Business View Civil Municipal June 2023

80 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 4, ISSUE 6 construction project on State Road 28 will see a separation of a combined sewer system, “allowing for more efficient treatment of wastewater while diverting stormwater to a creek, thus creating opportunities for future development,” the mayor details. In terms of valued partnerships and collaborations, Tom Austin, President of the Redevelopment Commission, discussed the Hinds Career Center, a treasured community resource known throughout the state for its diverse programming. As a retired school superintendent, Austin can attest to the center’s importance in the city, and shares that there are ongoing discussions to renovate or relocate the facility while expanding the program offerings. “It is truly a community asset,” he says, “The ECDC, which Mike and I serve on, has a robotics program that is less than two years old. We’re going to be visiting that program before the end of the school year, while students are there. I’m excited to see the program in operation firsthand.” PREFERRED VENDOR/PARTNER n Red Gold Inc. https://redgoldfoods.com/ n Graham, Farrer and Wilson P.C www.gfwlawyers.com n Elwood Community Development Corporation n Community Health Network www.ecommunity.com The city also values the contributions of other key community partners, including prominent employers like Red Gold, a family-owned company known for its tomato-based products, Elsa, a manufacturer of automotive parts for Subaru, and Ascension St. Vincent Hospital. According to Mayor Jones, these three major employers rank among the top 10 in Madison County. Warner Bodies, Kadet Products, Progressive Plastics, Dunn-Rite Products, Depco Products, and Steel Mart are also significant contributors to Elwood’s economy, with the latter taking over the last vacant factory building in the area to expand their operations. A brilliant example of the collaboration between local entrepreneurs and community organizations is Gypsy Soul, a coffee bar and boutique located in Elwood’s uptown area. The business operates in a building owned by the ECDC, and Austin suggests, “That business is probably the biggest shining light we have uptown. I hope it’s an encouragement for other businesses to take a chance and locate uptown.” With continued growth on the horizon, the city is committed to investing in infrastructure, stabilizing neighborhoods, and revitalizing blighted areas by replacing them with new residential properties. In summary, Mayor Jones says “We are continuing to focus on quality of life projects, not only for our residents, but also for our visitors, and those who could potentially want to call Elwood home.”