ALL IN Kosciusko

A job offer can bring someone to town, but it can’t make them feel at home. We sit down with Amaris, Bryce, and Ryland to get honest about why they live in Kosciusko County, why they’ve stayed, and what would make more young professionals build a long-term future in Kosciusko County, Indiana.

Amaris shares how Grace College turned into a launchpad for deeper roots and how the orthopedic industry, OrthoWorkx, and a uniquely supportive community reshaped her plans. Bryce explains why he never felt the need to leave, what he took for granted growing up, and why raising three kids here has made him even more protective of what makes this place special. Ryland brings the newcomer lens, from trading Colorado sunshine for Indiana winters to choosing Orthopediatrics because helping kids gives his work meaning every single day.

We dig into what really drives talent attraction and talent retention: amenities, access, and “runway for growth,” plus the hardest part to manufacture, finding your people. You’ll hear practical ideas for employers and community leaders, like better onboarding, face-to-face connection, and a real welcoming network, along with a clear wish list for the future: safer trails and bike routes, indoor recreation, more third spaces, and realistic housing and childcare options.

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Water is the first thing people picture when they think of Kosciusko County and it’s also one of the biggest reasons our community works. We sit down with Dr. Nate Bosch from the Lilly Center for Lakes and Streams at Grace College and Cori Humes from Clearly Kosciusko and the Kosciusko County Convention and Visitors Bureau to connect the dots between clean water, local pride, and real economic impact. 

We get specific about the numbers and the stakes: lakes bringing in hundreds of millions of dollars, tourism generating major visitor spending and jobs, and lake-influenced property values that directly affect the local tax base. Then we zoom in on what lake “health” actually means, why clear water is not the same as clean water, and how risks like E. coli and harmful algae toxins are monitored so residents and visitors can make smart choices. 

You’ll also hear why Lake Rx is built around custom prescriptions for each lake, how big investments can shorten the timeline from “slow improvements” to measurable progress, and what hidden gems and signature events help visitors fall in love with more than just the shoreline, including the 2027 IWWF World Water Ski Show Championships coming to Warsaw.

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Warsaw didn’t become the Orthopedic Capital of the World by accident and it won’t keep that title on autopilot. We sit down with Ryan Christner, President and CEO of OrthoWorx, and Dr. Michael Meneghini, renowned surgeon, founder and CEO of the Indiana Orthopedic Institute, to talk about what it will actually take to stay ahead as musculoskeletal care, medtech, and healthcare economics change fast.

We start with the “why” behind the first OrthoWorx Summit and the theme “Engage”. Ryan lays out the reality of the orthopedic ecosystem in Kosciusko County: it’s not just big orthopedic companies, it’s contract manufacturers, educators, civic leaders, entrepreneurs, students, and residents. When that many stakeholders pull in the same direction, a rural community can stay globally relevant and keep attracting top engineers from places like Purdue, Notre Dame, IU, and Rose-Hulman.

Dr. Meneghini challenges the way people think about orthopedic innovation. Yes, robotics and surgical technology matter, but the bigger opportunity is redesigning the full patient journey, from the first office visit through recovery, using better care models, smarter operations, and tools like big data and AI. We also dig into the macro forces driving change: rising healthcare costs, shifting reimbursement, and the rapid move from hospitals to ambulatory surgery centers, all pushing the system toward physician-led, patient-centred care that removes waste and restores focus on outcomes.

To find out more and register for the OrthoWorx summit visit:  OrthoWorxIndiana/Events.com

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Child care is one of those issues almost everyone feels, but few people see in full. When it breaks down, parents lose income, children lose consistent early learning, and employers lose the reliable workforce they need to grow.

In this episode, Matt Deuel is joined by Sherry Searles from LaunchPad, Allie Sutherland from the Northeast Indiana Early Childhood Coalition, and Miriel McFarland from Instrumental Machine and Development for a practical conversation about early childhood care in Kosciusko County and across Northeast Indiana.

Together, they discuss why the earliest years matter so much, what quality care really looks like, and why affordability has become one of the biggest barriers for local families. They also explore how employers can be part of the solution, including workforce surveys, retention strategies, Tri-Share Plus, and new momentum at the state level.

This is a conversation about children, families, employers, and the kind of community we are building for the future.

Connect with LaunchPad

Connect with Northeast Indiana Early Childhood Coalition

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A middle school built in 1962 has carried Warsaw for generations, and now it’s forcing a question that reaches far beyond bricks and boilers: what kind of student experience do we want for the next 50 years, and how do we pay for it responsibly? Host Matt Deuel sits down with Dr. David Hoffert, Superintendent of Warsaw Community Schools, and Heather Reichenbach, President of the School Board, to unpack the real opportunity behind a potential Lakeview Middle School renovation and what it could mean for students, families, and the wider community. They also discuss how the district’s 10-year facility plan could make a project like this possible without increasing the tax rate.

The conversation connects facility design to workforce development in Kosciusko County, partnerships with local employers, and the practical impact of reducing daily shuttle busing that eats time, fuel, and instructional minutes. Mayor Jeff Grose joins to share why Lakeview’s location makes it a potential anchor for Winona Avenue infrastructure upgrades, corridor momentum, and long-term neighborhood investment.

