News

(OCRA CDBG) Current as of May 26, 2020 Click here for the Preliminary Application. Accepting applications on a rolling basis until further notice. (Please read this page before submitting the application). Eligibility is limited to businesses within the municipal boundaries of the City of New Castle. Maximum grant request is […]

To promote social distancing and to help flatten the curve, the EDC office is closed and our team is working remotely. Good hygiene never goes out of style and is especially important now. Remember to support your local businesses: Order gift cards and take out. Communicate with your employees, employer, […]

Ready to compete with other regions on a national scale, East Central Indiana (ECI) announced the launch of their new website, Forge Your Path – the first major step in establishing ECI as a destination where people want to live, work, and play. […]

Growing up, many assumed Evan Taylor would follow in his father’s footsteps by working in the family construction business. Evan, however, had a different vision for his career path. Before his freshman year of high school, Evan began mowing his neighbors’ lawns. What started as a summer job has evolved […]

A massive building with no floor could help the New Castle job market reach new heights. So says Corey Murphy, the New Castle-Henry County Economic Development chief, who recently updated board members on the progress of building a new “shell building.” Planned to be built north of Boar’s Head North—which, […]

Feeling safe in your neighborhood is important to make your community feel like home. What better way to feel safe than having a police officer as a father? Vaughn Reid III, son of Vaughn Reid II, loves the safe and friendly atmosphere that Henry County embodies. This, among other reasons, is why he chose to continue residing in New Castle and build his business here. […]

The New Castle-Henry County Economic Development Corporation recently began distributing funds to businesses that were awarded a City of New Castle Business Grant. The grant’s funding source is federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) through the state’s Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA). The federal national objective of the […]

During a flood of change and hardship due to COVID-19, the New Castle-Henry County Economic Development Corp. has tried to be a lifeboat for local business. Last week, EDC President Corey Murphy said his 3-person office has worked hard to help in its role as distributor of funds from an […]

As members of the New Castle-Henry County Economic Development Corp. (EDC) board gathered for their first face-to-face meeting since March, the topic at hand was broadband. How can the county strengthen the electronic, computer-driven connectivity for all residents? A path to the answer was laid out by Earnie Holtrey, a […]

Applications for COVID-19 business relief are still be accepted. A tower-ful local building is on the market again. A powerful marketing tool is one step closer to groundbreaking. That trio of headlines came from New Castle-Henry County Economic Development President Corey Murphy at Monday’s City Council meeting. The short report was long on opportunity knocking for the local economy. Here’s a recap. […]

Never in her wildest dreams did Mary Hobbs-Warriner see herself becoming a business owner. When she graduated from Shenandoah High School, she didn’t even consider an entrepreneur career path. Not long after graduating, Warriner found herself working as a caterer at Camp Atterbury- a military camp located near Edinburgh, Indiana. […]

Indiana SBDC, IU Kelley School of Business partner to provide direct technical support, assist small businesses in expanding online capabilities & sales. […]

Both current and future Commissioners will be involved as officials move forward with construction of a new “shell” building for economic development. […]

The New Castle Career Center (NCCC) will be introducing a new element to the EMT and Public Safety Program. With the help of a grant from the Regional Development Commission, NCCC purchased an ambulance simulator. The simulator will be delivered and ready to use for the upcoming school year. […]

Today, the New Castle-Henry County Economic Development Corporation is celebrating 40 years of serving the community with the support of area companies, non-profit organizations, and government entities. […]

Henry County is a place where team play is legendary. Basketball banners hang from gyms all across the county. A New Castle museum here celebrates great team players from across the state. A movie was made using a storied gym in Knightstown. During its June meeting, members of the New […]

Celebrating 40 years of serving this community. Check out this video and follow along with Corey Murphy of NCHC-EDC. […]

According to a recent survey, Henry County shoppers want to get back to normal, while keeping some of the COVID-19 practices in place. More than 400 people responded to an online survey co-sponsored by Henry Community Health, New Castle-Henry County Economic Development Corporation (EDC), East Central Indiana Small Business Development […]

An ‘ELF’ has stood extremely tall for some Henry County businesses coping with the effects of COVID-19. During Thursday’s New Castle-Henry County Economic Development Corp. board meeting, members learned that the organization’s Enterprise Loan Fund has approved seven loans totaling $58,000. EDC President Corey Murphy said that represented half the […]

