This post was provided by News Now Warsaw
By Dan Spalding
News Now Warsaw
WARSAW — In less than eight weeks, two companies have announced plans to construct manufacturing operations in Warsaw that will create a combined 2,000 new jobs in the community.
While that’s eye-popping news, it will also add to the existing pressure to provide more housing, which has been an acute problem for years.
But this is not a new issue, and various segments of the community have already been addressing the need for more housing way before Slate and Autocam came calling.
Several housing developments are currently underway, including Greenbriar, which is adjacent to the Warsaw Municipal Airport and another in Milford as well as other sporadic projects.
There’s also Union Station Lofts at the old Gatke property in Warsaw, where a crane is helping to construct four floors of apartments and commercial space.
At the same time, the city of Warsaw is working on two long-term projects encompassing residential Tax Increment Finance districts.
Countywide, Kosciusko Economic Development Corp. is working with seven communities to identify available land for housing, said KEDCo’s Executive Director, Peggy Friday.
And earier this year, Habitat for Humanity of Kosciusko County has launched a large housing coaalition with the Kosciusko County Foundation to encourage more residential growth.
Friday said she’s not worried about accommodating a growing workforce because local efforts are already gearing up.
KEDCo’s focus on housing has become a priority.
“We’re focused on strategic growth. Thoughtful, planned approach to economic development and community development,” she said.
She also expressed confidence in the decision-making and research by Waraw’s two future companies.
“Slate Auto, Autocam — they’ve done their homework. They would never have come here if they didn’t think the workforce was here,” Friday said, adding, “We’ve got a close proximity to other communities.”
While everyone agrees more affordable housing is needed, Rob Parker, president and CEO with the Kociusko Chamber of Commerce, said he’s optimistic as he sees an abundance of activity.
“I look at it as a positive. There’s a lot of things happening in our community. There’s projects that are starting right now, if been to the Union Station Lofts, which is the old Gatke building,” Parker said.
“Personally, when I see cranes in our community, that’s such a cool thing. That is so cool. When was the last time we had a crane building something in our community?” he said.
Slate Auto and Autocam have said they both plan to rely on high-skilled, well-paying jobs.
Autocam executive John Kennedy said the fact that the average salary for his future workers in Warsaw is $70,000 is a big factor.
Slate Auto has said that average salaries for future job in the future for Warsaw will be in the same neighborhood.
“We hope that a decent income allows our associates to find comfortable housing in the Warsaw area,” Kennedy said.
The post 2,000 future jobs and a housing crunch? Community leaders say they’re making strides appeared first on News Now Warsaw.