If you have questions or want to learn more visit: Warsaw Schools Facility Planning FAQ's

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In this episode of the ALL IN Podcast, host Matt Deuel is joined by Dr. Kevin Roberts and Christi Walters of Grace College, along with Rich Haddad of K21 Health Foundation, for a conversation about movement, wellbeing, and what local public health data is revealing in Kosciusko County. Together, they explore some of the biggest challenges facing the community, including physical inactivity, chronic disease, and gaps in access to care, while also pointing to the opportunities that come when research, education, and community partnership work together. The conversation also highlights Grace’s Center for Movement and Well-being, the vision behind it, and some of the programs already taking shape there—from assessments and personal training to classes, seminars, and community-based support. It’s a hopeful discussion about prevention, connection, and how movement can play a meaningful role in building a healthier future for Kosciusko County.

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Housing is about more than buildings. It shapes whether people can live here, work here, stay here, and build a future in Kosciusko County. In this episode of the ALL IN Podcast, Matt Deuel sits down with Jeremy Skinner of the City of Warsaw and Dawn Wilkinson of KEDCO to talk about the housing challenges facing our region, why those challenges matter for workforce and quality of life, and how local leaders are working together to create new opportunities.

The conversation also features drop-in interviews with Shelby Bowen of Bowen Capital and Dan Boecher of AP Development, offering a look at the vision and momentum behind Union Station Lofts and Millworks. Together, this episode highlights how housing is becoming one of the clearest examples of ALL IN connecting people, places, and progress.

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Pride doesn’t happen by accident. It’s built day by day by teachers, builders, entrepreneurs, public servants, and neighbors who choose to show up, and that spirit just earned Kosciusko County the title of Indiana’s 2025 Community of the Year. We sit down with Vanessa Green Sinders, President and CEO of the Indiana Chamber, to unpack why a county rose above a field usually dominated by cities and what that says about the power of collaboration.

The moment 40 local leaders took the stage together wasn’t just a photo op. It captured a culture where business, government, education, and non-profits collaborate in a powerful way. We talk about the shift from single-city spotlights to regional strategies, the benefits of aligning workforce, housing, and infrastructure plans, and the momentum that comes when a community invites everyone into the work.

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Something extraordinary is happening in Warsaw, Indiana. For generations, this small Midwestern community has quietly maintained its status as the "Orthopedic Capital of the World," but now that expertise is becoming the catalyst for a statewide transformation in healthcare innovation.

The recent FrameWORX event, hosted by BioCrossroads and OrthoWorx at Grace College's MOCC facility, marked the first time this prestigious program ventured beyond Indianapolis, a testament to Warsaw's growing significance in the broader MedTech landscape. Academic researchers, industry leaders, and healthcare professionals gathered to forge connections that could revolutionize how we approach musculoskeletal health.

At the heart of this movement is an ambitious vision championed by the Indiana Center for Musculoskeletal Health. Director Dr. Melissa Kacena shares how their multi-institutional approach is breaking down traditional silos between universities and industry partners. The potential payoff? A $160 million National Science Foundation grant that would establish Indiana as the epicenter of MedTech innovation nationwide.

The possibilities are transformative: smart implants that detect infections before symptoms appear, AI systems that predict bone conditions decades before they develop, and eventually, 3D-printed biological replacements for damaged tissue. But beyond the technology itself, this collaboration represents a fundamental shift in how innovation happens, creating pathways for surgeons with practical insights to connect with engineers and business experts who can bring those ideas to market faster and more efficiently.

Educational institutions across the state play a crucial role in this ecosystem, developing specialized programs that combine orthopedic knowledge with engineering expertise, data science capabilities, and entrepreneurial skills. These partnerships ensure the talent pipeline remains as innovative as the technology itself, preparing students for careers that might not even exist yet.

As Ryan Christner, CEO of OrthoWorx puts it: "We've been dreaming pretty big for a long time, but how do we dream bigger?" The answer lies in these emerging partnerships between institutions, industries, and innovators across Indiana, with Kosciusko County standing proudly at the epicenter of a movement that could transform healthcare for generations to come.

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A revolution in affordable transportation is coming to Warsaw, Indiana, and Slate Auto CEO Chris Barman joins us to share what makes this emerging EV company so different from everything else on the market.

Chris reveals the profound insight driving Slate's mission:  Instead of adding more luxury features and complex technology, Slate is returning to basics with a refreshingly simple approach - one standard configuration with manual windows and no screens, designed as an open platform for owner customization.

But Slate isn't just rethinking the product - they're reimagining the entire ownership experience. Through "Slate University," owners learn to modify their vehicles themselves, from changing exterior colors with $500 wrap kits to more complex transformations. The composite body panels are specifically designed for easy customization, putting control back in owners' hands.

For Warsaw and Kosciusko County, Slate's manufacturing facility brings approximately 1,800 new jobs and a business culture focused on transparency and community connection. As a Crown Point native and Purdue graduate, Barman's Indiana roots make this homecoming especially meaningful. Her journey from aspiring pediatrician to automotive executive exemplifies the innovative thinking Slate brings to our region.

Want to learn more about Slate or explore job opportunities? Visit Slate.Auto to see their vehicle, use their customization tool, and follow their careers page for upcoming positions in Warsaw. Join us in welcoming this groundbreaking company that's making new vehicles affordable again - right here in our community.

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