Business View Civil and Municipal l January 2023

18 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 9, ISSUE 12 business and engineering, they are now adding health and technology programs. The high school in Angola has also put in a turf field over the summer and is constantly working on improving its facilities. While many cities around the country are experiencing a reduction in businesses operating within their limits, Angola’s downtown area hasn’t, bucking the national trend. And business is booming in the city. Hickman elaborates, “Right now, we’re focusing on bringing more workers in as there are over unfilled 900 jobs within the community.” Currently, the city is centered on bringing in more talent rather than attracting more businesses, as the established ones are doing well and need support from their city. The city is home to many industries, including companies from the automotive sector, one that produces hip joint replacements, and three metal spinning companies (with only ten others nationwide). The city of Angola works closely with several entities, such as the Angola Main Street, Chamber of Commerce, and Steuben County Tourism Bureau. Currently, 11 counties, known as the Northeastern Region, have formed a regional coalition to address the early childhood development issue and are also collaborating with Ambassador Enterprises to facilitate a solution. Angola and all the surrounding counties are preparing themselves to be ready for electric vehicles (EV) as well as other environmental projects, but there are some hurdles. “The state of Indiana has regulated utility operators for electricity and gas. This means there will be a need for extensive participation by those utilities to make that conversion,” says Lee. In the city of Angola, several progressive projects have been implemented over the years, such as WiFi hotspots downtown, and the future could Currently, the city is centered on bringing in more talent rather than attracting more businesses, as the established ones are doing well and need support from their city. The city is home to many industries, including companies from the automotive sector, one that produces hip joint replacements, and three metal spinning companies (with only ten others nationwide).