Home Blog Page 7068

IS IT TRUE? September 1, 2011

36

The Mole #??

IS IT TRUE? September 1, 2011

IS IT TRUE that the “Mole Nation” tells us that Republican candidate for Mayor of Evansville is having a minor medical procedure taken care of?…that we wish him the best of fortune and a rapid return to full activity?…that we send good vibes to Mr. Winnecke to come back from this little procedure with the drive and stomach to take on the last two months of a tough campaign?

IS IT TRUE that the Mole Nation and others are telling us that Mr. Winnecke is getting a little grief for his moment of complete honesty at the Harrison High School town hall meeting where he declared that he disagrees with the Republican Party’s assumed position on gay rights?…that Mr. Winnecke did impress some of the students with his support of gay rights?…that there are many things that the City of Evansville needs in a leader and that allot of them involve breaking with tradition to do the right thing?…that for a Republican to openly support gay rights is not exactly mainstream but the City County Observer sends kudos and a big thumbs up to Mr. Winnecke for expressing his beliefs?

IS IT TRUE that holding the party line even when it is narrow minded and just plain wrong is part of what is wrong with Washington and it is refreshing for Evansville to have a Republican candidate for Mayor who supports gay rights running against a Democratic candidate who is an NRA member?…that the extremes are the problem and that we are quite pleased that our candidates for Mayor have both shared with us that they are willing to break ranks to support what they believe in?

IS IT TRUE that the Southwest Indiana Coalition for Economic Development has released its long awaited study and plan to tell this region what to do to make a prosperous economy more probable?…that this plan in many ways points out the low hanging fruit that many of us know about and have been overwhelmed by the masses who thus far have not seemed to care enough to act?…that we should not need an expensive study to tell us to pick up litter and keep our properties looking their best?…that the unfortunate truth is that we do indeed need this tutorial in being attractive for our suitors?…that the plan has identified certain strengths that our economy seems to have as platforms on which to build?…that this is once again low hanging fruit that many of us already know but that somehow things just do not happen?…that we should not have to pay someone to tell us that we have a large number of plastics companies and that is a potential strength to build upon?…that we shouldn’t but we must need to be reminded of the obvious?

IS IT TRUE that it is refreshing and uplifting to see that both of the candidates for Mayor of Evansville have overlap in their own multiple plans with the long term economic plan that Greg Wathen released yesterday?…that only with written commitment and diligence will any of the best laid plans of mice and men actually materialize?…that nowhere in any of these economic transformation plans is there a reference to ball games and temples to sport?

IS IT TRUE that the Evansville CVB has passed an ethics policy that designates $30 as the most that can be spent on a Christmas Party meal?…that it is a sad shame that a policy was even needed?…that the pendulum may have swung too far in the other direction to the point that board members will not make a point of attending?

A Student Speaks to 20,000 Teachers About How to Inspire Students

1

Fifty Additional Community Banks across the Country Receive $767 Million to Help Small Businesses Access Capital, Create New Jobs

7


Total of 130 Banks Have Now Received More than $1.8 Billion in Funding through Small Business Lending Fund

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury announced that an additional 50 community banks across the country received a total of $767 million as part of the next wave of funding provided through the Small Business Lending Fund (SBLF). The SBLF, which was established as part of the Small Business Jobs Act that President Obama signed into law, encourages community banks to increase their lending to small businesses, helping those companies expand their operations and create new jobs.

Including today’s announcement, 130 community banks have now received more than $1.8 billion in SBLF funding. Additional SBLF funding announcements will be made on a rolling basis in the weeks ahead.

“These funds will provide a powerful incentive for community banks to expand their lending to small businesses, spurring new investment and job creation” said Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Neal S. Wolin. “Breaking down barriers to credit will provide critical support to Main Street entrepreneurs looking to invest in their local communities, grow their businesses, and put more Americans back to work.”

Small businesses play a critical role in the U.S. economy and are central to growth and job creation. Small businesses employ roughly one-half of all Americans and account for about 60 percent of gross job creation. But small business owners faced disproportionate challenges in the aftermath of the recession and credit crisis, including difficulty accessing capital.

