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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What happens when a community stands at the crossroads of honoring its legacy and embracing necessary growth? This question lies at the heart of our conversation with Peggy Friday, CEO of KEDCO, as we explore the delicate balance of progress and tradition in Kosciusko County.

Fresh from representing our community at the Global Entrepreneurship Congress in Indianapolis, we dive into why change can feel so uncomfortable yet remain absolutely essential. Peggy unpacks the behind-the-scenes reality of economic development—from the hundreds of hours spent securing projects like Slate Auto to the legal complexities of non-disclosure agreements that sometimes leave community members feeling in the dark.

The discussion takes us through recent wins bringing over 2,000 potential jobs to the county, alongside candid reflections on missed opportunities like the data center project in Leesburg. You'll hear powerful insights from regional leaders including Zimmer Biomet's Chairman, President, and CEO Ivan Tornos on why this community's values make it ideal for innovation, and Priority Medical's Luke White on building a legacy that transcends generations.

Whether you're concerned about preserving our community's character or excited about its growth potential, this conversation offers a thoughtful roadmap for moving forward together. Because thriving takes all of us—being curious, asking questions, showing up, and speaking into what's happening in our community.

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Bob Vitoux's leadership has transformed OrthoWorx from a community organization into a powerful catalyst for regional growth. Sitting down with host Matt Deuel and board member Suzie Light, Vitoux reflects on his three-year journey at the helm of the organization tasked with preserving Kosciusko County's status as the orthopedic capital of the world.

The conversation reveals the fascinating origin story of OrthoWorx, born in 2009 from concerned community leaders' collaboration with the Lilly Endowment and BioCrossroads. What began as a mission to retain orthopedic companies has evolved into a comprehensive strategy built on three pillars: talent development, community enhancement, and industry support. Under Vitoux's guidance, the organization has become the nexus of collaboration in a county where medical device manufacturing has thrived for over 130 years alongside agriculture.

Perhaps most transformative has been OrthoWorx's role in deploying $30 million in state funding, which Vitoux describes as providing "30 million reasons for people to care about what's going on in our community.”

Whether you're interested in economic development, community building, or the future of manufacturing in America's heartland, this conversation offers valuable insights into how strategic leadership and collaborative spirit can transform a region. Discover how neighbors helping neighbors might be the most powerful economic development tool of all.

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In this episode, Rob Parker (President & CEO of the Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce) and Terry Sweeney (Downtown Development Director) join us to unveil the ambitious Main Street Warsaw 2030 strategic plan, a community-driven roadmap transforming our city's heart into a cultural destination. Far more than buildings and sidewalks, this vision creates a front door worthy of our thriving community.

Cultural development forms the backbone of this vision. Main Street Warsaw is pursuing certification as a state cultural district, positioning the community to compete for regional investment funds. "We want to weave art and music throughout the downtown experience," Rob shares, "and use that as talent retention and recruitment for the entire county."

Want to help shape downtown's creative future? Visit www.warsawartsplan.com to complete a survey and provide input on the cultural district plan. You can also visit www.warsawcdc.org to download and view the full strategic plan. 

Whether you have ideas, energy, or simply love this place, downtown Warsaw needs you to be ALL IN. 

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Imagine transforming every corner of Kosciusko County with new trails, playgrounds, community centers, and public spaces where neighbors connect. That's the vision behind the Community Amenities Program (CAP), a groundbreaking $5 million initiative now available to municipalities and nonprofits across the county.

Rich Haddad, President of K21 Health Foundation, and Amy Roe, Kosciusko County Community Coordinator, join us to unpack how CAP will work and who can benefit. This funding—part of the larger $30 million Orthopedic Industry Retention Initiative (OIRI)—specifically targets quality of place improvements in communities throughout the county, not just Warsaw-Winona Lake.

Looking ahead, success will be measured not just by completed projects, but by empowered local officials and citizens who feel confident to dream bigger and take action. This initiative builds upon previous community development work, creating momentum that could transform these communities over the next decade when combined with infrastructure, housing, and economic development initiatives already underway.

Ready to get involved? Visit allinkosciusko.com and check out the Community Amenities section to start your application process. Whether you're a town official, nonprofit leader, or passionate citizen with a vision, this is your opportunity to help create the community spaces that will shape our county's future.

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What happens when a community decides to take control of its future? In this inaugural episode of the ALL IN Kosciusko podcast, host Matt Deuel sits down with Jim Lancaster (SVP at Zimmer Biomet) and Craig Snow (CEO of Cedar Holdings and Indiana State Representative) to explore the birth of an ambitious community-wide initiative, All In Kosciusko. 

The conversation reveals how casual breakfast meetings between concerned leaders evolved into a transformative movement that's now secured over $57 million in funding for Kosciusko County's future. Snow shares the behind-the-scenes story of how he convinced state leadership to invest $30 million in the Orthopedic Industry Retention Initiative, while Lancaster explains why diversification beyond their world-renowned orthopedic sector is crucial for long-term prosperity.

In the second segment, we meet Ryan Christner (OIRI Executive Director) and Dr. Emi Kreklau (Grace College Catalyst Corridor Executive Director), who provide insights into the 21 different projects now underway—from an Orthopedic Innovation Research Center to community amenities programs in rural areas. These initiatives are designed not just to retain the orthopedic industry, but to attract young professionals who increasingly "choose where to live first, then find a job."

Ready to be part of this community transformation? Visit AllInKosciusko.com, follow on social media, and subscribe to this podcast to stay updated on how you can contribute to advancing lives and livelihoods across Kosciusko County.

AllInKosciusko.com

Welcome to "ALL IN Kosciusko," a podcast dedicated to the economic and community development of Kosciusko County. Join us as we spotlight local businesses, industry leaders, and community advocates who are teaming up to enhance all lives and livelihoods in our county. Each episode features inspiring stories, innovative ideas, and actionable insights that showcase how we can work together for a brighter future. Tune in to learn how our collective efforts are shaping Kosciusko County for generations to come! 

AllInKosciusko.com