New president has One Southern Indiana on right track

By Dan Moss, Courier-Journal

3.19.08 - Business is good, really good, at Carl F. Booth Veneers. The company must move to bigger space to keep up. 

Booth and his people are to be congratulated.

Booth credits One Southern Indiana, in turn, for helping to pave the way, including linking the firm to government incentives.

"It was very cooperative, getting us in touch with the right people," Booth said of what used to be known as the Southern Indiana Chamber of Commerce. "It's been through the drill. Being helpful to small business is where it's at."

One Southern Indiana will not be 2 years old until July. The value of its born-again priorities, though, already is acclaimed by its leaders. Success stories like Booth's seem fairly commonplace despite a shaky economy. One Southern Indiana lent all a helping hand, possibly hinting at a broader prosperity ahead.

"That's our focus, to be an advocate for business," said Michael Dalby, the president of One Southern Indiana who arrived in tandem with the change. "And to help business, no matter what size, no matter what it is into, to do more business. Everything is geared to help business grow."

Dalby came from Texas to pilot an operation impatient to reach the next level. The effort's name had to be different, symbolism apparently no small matter. Its agenda had to be expanded to include that of the also-retired Southern Indiana Economic Development Council. Pooling talents and strengths, could One Southern Indiana really reflect one Southern Indiana? Would new management, a new logo, necessarily result in new outcomes?

"It's been a complete reorganization of the organization and a change of the outlook," said Spencer Harmon, a board member.

The talk was of a region's vast potential, one that might not be reached without aggressive, deft intervention. Kerry Stemler, then and now the group's chairman, defends the remake now with proof. Jobs are consistently being created, all right. Regionalism is being trumpeted.

"That doesn't mean there isn't a whole lot more to do," Stemler said.

Dalby and his staff call routinely on businesses -- 200, to date -- some not even among the 1,100 organization members. No, Dalby assures, we're not asking for money. Tell us your hopes. Spell out your impediments. There has got to be some service One Southern Indiana can provide.

The contacts can be watershed crucial. Twenty-three firms are expanding that otherwise may not have. Others stay that may have relocated. Booth's payroll is to swell by about 60. Others in the stead of One Southern Indiana are adding 55, and 46, and 38, and 17, and 15 and 10.

Such is how the labor force typically will grow, Dalby realizes. "The big deals are a needle in the haystack," he said.

Or as Harmon said: "How many Hondas (plants) come down the road? Not many."

Then again, the River Ridge Commerce Center -- the enormous former ammunition plant in Clark County -- can accommodate most anything. That will be Booth's new site. Dalby considers River Ridge the area's leg up. Read it and weep, competitors.

"We're talking 6,000 acres," Dalby said. "That's almost unheard of."

One Southern Indiana will spend about $1.3 million this year, all given privately. Stemler is disappointed government is not on board with aid. Lobbying for public-sector dollars goes on. Stemler is glad to remind all who will listen that economic development is a team sport. "The opportunity in Southern Indiana is unbelievable," he said.

Dalby, 49, who had held similar jobs in four states, has settled in Floyds Knobs. He said he is content, inspired by the commitment of those for whom he works and impressed by the area's relative wealth of entrepreneurs such as Booth, a one-time teacher, and Stemler, a commercial builder and developer.

Recognizing such successes, working closely with cohorts in Louisville, offering training, pushing for more Ohio River bridges and for closer cooperation among local governments, One Southern Indiana under Dalby also continues or resumes more traditional chamber functions.

Dalby has done an excellent job, according to Stemler.

"He's what we needed," Stemler said.

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