The SBLF helps small businesses meet this challenge by providing capital to community banks that hold under $10 billion in assets. The dividend rate a community bank pays on SBLF funding is reduced as that bank increases its lending to small businesses – providing a strong incentive for new lending to small businesses so they can expand and create jobs. For more details on the SBLF program, please visit, link and link.

The SBLF is one part of the Obama Administration’s comprehensive agenda to help small businesses access the capital they need to invest and hire. The State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI), which is also a key part of the Small Business Jobs Act, allocates $1.5 billion to new and existing state programs that will leverage private financing to spur $15 billion in new lending to small businesses and small manufacturers.

The Obama Administration has also supported 17 direct tax breaks that provide tax relief of more than $50 billion for small businesses. These tax breaks were designed to support job creation and retention, entrepreneurship, investment, and growth. The Administration has also worked with Congress to extend and expand existing Small Business Administration loan programs that helped put more than $42 billion in the hands of small businesses and deliver other important benefits to help small businesses expand and hire.

The 50 community banks that received SBLF funding as part of today’s announcement include:
Central Valley Community Bancorp (Fresno, California), $7.0 million
GBC Holdings, Inc. (Los Angeles, California), $5.0 million
First PacTrust Bancorp, Inc. (Chula Vista, California), $32.0 million
Morgan Capital Corporation (Fort Morgan, Colorado), $3.3 million
Salisbury Bancorp, Inc. (Lakeville, Connecticut), $16.0 million
Gulfstream Bancshares, Inc. (Stuart, Florida), $7.5 million
Florida Shores Bancorp, Inc. (Pompano Beach, Florida), $12.8 million
First Federal Bancorp, Inc. (Lake City, Florida), $20.0 million
CBOS Bankshares, Inc. (Merritt Island, Florida), $3.9 million
HomeBancorp, Inc. (Tampa, Florida), $7.4 million
Lowndes Bancshares, Inc. (Valdosta, Georgia), $6.0 million
Bancorp Financial, Inc. (Oak Brook, Illinois), $14.6 million
First Robinson Financial Corporation, (Robinson, Illinois) $4.9 million
First Busey Corporation (Champaign, Illinois), $72.7 million
Southern Illinois Bancorp, Inc. (Carmi, Illinois), $9.0 million
Prime Banc Corp. (Dieterich, Illinois), $10.0 million
Horizon Bancorp (Michigan City, Indiana), $12.5 million
MutualFirst Financial, Inc. (Muncie, Indiana), $28.9 million
MidSouth Bancorp, Inc. (LaFayette, Louisiana), $32.0 million
Central Bancorp, Inc. (Somerville, Massachusetts), $10.0 million
Leader Bancorp, Inc. (Arlington, Massachusetts), $12.9 million
Katahdin Bankshares, Inc. (Houlton, Maine), $11.0 million
McLeod Bancshares, Inc. (Shorewood, Minnesota), $6.0 million
Redwood Financial, Inc. (Redwood, Falls, Minnesota), $6.4 million
Great Southern Bancorp, Inc. (Springfield, Missouri), $57.9 million
Liberty Bancshares, Inc. (Springfield, Missouri), $23.0 million
The Landrum Company (Columbia, Missouri), $20.0 million
Liberty Bancorp, Inc. (Liberty, Missouri), $16.2 million
Alerus Financial Corporation (Grand Forks, North Dakota), $20.0 million
Western State Agency, Inc. (Devils Lake, North Dakota), $12.0 million
New Hampshire Thrift Bancshares, Inc. (Newport, New Hampshire), $20.0 million
Crest Savings Bancorp, Inc. (Wildwood, New Jersey), $2.5 million
The Elmira Savings Bank, FSB (Elmira, New York), $14.1 million
Alma Bank, (Astoria, New York), $19.0 million
Columbus First Bancorp, Inc. (Worthington, Ohio), $6.2 million
Prime Bank Group (Edmond, Oklahoma), $4.5 million
Codorus Valley Bancorp, Inc. (York, Pennsylvania), $25.0 million
Emclaire Financial Corp. (Emlenton, Pennsylvania), $10.0 million
CBT Financial Corp. (Clearfield, Pennsylvania), $10.0 million
Enterprise Financial Services Group, Inc. (Allison Park, Pennsylvania), $5.0 million
Carolina Alliance Bank (Spartanburg, South Carolina), $5.0 million
Magna Bank (Memphis, Tennessee), $18.4 million
Community First Bancshares, Inc. (Union City, Tennessee), $30.9 million
FVNB Corp. (Victoria, Texas), $18.0 million
Veritex Holdings, Inc. (Dallas, Texas), $8.0 million
The ANB Corporation (Terrell, Texas), $37.0 million
FB BanCorp (San Antonio, Texas), $12.0 million
Blue Ridge Bankshares, Inc. (Luray, Virginia), $4.5 million
County Bancorp, Inc. (Manitowoc, Wisconsin), $15.0 million
PFSB Bancorporation, Inc. (Pigeon Falls, Wisconsin), $1.5 million

