Pride doesn’t happen by accident. It’s built day by day by teachers, builders, entrepreneurs, public servants, and neighbors who choose to show up, and that spirit just earned Kosciusko County the title of Indiana’s 2025 Community of the Year. We sit down with Vanessa Green Sinders, President and CEO of the Indiana Chamber, to unpack why a county rose above a field usually dominated by cities and what that says about the power of collaboration.

The moment 40 local leaders took the stage together wasn’t just a photo op. It captured a culture where business, government, education, and non-profits collaborate in a powerful way. We talk about the shift from single-city spotlights to regional strategies, the benefits of aligning workforce, housing, and infrastructure plans, and the momentum that comes when a community invites everyone into the work.

AllInKosciusko.com

Something extraordinary is happening in Warsaw, Indiana. For generations, this small Midwestern community has quietly maintained its status as the "Orthopedic Capital of the World," but now that expertise is becoming the catalyst for a statewide transformation in healthcare innovation.

The recent FrameWORX event, hosted by BioCrossroads and OrthoWorx at Grace College's MOCC facility, marked the first time this prestigious program ventured beyond Indianapolis, a testament to Warsaw's growing significance in the broader MedTech landscape. Academic researchers, industry leaders, and healthcare professionals gathered to forge connections that could revolutionize how we approach musculoskeletal health.

At the heart of this movement is an ambitious vision championed by the Indiana Center for Musculoskeletal Health. Director Dr. Melissa Kacena shares how their multi-institutional approach is breaking down traditional silos between universities and industry partners. The potential payoff? A $160 million National Science Foundation grant that would establish Indiana as the epicenter of MedTech innovation nationwide.

The possibilities are transformative: smart implants that detect infections before symptoms appear, AI systems that predict bone conditions decades before they develop, and eventually, 3D-printed biological replacements for damaged tissue. But beyond the technology itself, this collaboration represents a fundamental shift in how innovation happens, creating pathways for surgeons with practical insights to connect with engineers and business experts who can bring those ideas to market faster and more efficiently.

Educational institutions across the state play a crucial role in this ecosystem, developing specialized programs that combine orthopedic knowledge with engineering expertise, data science capabilities, and entrepreneurial skills. These partnerships ensure the talent pipeline remains as innovative as the technology itself, preparing students for careers that might not even exist yet.

As Ryan Christner, CEO of OrthoWorx puts it: "We've been dreaming pretty big for a long time, but how do we dream bigger?" The answer lies in these emerging partnerships between institutions, industries, and innovators across Indiana, with Kosciusko County standing proudly at the epicenter of a movement that could transform healthcare for generations to come.

AllInKosciusko.com

A revolution in affordable transportation is coming to Warsaw, Indiana, and Slate Auto CEO Chris Barman joins us to share what makes this emerging EV company so different from everything else on the market.

Chris reveals the profound insight driving Slate's mission: Instead of adding more luxury features and complex technology, Slate is returning to basics with a refreshingly simple approach - one standard configuration with manual windows and no screens, designed as an open platform for owner customization.

But Slate isn't just rethinking the product - they're reimagining the entire ownership experience. Through "Slate University," owners learn to modify their vehicles themselves, from changing exterior colors with $500 wrap kits to more complex transformations. The composite body panels are specifically designed for easy customization, putting control back in owners' hands.

For Warsaw and Kosciusko County, Slate's manufacturing facility brings approximately 1,800 new jobs and a business culture focused on transparency and community connection. As a Crown Point native and Purdue graduate, Barman's Indiana roots make this homecoming especially meaningful. Her journey from aspiring pediatrician to automotive executive exemplifies the innovative thinking Slate brings to our region.

Want to learn more about Slate or explore job opportunities? Visit Slate.Auto to see their vehicle, use their customization tool, and follow their careers page for upcoming positions in Warsaw. Join us in welcoming this groundbreaking company that's making new vehicles affordable again - right here in our community.

AllInKosciusko.com