Wabash County, IN (JULY 13, 2026) – Grow Wabash County and Downtown Wabash, Inc. invite the community to join us for an open house and ribbon cutting on Friday, July 24, to celebrate new beginnings at Oswalt-Thomas Auto & Appliance. "This celebration is about both honoring the past and looking toward the future," said Jana Thibos, Investor Services & Events Project Manager at Grow Wabash County. “Oswalt-Thomas has been a cornerstone of the Wabash community for decades, thanks in large part to the
Wabash County, IN (JULY 13, 2026)– Grow Wabash County and Downtown Wabash, Inc. invite the community to join us for an open house and ribbon cutting on Friday, July 24, to celebrate new beginnings at Oswalt-Thomas Auto & Appliance. "This celebration is about both honoring the past and looking toward the future," said Jana Thibos, Investor Services & Events Project Manager at Grow Wabash County. "Oswalt-Thomas has been a cornerstone of the Wabash community for decades, thanks in large part to the
INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana Governor Mike Braun is growing entrepreneurship and strengthening Indiana’s small business economy, today awarding grants through the state’s Community Collaboration Fund (CCF) that will support 22 community-led, regionally driven projects. These awards will help accelerate projects focused on entrepreneurial education, tech enablement and small business acceleration statewide. "Making Indiana the very best place to start, build and grow a business is a driving force of my
Wabash County, IN – Grow Wabash County is adding a Manchester University Spartan to its team for the summer, welcoming Justin Scott as the organization’s intern for Summer 2026. Justin Scott is an incoming senior at Manchester University majoring in Sports Management, Marketing, and minoring in Digital Media. He hails from Idaville, Indiana where he graduated from Twin Lakes High School as a three-sport athlete. “We are excited to welcome Justin to the Grow Wabash County team this summer,” said Tenille
Wabash County, IN – On Wednesday, June 3, local business, organizations and individuals spent their day at the Honeywell Public Golf Course for some networking and friendly competition during Grow Wabash County’s annual WACCY Golf Outing. Over the course of two flights, 26 teams consisting of 104 players teed off across the course. Most holes were managed by volunteers and hole sponsors, who were there to make the experience even more fun by providing a multitude of games and opportunities to connect
Wabash County, IN – Grow Wabash County is continuing its proud tradition of developing leaders and celebrating the impact they create across the Wabash County community. On Thursday, May 21, Grow Wabash County hosted a graduation ceremony for the 24 members of the 2025-2026 Leadership Development Wabash County (LDWC) cohort. These emerging leaders were recognized for their completion of the LDWC program, which included sessions with professors from Indiana University Kokomo and other regional
Wabash County, IN (May 11, 2026) – Grow Wabash County, in partnership with Downtown Wabash Inc., is excited to once again sponsor a shared community booth for the 2026 Wabash Farmers Market season. The booth is designed for individuals of any age, from anywhere, who are interested in testing a business concept in Wabash County. This no cost opportunity allows aspiring entrepreneurs, startups, and small business owners to pilot products, gather customer feedback, and evaluate demand in a real‑world
Small businesses make up 99.9% of U.S. firms and employ nearly half of the entire private sector workforce — which means no matter how tight-knit your local market feels, you're operating in an enormous competitive field. For Wabash County businesses anchored in agriculture, light manufacturing, and retail serving north-central Indiana communities, understanding your customers isn't a one-time exercise. Markets shift. Competitors move. The businesses that scale well are the ones that keep refreshing their
Running a full appointment book and still falling short on payroll is more common in the salon industry than most owners expect. Cash flow failures sink small businesses far more often than a lack of clients does — 82% of failures trace back to cash timing problems, not insufficient revenue. In Wabash County, where independent businesses serve communities like Peru year-round without the seasonal cushion of a tourist economy, smart financial habits are what separate a salon that lasts from one that
Wabash County, IN – Grow Wabash County’s county-wide high school entrepreneurship and career focused program brought students to the Indiana Statehouse as part of the AIM (Accelerating Indiana’s Municipalities) Legislative Day Event, giving students an inspiring look at the future of business, entrepreneurship, and career opportunities in Indiana. "It was impactful for the students to see the amount of activity at the statehouse. The questions they asked were insightful, and their thirst for more
Many companies often overlook one of the simplest tools for long-term growth: sharpening the skills of the people they already have. Training isn’t just a checkbox item to fulfill compliance or onboarding needs—it’s a dynamic, strategic investment that can shape culture, build confidence, and spark innovation. But like any investment, the value lies in how and where the dollars are spent. Choosing the wrong type of training can lead to glazed eyes, wasted time, and a workforce that’s just going through
Embarking on a business venture is both thrilling and demanding. As an entrepreneur, equipping yourself with the right tools and resources is crucial for overcoming the challenges of business management. These tools not only streamline operations but also foster effective team collaboration, setting the stage for success. By integrating innovative solutions into your business model, you can focus on strategic growth and innovation, ensuring your enterprise remains competitive.Streamline Operations with