Shelby County Development Corporation

10/02/2026

Accelerate Rural Indiana holds 'State of the Region' event: Highlights READI 1.0, 2.0 successes
By HANNAH GUNNELL [email protected] Oct 1, 2026

The Accelerate Rural Indiana READI region has much to be proud of, community leaders said during Thursday's State of the Region event.

09/29/2026

Press Release
September 28, 2026

I-74 Business Corridor economic developers take on Ag Activation project

(Indiana) - The Indiana I-74 Business Corridor has launched a new Agricultural Strategy Activation initiative designed to continue the region’s 2023 Interstate 74 Regional Agriculture Strategy into actionable economic development opportunities across southeastern and east-central Indiana.

Supported by Duke Energy’s Economic Development Partnership Program, the new initiative reflects the I-74 Business Corridor’s ongoing commitment to creating new investment opportunities and strengthening the region’s position as a competitive destination for agribusiness and food manufacturing. The activation effort will focus on identifying and pursuing opportunities in food and beverage manufacturing, bioprocessing, agricultural innovation, and value-added agribusiness investment across Dearborn, Decatur, Franklin, Ripley, Rush and Shelby counties, along with the City of Batesville.

The original Interstate 74 Regional Agriculture Strategy, completed in partnership with the Indiana Economic Development Association and Purdue Center for Regional Development, identified agriculture as one of the region’s strongest economic assets and outlined a roadmap for expanding agribusiness, food processing, workforce development, infrastructure, and supply chain growth. The strategy established a vision of building stronger partnerships between economic development organizations, farmers, agribusinesses, entrepreneurs, and community leaders.

“The Ag Strategy gave us a strong regional vision,” said Mike Perleberg, President of the I-74 Business Corridor. “This activation initiative is about moving from planning to implementation. We are working county by county to identify projects, support existing agribusinesses, and pursue new investment opportunities that can create jobs, expand markets for agricultural producers, and strengthen our regional economy.”

The six-month activation effort is being led by AgStrat LLC and agricultural economic development consultants Dr. Virgil Bremer and David Coates. County-level activation meetings have already begun, bringing together stakeholders to assess local agricultural assets, identify growth opportunities, and prioritize projects that align with both local and regional strengths. The process is designed to produce market-ready outcomes that can be pursued by individual communities and the region as a whole.

The Indiana I-74 Business Corridor represents 80 miles of opportunity connecting Indianapolis and Cincinnati. Through collaboration among local economic development organizations and utility partners, the Corridor works to attract investment, support business growth, and advance regional economic competitiveness.

For more information about the I-74 Business Corridor and the Regional Agriculture Strategy, visit www.i74biz.com.

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Media Contact:
Mike Perleberg, Executive Director
One Dearborn, Inc.
500 Industrial Drive, Suite 2110
Lawrenceburg, IN 47025
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (513) 256-1843

08/07/2026

Knauf Insulation Inc. featured in America 250 docuseries

Knauf Insulation, Inc. is featured in America 250, a documentary series hosted on USA TODAY marking the 250th anniversary of the United States by reflecting on the nation’s achievements while examining how American industry continues to evolve through innovation, resilience and purpose.

Through in-depth interviews, behind-the scenes access and expert analysis, the series spotlights organizations across a wide range of sectors that are addressing complex challenges and driving progress.

Knauf’s segment highlights the company’s long-standing commitment to contributing to better indoor environments for all, from building occupants to insulation installers, and its role as a leader in the fiberglass insulation industry.

“At Knauf, our work has always been about more than insulation,” said Chief Financial Officer, Bill Matthias. “It’s about improving the way people live, work and build by creating spaces that are more comfortable, more energy efficient and perform better for all. We are proud to share that story as part of America 250.”

The documentary showcases some of the company’s most significant achievements, including the development and launch of ECOSE® Technology, a major innovation in insulation chemistry; becoming the first fiberglass insulation manufacturer to offer a full portfolio of fiberglass insulation products certified asthma & allergy friendly® by Allergy Standards Limited; and being the first fiberglass insulation manufacturer to be 100% phenol-formaldehyde free across its entire product portfolio.

These milestones reflect Knauf’s broader mission to advance product performance while supporting healthier indoor environments, sustainability goals and an improved experience for its customers, contractors, installers, and building occupants. The company also recognizes in the docuseries that these accomplishments have been made possible by the commitment, persistence and expertise of its people.

The segment also covers Knauf’s position within the broader industry landscape, highlighting how the company identified an opportunity to improve fiberglass insulation through innovation, customer focus and a willingness to listen closely to market needs. That customer-centric approach, combined with the ingenuity of its teams, has helped shape Knauf into the industry leader it is today.

Looking ahead, Knauf will use the documentary to share its vision for the future of the industry over the next five, 10 and 20 years — one defined by continued innovation, deeper customer focus and an even stronger commitment to sustainability.

