Locate or grow your business in Spencer County Indiana - Lincolnland News of Interest and Upcoming Events in Spencer County Indiana

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Annual Meeting Features AEP Tour

Note: Article courtesy of the Evansville Courier & Press
When laws curbing the release of greenhouse gases take effect, it's likely that only the cheapest and most efficient coal-fired power plants can continue operating at a profit.

AEP

Judged by those criteria, the mammoth plant in Rockport, Ind., stands a good chance of being around far into the future, said a representative of the plant owner on Thursday.

Venita McCellon-Allen, an executive vice president for American Electric Power Utilities East, told members of the Lincolnland Economic Development Corp. at an annual meeting Thursday that the Rockport plant is the cheapest and most efficient in the company's eastern fleet.

AEP control room

A step-up transformer converts 26,000 volts of electricity to 765,000 volts for distribution to the Rockport plant.

That's good news for the roughly 250 employees there and others who see the coal-fired generator as a boon to the local economy.

McCellon-Allen said the advent of rules meant to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases will force utility companies to reassess the costs and benefits of burning coal to produce electricity.

Jacqui-et all

Each plant in a company's fleet is likely to receive individual consideration, she said.

"What we will see as a result is that some plants will live on and will have new investments and new machines added on," she said. "And some plants will not."
American Electric Power's plans now call for adding scrubbers and other equipment needed to remove emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrous oxide starting in 2017.

The company also has begun to experiment at a plant in West Virginia with technology meant to capture greenhouse gases before they can get into the air, where they are believed to contribute to global warming.

McCellon-Allen said any plan to use such equipment can go forward only so long as it is affordable. American Electric Power is likely to find that it costs too much to bring some of its plants into compliance with new standards.

"New plants will need to be built," she said. "And that too will cost additional money for our customers."

roof

From the audience, John DiDomizio, director of business development with Morley & Associates, noted that American Electric Power's Rockport plant burns coal from Wyoming because it contains less sulfur than local coal.

Will new equipment, DiDomizio asked, enable the company to begin using the high-sulfur kind found in Indiana?

McCellon-Allen said such a switch won't occur in the near future.

"Given the environmental controls, we simply can't do it with Indiana coal," she said. "That's not our choice. That is a choice we have to make on behalf of the environment at many of our plants."

She said American Electric Power is working with Congress in the debate over theso-called Waxman-Markey bill, which proposes to control emissions of greenhouse gases through a cap-and-trade system.

plant model

She said the company prefers that such rules be imposed through law rather than be left to the discretion of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Last year, the EPA ruled that greenhouse gases are pollutants and a danger to human life. That decision opened the door for federal regulators to begin imposing rules on companies that emit such gases.

McCellon-Allen said American Electric Power has several reasons to prefer that new environmental rules come from lawmakers.

"Legislation provides a more orderly and cost-effective outcome for our customers than regulation through the EPA," she said.

"Regulations through the EPA is very onerous, and it has few checks and balances. And it comes with a great deal of litigation, which is very costly and drives up customers' bills unnecessarily."

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Holiday World Rides Receive High Honors

Holiday World in Santa Claus says The Voyage has been named the top wooden roller coaster in the U.S. by the Los Angeles Times. The Raven, which is also at the southern Indiana park, is ranked number 7. Holiday World is the only park with two coasters on the list.

LEDC Annual Meeting January 28

The LEDC Annual Meeting will be held Thursday, January 28th, 2010, 11:30am (central) at the Trinity United Methodist Church Gideon Hall (Corner of 5th and Main Streets in Rockport, Indiana). Luncheon will be served.

Our keynote speaker is Venita McCellon-Allen, Executive Vice President of American Electric Power East Utilities. She will be speaking on the subject - Why Coal-Generated Electricity's Reliability and Affordability is Vital to the Nation's Clean Energy Future.

A tour of AEP's Rockport Plant will be offered following the luncheon. RSVP is required to attend this free event. Please call (812-649-2119) or email Megan Guth by Friday, January 22nd.

Full details and map are available as a PDF document by clicking here.

Spencer County Visitors Bureau Names New Director

The Spencer County Visitors Bureau has hired a new executive director. Hoosier native Melissa Wilkinson most recently worked as director of public relations at the Maltz Jupiter Theatre in Palm Beach County, Florida. In her new position, she will be responsible for marketing Spencer County's historic sites and attractions as an overnight destination.

The Winner & Still Champion...

