The 2021 Community Catalyst award was presented posthumously to Jim Zachary. Pictured, from left, Suzie Light, Dan Zachary, Cindy Zachary, Haley Zachary, Leigh Ann Denlinger, Kevin Denlinger, Alan Tio and Josh Gordon. Photo provided by KEDCo

News Release

WARSAW — The Kosciusko Economic Development Corporation (KEDCO) recently hosted its annual meeting to celebrate economic development initiatives in Kosciusko County, and to recognize businesses and individuals for leadership and contributions to the community.

“It’s an exciting time for us to pause to recognize the individuals and organizations throughout Kosciusko County that are supporting our economic development efforts,” said KEDCO CEO Alan Tio, “We continue to see momentum building in this community for our entrepreneurship, housing and talent initiatives.”

KEDCO Leadership Partner Suzie Light and KEDCO Board Chairman Josh Gordon opened the meeting with a “welcome home” celebration for Tio, who continued to serve the organization remotely while completing a nine-month deployment to the Middle East. Fellow Navy Reservist and local entrepreneur Ryan Srogi shared a heartfelt thank you to the entire Tio family for their sacrifices during Alan’s deployment.

“While deployed, and with a seven-hour time difference, Alan served the U.S. Navy, while we in Kosciusko County slept. During our local work hours, Alan still served KEDCO, without missing a beat. His Naval training serves him well, as he deployed his team for effective service here at home. We are thrilled he’s back home guiding the important work of KEDCO,” said Light. 

Tio continued with an overview of work underway at KEDCO during 2021, which included the launch of an online jobs portal called Career Bridge that is reserved for Kosciusko County employers, planning for a MedTech accelerator studio and completion of a quality of life video available to Kosciusko County employers at the KEDCO website.

KEDCO continued recognition programs launched in 2020, highlighting “Rising Leader” and “Business Impact” award recipients, expanding the “Business Impact” award to include transformative “Community Impact” projects, and added the new “Community Catalyst” award.

The Rising Leader award recognizes emerging leaders in the community who are under 40 years of age, and are making an impact as leaders in the workplace and/or through their involvement in the local community. The Business Impact award recognizes local businesses in the county that have made an investment in the community through new job creation, expansion projects or through another investment in the community or workplace during 2021.

The Community Impact award recognizes community development and placemaking projects in Kosciusko County. Two projects were recognized this year: The Gateway Grove residential housing project in Downtown Warsaw, and Miller Sunset Pavilion in Winona Lake. Awards were presented to G&G Hauling, Groninger Group and T.L. Jackson Construction for Gateway Grove, and to the Town of Winona Lake for Miller Sunset Pavilion.

The Community Catalyst award recognizes a difference-maker whose impact in Kosciusko County can be seen in their private careers, public service, and community involvement. The recognition was inspired by inaugural Community Catalyst award recipient Jim Zachary, who passed away in August of 2021. Jim served on the Board of Directors of KEDCO and the City-County Athletic Complex, served on the Winona Lake Town Council, was a member of the Miller Sunset Pavilion steering committee, and was actively involved with the Kosciusko County Velo Cycling Club, and was an entrepreneur, and worked as an engineer for Zimmer Biomet. The award was presented honorably to Jim’s family: Haley Zachary (daughter), Dan (father) and Cindy Zachary, Leigh Ann (mother) and Kevin Denlinger.

“We launched our awards programs last year to spotlight the important contributions that rising leaders and business owners and decision-makers are choosing to make in our community,” said Tio, “This year we saw the need to expand our recognition to include transformative quality of place projects and to highlight the impact a single individual can have in the vitality of our community.”

View photos from the event online via Flickr. Want to stay connected with KEDCO? Find KEDCO on Facebook, Linkedin and Instagram (@kosciuskoedc) and visit www.kosciuskoedc.com.