2015 progress: business & industry

22
PROGRESS BUSINESS & INDUSTRY News and Tribune 05.29.2015 M ore than a year away from the opening of the new east-end and downtown bridges project, some Clark County gov- ernment officials and businesses are already starting to see growth. Others face uncertainty about their place in a Louisville metro- politan area that most agree will be vastly different. Uric Dufrene, the Sanders Chair in Business at Indiana Uni- versity Southeast, said the posi- tive economic impacts of the new bridges should far outweigh any negative ones. “The growth that we’ll see here as a result of the bridges will be tremendous and that will benefit residents on the Indiana side of the river,” he said. The east-end bridge will con- nect Prospect, Ky., to Utica and the downtown crossing will ease congestion along Interstate 65 between the downtowns of Lou- isville and Jeffersonville. Dufrene expects to see new businesses opening up and estab- lished ones relocating to South- ern Indiana. “Basically, you’ll have a multi- plier effect,” he said. The project will also provide easier access to interstates and give businesses an easy gateway to other metropolitan areas. Dufrene said he sees Clark County municipalities — includ- ing Charlestown and Utica — re- ceiving a big chunk of potential benefits. That doesn’t mean farther- out counties won’t see positive changes, he said. They might ac- quire business from a growing number of commuters. Rob Waiz, Jeffersonville’s eco- nomic and redevelopment direc- tor, called the area’s growth “ex- citing” and said the city has been working on dealing with the changes in the “right” way. This includes attracting office buildings and retail development. “We want to make sure it looks first class as you’re coming into Indiana,” he said. RIVER RIDGE COMMERCE CENTER City officials aren’t the only ones heralding the effect of the Ohio River Bridges Project. Jerry Acy is the executive director at River Ridge Commerce Center. River Ridge, which lies near the future site of the ramp of the east-end bridge, was created with the purpose of redevelop- ing 6,000 acres that once housed the Indiana Army Ammunition plant. Only 10 percent of the area is being utilized at the moment, said Acy, but the commerce cen- ter is working with seven devel- opers interested in purchasing up to 1 million square feet of space there. All this has happened in the last five months although the center has been under develop- ment since 2005. By DANIELLE GRADY [email protected] continued on page C13 Steel cables connect towers and the road deck on the downtown crossing of the Ohio River Bridges Project. | STAFF PHOTO BY TYLER STEWART MAKING ECONOMIC INROADS New bridges creating changes in Southern Indiana Crews attach steel cables to the road deck on the Ohio River Bridges Project. | STAFF PHOTO BY TYLER STEWART Steel cables support the road deck on the downtown crossing. | STAFF PHOTO BY TYLER STEWART “The growth that we’ll see here as a result of the bridges will be tremendous and that will benefit residents on the Indiana side of the river.” — Uric Dufrene Sanders Chair in Business at Indiana University Southeast Crews work on the Ohio River Bridges Project next to the Kennedy Bridge in November of 2013. | FILE PHOTO Flood waters move below Tower 5 of the down- town crossing portion of the Ohio River Bridges Project in April. | FILE PHOTO

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Page 1: 2015 Progress: Business & Industry

ProgressBusiness & industry

news and tribune 05.29.2015

M ore than a year away from the opening of the new east-end and downtown bridges

project, some Clark County gov-ernment officials and businesses are already starting to see growth.

Others face uncertainty about their place in a Louisville metro-politan area that most agree will be vastly different.

Uric Dufrene, the Sanders Chair in Business at Indiana Uni-versity Southeast, said the posi-tive economic impacts of the new bridges should far outweigh any negative ones.

“The growth that we’ll see here as a result of the bridges will be tremendous and that will benefit residents on the Indiana side of the river,” he said.

The east-end bridge will con-nect Prospect, Ky., to Utica and the downtown crossing will ease congestion along Interstate 65 between the downtowns of Lou-isville and Jeffersonville.

Dufrene expects to see new businesses opening up and estab-lished ones relocating to South-ern Indiana.

“Basically, you’ll have a multi-plier effect,” he said.

The project will also provide easier access to interstates and give businesses an easy gateway to other metropolitan areas.

Dufrene said he sees Clark County municipalities — includ-ing Charlestown and Utica — re-ceiving a big chunk of potential benefits.

That doesn’t mean farther-out counties won’t see positive changes, he said. They might ac-quire business from a growing number of commuters.

Rob Waiz, Jeffersonville’s eco-nomic and redevelopment direc-tor, called the area’s growth “ex-citing” and said the city has been working on dealing with the changes in the “right” way.

This includes attracting office buildings and retail development.

“We want to make sure it looks first class as you’re coming into Indiana,” he said.

rIVer rIDge CoMMerCe CeNTer

City officials aren’t the only ones heralding the effect of the Ohio River Bridges Project. Jerry

Acy is the executive director at River Ridge Commerce Center.

River Ridge, which lies near the future site of the ramp of the east-end bridge, was created with the purpose of redevelop-ing 6,000 acres that once housed the Indiana Army Ammunition plant.

Only 10 percent of the area is being utilized at the moment, said Acy, but the commerce cen-ter is working with seven devel-opers interested in purchasing up to 1 million square feet of space there.

All this has happened in the last five months although the center has been under develop-ment since 2005.

By DANIeLLe [email protected]

continued on page C13

steel cables connect towers and the road deck on the downtown crossing of the ohio river Bridges Project. | stAFF PHOtO By tyLer steWArt

MAkINg eCoNoMIC INroADsnew bridges creating changes in southern indiana

Crews attach steel cables to the road deck on the ohio river Bridges Project. | stAFF PHOtO By tyLer steWArt

steel cables support the road deck on the downtown crossing. | stAFF PHOtO By tyLer steWArt

“the growth that we’ll see here as a result of the bridges will be tremendous and that will benefit residents on the indiana side of the river.”

— Uric Dufrenesanders Chair in Business at indiana university southeast

Crews work on the ohio river Bridges Project next to the kennedy Bridge in November of 2013. | FiLe PHOtO

Flood waters move below Tower 5 of the down-town crossing portion of the ohio river Bridges Project in April. | FiLe PHOtO

Page 2: 2015 Progress: Business & Industry

Global fact fi nding?Map out greater global reach from River Ridge.

Land and Location:6,000 prime acres zoned to meet every need, from global headquarters to heavy industrial. Located at the Crossroads of America, in Jeffersonville, Indiana and the Louisville, KY metro market. I-265 East End Bridge puts downtown Louisville just minutes away.

Global Logistics:A logistical network of four Interstate highways: I-64, I-65, I-71, and I-265. Plus railway connections to the Ports of Indiana on the Ohio River, offering 12-month barge access to international markets. Other assets include the Louisville International Airport and UPS Worldport, the largest automated package facility in the world.

High-volume water supply (80 to 100 million gallons per day), a new water treatment facility with a two million gallon per day capacity, and 138kv power service provided by Duke Energy with 7,000 linear feet already installed. Three telecom providers keep the data fl owing.

Infrastructure:

Labor & Training:A right-to-work labor force deploying cutting-edge skills supported by two local training providers and the Indiana Skills Enhancement Fund. Worldclass educational and R&D resources include the University of Louisville, Purdue University, and Indiana University.

For further fact-fi nding,contact us at 812.285.8979

River Ridge Commerce Center6200 E. Highway 62 • Suite 600

Jeffersonville, IN 47130P: 812.285.8979 • F: 812.285.8983

E: [email protected]

Page 3: 2015 Progress: Business & Industry

Progress Business & industrynews and tribune05.29.2015 C3

The growth at River Ridge Commerce Center during the past few years has been tremendous and might only be rivaled by its potential for future expansion.

River Ridge Commerce Center is in the midst of acquiring 6,000 acres at the U.S. Army’s former In-diana Army Ammunition Plant.

The land is received by the River Ridge Develop-ment Authority is then, prepared, marketed and sold or leased to develop-ers and businesses.

The U.S. Army still holds about 1,133 acres on the 6,000 acre River Ridge site, said River Ridge Executive Director Jerry Acy.

The Army has been transferring the property as it clears environmen-tal studies.

To-date, the watershed moment for River Ridge was the location of Ama-zon.com Inc.’s fulfillment center in the commerce center in 2012. Since 2012, businesses have continued to roll in.

According to the 2014 River Ridge annual re-port, the commerce cen-ter is home to more than 40 businesses, it has cre-ated 5,800 total jobs and $317 million in private investment.

And the pace for ex-pansion is not expected to slow down any time soon.

A Few FIrsTs For rIVer rIDge IN 2014

In 2014, River Ridge ex-perienced a few firsts.

The first support ser-vice businesses — those designed to provide ser-vices to the larger com-panies in the commerce center — opened last year.

The first development includes a New Washing-ton State Bank, a Subway restaurant, Southern Indi-ana Rehabilitation Cen-ter and a Centra Credit Union.

Acy said larger manu-facturing and logistics companies have ex-pressed an interest in see-ing more support compa-nies locate in River Ridge.

River Ridge continues to carve out smaller sites, like an 11-acre property near Amazon, where those businesses could locate.

What River Ridge wouldn’t do is try to bring a “shopping desti-nation” to the commerce center, Acy said.

River Ridge also es-tablished its first sites in Charlestown in 2014.

On the north end of the River Ridge property, DA Inc., which already has an operation in Charles-town, announced its plans to purchase a five-acre site near Ind. 62. The site is pending transfer

from the U.S. Army and is expected to begin con-struction in late-2015.

The first site sold in Charlestown is already under development.

The property sits near the intersection of Ind. 62 and Bethany Road. It is being developed by Setzer Properties, a Lex-ington-based developer. Setzer is developing a warehouse-style building for an unnamed compa-ny, Acy said.

New TeNANTs PLANT rooTs

Three major projects locating or building in the commerce center last year were Tenneco Inc., an Illinois-based auto parts manufacturer, Autoneum, a Swiss-based automotive supplier, and America Place, a South-ern Indiana-based ware-housing company.

Combined, the two auto suppliers will em-ploy more than 400 workers at their new sites, according to River Ridge’s 2014 annual re-port.

America Place leased space to Tenneco in its first building constructed at River Ridge and is near-ly complete with its sec-ond location, which be-gan construction in 2014.

America Place also in the early stages of devel-opment on its third proj-ect, a campus-style com-plex that would include a number of smaller in-terconnected buildings, with the potential for larger buildings on-site.

Acy said America Place is in the process of pur-chasing an additional 50 acres for that project.

The effort to bring manufacturers into the commerce center has been a focus for River Ridge.