United Way of Delaware, Henry and Randolph Counties is pleased to announce that it has received a $1.1 million COVID-19 Economic Relief Initiative Grant. The grant was made possible through a partnership between Lilly Endowment, Inc. and Indiana United Ways, the state professional association of which United Way of Delaware, Henry and Randolph County is a member. These funds will be used to invest in long-term economic recovery and resiliency efforts by supporting human and social service nonprofits across Delaware, Henry and Randolph Counties. […]

Available to Henry County’s COVID-19 Impacted Small Businesses Local, state, and federal resources are available to help businesses who have been impacted by the recent pandemic. If you have questions about any of these funds, please reach out to the EDC office at 765.521.7402. EDC Enterprise Loan Fund Restaurant Resiliency […]

Fortunate, diligent and aggressive. Stable and strong. Tremendous success. Ready to pounce. Those words described what it’s like in the local business trenches during this COVID-19 pandemic. New Castle-Henry County Economic Development Corp. board members heard largely positive, frank and heartfelt updates from officials with manufacturing, real estate, banking and energy sectors of the economy during their May 7 meeting. […]

Plans for a brand new “shell” building are coming together for the New Castle-Henry County Economic Development Corp. […]

NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT) The Henry County Redevelopment Commission (“Commission”) is requesting proposals from prospective entities interested in submitting a proposal to develop, design, build, finance and operate a new 50,000 square foot light industrial shell building, all pursuant to a public-private partnership agreement to be […]

For those who were not able to attend the “Not So Fast” webinar on April 28, here is the link to the recording: https://bit.ly/not-so-fast-recording Indiana’s Small Business Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Marketplace A program to connect small businesses and nonprofit organizations with PPE so they can safely reopen. On May […]

The New Castle Henry County Economic Development Corporation (EDC) is re-purposing its existing Enterprise Loan Fund (ELF) in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The fund was originally created through a partnership with the USDA Rural Business Enterprise Grant program and local resources. […]

Now more than ever, the Henry County community is recognizing the value of a strong small business presence and the importance of supporting locally owned companies. New Castle Main Street is working alongside the New Castle Henry County Economic Development Corporation (EDC) and other local partners to provide support and resources for Henry County’s small businesses. […]

Quality Fabrication of Indiana (QFI) is a Henry County-based fabrication shop that serves as a tier 2 vendor for Fiat Chrysler America (FCA). First opening its doors in 1994, QFI has always been a family owned and operated business. Todd Rader is the current owner and lead operator, taking over the business after his father, Howard “Howdy” Rader, passed away in 2009. […]

Local officials address Coronavirus issues in Thursday’s (3/13/2020) New Castle-Henry County Economic Development Corp. board meeting. […]

A trip to Tennessee sparked an idea for Ky and Jo Scott. After seeing people lined at a food truck, they thought “why not us?” and Ky’s Kreations was born. […]

During peak season, the workload can at times get overwhelmingly busy. Hiring additional staff members isn’t always the best option for your business. There’s another alternative: hiring an intern. Deciding to bring an intern onto your team can be a significant commitment. If you utilize their skillset to your advantage, […]

As a child, Aaron Dicken could be found roaming the halls of New Castle High School with a cherry Coke in hand while his dad finished lesson plans for the day. He could also be found practicing his last second shot at the Basketball Hall of Fame, where his mom […]

Jack “Lee” Marcum, III was born with a donut in his hand. The third-generation owner of Jack’s Donuts grew up around the delectable treats created by his father and his grandfather before him. While Jack’s Donuts is approaching sixty years of supplying New Castle with traditional donut products, the youngest […]

From the moment students begin planning for a future career, one word begins to become part of their vocabulary: internships. Much like any other job experience, internships can be valuable (even crucial) to career placement after graduation. Here are four reasons why students should make an internship part of their […]

The move of their business to downtown New Castle began three years ago this past October when Carmen Cash had something rare – a day all to herself with no plans. The busy working wife and mother of four rarely gets such a thing. On this one, while reflecting and […]

Do you ever feel like you could use an extra hand around the office, but don’t have the budget to hire another employee? There’s a simple solution to this dilemma… hire an intern. Many students are looking for work experience and would be thrilled for the opportunity to work for […]

