Not done yet
Patsy Boehler, ETHOS executive director
and YEA! mentor, works with a student
In the world of economic development,
leaders talk about looking for entrepreneurs
to bring the next wave of the new economy
and new jobs. We are fortunate in
Elkhart County in that we seem to have
entrepreneurs starting companies and
making products. We like to call ourselves
the Entrepreneur Capital of the World.
And why not? We have many companies
that have formed because somebody
working in one factory had an idea
to start a factory of his/her own. The
new company grows, and spins off new
ideas and new companies. How many
electronics companies are in town because
of Crown/Harman/CTS? How many
test strip companies are here because of
Miles Laboratories? How many new RV
companies came from other companies?
How many RV suppliers? Let’s remind
ourselves that our county is second, only to
Indianapolis, in the number of new patents.
The old line that I have shared in media
interviews around the state is that if you
drive through a subdivision at 3 p.m. and
see someone tinkering in a garage, you are
witnessing the start of the new company.
But are you comfortable with the
entrepreneurship in Elkhart County? We
don’t believe the entrepreneurship will
continue to thrive here unless the Chamber
and the community work to make sure we
have the best entrepreneurial climate. By
hosting SCORE and its workshops, we are
helping new businesses get started on the
right foot. By offering the best networking
opportunities in the area, we are helping
new business leaders meet customers,
clients and mentors. By hosting educational
and training seminars we are helping them
work toward success.
But perhaps the thing that brings us
the most pride is that we are working to
instill entrepreneurship at a young age.
Our Young Entrepreneurs Academy lets
students learn the joys and hardships
of starting a business by asking them to
actually start a business. That program
is only three years old and is enjoying
great success (though we can always use
volunteers). Lemonade Day is working
with even younger students. This year we
plan to work with a re-energized Junior
Achievement to expose even more students
to business concepts.
We celebrate the entrepreneurial climate
in Elkhart County. And the Chamber will
be working with entrepreneurs, from youth
to adults, to make sure that climate is strong
and successful.
“Leading Business” is the
monthly magazine published by:
Ambassadors Claudia Meenan, ext. 134
March 13, Council meeting, 4 pm
Annual Golf Outing Denise Polachek, ext. 132
March 27, Council meeting, 4 pm
Business Recognition and Beautification
Denise Polachek, ext. 132
March 18, Council meeting, 8 am
Economic Development
Trevor Wendzonka, ext. 110
March 21, Council meeting, 8 am
Education Kathy Cardwell, ext. 122
March 13, Council meeting, 7:30 am
Environmental Trevor Wendzonka, ext. 110
Government Trevor Wendzonka, ext. 110
March 12, Council meeting, 8 am
Leadership Denise Polachek, ext. 132
OSHA Jim Walsh, ext. 121
March 19, Council breakfast, 7:30 am
Technology Jim Walsh, ext. 121
March 26, Council meeting, 8 am
Transportation Kay House-Clark, ext. 138
March 14, Council meeting, 8 am
Women’s Claudia Meenan, ext. 134
March 4, Council meeting, 9 am
Young Professionals Arielle Schmitt, ext. 128
4 GREATER ELKHART CHAMBER
418 S. Main St. | Elkhart, IN 46516
(574) 293-1531 | Elkhart.org
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