“We are evolving our development approach to include a focus on in-creasing the number of advanced manufacturing companies calling River Ridge home,” said Mark Robinson, president of the River Ridge Devel-opment Authority in the 2014 annual report.

INFrAsTruCTure Is oN ITs wAY

To allow those sites to be developed, River Ridge Development Authority made its largest one-year investment for capital im-provements in 2014, total-ing $12 million, according to the annual report.

Improvements allowed for road, utility and other improvements to be com-pleted in River Ridge.

A $20 million bond is-sued in May 2014 helped make more land tracts available for develop-ment and improved con-nectivity to the East End crossing of the Ohio River Bridges Project, according to the annual report.

About $8 million re-mained from the bond and will likely be used in infrastructure projects this year.

Most of the heavy lift-ing for infrastructure improvements will be out near the new inter-change with Interstate 265, Acy said.

That includes the heavy-haul corridor. The heavy-haul corridor is planned as a trucking route to run from the Port of Indiana-Jefferson-ville through River Ridge Commerce Center and connect with the new In-

terstate 265 interchange under construction.

Costs for the heavy-haul road jumped from about $22.5 million to $30.4 million in 2014. The major reason is environ-mental mitigation issues leading to the Port of Indi-ana-Jeffersonville on the southern side of the new

interchange, Acy said.Despite the changes

in cost, Acy said the con-struction of a River Ridge gateway and a portion of the heavy-haul road in River Ridge would hope-fully be underway by September. The road is still on track to be com-plete when the East End

bridge opens in 2016.The establishment of

Tenneco and Autoneum, and businesses such as American Fuji Seal and Catamaran Rx complet-ing its first full-year of operations, should help with future infrastruc-ture costs.

Acy expects the contri-butions to Tax Increment Financing -TIF- districts from the newly located businesses to be able to generate $8 to $10 mil-lion for a bond in 2016.

“We’ll need every pen-ny out on the new en-trance getting the road network built,” Acy said.

Those pennies contin-ue to add up, and another major boom could be on the horizon.

PoTeNTIAL growTh IN 2015 AND BeYoND

River Ridge’s total eco-nomic output was about $1.2 billion in 2014, ac-cording to an economic impact study completed by Indianapolis-based Policy Analytics, LLC.

With an official mega-site certification received through McCallum Swee-ney Consulting in Febru-ary, the biggest get for River Ridge could be on the horizon.

The mega-site totals more than 1,700 acres and could house a major manufacturer of steel, chemicals or an automo-tive manufacturer.

Even without landing a mega-site tenant, Acy said the commerce center is expected to reach about $1.3 billion in economic impact in 2015. He added once all of the current projects that are in vari-ous stages of develop-ment are completed, he believes the economic impact will be approach-ing the $2 billion range.

“Unless something dire happens to the economy, (development) is not go-ing to slow up any time soon,” he said.

exponential growth continues at river ridgeFor more inforiver ridge Commerce Center

• SERVICES OFFERED: industrial center and development organization• ADDRESS: 6200 Ind. 62, Suite 600, Jeffersonville• PHONE: 812-285-8979• WEBSITE: riverridgecc.com• BUSINESSES: more than 40• EMPLOYEES: 5,800

The Amazon.com Inc. fulfillment center is located at 900 Patrol road, Jeffersonville.

BriovarX, a specialty pharmacy, is located at 1050 Patrol road, Jeffersonville.

Autoneum, a swiss-based automotive supplier, is located at 100 river ridge Parkway, Jeffersonville.

American Fuji seal is located at 900 Trey st., Jeffersonville.

river ridge Commerce Center main office.

Page 4: 2015 Progress: Business & Industry

Progress Business & industryC4 news and tribune05.29.2015

greentree Pet Center has been family owned and operated for 42 years. Pic-tured above are Connie Poyner, Chris schickel, Jeremy Burns and owners Brent and Mary Poyner.

greentree Petscelebrates 42 years

Greentree Pet Center in Clarksville brings many years of quality service to area animal lovers.

Owner Brent Poyner is proud to have served the community through the years.

“We would like to thank our custom-ers for more than 42 years of support. Without our customers, we wouldn’t be here. Thanks for shopping here, and supporting the little guy,” he said.

The pet center offers supplies for all types of animals, including birds, dogs, and cats, and carries Frontline and K9 Advantix flea products.

“Now is the time to be sure your pet is on a good flea product, before the hot weather begins,” Poyner said.

Grooming supplies, including clip-pers, combs, and brushes, also are in stock.

Greentree Pet Center’s specialty, how-ever, is aquariums. Through the years, Poyner has expanded the salt water and fresh water fish selection at his store.

“Salt water tanks are really popular, with the brightly colored fish they pro-vide. And freshwater African cichlids, with their bright orange, yellow, and blue coloring are one of the few fish that can rival salt water fish for their color.

Poyner offers a wide selection of fish, as well as live rock and coral, and aquariums ranging in size from desktop to 220-gallon. Larger aquariums are also available on request, he said.

“A good thing about having fish tanks is that anyone, from the very young to the very old, can enjoy them,” Poyner

said. When children come in to visit the pet center, Poyner noted that they see some familiar friends among the tanks.

“Fish make great pets, and though it may sound odd, fish have personalities and interact with their owners. They know when someone’s watching, and they know who feeds them.”

He added that fish provide great re-laxation.

“That’s why you see a lot of tanks in doctors’ and dentists’ offices. It’s scien-tifically proven that fish lower blood pressure, and it’s an interesting hobby.”

For people who want a unique ani-mal, Greentree Pet Center also offers a selection of lizards, iguanas, chame-leons, water dragons, geckos and some varieties of snakes.

“The ball python is a good starter snake. They are tame and will curl up in your hand. They also are a smaller snake, not over five feet long when fully grown,” he said.

Greentree Pet Center continues to work with the Humane Association of Clark County. Usually, one or two cats that are awaiting adoption make the pet center their home, and applications are offered in the store.

It took 110 years of success for Schimpff’s Confectionery to expand its store.

That was in 2001, 11 years after War-ren and Jill Schimpff took over as the fourth generation owners of the family business.

Now, the Schimpffs are gearing up for a second expansion into the emp-ty building next door, doubling their retail space by 1,400 square feet and adding 2,000 to 2,500 square feet of manufacturing space.

The newest candy making room in the back will have an observation win-dow where “people will be able to see candy going on the little conveyors belts, a depositor putting chocolate on the centers,” Jill Schimpff said.

“We’ll never give up our chocolate dippers in the window, but it will be interesting to see how chocolates are made on a more modern level.”

The Schimpffs have purchased the building to the north of the original historic site and crew have begun ren-ovations.

Jill Schimpff said the retail space could be open in about a year and the manufacturing space finished by the end of 2016.

Warren Schimpff said that the ex-pansion is necessary because of the “success of the attraction.”

The opening of the new space will coincide with Schimpff’s 125th year, which they hope to celebrate in con-junction with Jeff Fest that will likely be celebrating Indiana’s bicentennial.

“So look for a big party next year for the state, the city,” Jill Schimpff said.

Looking even further down the road, the couple has decided who will take over the business once they retire.

Steve Shepherd, Warren Schimpff’s cousin’s son, recently took a mechani-cal engineering job in Louisville and moved to the area.

Jill Schimpff said the turnover to the fifth generation owner would be grad-ual. She isn’t sure when the switch-over will happen or what it will look like.

“He’s shown a lot of interest in being active in the business, so that looks like the heir apparent,” she said.

Caution tape surrounds the entryway of the building beside schimpff’s Confec-tionery on spring street in downtown Jeffersonville, as the building undergoes a large renovation to make way for schimpff’s expanding business. The 124-year-old confectionery purchased the property, which will allow schimpff’s to double its retail space and will provide the space needed to make the candy in larger quantities.

sweet stuff in schimpff’s futureExpansion, 125th celebration coming soon

For more infoschimpff’s Confectionery

• FEATURES: 124-year-old, locally owned candy store and museum• ADDRESS: 347 Spring St., Jeffersonville• PHONE: 812-283-8367• WEBSITE: schimpffs.com

For more infogreentree Pet Center

• ADDRESS: 1604 Greentree Blvd., Clarksville • PHONE: 812-282-2594• WEBSITE: greentreepetindiana.com

Schimpff’sConfectionery, LLC

Schimpff’s Confectionery, LLC

JEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA

Since 1891

A Sweet Visit to the Past

COMING SOON!

2015

ORIGINAL HISTORIC LOCATION

1891

FIRST ADDITION MUSEUM/

DEMO AREA

2001

347 Spring Street

Jeffersonville, Indiana 47130

(812) 283-8367

www.schimpffs.com

Hours: M-Sat 10 ‘till 5 • Summer Fridays ‘till 8

Take I-65 – Exit #0 (North or South)

JEFFERSONVILLE

INDIANA

Louisville, Ky

Market Street

WE ARE HERE

Ohio River

Exit #0

Court

Ave.

Spri

ng

Str

eet

Page 5: 2015 Progress: Business & Industry

For all the recitals, ball games and school programs Dad sat through, treat him like a king, at a very affordable price. It’s time for a road trip with Dad to America’s Original Golf Trail - Alabama’s Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail. Located throughout Alabama from the Tennessee River to Mobile Bay, the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail featured 26 courses at 11 sites across the state. From Par-3 courses to the 4th longest course in the world and eight luxury resorts and five spas, RTJ has something for everyone. Enjoy some father/son or father/daughter time or bring the whole family. Come experience it for yourself. Oh, and bring Dad with you. He also might enjoy the great resorts and craft beer along the RTJ Golf Trail.

RTJ Golf Trail gift cards are available online now at www.rtjgolf.com/giftcards. For more information call 800.949.4444. facebook.com/rtjgolf

LOAD UP THE CAR AND THE CART. ROAD TRIP WITH DAD.LOAD UP THE CAR AND THE CART. ROAD TRIP WITH DAD.LOAD UP THE CAR AND THE CART. ROAD TRIP WITH DAD.

RTJ767RoadTripDad_GiftCards_CNHI.indd 1 5/29/14 1:30 PM

Now you can search resumes from all your databases,

no matter where they’re located – from the News and

Tribune job site, Monster, social networks, referrals,

or internal candidates. Because they’re all, that’s right,

in “The Cloud.” To learn more, contact your recruitment

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Page 6: 2015 Progress: Business & Industry

Progress Business & industryC6 news and tribune05.29.2015

The most visible part of Padgett, Inc. is often the company’s cranes and machinery, its name emblazoned on the side, operating on job sites.