“We believe the future of our industry will be shaped by solutions that perform at a high level while also meeting the evolving needs of customers, communities and the environment,” said Matthias. “Knauf remains committed to leading with innovation and keeping the customer at the center of everything we do.”

America 250 airs on USA TODAY platforms in celebration of the nation’s 250th anniversary. Watch the campaign live at https://www.usatoday.com/story/sponsor-story/acumen-usa250/2026/08/04/supporting-a-better-built-environment-with-innovation-and-reliability/91154928007.

08/03/2026

Shelby County Players Receives $1 Million READI 2.0 Grant

Shelby County Players (SCP) received a $1 million Arts & Culture Award from the Regional Economic Acceleration & Development Initiative (READI) grants as part of the 2.0 release of investment funds. – Congratulations to SCP! - Details are included below.

More Possibilities, Closer to Home: SCP Receives $1 Million READI 2.0 Grant
Phase-two technology expansion will help the Wortman Family Civic Theatre serve more students, organizations, artists and audiences.

SHELBYVILLE, Ind. -- When audiences began taking their seats at the Wortman Family Civic Theatre in 2025, the room was new - but much of the technology behind the productions was not.
Shelby County Players had completed the first phase of an ambitious new civic theatre, but much of its lighting and sound equipment had been carried forward from SCP’s former space. Phase one created the place. Phase two would give that place the tools to fulfill its larger purpose.
That next step is now much closer.
Shelby County Players (SCP) has been awarded a $1 million grant through the Indiana Economic Development Corporation’s READI 2.0 Arts & Culture Initiative. The funding will support professional-grade lighting, sound, audio-visual and networking technology for the Wortman Family Civic Theatre’s auditorium and community spaces.
The purpose of this next investment is straightforward: help the new building function as the flexible, multi-use regional venue it was designed to be.
“Someone who is curious about lighting or sound should be able to discover that interest here, and a local organization should be able to hold a high-quality event without leaving the county,” said Justin Stenger, Executive Director of Shelby County Players. “This grant brings those possibilities closer to home. It gives people the opportunity not only to watch what happens onstage, but to learn, create and connect.”
A patron who first enters the theatre as an audience member could soon be programming lights or mixing sound using industry-standard equipment. A school, nonprofit, or civic organization that once looked outside the region for a technically capable venue could bring its recital, meeting, workshop, or hybrid event to Shelbyville. Those are the everyday opportunities behind the nearly $2.6 million needed to complete Phase 2.
The technology will improve SCP productions while supporting festivals, educational programs, workforce training, and community gatherings. It will also help create a more accessible and useful venue for rural residents, working families, seniors, and people with disabilities.

SCP was one of 49 projects across all 15 Indiana READI regions selected for Arts & Culture funding from nearly 320 proposals submitted statewide. The initiative is supported by Lilly Endowment Inc. and administered by the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) in partnership with the Indiana Arts Commission.
Shelby County Players is grateful to Lilly Endowment Inc., IEDC, the Indiana Arts Commission, Accelerate Rural Indiana, and the many local supporters who continue to invest in the Wortman Family Civic Theatre.
The building opened in 2025. With phase two, the possibilities inside it are still just beginning.

About Shelby County Players
Shelby County Players is a nonprofit community theatre organization based in Shelbyville, Indiana. Through performances, educational programs, youth initiatives and community partnerships, SCP creates opportunities for people of all ages to participate in and experience the arts. SCP operates the Wortman Family Civic Theatre at 1416 Miller Avenue.

Media Contact
Justin Stenger Executive Director Shelby County Players
[email protected] 317-392-6844
www.shelbycountyplayers.org

08/03/2026

Shelby County Development Corporation welcomes Hug Engineering to the community. Hug Engineering purchased the former ENBI Indiana building and invested $700K for building renovations. Hug Engineering is a leading supplier of low-to-zero emission solutions including exhaust aftertreatment systems for Diesel, gas, and methanol engines. The company will have 35 employees at their Shelbyville facility. - Welcome and congratulations to Hug Engineering.

07/10/2026

Congratulations to Shelby County Players on receiving the national Twin Lynch Organizational Achievement Award from the American Association of Community Theatre (AACT).

July 9, 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

National Award Honors Shelby County Players for Community Impact

National recognition highlights how community investment, READI funding, and regional partnerships transformed a Shelbyville vision into a model for rural Indiana

SHELBYVILLE, Ind. -- Shelby County Players (SCP) has received the T***k Lynch Organizational Achievement Award from the American Association of Community Theatre (AACT), one of the nation's highest honors recognizing community theatre organizations that achieve transformative growth and expand their impact on the communities they serve. SCP is the first Indiana theatre organization to win an AACT award.

The award also highlights the success of an extraordinary partnership among community volunteers, philanthropic foundations, local governments, and regional economic-development organizations. Support from Indiana's READI 1.0 (Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative) program through the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) and regional collaboration through Accelerate Rural Indiana (ARI) helped transform Shelby County Players' vision into the Wortman Family Civic Theatre - a project that now earns national recognition.