Evansville Redevelopment Authority NOTICE OF MEETING

0

Evansville Redevelopment Authority
NOTICE OF MEETING

The Evansville Redevelopment Authority will hold a meeting on Wednesday, September 7, 2011 at 2:30 p.m. in Room 307 of the Civic Center Complex, 1 NW Martin Luther King Jr, Blvd, Evansville, Indiana.

EVANSVILLE REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION NOTICE OF EXECUTIVE SESSION

0

EVANSVILLE REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
NOTICE OF EXECUTIVE SESSION


The Evansville Redevelopment Commission will hold an Executive Session on Tuesday, September 6, 2011 at 8:00 a.m. in Room 307 of the Civic Center Complex, 1 NW Martin Luther King Jr, Blvd, Evansville, Indiana.

This Executive Session will be held pursuant to Indiana Code I.C. 5-14-1.5-6.1(b) (2) (d) concerning a real property transaction and/or 5-14-1.5-6.1(b)(4) to conduct interviews and negotiations with industrial or commercial prospects or agents of industrial or commercial prospects by the Indiana economic development corporation, the office of tourism development, the Indiana finance authority, the ports of Indiana, an economic development commission, the Indiana state department of agriculture, a local economic development organization (as defined in IC 5-28-11-2(3)), or a governing body of a political subdivision.

Coalition Announces Release of “Blueprint for Success”

3

Greg Wathen

August 31, 2011

News Release

“The Blueprint for Success is not another plan destined to sit on a dusty shelf but a realistic road map for future economic development achievement in Southwest Indiana,” stated Ron Christian, chairperson of the Economic Development Coalition of Southwest Indiana. Commissioned by the Coalition and led by Garner Economics, the Blueprint for Success was originally slated to be a master plan for re-utilization of the former Whirlpool manufacturing site in Evansville, Indiana. The direction of the study changed in April 2011 when Whirlpool Corporation sold the property to a Southwest Indiana developer – the Kunkel Group.

“Though the initial direction of the analysis changed, the issues that arose from the plant closure remained the same,” said Greg Wathen, president & CEO of the Coalition. “The objectives of the regional analysis were simple – identify key strengths to emphasize in our economic development efforts along with key weaknesses in the region allowing us to remediate.”

The Blueprint study was funded through a grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration and culminates a ten-month process from selection of the consultant team to final report. Following the sale of the former Whirlpool property, Garner Economics along with Newmark Knight Frank were instructed to proceed at looking at alternative sites for development with the primary focus for the analysis following the same criteria as proposed in the original grant application to the Economic Development Administration.

Jay Garner, President of Garner Economics, served as the lead consultant for the project. Tom Tveidt, research economist for Garner Economics, provided the analytical analysis and business target recommendations. Robert Hess and Tim Walden of Newmark Knight Frank were involved in analyzing the region’s assets and challenges and providing real estate recommendations to help in gaining a competitive advantage in business development and economic growth opportunities. Leigh Howe of Applied Marketing is providing industry intelligence and qualified leads for the Coalition to pursue based on the industry targets selected.