That machinery has been on a number of high profile projects in the region, because of the metal fabrication, another service that the company offers, it was completing.

Aside from metal fab-rication and equipment rental, Padgett also spe-cializes in hauling and rigging, press and ma-chinery installation and certified welding servic-es, among other services.

hIgh-ProFILe ProJeCTs

In 2013 and 2014, Padgett worked on part of an expansion project at Churchill Downs.

Padgett was selected to work on the project in October 2013. Oper-ating on a tight timeline, the project had to be complete before May’s 140th running of the Kentucky Derby.

In 2014 into 2015, Padgett was tasked with completing another sports related project under a tight timeline.

Padgett fabricated a retractable pitcher’s mound at Louisville Slugger Field.

The retractable mound was needed to allow the expansion minor league soccer team, Louisville City FC, to share the field with the AAA Louisville Bats baseball team.

Steve Bush, project manager with Padgett, was responsible for get-ting Padgett to construct the mound before the soccer club’s inaugural season kicked off.

The team was set to host its first home game March 28.

The Estopinal Group, which had drawn de-signs for the retractable mound and KM Stem-ler, met with Padgett to discuss the fabrication of the mound in Octo-ber 2014, according to Padgett’s website.

The Estopinal Group president Wayne Estopi-nal is a part owner of the expansion soccer club.

In December, fabrica-tion of a 22-foot diam-eter structure began, ac-cording to its website.

While Padgett con-structed the platform for the pitching mound, KM Stemler provided the jack system that raised and lowered the struc-ture into the ground. Padgett then installed the platform onto the jack system.

The task, Bush said, was unique.

“There were a lot of issues that had to be worked out because there’s nothing else like

it,” he said.He explained that

the fabricators couldn’t model the project after anything else, because as far as he knows, nothing like this had ever been done before.

Once completed, the baseball pitching mound, which sits on top of the platform and jack sys-tem, drops straight into the ground to allow for a level playing surface for the soccer games.

The pitching mound at Louisville Slugger Field was not the only metal fabrication proj-ect Padgett completed in 2014.

Other notable projects last year included install-ing signage at Greentree Mall, a canopy installed at Indiana University Southeast and a canopy installed for the Univer-sity of Louisville’s soccer stadium, Bush said.

This year the company

is on another tight time-line installing a new roof on the South Oldham Middle School.

Bush said the compa-ny is able to turn around projects so quickly be-cause of its employees.

“Our fabricators are great,” he said.

CheMICAL FABrICATIoN

Sports entertainment venues aren’t the only places where Padgett is

undertaking metal fabri-cation projects.

Padgett is working on an ongoing expansion to Clariant Corp.’s West End chemical plant in Louisville.

Padgett has been con-tracted to fabricate and construct structural steel for the expansion for the Swiss-based spe-cialty chemical com-pany, which is invest-ing $65 million in the plant, according to Don

Fell, project manager for Padgett.

Fell said the fabrica-tion project amounts to about 200 tons of struc-tural steel that includes pipe racks and access pipe forms for the ex-pansion at the chemical plant.

The company has been working on the site since January, and Fell estimates it will be about an eight-month project.

Clariant’s plant, a polypropylene catalyst production plant, is on schedule to begin pro-duction in 2015, accord-ing to a news release on the company’s website.

“The successful joint development of new generation polypropyl-ene catalyst and pro-gressing of Louisville plant are key milestones for our catalyst busi-ness,” said Stefan Heu-ser, senior vice president and head of BU catalysts Clariant in the release. “It strengthens greatly, our competitive posi-tion in this attractive and fast growing market.”

With the expansion, Clariant will be able to use a new polypropyl-ene production process. Polypropylenes are used in the manufacturing of a variety of plastic prod-ucts.

Louisville houses Clar-iant’s largest U.S. pro-duction hub, according to the release.

one-of-a-kind projects continue for PadgettALL PhoTos: Padgett Inc. employees work to install a retractable pitcher’s mound at Louisville slugger Field. The retractable mound was needed to allow the expansion minor league soccer team, Louisville City FC, to share the field with the AAA Louisville Bats baseball team.

For more infoPadgett Inc.

• SERVICES OFFERED: Crane rental and service, hauling and rigging, press and machinery installation, precision leveling and alignment services, industrial maintenance and repair, structural and miscellaneous steel fabrication, structural and miscellaneous steel erection, custom plate and sheet fabrication, CNC Laser and Hd plasma cutting services, CNC press brake forming services and certified welding services. • ADDRESS: 901 E. Fourth St., New Albany• PHONE: 812-945-2391• WEBSITE: padgett-inc.com

Page 7: 2015 Progress: Business & Industry
Page 8: 2015 Progress: Business & Industry

1954Serving you since

2801 Mt Tabor Rd, New Albany, In www.kahlsbodyshop.com

1953Serving you since

Floyd Co. 812-945-2566 Clark Co. 812-256-4556www.frankmonroe.com

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3415 Paoli Pike, Floyds Knobs, In 812-944-7711 | www.callistussmith.com

901 E. 4th Street, New Albany, In 812-945-2391 | padgett-inc.com

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Huber’sOrchard, Winery & Vineyards

19816 Huber Road, Borden, IN 47106812.923.9463 | www.huberwinery.com

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Since 1891

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Professional Arts Building1919 State St. #340, New Albany, In 812-945-5233 | www.obgynsi.com

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Page 9: 2015 Progress: Business & Industry
Page 10: 2015 Progress: Business & Industry

experienced • respected • safe • global

www.hmsgm.com

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accomplished and experienced with over 20 years in the maritime industry

trusted and respected

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a world-class leader in maritime transportation

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family of companies include:

Page 11: 2015 Progress: Business & Industry

Progress Business & industrynews and tribune05.29.2015 C11

As schmitt Furniture looks ahead, it holds the past dear

Heritage, history and local loyalty are all para-mount in its dealings. As Schmitt Furniture and the family behind the company looks to the future, it keeps a spotlight on past gen-erations and honoring where they came from as they look to where they’re headed.

Louis and Zack Schmitt, the father-son team who represent the third and fourth generation of Schmitts, said they look forward to expanding their store’s footprint in New Albany, both in terms of new building space and a new website at schmittfurniture.com.

“There has to be re-spect paid to the past family that has paved the road for us,” Louis said. “Ultimately, the apprecia-tion is toward them for believing in us and main-taining a business that can be passed on. Now, that’s our responsibility to do the same.”

With the announce-ment of their store’s ex-pansion — taking over the neighboring Allen’s Men’s Shop and the Singer shop — Zack said it offers Schmitt Furni-ture more opportunity to continue its mission of serving all customers, not just one demograph-ic.

“With a new buildings, we have a new blank canvas,” Zack said. “We have nearly 80 years of experience, meaning we please more people than any other furniture store around.”

Catering to all kinds of customers has always been a core value of the company, Zack said.

While many customers have known and trusted the company for de-cades, he said they also offer more contempo-rary pieces for the mod-ern-minded, as well as more affordable options for those looking to fur-nish their first home or apartment.

New space allows them to expand on that

idea, Zack said. What-ever they choose to do with the upcoming new square-footage, it will continue to reflect the ideals they uphold.

But Louis said as new space is on the way, it also gives them the op-portunity to look at what they want to do with the space they already have. Looking at an interior

and exterior remodeling, he said they hope to de-liver more to customers in a freshened space.

“We’re branching out to different styles as well as price points of afford-ability with quality in mind,” Louis said. “We be-lieve the value that’s pre-sented with our pricing, the product, the quality level, the delivery and service is unmatched.”

A new website also

helps forward that cause. With customer-centered functionality and easy navigation, Zack said the upgrade allows them to take the friendly in-store experience to the Inter-net.

As the growth of their business mirrors what’s going on in the rest of downtown New Albany, Louis said it’s refreshing to see restaurants, bou-tiques and other stores

popping up everywhere around them. He said since furniture stores tend to represent desti-nation shopping, people from all over their 50-mile free delivery radius come in not only their store, but also everyone else’s nearby.

That, he said, is the kind of reciprocity and success sharing he hopes continues for years to come, not just for Schmitt Furniture, but other local business-es.

“It’s great to see a sunny day and having so many people out and about in this town again,” Louis said. “And I stress the word ‘again’ because it wasn’t always like that. There’s up and downs in business and in life, but we navigate through it and enjoy what we do.”

He said he’s excited to see what the future holds for the city and his store, but without people, none of it can happen.

“Without our employ-ees and our customers, we wouldn’t be here,” Louis said. “We’re rela-tionship-based, we’re selling our relationship with the community, the city and the businesses, and our product is furni-ture.”

Seeing an opportu-nity where others only envisioned a struggle, HMS Global Maritime has expanded into the overnight cruise market, continuing to diversify a business that serves cli-ents around the world.

HMS Global Maritime is located in downtown New Albany after relo-cating to Indiana from San Francisco in 2002. From high-speed vessels to conventional ferries, HMSGM has contracts to operate and manage ships for multiple gov-ernment agencies, and also services 70 military boats.

However the recent success of the company, which is on pace to earn $120 million in gross revenue this year, has been hatched from an investment in the over-night cruise business.

Through a subsidiary, HMSGM purchased the American Queen in 2011, which is believed to be the largest steam-boat ever built, but had been out of operation since 2008 due to finan-cial failure by its previ-ous owner.

Not deterred by de-tractors who questioned whether there was a market for overnight cruises on domestic wa-ters, HMSGM President and CEO John Waggoner convinced lenders there was a future in the Amer-ican Queen.

Under the manage-ment of the American Queen Steamboat Co., the ship now sails on rivers throughout the country including the Ohio, Mississippi and Tennessee rivers.

“We’ve really built a great business around it,”

Waggoner said. The American Queen

was built in 1995 and refurbished in 2013. The vessel features 222 rooms and suites with the capacity to hold up to 432 passengers. A crew of 172 typically op-erates the 420-foot ship,

and the American Queen sails an average of 46 weeks annually.

“The American Queen is just an iconic vessel,” said Waggoner, who took a cruise on the ship be-tween New Orleans and Memphis, Tenn., a few years before purchasing

the boat. Reluctant to take on

another sizable ship so soon after buying the American Queen, but having been made an offer that was impos-sible to refuse, HMSGM obtained the former Empress of the North in 2013 through the Ameri-can Queen Steamboat Co.

It was renamed Ameri-can Empress, and was refurbished in 2014. The four-deck vessel of-fers overnight cruises throughout the U.S. on different rivers.

