Jackson County Industrial Development Corporation

04/07/2026

What have we been up to for the first quarter of 2026?

Read our first quarter newsletter to find out: jcidc.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/1st-quarter-newsletter-2026.pdf

04/07/2026

Medora High School's juniors and seniors had an opportunity to participate in mock interviews with local business professionals this morning at the school.

A total of 15 students gained experience in interviewing. Career interests include psychology, X-ray technician, early childhood, engineering, business management, construction, criminal justice, military and cosmetology. Some want to pursue college, while others will enter the workforce or join the military.

Conducting the interviews were:
*Kasey Wischmeier with Schneck Medical Center
*Skylar Thompson with the Jackson County Sheriff's Department
*Kim Nicholson with Knotts & Tangles
*Leah Young with Medora Community Schools
*Zach Spicer with Jackson County Industrial Development Corporation

Thanks to Medora High School counselor and dean of students Leah Young for working with JCIDC to coordinate this effort.

04/07/2026

Named for Capt. Richard Freeman (killed in a B-17 crash near Lovelock, Nevada, in February 1941), Freeman Field was started in Seymour in May 1942 and covers 4 square miles. Construction time was nine months. The official opening was on Dec. 1, 1942.

There were 250 Beech AT-10s used to train 4,245 pilots, and 19 classes graduated from April 23, 1943, to Feb. 1, 1945. About 5,000 men and women were stationed there at the peak of operations. The pilots who trained at Freeman Field had been through basic flight school and already knew how to fly. They were there to learn multi-engine aircraft operations and flight solely by reference to instruments. From Freeman Field, they went to their third and final level of training at another base to learn to fly other types of aircraft.

In 1945, the 477th Bombardment Group, known as the Tuskegee Airmen, was transferred to Freeman Field. They were there for only five weeks. The Freeman Field Mutiny, an attempt to integrate the white officer’s club, ensued. There were no serious injuries, and only three Black officers were court-martialed. Only one was found guilty. The incident was a catalyst for the desegregation of the U.S. armed services.

That same year, Freeman Field was designated as the Foreign Aircraft Evaluation Center. There were 160 enemy aircraft, including German jets, V-1 buzz bombs and V-2 rockets, shipped there.

In October 1946, the foreign aircraft evaluation period came to an end. Remaining whole aircraft were sent to museums around the country. Parts from disassembled aircraft were buried on the field, and Freeman Field was closed.

In 1947, Freeman Army Airfield was deeded to the city of Seymour. It is now the city airport, an industrial park and an agricultural area.

Originally, there were four paved runways, each one 5,580 feet long and 150 feet wide, with nine taxiways out to the runways. Today, there are two paved runways, one 6,000 feet long and the other 5,500 feet in length. Both are 100 feet wide. There also are two grass runways for ultralight aircraft, 1,600 x 150 and 1,000 x 150.

Source: freemanarmyairfieldmuseum.org

04/06/2026

AISIN Corp., one of the world’s largest Tier One automotive suppliers, recently announced changes to its executive team in North America, effective April 1.

The announcement was made by Joe Rohatynski, vice president of corporate communications for AISIN World Corp. of America.

Read the full story on our website at jcidc.com/2026/04/06/executive-changes-announced-at-aisin-world-corp-of-america.

04/06/2026

This feature showcases products made at Jackson County companies.

Next up: Powershift transmissions for the industrial forklift industry made at AISIN Drivetrain, Inc.

From the company: ADI manufactures a wide range of products for some of the most dynamic customers in the automotive and heavy equipment industries, including Toyota, Lexus, Stellantis and Mazda. These products include powershift transmissions for the industrial forklift industry. They feature an easily mountable integrated differential lock model and enable electronic shifting for excellent shifting performance. They come in a 1-1.8t and a 2-3t series.

More on the company: aisindrive.com

Where's the company? 1001 Industrial Way, Crothersville

04/06/2026

Congratulations to these Seymour Middle School students!

