2020-21 Benton County Fact Book

E E

R F

Benton County

2020-2021

Fact Book

A Special Publication of Kankakee Valley Publishing

INDEX County Government

Pages 4-7

Community School

Page 8

Ambia

Page 9

Boswell

Page 9

Earl Park

Page 10

Fowler

Page 10

Oxford

Page 10

Otterbein

Page 11

B

enton County was formed in 1840 and is situated in North West Indiana on the Illinois State Line about half way between Indianapolis and Chicago.

Benton County is steeped with rich history that includes: being known as one of Indiana’s top agriculture communities, being known as the home of Dan Patch, Famous World Champion Harness Horse and now being known as the home of Indiana’s First Wind Farm. While nearly 35% of its population resides in the rural areas of the 11 townships, the remaining residents of the community live within six incorporated towns.

Etter Tire Service 219 East 5th Street

Fowler, IN 47944

Koby Wallpe Sales Associate Your local independent tire dealer 765-585-8851

A Community Bank Owned in the Communities it Serves · Fowler · Kentland · Williamsport www.fowlerstatebank.com

765-884-1200 or 800-439-3951

Page 2

Benton County Fact Book 2020

Welcome W

hen I first came to be the Economic Development Director in April 2016, Benton County already had a good start on reinventing itself.

I found the elected officials are dedicated to growing the business base of the county. In 2007 Benton County started construction of Indiana’s first wind farm. Being the leader in bringing this renewable energy to our state gives Benton County a great sense of pride.

Being a very rural community with a 94% agriculture footprint and a hometown attitude, Benton County is the perfect community to start or expand a business, and raise a family.

With a desire to grow its agriculture roots, lower tax base, prime business sites, quality school system, and a small hometown atmosphere we are eager to show off our assets.

We encourage everyone to come and visit the majestic beauty of the Benton County wind farms. You will be impressed with the Friendly people of our community. Feel free to stop by and ask questions or take a tour. We look forward to meeting you.

Benton County Economic Development

Welcomes You!

www.benton4business.com

Sincerely,

Paul Jackson

Director Benton County Economic Development

Tankless water heaters for the do-it yourselfers 120 North Washington Avenue, Fowler, IN Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST Saturday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. EST 219-369-4781 10% OFF if you mention this ad

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Benton County Fact Book 2020

Whether you are new to Benton County or not, let us help you locate the business resources you need to succeed.

We offer assistance for new businesses, as well as Retention and Expansion of existing ones.

Contact us at: Economic Development Director – Paul Jackson Located in the Benton County Courthouse 706 E. 5th St., Suite 11, Fowler, IN 47944 (765) 884-2080 pjackson@bentoncounty.in.gov Page 3

County Government Assessor

Circuit Court

Kelly Balensiefer assessor@bentoncounty.in.gov 706 E 5th Street; Suite 23 Fowler, IN 47944 PHONE:(765) 884-1205 FAX: (765) 884-2074

Honorable Judge Rex Kepner Court Administrators Kathy Freeman Teresa Molter PHONE: (765) 884-0370 FAX: (765) 884-2027 706 E. 5th Street Fowler, IN 47944

Auditor

Audrey Freeland afreeland@bentoncounty.in.gov 706 E 5th Street; Suite 21 Fowler, IN 47944 PHONE: (765) 884-0760 FAX: (765) 884-2075

Clerk

Building Commissioner

Matt Hull 706 E 5th Street Fowler, IN 47944 PHONE: (765) 585-4065

Dr. Kyle O. Sheets Dr. Robin D. Sheets

Natalie Kidd nkidd@bentoncounty.in.gov 706 E 5th Street; Suite 37 Fowler, IN 47944 PHONE: (765) 884-0930 FAX: (765) 884-0322

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10527 Bunker Dr. | DeMotte, IN Call Julee Kistler 219-670-3766 Page 4

(765) 884-0760 (auditor’s office) 706 E 5th Street Fowler, IN 47944 DIST. I Steven Cox coxysteven@gmail.com (765) 761-8265 DIST II Mike Freeland (765) 761-8265 mikefreeland@bentoncounty. in.gov DIST III Bryan Berry (219) 474-3474 bberry@bentoncounty.in.gov

Freshest Shrimp for 600 Miles!