While Americans may have once flocked over-seas, or on cruises to far away destinations, more travelers are stay-ing closer to home now, Waggoner said. The American Queen and American Empress of-fer quality trips that are easier to access for many customers, he contin-ued.

“It’s a revival, and we’re doing it right, so we’re getting good pro-motions out of it,” said Waggoner, as the refor-mation of the American Queen and American Empress have garnered the company numerous awards and distinctions.

And there’s also a

commitment by HMSGM to the local community. The company garnered state recognition for the refurbishment of the his-toric building HMSGM first moved into in 2002 at 115 E. Market St. in New Albany.

HMSGM also pur-chased and redeveloped The White House Cen-ter in New Albany, and continues to employ several people from the area. HMSGM moved to

Southern Indiana from San Francisco, as Wag-goner was eying a more affordable location in terms of cost-of-living for his company.

As an early pioneer in riverboat operations for Indiana’s gambling in-dustry, Waggoner chose New Albany as he want-ed his business to be lo-cated within the state.

The local influence of Louisville and Ken-tucky’s bourbon indus-try sparked a new cruise in July. The tour will fo-cus on bourbon, and will be paired with a July 4 celebration under the arch in St. Louis.

The American Queen will sail from St. Louis to Cincinnati during the tour, which begins on Independence Day and ends July 12. Along with menu items, tastings and on-board seminars cen-tered around bourbon, those on the cruise will also have an opportunity to tour Kentucky distill-eries.

“That will really show-case what do here in Louisville, and all the dis-tilleries,” Waggoner said.

For information on tours, visit the website americanqueensteam-boatcompany.com

Past, present and future success

Louis and Zack schmitt, third and fourth generation family members of schmitt Furniture in New Albany, talked about their reverence of the history of their family and store while looking to the future.

one of the newer additions to the sales floor at schmitt Furniture is showcased. schmitt’s dedication to newer fashions as well as classic offerings is designed to serve both loyal and new customers.

A unique, rustic entertainment center at schmitt Furni-ture blends old world charm with modern amenities.

For more infoschmitt Furniture

• FEATURES: Fourth-generation furniture retailer in downtown new Albany• ADDRESS: 101 E. Main St., New Albany [corner of state and Main]• PHONE: 812-944-2285• WEBSITE: schmittfurniture.com

Queen of the river

For more infoHMS Global Maritime

• FEATURES: From high-speed vessels to conventional ferries, HMSGM has contracts to operate and manage ships for multiple government agencies, and also services 70 military boats; a growing overnight cruise business.• ADDRESS: 115 E. Market St., New Albany• PHONE: 812-941-9990• WEBSITE: hmsgm.com

HMS Global Maritime growing through investment in American Queen

owned by hMs global Maritime, the American Queen steamboat was built in 1995 and sails on rivers throughout the country, including the ohio river.owned by hMs global Maritime, located in downtown

New Albany, the American empress was refurbished in 2014 and offers overnight cruises throughout u.s. rivers.

The Marissa Mae Nicole.

Pierce County.

Page 12: 2015 Progress: Business & Industry

Progress Business & industryC12 news and tribune05.29.2015

Game-changing Big Four Bridge celebrates first anniversary

Andy Murphy only knew Jeffersonville as the place he cycled through from Louis-ville to Utica.

That was a year ago, before the Big Four Bridge opened in Indiana on May 20.

“It’s changed everything,” Murphy, president of the Lou-isville Bicycle Club said. “It made Jeffersonville a destina-tion now.”

Though pedestrians and cy-clists waited 13 months after the Kentucky side opened for Indiana to follow, the connec-tion proved a monumental moment in Jeffersonville’s history, transforming the downtown district back into the vibrant and energetic hub it was 60 years ago.

“There’s not a lot of large projects that can make a huge and meaningful difference, and this is one of those rare opportunities,” Jay Ellis, exec-utive director of Jeffersonville Main Street Inc., said.

The Waterfront Develop-ment Corp., which maintains the bridge, estimates that more than 1.2 million people have crossed the bridge into Jeffersonville in the last year.

“Jeffersonville has always kind of accepted a small town, middle America feel, and I think we certainly still have that,” Mayor Mike Moore said. “But I think so many more thousands of people have dis-covered the charm that Jeffer-sonville has.”

BusY sTreeTsEllis, who has been direc-

tor of Jeffersonville Main Street for 19 years, said the bridge draws great numbers of pedestrians and cyclists to downtown streets — even a year later, after the grand fan-fare and hoopla of its opening.

“Yeah, that’s settled down some even now but my good-ness, there’s still a steady flow of people every day,” he said.

That’s because the area appeals to a wide range of visitors, Moore said.“I know whether you’re just a casual walker or an avid bicyclist or someone who just likes to spend time with the family walking through the historic town, I think Jeffersonville has something to offer for ev-erybody.”

The Louisville Bicycle Club, which has 1,400 members and 1,221 scheduled rides a year, has a group of cyclists cross the Big Four Bridge ev-ery Thursday morning. Some weeks experience more than one group.

“I could ride up there now and probably see somebody that I know,” Murphy said.

The opening of the bridge to Indiana has added to the

club’s list of routes.“We just go over there a lot

more,” Murphy said. “Before, it was blocked off there, we would go over there and just kind of stop. But now I’ve got friends who go over there and have an ice cream or go to the Red Yeti [Brewing Co.].”

He said Jeffersonville’s street grid is laid out in a cy-clist-friendly way, especially for new riders who are intimi-dated by larger city streets.

“It’s a slower pace, almost a tourist-y feel,” Murphy said. “It’s just very conducive to all kinds of cycling.”

Louisville resident Jack Till-man crosses the bridge into Jeffersonville a few times a month. He said he espe-cially likes the revitalized streetscapes and Big Four Sta-tion.

“I would say all the couch potatoes need to get up and make the trek,” Tillman said.

Lisa Waples, child care aid for Harmony Husky Hide-out in Oldham County, has taken groups of 100 kids on field trips across the Big Four Bridge.

“It’s good exercise to be outside in the fresh air,” she said.

Groups have visited Adri-enne and Company and played at Big Four Station’s playground.

“We’ve done a lot of things over here,” Waples said.

People are talking about Jef-fersonville more now, too.

Moore said he overheard some Louisville residents on a plane ride back from Florida this week.

“The conversation was all about things going on in downtown Louisville, and I heard a couple people men-tion ‘Have you been over to Jeff lately?’” Moore said. “That was something that I don’t think a whole lot of people paid attention to two or three years ago.”

A revitalized downtown also means residents from all over Jeffersonville interact with each other more than they used to.

“It definitely creates a Cen-tral Park-like atmosphere for Jeffersonville,” Ellis said. “It is a place to go and see and peo-ple watch and exercise and just kind of see the sites. It’s just a nice blend of having a big-city attraction with small-town charm.”

Jeffersonville resident Deb-ra Blanton, who lives near Allison Lane, said she comes to the foot of the bridge fre-quently.

Blanton just sits and watch-es people come through, talk-ing to visitors or answering any questions they may have.

“I just have downtown in my heart because I lived here for 12 years on Pearl [Street],” she said.

She said she’s very passion-ate about the bridge and what it’s done for the city.

“I think it is great to have

such a thing ... to bring peo-ple over here,” Blanton said.

BusY shoPsThe opening of the Big Four

Bridge has also awakened the downtown economy, spurring a handful of new businesses to pop up and bringing more customers to existing ones.

Ellis said about 15 years ago, things were much different. Spring Street had some dilapi-dated or boarded up build-ings. Finding a parking place was never a problem. He said it was difficult to get custom-ers and business owners to re-alize the area’s potential.

“And now you fast forward through years of investment into developers, business owners, and the city, and with the opening of the Big Four Bridge — it’s a tremendous transformation,” he said.

Several new restaurants, shops and breweries have lo-cated downtown, including Flat 12 Bierwerks, Olive Leaf Bistro and Big Four Burgers + Beer.

Lynn Rhodea opened a frozen yogurt shop on Pearl

Street right next to the foot of the bridge’s ramp, called Pearl Street Treats.

Her store opened its doors on Thunder Over Louisville last year, but between that day and May 20, business was pretty much dead, she said.

“Because ours is really de-pendent on pedestrians,” Rho-dea said.

Then, on May 20 when the ribbon was cut, Pearl Street Treats saw a rush of people headed straight for her door.

“The dam had burst. It was just a thrill,” Rhodea said. “It was scary and a thrill at the same time.”

Ann’s By the River, a home-cook-style staple restaurant on Spring Street, has felt the rush, too.

“It’s always been good, but since the walking bridge [opened], we’ve seen a lot of new faces and a lot more business,” server Priscilla Fer-guson said.

Ferguson said staff wasn’t overwhelmed by the influx because they prepared.

“We were expecting it, so we were really excited to see

them all come in,” she said.Ann’s regular custom-

ers have been telling their friends, growing the pool of the restaurant’s regulars who would rather cross the bridge than drive over.

“They tell me that it’s more convenient, and we’re right at the corner of [the bridge],” Ferguson said.

whAT’s NeXTEllis said the bridge has

been a game-changer, but downtown revitalization hasn’t yet reached its full po-tential.

“We still have to fight to keep downtown on people’s radar screens and keep it rel-evant in people’s daily lives,” he said.

This means attracting more families to live in the district and providing schools down-town.

“I think the community wants to see the downtown revitalized,” Ellis said. “And we’ve put a lot of time and money into the process, and we want to continue.”

The BIg ‘1’with the completion of Big Four Bridge a year ago, Jeffersonville has since felt the impact of consistent visitors throughout downtown. City officials would like to see the downtown area continue to grow in order to cater to the increased tourism. | FiLe PHOtOs

Berry sosa, Jeffersonville, finds time to practice reading with her 3-year-old son, oliver, as he iden-tifies the letters on a Big Four Pedestrian/Bicycle Path plaque at Big Four station in Jeffersonville.

Patrons enjoy the recently completed cascading waterfall fountain at Big Four station in downtown Jeffersonville.

Page 13: 2015 Progress: Business & Industry

Progress Business & industrynews and tribune05.29.2015 C13

CLARKSVILLE — Allan Cundiff taught driver’s education classes for several years at Charlestown High School before retiring. However, he is still teaching future drivers — now as co-owner of Always First Driving Academy, 639 Eastern Blvd., Clarks-ville. Adult driving courses are also offered.

Cundiff, a former basketball coach at Charlestown High School, and busi-ness partner Gary Coley, recently pur-chased the Clarksville business. The two said they are ready to help teach tomorrow’s drivers and have all the necessary equipment to do so.

