Beth Rumsey, Staff Writer

Industrial businesses within Ripley County have organized to form the Ripley County Business Alliance (RCBA) to address their special needs and to “give a voice as a group,” said Gary Norman, executive director of the Ripley County Economic Development Corporation and organizer of the Ripley County Business Alliance. “It is designed to create a network within the industrial commerce of Ripley County,” noted Norman.

“The RCBA was created out of necessity,” said Norman. The RCBA is designed to help small businesses keep up to date and to become aware of grants, tax incentives, and programs designed for them. “One of the biggest problems that all businesses face is time, or the lack there of,” said Norman. “They are busy putting out fires and reacting to issues that they face in day to day operations.”

The RCBA works to ensure that Ripley County small business owners are aware of the programs that are offered. Additionally, the alliance has been able to create a network and utilize each others services.

At the meeting held on Wednesday, October 22 representatives met from such companies as Ohio Rod and Mirrus Corp in Versailles; Speed Pack in Milan; Laser Marking Technologies; Friendship Tool in Sunman; and Double E Enterprise, Inc. and NanCo in Osgood, discussed issues such as ISO certification, diversification and securing government contracts.

These businesses, all located in Ripley County, provide a variety of services. For example, Mirrus Corp in Versailles was founded in 1999 by owner Russell Stenger to provide cost effective production assistance to businesses in Southeastern Indiana. Mirrus Corp is centrally located, and can assemble or disassemble, inspect, or sort any type of product, according to Stenger. Often, the work can be completed within 24 hours.

Laser Marking Technologies, Osgood, has been in business since 1992, at a time when laser marking and engraving was relatively unknown to most companies, according to owner Preston Davis. Today, the process is well known, and is often specified in the manufacturing of many types of products.
“We become an extension of your company,” said Davis, “and bring our years of experience and expertise to bear in the marking, engraving and quality of the product.” Holding a degree in Laser Electro-Optics, Davis brings over 22 years of experience to every job. The company provides its engraving services to various markets such as automotive, medical, or electronics by placing bar codes, logos, or other types of graphics.

NanCo Uniforms started 25 years ago as a uniform sewing company, and although over the years has produced different items, continues to manufacture health care uniforms for all related health care programs in career centers, colleges and universities. As the business grew, it moved from the basement of a home in Moores Hill to a larger building in Milan, and then to its current location in Osgood in 2006.

Stacy Staggs, owner of NanCo Uniforms, has already taken advantage of some of the resources introduced to alliance members at previous meetings. According to Staggs, she is working with the Purdue TAP program for assistance with IT issues.

Other businesses in the RCBA include Double E Enterprises, Inc., which provides custom tooling and a variety of machining services, according to owner Mike Effing. Ohio Rod Products manufactures industrial fasteners and Best Metals provides zinc and phosphorus plating, according to controller Duke Hamm.

Friendship Tools in Sunman designs and fabricates custom prototype tools and molds, according to owner Dwight Ball. Paul Fugate, owner of Speed Pack in Milan, provides custom packaging assistance.

According to Norman, the alliance will address specific needs for the small industrial business, which range in number of employees from one to a thousand. These businesses will also be encouraged to join the chamber, Norman stated.

Resources for the small business owner were introduced at the meeting. In a previous meeting, Crane Naval discussed how to apply for government contracts. Also, members learned of the Purdue Technical Assistance Program (TAP) which provides the small business with assistance with projects or making production more efficient.

“What we have going is something really good,” said Norman. The Ripley County Business Alliance would like to invite any industrial business interested in joining the RCBA to attend the next meeting on Wednesday, November 19 at the Osgood Community Center at 10 a.m. For more information on the RCBA, contact Gary Norman at 812-689-4344.