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Commissioners

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765.583.005 Business Hours: Mon.-Thur.

9 am - 4 pm Business Hours: n.-Thur.

-4 Fri. 9 am9 -am 6 pm Fri. 99 am pm Sat. am -- 6noon

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County Government Coroner

Matthew Rosenbarger 905 S Park Ave (765) 884-0080 benton.coroner@yahoo.com

County Council

(765) 884-0760 ext. 1 (auditor’s office) 706 E 5th Street Fowler, IN 47944 Council Members DIST I Angela Glotzbach (765) 543-9869 amglotzbach@gmail.com DIST II Robert D. Sloniger (765) 363-2513 slonny79@yahoo.com

WEST LAFAYETTE AGRI-SALES TOM OSWALD

Sales & Service toswald@wlagrisales.com

703 East Benton Street, Oxford, IN 47971 (800) 201-2062 • www.wlagrisales.com Financing/Leasing Available

DIST III Brad Harman (765) 307-1633 brad_harman@hotmail.com DIST IV James K. Schoen (765) 385-5339 jschoen@hoosierassociates.com

COUNCIL AT-LARGE Bruce Buchanan (765) 385-5147 bruce@buchananfarms.us John (Jack) Duncan (765) 884-0405 froggy@localline.com Brent Cox 317-431-0646 brent.cox@wilsontrailer.com

Daily’s Service Station Keith Daily 711 E. 5th St. Fowler, IN 47944

(765) 884-1270

Serving You Since 1958

Real Estate Development General Construction Property Management 12028 North CR 200 West Wheatfield, IN 46392 Tel: (219) 956-3111 Fax: (219) 956-3570

www.HamstraGroup.com

Benton County Fact Book 2020

Page 5

County Government Recorder

Prosecuting Attorney

Jane Turner jturner@bentoncounty.in.gov 706 E 5th Street; Suite 24 Fowler, IN 47944 PHONE: (765) 884-1630 FAX: (765) 884-2013

John Wright John@dumasweist.com P.O Box 101 Fowler, IN 47944 Phone: (765) 884-1399 Fax: (765) 885-5111

Don Munson don_munson@sbcglobal.net 105 S Lincoln Avenue Fowler, IN 47944 PHONE: (765) 884-0080 FAX: (765) 884-12022 EMERGENCY: 911

Mike Budreau 1101 E. Lingle Ave Fowler, IN 47944 Phone: (765) 884-0420 Fax: (765) 884-2020

Dave Fisher dfisher@bentoncounty.in.gov 706 E 5th Street; Suite 17 Fowler, IN 47944 PHONE: (765) 884-0095 FAX: (765) 884-2010

Kathy Sarault ksarault@bentoncounty.in.gov 706 E. 5th St. Suite 12 Fowler, IN 47944 Phone: (765) 884-1728 Fax: 765) 884-2072

Sheriff

Surveyor

Highway Superintenent

County Administrator, Sanitarian & Vital Records

Iroquois Valley Monuments Memorials and Monuments to forever honor a loved one

Serving Newton, Benton, Jasper & Iroquois Counties

Owners: Kyle D. and Gail Conrad ~ Brook, IN Available for Appointments at our Fowler location, 205 E. Fifth St. in the Conrad Agency

Cheryl A. Coy, Administrator

5098 W 550 N, Earl Park, IN 47942 219.474.6136 www.caldwellhome.org

765.884.0530

In home consultations available. www.iroquoisvalleymonuments.com Page 6

Mike Marquess

Owner mikesallseasondetail@gmail.com

302 E McConnell St Oxford, IN 47971 Off of US 352

Benton County Fact Book 2020

County Government Director of Homalnd Security & BEMA

Jason Fisher emsdirector@bentoncounty.in.gov 604 E. 2nd St. Suite B Fowler IN 47944 Phone: (765) 884-1359

Waste-Recycling Coordinator

Liz Fisher 1101 E. Lingle St. Phone: (765) 884-0420 Fowler IN 47944

Soil &Water Conservation District

109 S. Grant Ave Suite B Fowler IN 47944 Phone: (765) 884-1090

Veterans Officer

Dennis Goodman 706 E. 5th St. Fowler IN 47944 Phone: (765) 884-1831 Fax: (765) 884-2013

