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
SheetsFamilyDentistry.com
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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
rdmshrimp.com rdmshrimp.com Benton County Fact Book 2020
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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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!
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“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
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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