Teens wishing to receive a driver’s license in Indiana must be 16 years and 180 days old if enrolled in a certified driver’s education course. They must complete a 30-hour on-line course and six hours behind the wheel from an instructor. In Indiana, a driver can now receive a permit at 15 years of age.

Many area school corporations have eliminated driver’s education courses or cut back on their availabil-ity. Coley and Cundiff said their busi-ness is open daily and on weekends to accommodate students’ schedules. They will also be offering motorcycle courses at their Clarksville location.

Always First Driving has five train-ing vehicles and seven instructors.

The business is open from noon to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday. There is an answering service, and driving ses-sions can be scheduled at any time — through the week and on weekends.

“Our seven instructors have been doing this a long time,” Coley said. “Our vehicles are safety modified.

“We are local and we are here to serve the area. We are not connected with any district. Our pricing is very competitive.”

Currently students in Greater Clark and Salem schools receive a discount at Always First Driving.

Coley said his instructors will pick students up at home or school, and drop them off anywhere following the training session. He said they are very flexible.

JEFFERSONVILLE — Big O Tires in Jeffersonville is preparing to take its friendly customer service and expert staff of technicians to a new and con-venient location.

The business, at the corner of 10th Street and Nachand Lane, has become a Jeffersonville landmark while serving the automobile needs of Jeffersonville-area motorists for nearly four decades

The Big O Tires franchise opened its doors in 1978, and was purchased by Bill Walker in 2010.

Walker, 61, Floyds Knobs, says he is excited to move the business to the new location along Allison Lane later this year. The new facility, which is not yet been constructed, will be next to Zaxby’s restaurant, near Kohl’s and Meijer.

Walker said construction of the facil-ity is scheduled to begin in the com-ing weeks, and he plans to welcome customers at the new business around Oct. 1.

The business’ move stems from a city project to widen 10th Street.

The new location will expand 1,000 square feet and from a five-bay to and eight-bay operation.

“It is going to be an awesome build-ing for customers to come to,” he said, adding that he is hiring new employ-ees for the larger facility.

Walker, who also owns a Big O Tires in New Albany, said his stores and the nearly 400 Big O Tires locations across the country put a primary focus on building “trust” with customers.

“We have an old saying at Big O ... ‘You can shear a sheep over and over, but you can only skin him once,’” Walk-er said. “I am far more interested in you being my customer for 20, 25 years, than I am getting one great big deal out of you today that is going to upset you, and you never come back again.”

Other than tire sales and mainte-

nance, Walker says Big O Tires offers a “whole host of services” to keep ve-hicles running and on the road.

“We are kind of a one-stop shop,” Walker said, adding that the company has eagerly adapted to the growing technology found in the majority of vehicles on the road today.

Besides offering all brands of tires, wheel alignments and brake services, Big O Tires performs oil changes and almost all of the owners manual main-tenance services.

The business also offers speedy diag-nostic checks at no cost when annoy-ing dash lights begin to light up.

“Vehicles are complicated to work on these days,” Walker said of the cut-ting-edge computer systems that oper-ate newer automobiles. “I’m constantly investing in new and improved equip-ment. You have got to stay up with the times.”

Walker has been part of the tech-nological evolution of vehicle mainte-nance, after beginning his career with Big O Tires as an area sales manager in the 1980s, before purchasing his first franchise in 1995.

“Big O has been around since 1962. You don’t last 53 years in this business unless people figure out that you are trustworthy, and you are the kind of place people feel comfortable coming to,” Walker said.

Always First Driving puts drivers on the road to success

For more infoAlways First driving Academy

• SERVICES OFFERED: Driver’s education course for those with a permit and waiting for a license, both online and in the car• ADDRESS: 639 Eastern Blvd., Clarksville• PHONE: 812-288-7211• WEBSITE: alwaysfirstdrivingacademy.com

Always First Driving co-owners, from left, gary Coley and Allan Cundiff.Big o Tires on the move

For more infoBig O tires

• FEATURES: Tire and wheel sales and services, auto maintenance• ADDRESS: 1502 E. 10th St., Jeffersonville [will move this year to new location along Allison Lane]• PHONE: 812-282-2325• WEBSITE: bigotires.com

Big 0 Tires manag-ers Dennis Johnson, left, and Josh Mc-Cullough are pictured in the Jef-fersonville storefront, located at 1502 east 10th street.

Acy attributes a por-tion of this interest to the future bridge.

“We are convinced based upon a lot of in-dicators that [the Ohio River Bridges Project] is going to have a very posi-tive impact on the poten-tial development to River Ridge,” he said.

uNCerTAIN wATers

Not all Clark County businesses can say they are looking forward to the effects of the project.

Clark County Auto Auc-tion has a residual eco-nomic impact of $9 mil-lion a year, said its sales manager Paul Fetter. Still, he said the business has not received much at-tention as it has voiced concerns over the tolls associated with the Ohio River Bridges Project.

Once the bridges are built, commuters and other drivers will pay tolls to across the bridge. The tolls will cover the costs incurred during construction.

Fetter said his business picks up and delivers about 500 cars a week from Kentucky to Indiana or vice-versa. Eighty-five percent of Clark County Auto Auc-tion’s business comes from Ken-tucky as well, he said.

“Businesses in Southern Indiana — to be viable — have to do busi-ness with Ken-tucky,” he said.

Fetter also is worried that transponders — which can be fixed to cars to electronically pay for tolls — might not be compatible with the dealer plates used on the

auction’s unsold cars. Fetter does have some

solutions for the problems he faces, but he said he hasn’t received at-tention from the leaders of the Ohio River Bridges Project.

For six years, Fetter has trav-eled to India-napolis and met with rep-resentatives to voice his con-cerns.

Fetter doesn’t think he’s alone either. He said trucking com-panies are prob-ably dealing with similar is-sues.

“Businesses will find ways to make this work for them,” he said. This

might mean moving a portion of their business to Kentucky or moving altogether.

Clark County Auto Auc-tion owns property in Kentucky, he said. At the moment, it makes more sense financially for his business to move to a larger location in Indiana, but he said he knows there is always the safety net of the Kentucky loca-tion.

Dufrene said he knows that some people and businesses might face problems because of tolls on bridges, but for the most part, the good outweighs the bad.

Some businesses that don’t hold a strong enough appeal to attract customers from the Ken-tucky side of the river might have to adjust their business strategies.

“Which businesses

should be doing anyway,” he said.

Worried businesses might look to what hap-pened when the Sher-man Minton Bridge closed for months in New Albany, he said.

Indiana businesses ac-

tually benefited from the situation, he said. Less customers flowed into Louisville for food and services.

Of course, that isn’t Fetter’s problem, but it might be some consola-tion to Jan Sowder of J.

Designs in downtown Jeffersonville.

She said she suspected that the new bridges will help her business, but as an owner busy with the minutiae of life, she add-ed she hadn’t been able to explore the issue.

Bridgescontinued from C1

PAuL FeTTer

urIC DuFreNe

river ridge Commerce Center is located at 6200 Ind. 62, suite 600, Jeffersonville.

Tower 5, the tower closest to the Indiana shore, stretches out to its full height on the downtown crossing. | stAFF PHOtO By tyLer steWArt

them all come in,” she said.Ann’s regular custom-

ers have been telling their friends, growing the pool of the restaurant’s regulars who would rather cross the bridge than drive over.

“They tell me that it’s more convenient, and we’re right at the corner of [the bridge],” Ferguson said.

whAT’s NeXTEllis said the bridge has

been a game-changer, but downtown revitalization hasn’t yet reached its full po-tential.

“We still have to fight to keep downtown on people’s radar screens and keep it rel-evant in people’s daily lives,” he said.

This means attracting more families to live in the district and providing schools down-town.

“I think the community wants to see the downtown revitalized,” Ellis said. “And we’ve put a lot of time and money into the process, and we want to continue.”

Berry sosa, Jeffersonville, finds time to practice reading with her 3-year-old son, oliver, as he iden-tifies the letters on a Big Four Pedestrian/Bicycle Path plaque at Big Four station in Jeffersonville.

Page 14: 2015 Progress: Business & Industry

Progress Business & industryC14 news and tribune05.29.2015

Sam Anderson man-aged restaurants since the age of 16. Starting as a dishwasher and busser, he honed his skills, par-ticularly with seafood, and went on to open his own establishment at the tender age of 25. And he never stopped. Sam’s Food & Spirits is not-ing 30 years in business. Anderson’s restaurants have survived crashes by trucks, relocating of ma-jor thoroughfares, open-ing and reopening of a Floyds Knobs location, and most recently, a fire before Christmas 2013, which left a landmark to-tally destroyed.

Never saying never, im-mediately after the fire, Anderson relocated key staff to The Montrose, an establishment he has owned in Clarksville since 1996. Christmas parties were resched-uled to that venue, the Highlander Point Sam’s, or other local restaurants who stepped forward to offer their services. The community, behind the Kiwanis Club of Historic New Albany, raised thou-sands of dollars for the employees who were dis-placed by the fire.

And now, a year and a half later, Anderson con-tinues to hone his busi-ness savvy by recreating the original Sam’s at The Montrose. Offering some-thing “that hasn’t really been tried in this area,” he has reestablished Sam’s New Albany to Sam’s at The Montrose. But since the building, a home built in 1870 by southern In-diana entrepreneur John McCullough, has served as a catering hall for so long, Anderson decided to operate the restaurant Monday through Friday and offer the facility for special events, including weddings and parties, on weekends.

“Our Highlander Point location is open seven days a week. Our custom-ers can satisfy their crav-ing for chicken tenders,

fish, hot browns and pot roast on weekends,” An-derson said. “We feel the history, layout and patio area of The Montrose can serve as a great venue on weekends for those look-

ing for a unique wedding, anniversary, graduation, reunion or other type of party. We have onsite ca-tering and full licensed bartending service.”

Sam’s at The Mon-

trose is a unique facil-ity which can seat up to 200 inside and another 150 outside. The former home has been histori-cally restored and is on the National Register

of Historic Places. A full service bar, which can seat 80 people itself, was added in the 1990s. The Montrose also has a reputation of being haunted, and Anderson

invites customers to ex-plore the facility.

Both Sam’s locations offer lunch specials and early week specials. For example, customers can enjoy pot roast, green beans, mashed potatoes and a small slaw for $10 on Mondays or Fried Chick-en with the same sides for $10 on Thursdays, all day. Sam’s offers the fan favorite Fins & Feathers — a combination of the restaurants’ two most popular entrees, fried fish and chicken tenders — with the choice of two sides on Wednesdays for $11. Tuesday has become Burger Mania Day, featur-ing a specialized burger and a side for $10.