Retirement Village

Carrie Smith csmith@bentoncounty.in.gov 3639 E. 200 S. Oxford IN 47971 Phone: (765) 884-0589

Director of Economic Development

Paul Jackson pjackson@bentoncounty.in.gov 706 E. 5th St. Fowler IN 47944 Phone: (765) 884-2080

Benton County Extension Office

Officer: Kelsie Muller 410 S. Adeway Fowler IN 47944 Phone: (765) 884-0140 Fax: (765) 884-0574

Get the Complete Coverage You’ve Been Missing Kyle D. Conrad Owner/Agent Kelly Unger Agent/Customer Service Shirley Zink Agent/Customer Service Paige Dowell Agent/Customer Service

Representing:

• Auto Owners • Safeco • State Auto • Buckeye • Progressive • Celina • Nationwide • National General • Allstate • Mutual of Indiana • Grinnell

for all of your Home, Auto, Business and Farm Needs

THE

CONRAD AGENCY Established 1921

205 E Fifth St, Fowler, IN 47944 765-884-0530 (800) 388-0530 Fax (765) 884-8119 kyle@conradinsagency.com

Benton County Fact Book 2020

Page 7

Community Schools Benton Community School Corporation

School Corporation Office Superintendent: Gregg Hoover email: ghoover@benton.k12.in.us (765) 884-0850 405 S Grant Avenue Fowler, IN 47944 www.benton.k12.in.us Benton Central Jr.-Sr. High School (765) 884-1600 4241 East 300 South Oxford, IN 47971 Boswell Elementary

(765) 869-5523 414 W Main Street Boswell, IN 47921

Otterbein Elementary (765) 583-4401 111 W Oxford Street PO Box 368 Otterbein, IN 47970 Prairie Crossing Elementary (765) 884-3000 2758 South 400 East Oxford, IN 47971 Website: pce.benton.k12.in.us

Sacred Heart Catholic School

607 N Washington Ave. Fowler, IN 47944 website: www.sacredheartschoolfowler. org

AG COMMODITY HAULERS

J

ALBERTSO L & N FOWLER, IN

702 E. 8th St. Fowler, IN 47944 (765) 761-0987 Page 8

Benton County Fact Book 2020

Located in Hickory Grove Township in the southwest corner of Benton County, Ambia is a small town that over 200 people call home. Founded in February of 1875 by Ezekiel and Marietta Talbot, the Town is named for their daughter, Ambia Talbot. Youth in Ambia attend Boswell Elementary School and Benton Central High School. Despite its size, Ambia is still home to two churches, a post office, and multiple businesses. In addition, there is a newly renovated public playground and the Ambia Alumni Monument Park for a nice walk.

Clerk/Treasurer - Christine Brost

townofambia.clk.trs@gmail.com 118 N. 3rd St. P.O. Box 218 Ambia IN 47917 Phone: (765) 869-5652

Long known as the Hub of the Universe, Boswell is located along US Highway 41 in southern Benton County. The Town of Boswell was founded in 1872 by Parnaham Boswell. Nearly 800 people call this small town home in Grant Township. Boswell has many advantages to offer any family or business considering a move. The town offers the ideal access to education and information with a fully accredited school system and a beautifully restored Carnegie library. A new park complements the other fine recreational and picnic areas. The Boswell utility system is second to none with plenty of capacity for expansion for business or new residences. Youth in Boswell attend Boswell Elementary School and Benton Central High School.

Boswell Clerk-Treasurer

Town Council

Water Superintendent & Town Maintenance

Alan Brost (765) 869-5636

Fire Chief - Dan Dodge

Phone: (765) 761-8433

Donna Musenbrock Phone: (765) 869-5951 Fax: (765) 869-4542 clerk@townofboswell.com 108A East Main St. P.O. Box 617 Boswell, IN 47921

Kyle Brost Paul Tolen Jake Foster

auto repai r

Velma Martinez Amy Cade Drew Stephen

Town of Boswell

auto detail

Town of Ambia

Boswell Town Council Fire Chief - Ryan Gillen

Phone: (765) 869-5049

Town Marshall - Kevin McCombs

Phone: 765-869-5951

auto sales

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Visit Our Website: fowlerfamilydentistry.net