The award places Shelby County Players among a select group of organizations nationwide recognized not simply for artistic excellence, but for demonstrating how strategic investment in arts, culture, and community infrastructure can generate lasting economic and social impact.

“This award is about far more than theatre,” said Justin Stenger, Executive Director of Shelby County Players. “It reflects what can happen when a community believes in itself. Volunteers, donors, foundations, businesses, local government, and economic-development leaders joined together to create the Wortman Family Civic Theatre because they understood that arts and culture drive education, workforce development, quality of life, and community growth.”

In 2025, Shelby County Players (a volunteer-powered organization) opened the Wortman Family Civic Theatre after transforming a vacant bowling alley into a modern performing arts and community venue. Today, the facility hosts theatrical productions, youth programming, nonprofit events, educational activities, civic gatherings, business meetings, and regional workshops that draw participants from well beyond Shelby County.

The project demonstrates how arts and cultural infrastructure can advance economic development. Community leaders view the theatre as an anchor investment for Shelbyville's west-side revitalization efforts. The facility attracts visitors, increases community engagement, and strengthens the region's quality of place.

READI 1.0 investment from IEDC and regional leadership from ARI accelerated the project's momentum and demonstrated the power of public-private partnerships to create catalytic community assets in rural Indiana. ARI's Arts and Culture Strategic Plan recognizes the Wortman Family Civic Theatre as a major regional cultural asset and performing arts anchor.

“This national recognition reflects visionary investment from IEDC’s READI 1.0, ARI, and countless partners who believed rural communities deserve world-class cultural assets,” Stenger said. “Their support placed both Shelby County Players and Indiana on the national stage. This award demonstrates the return on that investment and highlights what becomes possible when economic development includes arts, education, and community engagement.”

Major supporters of the project include the Wortman Family Foundation held at the Blue River Community Foundation, Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation, Runnebohm Construction Co., Inc., The Knauf Family, Lee and Rose McNeely, Mike and Wendy Stephenson, Blue River Community Foundation, READI 1.0, Shelby County Development Corporation, Shelbyville and Shelby County Government through Progress Grants administered by BRCF, local businesses, civic organizations, and hundreds of community donors whose collective support turned vision into reality.

The theatre's impact extends far beyond performances. The facility supports youth arts education, workforce skill development, volunteer training, nonprofit collaboration, tourism, and regional events. Current Phase 2 technology investments will expand educational partnerships and create additional opportunities for students and volunteers to gain hands-on experience with professional production technologies, helping develop creative and technical talent throughout rural Indiana.

Since its founding in 1988, Shelby County Players has grown from a grassroots volunteer theatre group into one of Indiana's most ambitious community arts organizations. The T***k Lynch Organizational Achievement Award recognizes not only that growth, but also the organization's success in using the arts to strengthen communities, support economic vitality, and create opportunities for future generations.

About Shelby County Players

Shelby County Players is a nonprofit community theatre organization based in Shelbyville, Indiana. Through performances, educational programs, youth initiatives, and community partnerships, the organization serves residents throughout Shelby County and the surrounding region. SCP operates the Wortman Family Civic Theatre, a regional center for arts, education, collaboration, and civic engagement.

The American Association of Community Theatre (AACT) is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and advancing community theatre across the United States. Through festivals, educational programs, advocacy, and networking opportunities, AACT serves thousands of theatres and artists, helping to strengthen the role of community theatre as a vital cultural resource in communities nationwide.

Media Contact
Justin Stenger
Executive Director
Shelby County Players
[email protected]
1-317-392-6844
www.shelbycountyplayers.org
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06/27/2026

Prime Beverage Group plans to open a new state-of-the-art beverage production facility in Shelby County; creating 181 jobs

SHELBY COUNTY, Ind. — Prime Beverage Group is expanding into the Indianapolis market with plans to move into a 915,720-square-foot facility in Shelby County. Prime Beverage Group said it plans to open a state-of-the-art beverage production facility at the Velocity 74 Trade Center in Fairland. The ...

06/17/2026

Celebrating the POET expansion project at their Shelbyville facility.

06/16/2026

Congratulations to POET Bioprocessing in Shelbyville! Brian Asher, Shelby County Development Corporation Executive Director, was pleased to join POET for a groundbreaking event for an expansion project at the POET facility in Shelbyville.

05/22/2026

Congratulations to Fountaintown Gas -An Ohio Valley Gas Company on their impressive new facility in Morristown.

Today, local officials and community members joined Fountaintown Gas -An Ohio Valley Gas Company in celebrating this exciting move, and to mark the occasion with an official ribbon cutting ceremony. This is excellent news for the Morristown community. The new location represents a strong commitment to serving residents and businesses in the communities served by the Fountaintown Gas -An Ohio Valley Gas Company. Best wishes to all as you begin operations in your new home location!