For the third year in a row, Holiday World’s Voyage ride has been named the No. 1 wooden coaster in the world. The announcement was made by the trade journal Amusement Today during the annual “best of the best” Golden Ticket Awards ceremony at Legoland California.


The 1.2-mile Voyage is the Southern Indiana theme park’s longest, tallest and fastest coaster, known for its 24.2 seconds of “air time” (passengers lifted from their seat). For the 10th straight year Holiday World was named the country’s cleanest park, outranking Disney World, Kings Island, Dollywood and Cedar Point. It came in second in the friendliest park category.

Splashin’ Safari remained the No. 2 water park in the listing and its ZOOMbabwe water slide ranked as the second best water park ride. Holiday World President Will Koch called the Voyage’s top ranking an “incredible honor” because there are so many “amazing roller coasters around the world.” The awards are based on surveys of "well-traveled" theme park customers.

Holiday World to Unleash 'Wildebeest'

Holiday World in Santa Claus has announced the second-largest ride in the park's 64-year history. The $5.5 million Wildebeest is expected to open in Spalshin' Safari next May. Park officials are describing it as The World's Longest Water Coaster, which will cover more than two acres. The project is the second-largest single ride investment ever at the park. President Will Koch anticipates the expansion will lead to an additional 50 seasonal employees next summer.

Christmas-themed Store to Open in Santa Claus

A new attraction in Santa Claus, Indiana is under construction and is scheduled for
an August opening. The Santa Claus Christmas Store will be located in the Kringle Place Shopping Center. Owned and operated by Philip Koch and his Santa Claus based company HO HO HOldings, LLC, the store features over 6,500 sq. ft. of retail space including gifts, indoor and outdoor Christmas lights, wreaths, tree trimmings, nativities, Christmas yard art, home d•cor and collectibles.

Commercial decorations and lighting will also be offered along with an online store currently under development. Within the store is a magical place called Santa's House. Between Thanksgiving and Christmas this year, children can visit with and have their photos taken with Santa. In 2010, Santa will be available May through December. Candy, fudge, cookies and other items will also be sold in the store.

Lincoln Attractions Expected to Boost Tourism

Spencer County officials believe the area will receive a significant economic boost from some new Abraham Lincoln attractions. A new plaza to mark Lincoln's youth was recently unveiled at Lincoln State Park. A Fort Wayne artist and architectural firm combined on the $300 thousand public art project. The Lincoln Amphitheater has reopened after three years of inactivity with a play entitled Lincoln.

'Coal to gas' touted as future for energy


Aa proposed coal-to-gas plant is evidence that on its own, the state can begin to reduce its carbon footprint without pummeling Hoosier ratepayers in the process.

With the U.S. Department of Energy set to provide low-interest loans to finance the first
generation of coal-gasification projects, developers who want to build such a plant near
Rockport, Ind., expect to learn within two months whether theyʼll qualify for a loan.

Governor Mitch Daniels' energy policy director, David Pippen, says the proposed Rockport plant has “tremendous potential to provide a clean energy source to Hoosiers.”

William Rosenberg, a developer who leads Indiana Gasification, says clean coal is
cheaper and more stable than natural gas, making it a better option even if
cap-and-trade legislation does pass. “If thereʼs going to be a carbon dioxide constraint in the production of electricity, then itʼs going to drive up the price of natural gas and drive down the price of coal,” he said.

Rosenberg said Indiana Gasification also is negotiating with a Gulf Coast company to build a pipeline to transport the sequestered carbon dioxide for use in oil fields.
Earlier this year he predicted negotiations would take place on all fronts this spring. Rosenberg says everything remains on track, and he expects a clear picture of the plantʼs future to become evident by July.

Holiday World Wins Award For Allergen-Friendly Menu

Holiday World & Splashin' Safari's decision to introduce an allergen-friendly menu has led to a national honor. The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network has named the Santa Claus operation a recipient of its "Making a Difference" Award. Holiday World is the only business to receive the honor this year. Several of the park's restaurants are planning to expand their menu of pre-packaged items that do not include some of the most common food allergens.

More Steps Forward in Spencer County


Lincolnland Economic Development Corp. Executive Director Tom Utter says his organization has helped secure land for the proposed facility, but negotiations are ongoing.

Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels traveled to Spencer County to discuss a proposed substitute natural gas (SNG) project. He met with local officials and community residents. Daniels recently signed legislation that establishes a funding mechanism, helping pave the way for a possible SNG plant in Rockport.