Many remember Sam’s as Sam’s Tavern, which is why Anderson has kept his website as samstav-ern.com. He invites cus-tomers to visit for news and menus, including car-ry-out and catering. An-derson continues to offer a large catering menu “at our place or yours.”

Sam’s at The Montrose is located at 318 W. Lew-is and Clark Parkway in Clarksville. Sam’s High-lander Point is located at 702 Highlander Point.

For more information: Contact Sam Anderson at 502-523-9601 or [email protected]

new technology and initiatives pave the way for new Washington state Bank

The New Washington State Bank, known as the “bank of ages,” has opened a new chapter in a history that be-gan in 1908. It’s an exciting era marked by the opening of a new branch in the nation’s hottest commercial center, cutting-edge services plus an ongoing attention to commu-nity service.

“From the days of the Model T. Ford to smart phones and so-cial media, we’ve always been focused on southern Indiana,” said NWSB President Patrick J. Glotzbach. “This new chapter will benefit households, busi-nesses and the communities we serve.”

On April 29, NWSB opened its River Ridge branch at 400 Patrol Road in the River Ridge Commerce Center. This busi-ness hub is spurring unprec-edented commercial, retail and residential development along the State Road 62 cor-ridor. Continued growth is slated with the opening of the East-End Crossing in 2016. This new bridge will connect Utica to Louisville near Pros-pect.

River Ridge represents NWSB’s ninth location and an equal number of ATMs, a net-work that stretches from Bor-den to Scottsburg. Headquar-tered in New Washington and with offices in Charlestown and Jeffersonville, the bank is ideally suited to serve the State Road 62 corridor and the rest of southern Indiana.

Yet this bright future in-volves more than bricks and mortar. NWSB offers banking by mobile app; online servic-es and bill pay; plus debit and credit cards. Deposit and loan

options are available for any lifestyle. Businesses large and small benefit from an array of commercial products.

Other examples now avail-able or coming soon include:

• The arrival of ATMs that enable customers to insert checks and cash;

• The ability to deposit checks from your smart phone;

• Pre-paid debit cards that can be reloaded at the cus-tomer’s convenience, which are ideal for college students and other family members;

• Checking accounts that give customers more oppor-tunities to bank the way they want; and

• The bank’s devotion to community service is only getting stronger. In the wake of the 2012 tornado, NWSB helped raise $400,000 for re-

lief efforts and helped 144 families. This led NWSB to re-ceive the ICBA Grand Nation-al Service Award.

In addition, River Ridge of-fers new community space for groups of up to 20 people. As suggested by Sellersburg Ivy Tech Chancellor Rita Hud-son Shourds, the room can be used for education, events or any need.

As a local bank, all decisions are made in southern Indiana

and customers enjoy per-sonal banking relationships. River Ridge offers a perfect example. From that location, employees can easily walk to many nearby businesses in this hub.

“This demonstrates how we combine both tradition-al and new forms of bank-ing,” said Vice President Pat Daily. “That’s been a consis-tent theme throughout each chapter of our history. It’s an

advantage that’s building a new era of banking for a new southern Indiana.”

Learn more at newwash-bank.com or call 812-256-7100. Visit us on Facebook to see what people are saying about NWSB.

A new era of banking for a new southern Indiana

ABoVe AND BeLow: The New washington state Bank recently opened its river ridge branch loca-tion in April, located at 400 Patrol road in the river ridge Commerce Center.

For more infowhere To FIND us:new Washington state Bank has branches across southeastern indiana. Visit one today, or visit newwashbank.com

New washington Branch402 E. Main St.Phone: 812-293-3321

henryville Branch203 E. Main St.Phone: 812-294-4511

Charlestown Branch1083 Market St.Phone: 812-256-7100

Borden Branch430 W. Water St.Phone: 812-967-2274

Jeffersonville Branch1467 Youngstown CenterPhone: 812-284-0187

sellersburg Branch8509 Old Highway 60Phone: 812-246-0600

scottsburg Branch1770 W. McClain Ave.Phone: 812-752-5800

river ridge Branch400 Patrol Road, JeffersonvillePhone: 812-258-5501

Market street Branch248 S. Market St.CharlestownPhone: 812-256-4363

sam’s has food, entertainment needs coveredFor more infosam’s Food & spirits

• FEATURES: Full-service restaurant, including bar service and a facility for special events at the Montrose location• ADDRESS: Sam’s at The Montrose is located at 318 W. Lewis and Clark Parkway in Clarksville. sam’s Highlander Point is located at 702 Highlander Point.• PHONE: 812-923-2323 [Floyds Knobs] and 812-945-9757 [Clarksville]• WEBSITE: samstavern.com

Highlander Point, The Montrose locations offer different experiences for diners

ABoVe: sam’s highlander Point is located at 702 highlander Point, Floyds knobs. BeLow: sam’s at The Mon-trose is located at 318 w. Lewis and Clark Parkway, Clarksville.

Page 15: 2015 Progress: Business & Industry

Progress Business & industrynews and tribune05.29.2015 C15

sam’s has food, entertainment needs covered

CeO shares story behind Voluforms’ 31-year growth

When Michael Stewart be-

gan his career with Voluforms in 1984 along with his father, the Jeffersonville-based com-pany started out as a small printing business for local banks.

For more than 31 years, Voluforms has grown expo-nentially, branching out into a “one-stop shop” for everything from promotional products to fulfillment and warehousing, nationally and internation-ally. Still rooted in banking, over the years Voluforms has branched into the medical, education, entertainment and commercial industries. Volu-forms provides services for names such as KentuckyOne Health, The Louisville Palace and Kentucky Science Center.

“We started with three peo-ple in a garage, and we have

about 63 people overall now,” Stewart, CEO and president of Voluforms, said.

The commercial printing company provides several services, including brochures, logo wear and graphic design.

“We probably do $2.5 mil-lion to $3 million worth of promotional products,” Stew-art said.

Before opening Voluforms,

Stewart and his father worked for a printing company that specialized in bank checks and forms. However, when they found out the company had been bought out and dis-continued its forms services, the pair decided to take those clients and start their own business.

Around the same time, Stewart said a new law also

was passed for bank-holding companies to expand beyond county borders, and the com-panies needed a way of be-coming more uniform.

“What would happen is they would have three banks with three different forms, and they tried to uniformly put those forms into one,” he said.

And thus a name was born.“We allow them to use

their buying power and basi-cally their volume purchasing, which is where we got Volu-

forms from,” Stewart said.“We can turn on a dime be-

cause we don’t have a lot of red tape here,” Stewart said. “We’re going to work to make sure we’re giving you the right advice and to get the best bang for your buck.”

In 1991, the company was award the Inc. 500, which rec-ognizes the fastest growing companies in America. Volu-forms has also been nominat-ed several times by Business First as one of the top philan-thropy companies in the area and offers volunteer services to multiple organizations, in-cluding Clark County Youth Shelter and Floyd County Ani-mal Rescue League.

“I think the biggest key to our success has been our level of service,” Stewart said. “Our No. 1 goal here is to make people talk not only about the product but the type of ser-vice they got.

“The best advertising you can get is a good word of mouth.”

Printing out a successful business

Voluforms is located at 1419 Fabricon Blvd., Jeffersonville.

For more infoVoluforms

• SERVICES OFFERED: Printing, promotional products, warehousing• ADDRESS: 1419 Fabricon Blvd., Jeffersonville• PHONE: 812-283-0455• WEBSITE: voluforms.com• YEARS IN OPERATION: 31• EMPLOYEES: 63

Proud to be

Locally Owned in

Jeffersonville, Indiana

since 1984

At Voluforms we specialize in one thing, making you look good.

There are lots of ways we do it; from company

logo items that help keep your name out

there to stunning printing

at amazingly low prices. In today’s

economy we believe it’s more

important than ever that you

receive incredible value and

service for every dollar you spend.

Give us a call at 800.736.11326 or

visit us online at www.valuforms.com

to see all the ways we can help your

business look good.

Printing • Business Forms • Envelopes/Letterheads • Bumper Stickers

Yard Signs • Clothing • Caps • T-shirts • Mugs • Pins • Buttons • Balloons and much more

Voluforms | 1419 Fabricon Blvd. | Jeffersonville, IN 47130 | 800.736.1326 | 812.283.1346 (fax)www.voluforms.com

OIL CHANGE SPECIAL! $18.99 WITH COUPON

(EXP. 6/30/2015)

FREE FLAT REPAIR!(EXP. 6/30/2015)

FREE 4-TIRE ROTATION AND BRAKE INSPECTION!

(EXP. 6/30/2015)

1502 E 10TH ST, JEFFERSONVILLE, IN 47130

(812) 282-2325*Restrictions apply. Most vehicles. Not valid with other offers. No cash value.

Taxes additional. Charge for additional parts/services if needed. At participating locations.

See store and rebate form for complete details. Offers expire 6/30/2015.

The Team You Trust

• Online classroom for your convenience• Schedule lessons easily and quickly• Free pickup from home or school• A tradition in preparing safe drivers

since 1974• A 98% success rate on all fi rst-time

road tests• Your road test with us equals safety

and success• Insurance discounts for driver ed with us

Get behind the wheel and on the road now.....your license

awaits you.

alwaysfi rstdrivingacademy.com

812.288.7211

Obtain

Indiana

Drivers

License

Early!

We are fun, we are patient and we are the professionals

Page 16: 2015 Progress: Business & Industry

WE’VE OPENED A NEW BRANCH…

Come see how fun banking can be.

JOIN US FOR...Just drop by NWSB’s new River Ridge branch

and pick up your free Bingo Card.

Check out the fun at

www.BankingTheWayYouWant.com

www.newwashbank.com9 convenient locations in Southern Indiana

BANK

400 Patrol Road in River Ridge Commerce Center

At NWSB we have the products you need and more importantly the service you want. And we make it fun. Stop by our new River Ridge location to see all we have to offer.

Join in the fun by picking up a Bank Bingo card to play along for prizes. However you like to bank — online, mobile or face-to-face, we offer banking the way you want.

Sam’sEarly Week Specials

Flatbread Pizza – Pepperoni, BBQ or Veggie.

½ Club Sandwich and Soup or Salad.

Choice of two: Soup, Salad or Baked Potato.

Broiled Lemon Pepper Cod with Rice and Steamed Broccoli.

Fried Fish Sandwich with Potato Chips and Cole Slaw.

Six Chicken Fingers with French Fries. Choice of Dipping Sauce.