The analysis included a Competitive Realities Report, which was released earlier this year, along with suggested industry targets the region should pursue based on the best short and mid-term growth opportunity, and recommendations to enhance the region’s global competitiveness.

The approach of the study began with the team conducting an assets and challenges assessment of the region applying many of the same criteria to assess a community that are typically used when a site selector evaluates communities for possible corporate investment.

The consultant team conducted a multi-day windshield tour of Gibson, Posey, Vanderburgh and Warrick Counties along with eight focus groups interviewing 70 key stakeholders in the region giving a critical overview of how local businesses and residents evaluate the business climate of Southwest Indiana. They also evaluated key demographic and economic indicators for the region as compared to state and national trends as well as comparing the region to benchmark communities of Chattanooga, Tennessee and the Quad Cities area of Davenport, Iowa, Moline and Rock Island, Illinois – areas having a high concentration of similar industry specialization similar to the Evansville region as well as comprising a multiple state metropolitan area.

Formed in late 2006, the Economic Development Coalition of Southwest Indiana acts as the umbrella economic development organization for Gibson, Posey, Vanderburgh and Warrick Counties in Southwest Indiana and has attracted nearly $400 million in new investment and more than 2,100 new jobs. The Coalition facilitates and coordinates business retention, expansion and attraction activities; and, supports efforts to enhance the business climate through regional capacity building.

Another important aspect of the Coalition’s multi-faceted job description is helping the communities it serves build new capacity for future development. In four years, the Coalition has secured more than $58 million in grants for such things as expansion of water and sewer systems; building new community centers; and, making improvements to the region’s levee system, which protects thousands of acres.

Source: Economic Development Coalition of Southwest Indiana

EDC_Blueprint_Executive_Summary_20011-08-31

IS IT TRUE: Part 2 August 31, 2011

20


IS IT TRUE: Part 2 August 31, 2011

IS IT TRUE that a new political action committee (PAC) has been formed in the City of Evansville for the sole purpose of keeping the cash spigots of the City of Evansville open and flowing in the direction of a very small number of professional services firms that have grown and prospered under the Weinzapfel Administration?…that the “Mole Nation” tells us that this PAC has every intention of financially supporting candidates and making political endorsements for all of the City of Evansville elected offices?…that this group will try to do this quietly and under the banner of the Democratic Party?…that the candidates who are wooed by this new PAC had best be cautious about whom they crawl into fundraisers with?…that Democrat, Republican, Whig, or Independent that this PAC is allegedly self serving, had prospered from “machine” politics, and wants the MONEY PARTY to continue with the playing field tilted in their own favor?…that voters who do not like “machine” politics and SNEGAL tactics should reject each and every candidate that allies themselves with this new POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE?

IS IT TRUE that today at 11:15 am that Greg Wathen, the president and CEO of the Southwest Indiana Coalition for Economic Development will formally release a study titled “A Blueprint for Success – A Master Plan for Economic Redevelopment”?…that this plan was developed in part due to the closing of Whirlpool’s Evansville manufacturing facility?…that the is the follow on to the study titled “Competitive Realities” that was released earlier this year that compared Evansville’s competitiveness with a couple of peer cities?…that the City County Observer called for the writing of a master plan as one of the critical steps that needed to be taken in 2011?…that we anxiously await this master plan and will review it rigorously?…that we beg and encourage both candidates for Mayor of Evansville to become “A students” on the contents of this plan and the “Competitive Realities” study?…that even if the medicine is sour that the patient called Evansville is economically anemic and is in serious need of a transfusion?…that we hope that “Dr. Wathen’s” study is a catalyst to start a lasting cure?