The New Castle-Henry County Economic Development Corporation is celebrating 40 years of serving the community with the support of area companies, non-profit organizations, and government entities. Our focus continues to be on growth, development, innovation, and quality of life. As we celebrate the past four decades, we’ll share some archived […]

Tax abatement is not the reason for local government budget woes. In fact, the use of tax abatement builds the tax base (assessed value) and contributes to increased job opportunities.  Tax abatement or the “phasing in” of business property taxes over a specific period of time is a tool economic […]

Calling all small business owners! There are people rooting for you. And a new program that wants to help your business grow. New Castle Downtown, Knightstown Main Street and a veritable alphabet soup of local organizations have formed the “Henry County Creates,” an initiative designed to raise the level of […]

Each new year begins with a series of ‘state’-ments – as in state of the city, state of the state and state of the union. Monday night, New Castle-Henry County Economic Development Corp. President Corey Murphy added another ‘state’-ment to the mix. His comments to the City Council almost seemed […]

State to welcome global business leaders, innovators and economic development partners in April 2020 INDIANAPOLIS (Dec. 18, 2019) – Indiana Secretary of Commerce Jim Schellinger and the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) will host an inaugural conference, the Indiana Global Economic Summit, in Indianapolis next spring. The summit, planned for […]

Education can steer you in various directions. Many times, those directions require you to leave home. In Mackenzie Jackson’s case, her education sent her around the world. She studied at Indiana University in Bloomington and abroad in Spain. Her career started in Maine, but after a while her family roots […]

New Castle, Knightstown and Henry County didn’t get the Stellar designation hoped for, but they were winners just the same.  That was the spirited holiday message Thursday morning during the New Castle-Henry County Economic Development Corp.’s year-end Christmas breakfast. EDC President Corey Murphy said the county had a lot to be […]

Thank you to all who entered our “Quality of Living” photo contest. Enjoy these featured entries… […]

SPICELAND — Members of the Spiceland Town Council have joined a team of transformers – not the robotic figures on the big screen but a group heroic in its own right, one that helps transform troubled properties into new business opportunities. After hearing a presentation from Penny York, the New Castle-Henry County Economic […]

After graduating high school, Michelle Frazier never imagined she would move back to Henry County. Leaving for college at IU, she said goodbye to her roots and geared up to begin life in the city. Little did she know, it wouldn’t be long before she would be back in the […]

Plenty of young adults dream of the day they can finally move away from their hometown, start their lives, and put roots into a new place to call home. Kristen Bennett was no stranger to this dream when she left home for Purdue University to study Business and Marketing. Being […]

Three encouraging words echoed throughout the Henry County REMC Community Room recently: “Ahead of schedule.” The words, spoken multiple times by Kim Cronk, president of the Commissioners, were music to the ears of New Castle-Henry County Economic Development Corp. board members concerning a myriad of major projects going on throughout […]

Is it time for the New Castle Board of Aviation Commissioners to take off in a new direction as far as its consultant is concerned? At the end of a special BoAC meeting Monday, the potential end of a long-standing relationship with Woolpert, an Indianapolis firm, was part of a […]

A “Stellar” sort of glow illuminated the September meeting for the New Castle-Henry County Economic Development Corp. Board of directors. EDC President Corey Murphy took time before his regular report Sept. 12 to salute all of those in New Castle, Knightstown and Henry County who have been involved in the […]

Many times, you need to step away from something to realize what you had with to start. This is how Montford and Cheryl Switzer felt when they decided to come back home to Henry County. In 1972, Mont and his new bride, Cheryl, were ready to begin their lives together. […]

In the realm of internships, it can often be unpredictable on whether they’re helpful for the intern and the organization who hired them. The stereotype of an intern can typically be somewhat abstract from the start, but Jalen had project-specific goals and he was a near-perfect fit for New Castle […]

Many children spend their adolescent years dreaming of becoming a doctor, firefighter, or famous actor. Some ponder the idea of moving hundreds of miles away and creating a new life for themselves. Robby Taylor, however, had a different life plan for himself- staying in Henry County and working alongside his […]

With its stately Roman-esque columns, the home of Henry County Community Foundation stands tall along Ind. 3. But the real “building” is seen in multiple locations outside New Castle, touching virtually every small community in every direction. Thursday morning, the New Castle-Henry County Economic Development Corp. board of directors heard first-hand about the […]

