Fall 2016 • 15
I
t’s a great time to call Kokomo home. And it’s not by accident.
There’s a passion here for making this great community an
even better place to live, work and play. Since 2009, the Greater
Kokomo Economic Development Alliance has been proud to serve
as one of the driving forces behind that passion.
Under the direction of President & CEO Charlie Sparks, the
Alliance works to promote a positive economic climate in Kokomo
and Howard County. Its mission is to encourage long-term
business and residential growth for Kokomo and Howard County.
And its success has come via strategic initiatives, shared resources
and development programs in each of its divisions.
GREATER KOKOMO DOWNTOWN ASSOCIATION
Downtown is the heart of our city and at the heart of the Greater
Kokomo Downtown Association’s work. With the help of legions
of dedicated and civic-minded volunteers, downtown initiatives
manager Susan Alexander strives to enliven the city center and, in
turn, the community as a whole.
Together, they’re helping to build a downtown culture that can
rival any community.
GREATER KOKOMO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Since 1914, the Greater Kokomo Chamber of Commerce has
served Kokomo and Howard County businesses. With more than
600 diverse member organizations, the chamber is now stronger
than ever.
“We’re proud of not only the growth of the chamber but also the
growth of the community,” said Karen McCoy, Alliance Operations
and Chamber Manager. “The two go hand-in-hand. It takes a
vibrant community to support a thriving chamber, and we are
fortunate to have both of those here in Kokomo.”
INVENTREK TECHNOLOGY PARK
One of just 26 certified technology parks in the state of Indiana,
Inventrek’s 98,000-square-foot facility serves as a launching pad for
Howard County’s next generation of business.
The business incubator provides emerging companies with
space, resources and on-site assistance to help them grow their
businesses. Roughly 80 percent of those companies that have left
the facility to do business on their own are still in business.
“The Kokomo area is truly blessed to have this facility right in its
backyard,” said Mike McCool, manager of economic development
for the Alliance.
The facility’s addition of the county’s first co-working space in
October 2015 —The Shared Drive — was a continuation of
Inventrek’s vision to create a business environment conducive to
start-up companies and entrepreneurs.
GREATER KOKOMO VISITORS BUREAU
Since we know Kokomo is amazing, we make telling others
our mission. That’s where the Greater Kokomo Visitors Bureau
shines brightest. Its goal is to promote the area’s many attractions,
amenities and historical significance.
And Sherry Matlock, manager of the Visitors Bureau, understands
our greatest promoters are those who call Kokomo and Howard
County home.
“We strive to continually educate our residents on what the
area has to offer so that they in turn can be ambassadors for the
community,” she said. “When our family and friends come to visit,
there’s no greater tour guides than ourselves.”
ONE COMMON GOAL
Although unique, the divisions of the Greater Kokomo Economic
Development Alliance have one common goal: to create a strong,
vibrant, thriving community in which to live, work and play.
As we like to say here at the Alliance, we’re working to build a
greater Kokomo.
Mike Dukes
Greater Kokomo Economic Development Alliance and its divisions a driving force
GREATER KOKOMO
building an even