IS IT TRUE that one of our comment posters has made some interesting observations regarding what “could have been” if the Vectren electrical rates were equalized with Henderson’s?…that if the Vectren electrical rates were equalized with Henderson’s that each of the 141,000 households would save an average of $105 per month?…that in a year that the total of the money that would be liberated to be spent or saved would amount to just over $177 Million?…that over a 5 year period and accounting for a small interest rate that the difference in the electricity rates on the north side of the money taking bridge will have removed about $1 Billion from the region’s economy?…that maybe if the rates were equalized that the Front Door Pride area may have sufficient value to be sustainable?…that maybe if the rates were equalized that the McCurdy and the downtown Convention Hotel would not have become the debacles that they have become?…that if the rates were equalized that maybe a half dozen downtown businesses would not have moved to the east side to reduce their Vectren bills?…that if the rates were equalized that the water pumps at Roberts Stadium would only cost $133,000 per year to run instead of the reported $400,000?

IS IT TRUE that today is the second of the face to face vetting interviews that will be conducted by Hunden Strategic Partners for the ERC with respect to the downtown Convention Hotel?…that maybe we can expect a preliminary report on the findings on the agenda of next week’s meeting of the ERC?

Downtown Today: 8/31/2011

0

Time 8:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Subject PERSONNELL & FINANCE
Location 301
Recurrence Occurs the last Wednesday of every 1 month effective 8/31/2011 until 8/31/2011 from 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM
Reminder 15 minutes
SANDIE @ 5791
Categories ROOM 301

Time 2:30 PM – 4:00 PM
Subject ITAC
Location 318
Recurrence Occurs the last Wednesday of every 1 month effective 8/31/2011 until 8/31/2011 from 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM
Reminder 15 minutes
TIM VANCLEAVE @ 5848
Categories ROOM 318

UE Department of Music Announces 2011-12 First Tuesday Concerts

1

The Department of Music at the University of Evansville has announced its 2011-12 performances in the First Tuesday Concert Series.

First Tuesday Concerts, presented the first Tuesday of each month at 7:30 p.m., showcase the outstanding talent of the University’s music faculty as they perform works from seldom-heard masterpieces to beloved standards. All concerts are free and open to the public, and all take place on the University of Evansville campus except for December 6’s Holiday Pops concert.

The 2011-12 series kicks off next Tuesday, September 6 with the annual Fall Faculty Gala in Wheeler Concert Hall. This concert features a variety of works performed by the department’s faculty.

The First Tuesday Concert Series continues with the following performances:

October 4: Classical Jazz, Wheeler Concert Hall. Composers throughout history have been inspired by jazz music and have bridged the classical/jazz gap by creatively blending the two styles. This performance features music by Gershwin, Stravinsky, and other composers who have brought jazz from the streets into the concert hall.

November 1: University Choir, Neu Chapel. The University Choir and Kantorei present an evening of choral works.

December 6: Holiday Pops, Victory Theatre. (600 Main St., Downtown Evansville) This festive annual tradition brings together departmental ensembles and soloists performing holiday favorites.

February 7: Inspired by Opera, Wheeler Concert Hall. This concert draws from the music of the grand theatrical stage and composers such as Puccini, Mozart, Bizet, and Verdi. Faculty members perform overtures, arias, and selections from beloved operas.

April 3: Variations on a Theme, Wheeler Concert Hall. A wide variety of styles and genres make up this concert, which explores themes and variations. Audiences will discover how composers explore multiple facets of well-known melodies, including works by Schubert, Bach, and Cage.

For a complete listing of concerts offered by the Department of Music, please click here.

USI Fall film series free, open to the public

0

USI
Beginning August 30, you can see free films in their original formats at USI, as part of ENG 285: Introduction to Film and the Friday Night in the Forum film series.

The first film to be viewed is “I Love You, Man”, which includes the cast of Paul Rudd, Jason Segel, Rashida Jones and writer director John Hamburg.

All screenings are held in Forum I in the Wright Administration Building. Films are free and open to the public on Tuesday nights through December 6 (with the exception of September 13) and Thursdays September 15, November 10, and 17.

In addition, Forum I will host movies as part of the Friday in the Forum film series at 7:30 p.m. on November 4 and 11 and December 2 and 9.

Films are shown in 35mm, in their original formats and languages, and with stadium seating, and Dolby digital surround sound (unless marked).The Introduction to Film class meets at 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Tuesdays.

Click here to view the entire schedule on USI.com

1...7,0677,0687,069...7,217Page 7,068 of 7,217