September 11, 2007

Technical Assistance Program opens Jasper office

David Sobotka will direct the office, for which space has been provided by Vincennes University Jasper Center. Sobotka most recently served as an organizational development consultant for HR Solutions Inc., an executive recruiting company in Evansville, Ind. An expert in lean manufacturing processes, he designed a process improvement and professional development training curriculum for health-care, manufacturing and service industries.

Sobotka said this experience enables him to have an immediate impact in his new position.

"I look forward to collaborating with economic leaders in the Jasper region to determine how Purdue experts can help companies grow and prosper," Sobotka said. "I also hope to play a key role in helping business leaders plan for future growth."

The Technical Assistance Program also manages the National Institute of Standards and Technology Manufacturing Extension Partnership and is a partner of the Indiana Economic Development Corp. MEP director Dave Snow said that through this network, companies have access to Purdue's advanced manufacturing specialists to advise them on best practices in work force, energy, quality and productivity.

"The partnership we are developing creates a much closer association to the progressive-minded economic leaders in the region and more strategic links to Purdue," Snow said. "We see this partnership as a starting point for getting more Purdue resources into this six-county region. I expect the economic leadership and community involvement in our program will result in a significant economic impact on manufacturers in the region."

Manufacturing and business leaders are invited to an open house, which will take place from 4:30-5:45 p.m. (Central Time) Oct. 22 at the Ruxer Student Center, 850 College Ave.

The new office is funded for three years by two grants, including $150,000 from the Dubois County Area Development Corp., which represents a group of regional economic leaders, and $150,000 from an economic development organization representing Crawford, Dubois, Lawrence, Martin, Orange and Washington counties. Purdue's Manufacturing Extension Partnership Center is contributing an additional $150,000. The Jasper Chamber of Commerce and Vincennes University Jasper Center also support the expansion.

Nathan J. Feltman, Indiana Secretary of Commerce and Indiana Economic Development Corp. chief executive officer, said the state values this new partnership.

"The Technical Assistance Program has helped companies in every county in Indiana, and we've seen firsthand the difference they can make," Feltman said. "Now manufacturers in southern Indiana will have even better access to Purdue experts who can work with them to solve technical problems and improve operating efficiency."

Robert Grewe, Dubois County Area Development Corp. president, said establishing the new office will help his organization work to retain and expand existing industries.

"Ready access to Purdue's resources through the Technical Assistance Program will be of tremendous help to companies facing stiff global competition," Grewe said. "We also look forward to developing future partnerships and programs with Purdue."

The Jasper office will be the ninth Technical Assistance Program location. The program also has offices in Anderson, Columbus, Fort Wayne, Indianapolis, Kokomo, Merrillville, Rising Sun and West Lafayette. Future expansion plans call for offices in Evansville, New Albany and South Bend in 2008.

The Technical Assistance Program served 413 employers in 69 counties in 2006-07. The companies reported $38.9 million in increased sales, nearly $30 million in sales retained, more than $6 million in cost savings, nearly $6.8 million in capital investments and 547 jobs created or retained.

Writer: Marydell Forbes, (765) 496-7704, mforbes@purdue.edu

Sources: David Sobotka, (317) 270-2248, dsobotka@purdue.edu

Dave Snow, (317) 275-6811, davesnow@purdue.edu

Mitch Frazier, IEDC media relations, (317) 232-8873, mfrazier@iedc.gov

Robert Grewe, (812) 482-9650, bgrewe@DCADC.org

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

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