Press Release: Jan. 12, 2022

Meade County Fiscal Court and Harrison County, Indiana, in partnership with the Harrison County Economic Development Corporation and Meade County/Brandenburg Industrial Authority, are partnering to develop a multi-million dollar regional grain elevator facility. This new facility will be for the acceptance of wheat, soybeans, and corn from local farmers. The facility is expected to save farmers in the region truck freight costs and time by delivering to a facility closer to home.

The parties have identified a potential site and are in exclusive discussions with ADM, a third-party operator, to potentially oversee the grain elevator. The parties are entering the design phase of the process and hope to obtain the necessary permits and begin construction of the facility in 2022.

In 2021, we assisted in the opening of over 13 new businesses or locations. We raised over $20,000 for various charities and nonprofits. We raised over $8,000 for our high school and adult scholarship programs. We had over 30 new members in our 2020-2021 year and have 14 so far in our 2021-2022 year. We introduced 3 new programs, brought back our awards banquet after an almost two-decade hiatus, welcomed a new Outstanding Woman in Business, won Pride of the Counties at the Kentucky State Fair, held the largest event in the history of Riverfront Park, and so much more. We thank you all for sticking with and supporting your Meade County Area Chamber of Commerce and can’t wait to show you what we have planned for 2022. So until then, stay safe and shop local! See you in 2022!

The Meade County Area Chamber of Commerce Work Ethic Certification program is a partnership between our students and our business community to build a better workforce.

The Work Ethic Diploma program was started began the Meade County High School and the Meade County Area Chamber of Commerce in 2015 to bring the business community closer with students. It was implemented to teach the professional skills necessary to be successful employees upon graduation. This was done with the input of area educators, business leaders, and post-secondary representatives, standards were developed for a Work Ethic Certification program. The program saw success until the business climate changed in 2020. It was then determined that the workforce needs more innovation and the programming needed to be updated.

Read more about the program or how you can #HireWorkEthic here. To become a Work Ethic employer please contact Annie Hamilton at director@meadekychamber.org and if you are a student interested in becoming Work Ethic certified please contact Nick Sutherland at nicholas.sutherland@meade.kyschools.us or Kyle Malloy at kyle.melloy@meade.kyschools.us.

We would love to thank everyone that made last night’s Outstanding Woman in Business event such as success. First, thank you so much to all of the female owner or female co-owned businesses that made the night a success. The amazing Venue at Roberts Family Farm! Kathy Simmons and Home Plate for an outstanding dinner. Pat’s Florist for our centerpieces. Also, thank you so much to WesBanco’s Marilyn Ford for being a truly inspiring keynote speaker.

Secondly, we cannot forget all of our outstanding woman in business nominees.

Finally, congratulations to Miss Avery Shacklette on your win as Future Business Woman of the Year and Mrs. Erica Rhodes Bevill for your win as Outstanding Business Woman of the Year. We could not have been more honored to be amongst so many talented and accomplished women that represent Meade County every day!