After eight years Chad Kline transitions into new role
By MARK MILLER
When Chad Kline was elected to the Noble County Commissioners in the 2012 elections, his first appointment was to that county’s Economic Development Council. He felt like he had found a home.
“It really piqued my interest,” he said in his Bluffton office on a rainy Thursday morning. “The prospect of developing relationships to improve a community and work towards positive growth — that really is what drew me to this.”
So when he heard that there was an opening for an economic development director in Wells County in late 2015, he immediately considered applying.
“By that time, I had got to know Blake Gerber and Kevin Woodward and Toby Steffen,” he continued, “so I talked to them about it and they encouraged me to apply. Frankly, I’m not sure why I was selected but I am glad they did.”
One of the attractions for him to the Wells County position was the “cooperation and collaboration” of the chamber of commerce and the economic development offices working so closely together. “At the time, Wells County was a bit unique,” he confirmed. “But it’s becoming more common now.”
Kline’s last day as Wells County’s economic development director was Friday; he will begin his new duties Monday as one of three directors of economic development at Greater Fort Wayne, Inc., which is a similar combination of those two entities, only on a bigger scale.
Having assumed his duties here in February, 2016, it is just over eight years of work that he reflected upon.
“I really feel good about the momentum Wells County has,” he said. More than 1 million square feet of manufacturing and logistics space has been added during his tenure. He knows that is remarkable for not just a county of this size, but also in a county that does not have an interstate highway. In fact, he added, Wells County is the only county in northeast Indiana with no four-lane highway.
Kline briefly walked though two examples — 20/20 Custom Molding and Inteva. He called the Inteva project the “largest Wells County has seen in a number of years.”
Originally targeted at adding about 400 jobs, employment at the plant is now up to about 650.
“Yes, I’m pretty proud of that,” but quickly added that it has not been just him. He described his role as a “professional middle man.”
“Nothing can happen without the support of local government,” he said, but he is proud of the support and collaboration his office has provided. He also praised the support of the Wells County Foundation.
“I cannot say enough about their support and Tammy (Slater),” he added. “It’s been amazing.”
He also pointed to momentum in other areas, such as workforce development and housing needs, noting that the increasing costs of construction have impacted efforts surrounding “accessibility, affordability and attainability,” he explained. “But we’ve made progress there. And I hope it continues, by whoever or whatever follows.”
The issue of talent attraction may well fall under the auspices of the tourism bureau, a new entity that was one of Kline’s priorities. A large part of that concept of tourism is not just attracting people for a weekend or an event, “but also to attract and retain residents,” he explained, which can create new business and opportunities for everyone.
As he departs, he also feels good about the process for each community in the county in developing a master plan.
“We’ve set up the framework for them to work on ‘what does the future look like,’ ‘what do we do about it.’ This will help us be more intentional about growth,” he explained.
The county foundation was also instrumental in creating an early learning coalition. This program, established in cooperation with Adams County through the Adams Wells Manufacturing Association, will help address issues in child care, “which is critical to workforce development,” he noted.
The coalition will eventually become a stand-alone non-profit.
“Again, every project is a partnership,” he continued. The coalition added the Adams County commissioners to the mix.
And now he will be taking that “middle man” experience and skills into a different environment.
“I’ll be focused on business retention and expansion,” he explained, “as opposed to doing everything.” Other ED directors in the Greater Fort Wayne organization will focus on downtown development, new business recruitment, and workforce development. That change will have its upsides and its downsides.
“I am really looking forward to having a real vacation,” he noted with a smile. He has typed up proposals and prepared presentations on a train in Germany and on a beach in Hawaii. “You were always on duty, but that’s just part of the job.” But, he insisted, he was not complaining.
He is looking forward to working with “an organization that thinks outside of the box,” being part of a larger team and an opportunity to have a more dedicated focus.
“It was not an opportunity I sought, but it became something I thought I should,” he shared.
He paused and gazed out his office window that overlooks the Wabash River before talking about the downsides.
“Leaving previous jobs has never been difficult,” he said. “This is going to be difficult.”
He cited some “unfinished business” — housing initiatives, workforce development and talent attraction and retention.
One project that will be completed is the “Downtown Ossian project,” he said. “We’ve been getting close to the finish line — there will be some announcements coming soon.” He was able to make arrangements with his new employers to devote what time is needed to get it completed.
“They recognize the importance of this project for the region,” he said.
It is what initially drew him to the job — building relationships — that will make it the most difficult to leave.
After emphasizing that he and his wife are not moving, that they will still be a part of the community and he will continue to serve on the Norwell school board, “we’ve made a lot of friends,” he said, “and then there’s this team…” as he gestured towards the office area in the Chamber building. And paused again.
“We’re family,” he finally said. “And I have never seen a more dedicated and enthusiastic person as Erin (Prible) is toward this organization and this community.”
He is confident his future work will entail Wells County. Both Greater Fort Wayne and Wells County is aware that success of the region is about working together.
“And I’ll still be pulling and rooting for Wells County’s success.”
miller@news-banner.com
