Nappanee, IN - Business Information

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NAPPANEE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND CHAMBER REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION MERGE! On April 15, 2000, the Nappanee community combined the Chamber of Commerce, Redevelopment Commission, Economic Development and Main Street offices. Larry Andrews is the new executive director overseeing both the Nappanee Chamber of Commerce and the Nappanee Redevelopment Commission. Previously each office had a part-time executive director. "It just made sense that both organizations, with similar missions, have a full-time director," Andrews said. Making Nappanee a better place to live is the driving force for each organization with the Chamber primarily responsible for marketing the lifestyle and culture of the community, while the Redevelopment Commission works with "brick and mortar," marketing the economic development of the city and bringing in new businesses. The Chamber of Commerce and Redevelopment Commission have tackled new projects under Andrews’ leadership. On the Chamber side, work is progressing on a community Web site, the annual Apple Festival, Country Christmas celebration and the development of a Leadership Academy in partnership with the Nappanee Public Library. Also, a membership drive brought in 40 new members for a total of 160.	Projects underway on the Redevelopment side include the completion of Pleasant Acres, the bicycle/pedestrian path, the west side Industrial park and the possible rehabilitation of the abandoned Amoco property. Bringing in new businesses and developing more housing projects are ongoing projects. "Many more people work here than live here," Andrews explained. "An estimated 8,000 people commute to work in Nappanee each day (some from as far away as Kokomo) while the city is home to 6,000 residents. Our companies are crying for workers. The Pleasant Acres project is beginning to address these issues. The housing subdivision was developed (with a $500,000.00 Community focus Fund Grant) for infrastructure funds. Pleasant Acres will feature 26 homes, 15 of which are already complete. A bike/pedestrian path will be done in two phases. Phase I will start in August 2000 and will run parallel to the existing sidewalk along US 6 from CR 7 to Amish Acres. The path will also travel north along CR 7 through Derksen Park along CR 52 to Woodview School. Phase II will bring the bike path around the high school and back to town along SR 19. Grants and a match from cigarette tax money will fund this project. Andrews also envisions the purchase of property owned by Amoco for use as a showcase rest stop complete with fountain along the bike path. Support for this project is under investigation.

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Nappanee Business Information

NAPPANEE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND CHAMBER REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION MERGE! On April 15, 2000, the Nappanee community combined the Chamber of Commerce, Redevelopment Commission, Economic Development and Main Street offices. Larry Andrews is the new executive director overseeing both the Nappanee Chamber of Commerce and the Nappanee Redevelopment Commission. Previously each office had a part-time executive director. "It just made sense that both organizations, with similar missions, have a full-time director," Andrews said. Making Nappanee a better place to live is the driving force for each organization with the Chamber primarily responsible for marketing the lifestyle and culture of the community, while the Redevelopment Commission works with "brick and mortar," marketing the economic development of the city and bringing in new businesses. The Chamber of Commerce and Redevelopment Commission have tackled new projects under Andrews’ leadership. On the Chamber side, work is progressing on a community Web site, the annual Apple Festival, Country Christmas celebration and the development of a Leadership Academy in partnership with the Nappanee Public Library. Also, a membership drive brought in 40 new members for a total of 160.

Projects underway on the Redevelopment side include the completion of Pleasant Acres, the bicycle/pedestrian path, the west side Industrial park and the possible rehabilitation of the abandoned Amoco property. Bringing in new businesses and developing more housing projects are ongoing projects. "Many more people work here than live here," Andrews explained. "An estimated 8,000 people commute to work in Nappanee each day (some from as far away as Kokomo) while the city is home to 6,000 residents. Our companies are crying for workers. The Pleasant Acres project is beginning to address these issues. The housing subdivision was developed (with a $500,000.00 Community focus Fund Grant) for infrastructure funds. Pleasant Acres will feature 26 homes, 15 of which are already complete. A bike/pedestrian path will be done in two phases. Phase I will start in August 2000 and will run parallel to the existing sidewalk along US 6 from CR 7 to Amish Acres. The path will also travel north along CR 7 through Derksen Park along CR 52 to Woodview School. Phase II will bring the bike path around the high school and back to town along SR 19. Grants and a match from cigarette tax money will fund this project. Andrews also envisions the purchase of property owned by Amoco for use as a showcase rest stop complete with fountain along the bike path. Support for this project is under investigation.