Sam’s Chef Salad, Lunch Portion

Chicken Club Sandwich (Grilled Chicken with Bacon & Swiss Cheese)

and French Fries.

Blackened Southwest Chicken Salad Mixed greens, roasted corn, Colby jack

cheese, fresh avocados, black beans, grape tomatoes, tortilla chips, & a chili ranch

dressing.

Classic Cobb Salad Mixed Greens, Avocado, Egg, Grilled

Chicken, Roasted Corn, Tomatoes, Bacon, Bleu Cheese with Bleu Cheese Dressing.

$1 charge for Substitutions.Special requests will take longer.

Lunch Menu available 11 a.m. until 3 p.m.

Drinks Tea, Coffee, Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, Sierra Mist, Mountain Dew Diet Mountain Dew, Dr. Pepper, Big Red, Pepsi Max, Lemonade

FFFFllllaaattttbbbbrrreeeaaadddd PPPPiiiizzzzzzaaa ––PPeeppppeerroonnii BBBBQQ oorr VVeeggggiiee

Lunch Menu

EEEEaaaarrrllllyyy WWeek

Monday Pot Roast Manhattan, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans, Small Slaw

Thursday Fried Chicken, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans, Small Slaw

Tuesday Burger Mania! Ask your server about the Burger of the Day, served with a side.

Wednesday Fins & Feathers with Two Sides. Sam’s most popular Fish and Chicken Tenders team up.

www.samstavern.com

At The Montrose

318 W. Lewis & Clark Parkway

Clarksville, IN 47129

(812) 945-9757

Highlander Point702 Highlander Point

Floyds Knobs, IN 47119

(812) 923-2323

Southern Indiana’s oldest and most unique facility, Sam’s at the Montrose is the perfect setting for your complete wedding indoors or outdoors.

• Accommodations for small or large groups • Beautiful courtyard with fountain• Plenty of parking • Bridal party dressing rooms• Catering and full bartending services

BOOK NOW! Our Packages Include

China, Glassware and Linen

Weddings, Receptions

and Rehearsal Dinners...

Our Specialty

Page 17: 2015 Progress: Business & Industry

SOMETHING GREAT

IS AT RIVER RIDGE.

NOW OPEN

812-503-3154 | Centra.orgEVERYONE can bank with Centra.

Federally Insured by NCUA. Equal Housing Opportunity.

Our professionals are here to

help with a combined

Serving the families and businesses inour community for over 65 years...

Since 1947

387 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE

812.944.77113415 Paoli Pike | Floyds Knobs, IN

www.callistussmith.com

GLENN SMITH

35 Years

NANCY SMITH

36 Years

JOY DURHAM

47 Years

DEANNA ELMORE

33 Years

JUDY KOCKA

32 Years

CHARLIE MAYBERRY

31 Years

BRIAN SMITH

16 Years

TRACIE SHAFFER

22 Years

ADAM SMITH

8 Years

DEE STOREY

40 Years

CAROLYN BIGGS

36 Years

ASHLEY WATKINS

21 Years

GINA THOMAS

28 Years

CHRISTIAN ANDERSON

2 Years

BODY SHOP

& AUTO SERVICEServing Your Family for Over 60 Years

Family Owned & Operated Service Since 1954

• Professional Trained Technicians

• Mechanical Repairs

• Insurance Work

• Rental Cars Available

• 24 Hour Towing - 944-1921

• Domestic & Foreign Cars

• Uni-Body & Frames Repaired

Southern Indiana’s Only

Approved

Auto Body

COLLISION REPAIR

949-5245

MECHANICAL REPAIR

948-2778

www.kahlsbodyshop.com 2801 Mt Tabor Rd • New Albany, IN

Page 18: 2015 Progress: Business & Industry

The pigs are back in town.Join us in our fight to help fund breast cancer education and treatment. Simply stop by one of the News and Tribune offices to pick up your free Power of Pig piggy bank, fill it with spare change and returnit by Friday, Oct. 2. Every cent will be donated to a local charity benefiting Clark and Floyd County residents.

Pig

For more information about giving or joining the fight, call Bill Hanson at 812-206-2134 or email [email protected]

Name

Address

City

Phone #

Credit/Debit MC Visa Disc Amex

Card Number

Signature Date

Exp. Date

Email

State Zip

$14.99 a month EZ Pay (Print and digital — 6 days) + $10 local restaurant gift card

812-206-2108221 Spring St. Jeffersonville, IN 41710

newsandtribune.com/subscriptions

318 Pearl St., Suite 100New Albany, IN 47150

Scan this QR code with your smartphone

to subscribe to the News and Tribune.

*Rate on EZ Pay. Must live in Floyd or Clark County.

Sign up for EZ pay by May 1, and we’ll give you a $10 gift card to your favorite local restaurant (Clark and Floyd counties only).

Mary Kagin Kramer,Co-owner Kramer Associates, Inc.28-year subscriberJeffersonville

“I’ve been a subscriber to the Evening News, then News and Tribune, ever since shortly after I moved from Louisville to Jeffersonville in 1987. Before that, my husband Carl had been a follower of the newspaper most of his life. I particularly enjoy the weekly columns by long-time friends Terry Cummins, Lyndon Dodd and Terry Stawar. Even when we’re away for a few days, we always have our papers held so we can catch up on local news. We regularly clip stories of personal interest for our scrapbooks.”

Now. Later. Always.No matter when you need us, we’ll be here.

Page 19: 2015 Progress: Business & Industry

Progress Business & industrynews and tribune05.29.2015 C19

Ribbon-cutting ceremony set for next week

The ever growing and expanding River Ridge in Jeffersonville is getting a new tenant — Centra Credit Union.

“We want to expand our presence and add more convenience for our members in Jeffer-sonville with the new location in River Ridge,” said Nan Morrow, director of marketing for Centra. “The grand opening dur-ing the week of June 1-5 is open to everyone and will feature door prizes and give-a-ways each day. Check in for special rates and deals as well.”

The ribbon-cutting cer-emony will be on Thurs-day, June 4 at 10:30 a.m. The new location is in ad-dition to the existing 19 branches in Indiana and 2 out of state locations na-tionwide. Centra is part of the CO-OP ATM Network, which provides free ac-cess to 30,000 ATMs in the U.S. and Canada. Mor-row said the credit union is also part of a shared branch network, allow-ing members to use 5,000 branches nationwide, just as they would a Centra location. The mobile app also makes banking on the go a breeze, even allowing members to make depos-its with a simple photo of a check. Members can also bank on Sundays at certain locations, includ-ing the Centra branches inside of the Walmart lo-cations in Scottsburg and Clarksville.

“I think Centra con-tinues to grow because we provide great value to people,” Morrow said. “Also, it’s our people. We have some of the best em-ployees and our folks re-

ally care about the people they are working with. As members come in, they are not just people who bank with us. They are people we care about and we hope we can be a partner to help improve their financial lives. That’s how our workers ap-proach their jobs and our members.”

Being a credit union allows Centra to put cus-tomers first, with deci-sions made locally, adding a personal touch when you want it but all the technology you want when you need it. Cen-tra also offers amazing rates to help your money grow, as well as rewards programs and experts to help you manage your

money. Centra also boasts easy-on-the-wallet loan rates and lower and fewer fees. Centra Interim Presi-dent Chris Bottorff said those things are possible, because Centra is a credit union and its members are its owners.

Centra is welcoming to

all new customers who live or work in any of the 62 counties it serves, from northern Indiana down to the Ohio River. Unlike a traditional bank, Centra is a not-for-profit financial institution that is actually owned by its members. The profits made go back

to its members in the form of better rates, new services and lower fees.

Giving back to the com-munity is very important to Centra. The Centra Foundation awards grants to support local financial literacy, address pressing community needs, pro-

vide disaster relief and support students with scholarships. With every Centra account opened, $1 of the initial account deposit is donated to the Centra Foundation.

“We felt like the Foun-dation would be the best way to continue to give back to the community,” Morrow said of the Foun-dation, which was formed in 2012. “Our focus is on helping the local commu-nities where we do busi-ness.”

“The foundation allows the credit union to im-prove the communities we serve,” Bottorff said. “That’s the basis for who we are. We are only as strong as the community. It’s all about people help-ing people. That’s what we want to accomplish with the foundation.”

Morrow said the future for Centra is bright after reporting a record year in 2014 in terms of finan-cial growth.

“I think people see the value we provide and that’s the reason we’re expanding.”

For more information on Centra Credit Union, stop in any location or go to centra.org

new Albany body shop is a southern indiana favorite

Since 1954, Kahl’s Body Shop and Auto Service has been a family owned and operated business.

Over the past 61 years, Kahl’s has provided all types of auto repair and vehicle body repair services for family cars, local law enforcement agencies, fleet management companies, dealer-ships and more.

Mickey Kahl is the owner and Kahl’s shop has been voted No. 1 in collision repair in Floyd County by News and Tribune readers. Their goal is to make sure customers are satisfied with ev-ery step of the job.

With 10 employees Kahl’s is able to offer all levels of repair. Their staff is highly trained and certified in repair and renovations. Their goal is to make your vehicle look brand new again. Kahl’s works on both mechanical and collision repair. Not only will Kahl’s work on domestic cars, they will also work on foreign automobiles. Uni-body and frames are also able to be repaired at Kahl’s.

Rental cars and 24 hour towing is available. Kahl’s also offers insur-ance work. Not only are computer estimates available, Kahl’s has added a drive-thru estimate bay in with their new expansion. With this drive-thru bay, customers can learn their esti-mated cost faster and more reliably.

With more than 60 years of success

and building on the future, Mickey said he is hoping for steady growth in the company.

“We are committed to earn your business by making you the customer our priority,” he said. “We pride our-selves as having the quick response times, courteous staff and reasonable rates.” Referrals play an important part in our success due to our satisfied and loyal customers. Here are a few exam-ples of what our customers have to say about us:

• “Outstanding Service Guys! I can not believe you were able to fix my car. It drives like new again. I wouldn’t trust my vehicle to anyone else. Thanks for a job well done!” — Steve Jones

• “I looked around at a lot of other repair shops and I have to say that I am extremely happy that I decided to bring my car to you. I was really amazed at how fast you were able to get my car running so fast!” — Sally Thomson.

experience and customer service sets company apart

Nearing seven decades in busi-ness, Callistus Smith Agency provides Southern Indiana residents with a trusted source for a variety of insur-ance needs.

Located in Floyds Knobs at 3415 Paoli Pike, Callistus Smith Agency has been in operation for 68 years, and offers medical, home and automobile coverage, as well as life, boat and mo-torcycle insurance.