The ‘E’ in EDC clearly stood for enthusiasm Thursday morning. During the New Castle-Henry County Economic Development Corp. Board of Directors meeting, key words like “Stellar” and “groundbreaking” along with “upscale” were used. A pool’s success – and progress made by pooling resources – were praised. Progress was reported by […]

Interest remains high in Henry County as far as future business expansion possibilities are concerned. If only the ceilings of available buildings were higher. Members of the New Castle-Henry County Economic Board of Directors heard both good news and how future business needs are changing during their July meeting Thursday. […]

What started with a grass runway decades ago is now the newest home to Indiana University Health’s LifeLine Helicopter. A project more than a year and a half in making was officially christened in ceremonies and an open house at Marlatt Field. The New Castle-Henry County facility is now one […]

Tonio Torres, CEO of Holic Foods, remembers being handed a small Styrofoam cup by an elderly woman at an Illinois restaurant with “green stuff” in it. Torres shared the story recently of how the “green stuff” became Jalapenoholic, one of 19 products his company makes in Middletown. He told the story […]

Coming from a small community, Miranda Heinold knew leaving to attend the University of Indianapolis would make a significant impact on her life. Little did she know just how large that impact would be. Everyone around her told her how great college would be, the connections she made would develop […]

Could the industrial park’s shell building have a tenant soon? Will Henry County soon have two brand new tax increment financing districts? Those questions emerged recently from redevelopment commission meetings. The potential answers are exciting, according to local officials. New Castle-Henry County Economic Development Corp. President Corey Murphy was not at […]

It’s always good when a plan comes together. It’s even better when two local plans, created with teamwork and community input, are recognized as the best in Indiana. The Indiana Chapter of the American Planning Association (APA-IN) awarded the City of New Castle and the Henry County Planning Commission with top […]

TS Tech literally has a seat at the global automotive production table. Because of that, New Castle does too, adding to a century-old legacy in the transportation business. Thursday morning, members of the New Castle-Henry County Economic Development Corp. heard firsthand about TS Tech’s rise, its unique stature in the Japanese-owned company […]

Stacey Tolle is no stranger to life in Henry County. Graduating from New Castle Chrysler High in 2004, there’s no denying she’s a small-town girl. Stacey attended Indiana University and received a degree in Mathematic Education, which she puts to good use teaching mathematics at New Castle Middle School. Stacey […]

Sixty-six years ago, in 1952, Clifford “Bill” Marlatt built an airport with a 2,350 foot grass runway. Bill, now 91 years old, was on hand Saturday as a new 4,200 foot runway on County Road 400 South in New Castle was dedicated despite rainy weather and overcast skies. A plaque […]

The Indiana Department of Education is honoring the entire Education Professions program and individual student Madison Eastridge today for the work each has done at the New Castle Career Center. The Education Professions program, led by Leesa Myers, won the 2018 Award for Excellence in the Secondary Program category. Eastridge has been […]

The Henry County community is a gem – full of opportunity.  The purpose of this blog is to shine a light on the positives in our community. It is not advocating rose colored glasses but to encourage continued investment in our community’s assets and strengths.  Our county is unique and […]

“Welcome to Spiceland” greets all entering the main entrance at Draper, Inc. The blue sign is a replica of one that hung at the Train Depot on the Lake Erie & Western Railroad in the late 1800s. Beyond the history of the sign, which is neat, this prominent display, says […]

This morning I visited Crown Equipment in New Castle on “I” Avenue.  By good fortune, it is also the 6th Anniversary of Crown Equipment’s announcement to grow in Henry County. The New Castle facility employs about 250 people (100 more than the 2011 press release!) and are very active with […]

How will Henry County grow and develop in the future? The county’s updated comprehensive plan will serve as a road map to answer this question, and more. The New Castle-Henry County Economic Development Corporation is working alongside the county’s plan commission and other community partners to create and implement this […]

Basketball lovers know Indiana as a mecca for the sport, but in the heart of Indiana is a county where basketball is a way of life. Henry County is home to three remarkable basketball attractions, all within easy driving distance of one another. The Historic Hoosier Gym in Knightstown welcomes […]

A new plant to be located in the industrial park south of New Castle will bring several new jobs to Henry County. Micronutrients, an agribusiness that produces animal feed additives, has announced plans to build a new facility on County Road 400 South in Henry County. The move is expected to create up […]