Seymour Middle School

04/05/2026

On behalf of our staff, board of directors and contributors, JCIDC wishes you Happy Easter.

04/03/2026

Congratulations to Heidi!

Class Act Cougar Spotlight: Heidi Kerkhof

We are proud to shine this week’s Class Act Cougar Spotlight on freshman Heidi Kerkhof, nominated by Mrs. Abbey Wischmeier for demonstrating Excellence and Servant Leadership!

Heidi is an outstanding student who excels both inside and outside the classroom. She stays organized, manages her time wisely, and takes full responsibility for her learning. Her curiosity drives her to ask thoughtful questions and seek a deeper understanding of every topic. Heidi consistently goes above and beyond. Not just for the grade, but because she truly values learning. Her dedication is evident in her strong academic performance, as well as her persistence, growth mindset, and willingness to learn from mistakes.

As a servant leader, Heidi leads by example with humility and integrity. She is quick to offer help without being asked and encourages those around her to succeed. Rather than seeking recognition, Heidi focuses on making a meaningful impact and helping the group achieve its goals.

Congratulations, Heidi! Your commitment to excellence and heart for serving others make you a true Class Act Cougar.

04/03/2026

Seymour-based Goecker Construction Inc. is a full-service general contractor specializing in commercial construction and remodeling throughout the south central Indiana area.

From emergency property repairs to property expansion or remodeling, the company has the range of skills necessary to carry out all components of the project. Goecker has completed a wide variety of projects for commercial clients over the past 50 years,office buildings, medical offices, parochial schools, churches, warehouse buildings, manufacturing buildings, commercial remodeling of all types, athletic facilities, financial institutions, grocery stores and pharmaceutical plants.

Source: goeckerconstructioninc.com

04/02/2026

Congratulations to these six industrial maintenance technicians from Jackson County! This afternoon, they received certificates of completion for the Vincennes University basic electrical course offered at the Jackson County Learning Center in Seymour.

They are pictured with Brian Sawyers, site director and instructor. He said this course consists of Mechanical Drives 1, Basic Hydraulics and Basic Pneumatics.

"This partnership with Jackson County Industrial Development Corp. continually strives to skill up incumbent workers in our area," Sawyers said.

Companies represented in this cohort were Aisin USA Mfg., Inc., Nippon Steel Pipe America Inc. and Lannett Company Inc., all in Seymour.

04/02/2026

In the top photo, Mark Gillaspy, right, an inspector for the Seymour Fire Department, lets Seymour High School senior Leo Peregrina try on some firefighter equipment during JCIDC's Career College Transition Fair on April 26, 2022, in the Lloyd E. Scott Gymnasium at SHS. In the bottom photo, SHS junior Jose Miguel Juan does pullups at the U.S. Marine Corps booth.

Those two booths were among more than 50 set up in the gym for students from five Jackson County high schools to learn more about various careers, colleges and services available locally and beyond the county's borders.

Formerly known as Industry Possibility and Opportunity Day, or IPOD Day, the event's name changed to Career Exploration Day in 2019 and was held in the SHS auxiliary gym. The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the event being canceled in 2020 and 2021, but it returned for the 14th year in 2022 with a new name after combining with what was known as the Transition Fair that served the special education population.

Colleges, manufacturers, health care, skilled trades, military, retail, tourism, education, social services, banking and more were represented. A Passport to Career/College created by SHS Jobs for America's Graduates students helped students feel comfortable going up to the various booths and interacting with professional adults. Once they had 10 stamps, they turned in their passport to be entered into a drawing for prizes, including a television, a Chromebook, earbuds, water bottles and gift cards for food and gas.

The JAG students also designed a logo for the event and included that on shirts they wore. That logo is still used today.

Source: The Tribune

04/01/2026

Congratulations to these Seymour High School students!

Congratulations to our Owls of the Month for March!