The business has expanded its staff to offer more service to Southern In-diana, as Callistus Smith Agency added two full-time positions over the past year due to growth in the company.

Gina Thomas was brought on board as an agent assisting with cov-erage including personal, home and auto insurance. The company also hired Christian Anderson, who is a producer in the life, health and casu-alty insurance fields.

Not only has Callistus Smith Agen-cy added to its staff, but it has empha-sized additional training and instruc-tion for its employees, said Glenn Smith, president of the agency and son of the founder, Callistus Smith.

“It’s a very competitive business, and we continue to strive to better ourselves,” he said.

A commitment by the company to its employees also benefits custom-ers, and they are the primary focus of the company, he added. Callistus Smith Agency values its customers and prides itself on providing great service.

“Our average employee has been her 20 or more years, and that gives us a lot of stability, and a great deal of insurance knowledge, because we have a lot of seasoned professionals,” Smith said.

Callistus Smith Agency was found-ed in 1947, and the family tradition remains strong, as Glenn’s sister, Nan-cy Smith, serves as vice president of the company.

Adam and Brian Smith, grand-children of Callistus Smith, are also agents with the company. For more information, call 812-944-7711.

More than six decades of success at kahl’s

From left, David kahl, Jason kahl, Mitch kahl, Mickey kahl.

For more infoKahl’s Body Shop

• SERVICES OFFERED: Mechanical and collision repair on domestic and foreign automobiles• ADDRESS: 2801 Mt. Tabor Road, new Albany• PHONE: 812-944-1921 for 24-hour emergency towing service• WEBSITE: kahlsbodyshop.com• YEARS IN OPERATION: 61• EMPLOYEES: 10

Trust in Callistus smith brings growth

Callistus smith Agency is located at 3415 Paoli Pike, Floyds knobs.

For more infoCallistus smith Agency

• FEATURES: Full-service insurance agency• ADDRESS: 3415 Paoli Pike, Floyds Knobs• PHONE: 812-944-7711• WEBSITE: callistussmith.com

Centra Credit union to expand at river ridgeFor more infoCentra Credit union

• FEATURES: Centra Credit union provides a full range of personal and business financial services to meet your financial goals and needs. you are our focus, and we continually strive to bring you exceptional value.• ADDRESS: Various locations in southern indiana; based in Columbus• WEBSITE: Centra.org

ToP AND rIghT: Central Credit union has various locations in southern Indi-ana. The company will be hosting a ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday, June 4 at its newest location in river ridge.

Page 20: 2015 Progress: Business & Industry

Progress Business & industryC20 news and tribune05.29.2015

BowLes MATTress TurNs

40 YeArs oLDBowles Mattress was founded 40 years ago — in 1975 — by George and Opal Bowles. Since its beginning, Bowles

has grown into a regional manufacturer, servicing a radius of 200 miles around Jeffersonville. The business started in the historic Quadrangle building, and has been providing quality products since. Bowles is

still a family-run business, and employs around 30 people.George and Opal’s son, Billy Bowles, took over as president of the company when George and Opal retired, while

daughters Karen Ritter and Alice Hartley took over accounts payable/receivables, customer service and logistics. We sat down with George and Opal to discuss their 40-year journey, and their thoughts and insight on the beginning

and the history of Bowles Mattress Company. Here’s what they had to say.

Q. What led you to starting a mat-tress factory in Jeffersonville, Indiana?

A. The mattress company I’d been working for in Louisville moved and my family did not wish to move. Start-ing my own company had been a de-sire I’d had so we “took the plunge.”

Q. Tell us about the first few years in business.

A. We began in a rented space in the historic Quadrangle building in Jef-fersonville. We rented equipment the company I’d worked for had in stor-age. We started with very little capital (but no loan) and did the work our-selves. We grew as we could with earn-ings we had. We were able to employ experienced people as we grew, uti-lizing staff that had also worked with the prior company. We established ourselves with suppliers – many I had contact with while working for some-one else.

Q. When did you move to the current address, 1220 Watt Street?

A. In the summer of 1981 when we purchased an old warehouse building there and completely revamped it for our purposes.

Q. How many different mattress

models did you offer when you began?A. We started with three basic mod-

els. As sales increased we added others.

Q. You had a different philosophy on distributing your mattresses. What prompted you to sell direct to the con-sumers out of your showroom as well as dealers?

A. Actually, our intent when we be-gan was to just sell directly to consum-ers. We thought that would be a quan-tity we could handle in manufacturing. Since I’d been production manager for my former employer, many local deal-ers who knew me asked if I would manufacture product for them. When

we began manufacturing for dealers, word of mouth brought in more. Being able to do both kept a profit margin that enabled us to give a good price for each.

Q. How many employees did you start the business with in 1975?

A. My wife and I and one other em-ployee.

Q. Do you have a business philoso-phy that helped you survive and pros-per over 40 years?

A. We believed in hard work and per-sistence. We were there each day to oversee matters. We also believed our growth should come from the profits of the business and we weren’t big spenders. We have tried to give a good product at an affordable cost to the customer. We tried to practice Chris-tian principles, to have good will with all with whom we have dealings, and to be an asset to our community. We have provided benefits to our employ-ees that has helped us retain experi-enced people.

Q. What are the biggest differences from 1975 to the present in the mat-tress business?

A. The product itself has changed dramatically. We went from a thinner more basic mattress to pillow tops and much thicker mattresses with very different components. Government flammability standards have become much stricter. Computerization has changed everything. Automation has enabled increased production. Anoth-er big change is where the product is marketed. Bedding used to be sold in furniture stores and now sleep shops abound.

Q. How many mattresses would you guess Bowles has produced in 40 years?

A. Well over a million.

1975 - Bowles Mattress opens in the Quadrangle building in Jeffersonville

1981- Bowles moves across the street to their current location on Watt Street

1990- A new addition is built bringing the total production/office space to 28,000 square feet

2000- Bowles celebrates 25th Anniversary

2006- Bowles launches Factory Direct Store program in Metro Louisville

2015- As of May 1, Bowles marked 40 years in business

george and opal Bowles

Questions & Answers

Jeffersonville, IN

Timeline

The current factory located at 1220 watt street in Jeffersonville.

A 4-truck fleet services Bowles customers within a 200-mile radius of the factory.

Bowles’ wide selection of models includes several 2-sided mattresses, like shown above, along with a variety of single-sided models.

The Bowles Family: Front row, left to right: Alice hartley, opal Bowles, and karen ritter. Back row: Billy Bowles (left) and george Bowles.

Page 21: 2015 Progress: Business & Industry

Progress Business & industrynews and tribune05.29.2015 C21

Highlander Collision is a full ser-vice auto body repair and paint business conveniently located three miles from Interstate 64 on U.S. 150 in Floyds Knobs.

Nick Jecker is the owner of this 18-bay facility. This family owned busi-ness has been around for 14 years. Jecker said he still finds satisfaction in returning damaged vehicles back into pre-accident condition.

There is a paint booth that will provide a factory baked on finish each time. Highlander Collision guar-antees a color match to each vehicle by using a computerized paint mix-ing system.

All vehicles are washed before be-ing returned as a courtesy to custom-ers.

A tow service and rental cars are available. Highlander Collision works with all insurance companies.

There are six technicians and four office employees having a combined total of over 160 years of auto body repair experience.

Jecker has 30 years of experience.

He has been working in body repair full time since he was 17.

Alisha (Jecker) McKnight keeps the family theme going for the busi-ness as office manager. Alisha is the daughter of Nick and Sherri Jecker, owners of Highlander Collision and was raised in the auto body busi-ness.

If you need help in scheduling your car for repairs, please call Alisha at 812-923-6000.

Vodka winning awards; bourbon and gin on the shelf

For decades, Huber’s Orchard, Win-ery and Vineyards has sold wine to ea-ger customers.

For more than a decade — and largely behind the scenes — the fam-ily-owned business has been distilling spirits as well. Those spirits are now out of the shadows, as the distillery has vodka, gin and bourbon whiskey on its shelves thanks to a change in In-diana law in 2013.

Since July 2013— when the new Indiana Code took effect — Starlight Distillery has been selling its spirits, adding features related to its new prod-ucts and winning awards. Its Starlight Vodka took home best of class and a gold medal in February of 2015 from the American Craft Spirits Association.

And now visitors can see — and taste — for themselves, as Starlight Distillery offers three tour options at the expanded distillery for those 21 and up. Those are:

• The Spirits Discovery Tour — A guided, 45-minute tour of the produc-tion facilities to learn the basics of distillation for making ports, brandies, gin, vodka and whiskey with tastings. $10.

• Production and More Tour — The most popular tour, this one is more in-depth than the Spirits Discovery and adds information about mashing and bottling. Includes sampling several dif-ferent spirits and a cocktail sample in a

Starlight Distillery souvenir glass. Lasts an hour or more. $15

• VIP Barrel Tour — A comprehen-sive, 90-minute tour of production facilities and still house and informa-tion about barrels, including a taste right from the barrels. Also includes sampling, a souvenir glass and lunch at Starlight Cafe.

A 13,000-square-foot expansion, a new 350-gallon still pot in the still-house will be dedicated to spirits while the old still will be dedicated to distilling the family business’ world-famous brandy. Huber’s also added 50 acres of farmland dedicated to grow-ing grain.

Huber called the expanded array of spirits a “game-changer” made even more evident by the hands-on tours.

“Here, people can come and have a great, full-day experience,” he said.

highlander Collision gets you back on the road in styleFamily still finds satisfaction in serving community

For more infoHighlander Collision

• SERVICES OFFERED: full-service auto body repair and paint• ADDRESS: 5907 U.S. 150, Floyds Knobs• PHONE: 812-923-6000• WEBSITE: highlandercollision.com• YEARS IN OPERATION: 14• HOURS: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday, or by appointment

Nick and sherri Jecker, owners of highlander Collision, located at 5907 u.s. 150 in Floyds knobs.

huber’s Distillery perfecting its craft

owner Ted huber is pictured next to the pot still in the stillhouse at starlight Distillery.

For more infoHuber’s Orchard, Winery and Vineyards and Starlight Distillery

• FEATURES: Winery, Distillery, Starlight Café’, Farm Market, Family Farm Park, Ice Cream and Cheese Shop, Bakery and Plantation Hall(Event Venue) in the hills of southern indiana. Family owned and farmed since 1843.• ADDRESS: 19816 Huber Road, Starlight, Indiana• PHONE: 812-923-9463• WEBSITE: huberwinery.com

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