Miracle in a Cornfield
September 23, 2014
“Miracle in a Cornfield,” WestGate@Crane Tech Park,
Welcomes New Tenants, Willcor, Inc. and STI Electronics, Inc.
Odon, IN – July 30, 2014 – Former Indiana Lt. Governor turned Radius Indiana President/CEO, Becky Skillman, once called the WestGate@Crane Tech Park a “miracle in a cornfield.” That miracle continues to grow. New tenants, Willcor, Inc. and STI Electronics, Inc., held a ribbon cutting on Wednesday morning, drawing a crowd of regional leaders and industrial partners. Willcor is a systems engineering company that supports naval bases across the country. STI has worked in and around Crane for several years, but has never had an opportunity to create a real presence in the tech park. Treva Lukens, Director of Training for Willcor, noted that together, the companies will provide technical and engineering expertise and training in support of Crane. Captain Jeffrey “JT” Elder was on hand to participate in the ribbon cutting. “We want to grow the tech park community as well as we can,” he said, offering his hope that “this new relationship [will] prove fruitful.”
This latest ribbon cutting is another sign that the region’s efforts to grow are meeting with some success. Skillman has spearheaded those efforts in her role at Radius Indiana, South Central Indiana’s eight-county economic development region.
“I’m delighted that Willcor and STI have decided to put down roots here in the heart of South Central Indiana,” Skillman said after the ceremony. “And I appreciate the fact that they have chosen to make a public announcement. News like this brings great hope and comfort to Hoosiers about the improving economy and the future of Crane.”
WestGate@Crane Authority Board members were also present, including President John Mensch, Vice President Don Bowling, member Ken Gremore, and WestGate Authority Executive Director, Don Schulte. The state’s only tri-county, certified tech park is home to a number of growing small businesses as well as Fortune 500 companies like SAIC. The Willcor/STI ribbon cutting is the latest in a series of developments including the opening of the WestGate Academy Conferencing and Training Center and the Battery Innovation Center.