and a Liberty Tree Memorial plaque with an inscription that recounts the history of Boston's Liberty Tree, an American elm that was the rallying place for the Sons of Liberty in the American Revolution. Inspired by these Patriots whose efforts were immortalized by the original Liberty Tree, Elm Research Institute, developed the Liberty Tree Memorial to commemorate the day this famous tree was chopped down by angry Red Coats. In order to bring this first symbol of Freedom to Americans everywhere, the Institute has established the Liberty Tree Society with a four-fold mission: First, to fulfill the goal of Massachusetts Governor Peabody who first declared August 14th as Liberty Tree Day in his state. The Society would like to see all 50 states recognize this day; Second, to dedicate Liberty Tree Memorials in 1000 communities; Third, to tell the exciting story of the Liberty Tree in classrooms across the land; and Fourth, to continue the “Re-Elming” of America by planting disease-resistant American Liberty Elms in public spaces nationwide. For more than 10 years, Elm Research Institute has been establishing Liberty Tree Memorials in communities across the country to commemorate the birth of freedom and help restore the American elm. The City of Anderson is the site of one of 425 Liberty Tree Memorials in the country. Mayor Ockomon is one of the first in the country to sign a national Liberty Tree Day proclamation.
Elm Research Institute (ERI) was established in 1967 with the purpose of saving the American Elm from extinction. ERI sponsored genetic research that resulted in the American Liberty Elm, a purebred descendant of disease-resistant American elms. It is the only elm with a Lifetime Warranty against Dutch elm disease. Over 300,000 have been planted since 1984. For information about the American Liberty Elm or the Liberty Tree Memorial program, phone Elm Research Institute at 1-800-367-3567, visit online at www.elmresearch.org or write to Elm Research Institute, 11 Kit Street, Keene, NH 03431. Contact: Tamera Doty-Davis, Landscape Architect for the City of Anderson, 765-648-6853 for more information.
Publ.Date : 8/21/2010 12:00:00 AM
Are you looking for an end-of-summer adventure for your 6-12 year old? The Anderson Parks & Recreation Department will have two week-long Day Camps.
This year's Day Camp themes deal with science and how FUN and EXCITING it can be!!! Have your kids come join us at the Geater Center for either one or two weeks of fun (with a little bit of learning tucked inside). The cost is $75 per week but we also have secured funds for scholarships, if applicable. Fun is just around the corner.
Science K.I.D.S. Camp will run from July 26 through August 6 under the direction of Head Counselor Sheryl Myers. For more information or to register, call the Parks office at 648-6858 or visit in person at the Geater Center, 1611 Chase Street.
Publ.Date : 7/7/2010 12:00:00 AM
From the Indianapolis Business Journal, 8/18/2010
by Anthony Schoettle
The Indianapolis Colts have brought in a record crowd at this year’s training camp—by a wide margin.
As camp wrapped up Wednesday morning, Anderson University officials said 85,300 fans turned out at the 18-day camp. That’s almost four times as many as attended last year’s camp in Terre Haute, Colts officials said.
“I think that shows the number of fans along the I-69 corridor,” said James L. Edwards, Anderson University president. “We’re a lot closer to Indianapolis than people think, and with our proximity to Hamilton County, I think it was a big draw.”
Recently enhanced facilities, including improvements to parking, walking corridors, autograph areas and stadium seating, also helped drive up attendance, Edwards said.
“Add to that, the Colts players were incredibly accessible to fans,” he said. “There wasn’t a day that went by without a handful of Colts standing along the fence line signing autographs and talking with fans after practice ended.”
Tom Zupancic, Colts vice president of sales and marketing, said the team brought its mobile museum, Colts City activity center, numerous bands and other acts to Anderson in an attempt to ratchet up interest this year. Colts owner Jim Irsay also made several appearances, talking to and even handing out prizes to fans.
A night practice Tuesday drew 9,500. That far exceeded the 4,800 seating capacity of Anderson University's Macholtz Stadium.
Not even Anderson University officials expected the spectator numbers they saw at this year’s Colts camp.
“We thought coming in we could do better than the Colts did at Terre Haute,” Edwards said. “Maybe 40,000. But this turnout has just been incredible.”
The improvements the university made since it last hosted the camp in 1998 were only part of the reason for the attendance increase.
“This team has a lot of star power, and they’re just coming off of a Super Bowl run,” said Dave Moroknek, president of locally based MainGate Inc., which handles merchandise sales for the Colts and six other NFL teams. “Of all the training camps we’ve been to, the Colts and [Minnesota] Vikings have had the highest attendance by far. It’s off the charts.”
Moroknek reported that merchandise sales were up a “strong double-digit percentage,” during the 2009-10 season over the previous year. As good as last season was, this preseason, so far is up another double-digit percentage.
“A lot of that has to do with the change in the team’s training camp venue and the excitement that has brought,” Moroknek said.
Moroknek said while Peyton Manning jerseys are still a top seller, he said he is seeing big increases among other players this year as well, including Jeff Saturday, Austin Collie, Anthony Gonzalez and Bob Sanders. Wrist bands called Silly Bandz and women’s apparel also are among top-selling items.
Anderson University has a one-year deal to host the Colts' preseason camp, but Edwards hopes to start discussions to extend the deal soon. Edwards said the threat of a work stoppage next season as NFL owners and players work out a new collective bargaining agreement is one factor that complicates matters.
“The Colts have been really happy here this year, so that makes us happy,” Edwards said. “That’s the bottom line.”
Speaking of the bottom line, Edwards added that the Colts’ camp is not profitable for the school. Fan admission was free, but parking cost $10, which was needed to offset security and operational expenses for the school, Edwards said.
“We are just hoping to break even,” Edwards said.
But, he added, the publicity the school has gained from this year’s training camp has been priceless.
“I can’t tell you how many young people attending the camp have told me, ‘I can see myself going to school here,’” Edwards said. “You can’t see yourself in a place if you’ve never been to a place. We have a lot to offer students here, and we have for a long time. But this camp has allowed us to open some people’s eyes on a regional and national level.”
Publ.Date : 8/18/2010 12:00:00 AM
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