765-884-0740

HIP Provider - We Accept Most Insurance, Care Credit, and IN Medicaid

Office Hours: Mon. 8-5 p.m.; Tues. 9-6 p.m.; Wed. 8-5 p.m.; Thurs. 8-5 p.m.; Fri. Closed

809 N. Washington Ave. Fowler, IN 47944

Benton County Fact Book 2020

Page 9

Town of Earl Park Phil McGinnis Ricky Yates Jr. Marty Lewis

Earl Park Town Council Town Clerk Treasurer

Kristen Hardebeck (219) 474-6108 khardebeck@benton.k12.in.us P.O. Box 67, Earl Park, IN 47942

Fire Chief

Troy Strasburger (765) 376-7503

Town of Oxford Oxford Clerk-Treasurer

Christie Hale 105 S Howard Street; PO Box 54, Oxford, IN 47971 Phone: (765) 385-2150 Oxfordct@sbcglobal.net Randy Jones Russell Hoaks Tina Coffman Justin Brummett James Deckard

Oxford Town Council

Jeremie Boehle, Chief Phone: (765) 385-2525

Town of Fowler Linda Brouillette Patrick Claire Steve Sorenson Jason Fisher Michael Sanders

Fowler Clerk-Treasurer

Cindy Gretencord (765) 884-0570 clerk@townoffowler.com 307 E Fifth St. Fowler, IN 47944

Fowler Police Department

Chief Lee Klemme (765) 884-0450

Bill Burton, Chief (765) 884-8011 1205 SE 13th Street Fowler, IN 47944 Nate Besse (765) 884-1850

Fire Chief

Fowler Town Council

John Budreau (765) 884-0680

Fire Chief

Utilities

Street Superintendent

Proudly Serving Benton County For Over 35 Years!

Brouillette

Heating, Cooling & Plumbing

All Your

H OME

I MPROVEMENT N EEDS Under One Roof

We work on all makes and models 24-hour Emergency Service 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed Fowler, IN • 765-884-0176

• Lumber • Hardware • Paint

• Cabinets • Flooring • Windows

VISIT OUR NEW WEBSITE

denohomecenter.com

DENO HOME CENTER

705 E. 10th Street • Fowler, IN (Corner of 10th and Grant) Mon-Fri 7:30am-5:30pm; Sat. 7:30am-4pm

“We Do It Right The First Time” Page 10

(765) 884-0500 • 1-800-540-8296

Benton County Fact Book 2020

Town of Otterbein Ron Shoup

403-510 South Old US 41 Boswell, IN 47921

Town Administrator

Otterbein Clerk-Treasurer

Treeva Sarles 104 E. 2nd Street; P.O. Box 215, Otterbein, IN 4970 765-583-0089 clerk@otterbein.in.gov Kevin Burk Amy Brown Doyle Allison Jackey Apache Rick Hadley

Town Council

Lorean Johnston 765-583-0089

For your storage needs!

Town Administrator

Ron Shoup shoupr@purdue.edu (765) 583-0089 Doug Cordell (765) 237-4185

Call 866-577-0778 (Toll Free)

GLOTZBACH

PHARMACY

Fire Chief

a local family caring for our community

Utility Supt.

500 S. Grant Ave. (765) 884-1520 Fowler, IN 47944 Follow us on We are a preferred provider for Blue Cross, MDwise & Tricare

Find the Best Seat in the House

La-Z-Boy Recliners are built for comfort and style

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Visit our showroom today to find great quality brands like La-Z-Boy. We can meet your budget with our financing options.

407 N Old U.S. Highway 41 Boswell, IN 47921

765-869-4218 800-499-0457

Monday through Friday 9-6 EST, Saturday 9-5 EST, Sunday 1-5 EST

www.gibsonfurniture.net

Benton County Fact Book 2020

gibfurn@att.net

Page 11

SINCE 1930

Your Goals.

Our Solutions.

Together.

PERSONAL COMMERICAL AGRICULTURE FRANCESVILLE MONON MONTICELLO OTTERBEIN OXFORD RENSSELAER WINAMAC

888.567.2101 - MYALLIANCEBANK.COM Page 12

Benton County Fact Book 2020