The state says the proposed facility in Rockport is expected to create 1,000 construction jobs, 500 permanent jobs and save energy customers billions of dollars.

 

Substitute Natural Gas Plant to Employ Hundreds

Governor Mitch Daniels has signed a bill clearing the way for a substitute natural gas (SNG) plant in Spencer County. The proposed facility in Rockport is expected to create 1,000 construction jobs, 500 permanent jobs and save energy customers billions of dollars. The plant will use coal to produce SNG, which is essentially the same as natural gas. Daniels says Indiana coal prices have proven to be more stable than natural gas and one plant could produce enough enough SNG to meet 15 percent to 20 percent of Indiana's current residential and commercial gas consumption.

Crews to Put Final Touches on New Holiday World Ride

Holiday World's new Pilgrim's pride ride
Riders will drop a record 131 feet at a top speed of 50 miles-per-hour,
creating a wall of water splash that is 45 feet high and 90 feet wide.

Crews will install the final piece of Holiday World & Splashin' Safari's newest attraction, Pilgrims Plunge, this morning. A huge crane will lift a 46 foot-long section of steel and place it at the top of the elevator tower. Holiday World says the 135 foot Pilgrims Plunge is the world's tallest water ride and will be open May 2.

 

Holiday World on List of Oprah's "Wacky" Attractions

Oprah.com has named Holiday World & Splashin' Safari one of eight "Wacky Family Attractions." The list has been put together for a feature designed to encourage families to vacation closer to home this year. President Will Koch does not mind the description, adding "come to think of it, it is a little wacky for a theme park to play Jingle Bells in the middle of July."

LEDC now Offers Membership Payments and Select Merchandise Onlineaccepted click here for "The Life of Abrahm Lincoln" prints and puzzles.

Lincolnland makes every effort to assist your business in succeeding and now provides some unique tools to help. Take a test drive of our business tools today by visiting this link.

Voyage roller coaster hangs on to No. 1 ranking


Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari’s Voyage roller coaster remains the world’s top wooden coaster,according to Amusement Today, a Texas-based trade journal that annually surveys theme park customers to determine the “best of the best” in the theme park industry.

This is the second year in a row that the 171-foot-high Voyage topped the list; the coaster opened in 2006. No. 2 was Thunderhead from Dollywood near Pigeon Forge, Tenn.

The honor was announced during this week’s annual Golden Ticket Awards ceremony in Orlando, Fla.

Splashin’ Safari was name the second best water park in the survey and its giant purple ZOOMbabwe water slide was second best water park ride. The No. 1 waterpark was Schlitterbahn in New Braunfels, Texas.

For the 11th year in a row, the Santa Claus, Ind., theme park was named “Friendliest Park” and for the ninth consecutive year “Cleanest Park,” outranking such parks as Disney World, Kings Island, Dolly Wood and Cedar Point, which was named best overall amusement park.

Holiday World’s two other wooden coasters, Raven and Legend, were voted 10th and 14th best coasters, respectively.

Holiday World recently announced plans to open the world’s tallest water ride, Pilgrims Plunge, next May on the northeast side of the park near the Voyage.

Amusement Today determines its awards on surveys submitted by well-traveled park enthusiasts from around the world.

Will Koch, president of the 63-year-old Southern Indiana tourist attraction, said it was “an incredible honor” to have Voyage named the besta gain because “there are so many amazing roller coasters around the world.”

 

World's tallest water ride coming to Holiday World

The world’s tallest water ride — the $4.3 million Pilgrim’s Plunge — is coming to Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari next spring. The classic “shoot the chute” ride will use an open elevator to swiftly lift 10-passenger boats 135 feet in the air. The 15-foot-long boats will pause briefly and then rapidly descend a record 131 feet at a 45-degree angle, creating a wall of water splashing 45 feet high and 90 feet wide.

Duke and American Electric Plan $1 Billion Power Transmission Investment

Duke Energy Corp. (NYSE: DUK) and American Electric Power (NYSE: AEP) have formed a joint venture to build and operate more than 200 miles of extra-high voltage transmission lines in Indiana. Pioneer Transmission LLC will link Duke's Greentown Station near Kokomo with AEP's Rockport Station near Evansville. The project has an estimated cost of $1 billion.

The project will expand extra-high-voltage transmission to
• Improve the reliability of the nation’s transmission grid
• Enhance the efficiency and reliability of the region’s transmission operators – Midwestern Independent System Operator (MISO) and PJM Interconnection (PJM)
• More efficiently link the region’s power plants and provide improved interconnections for new power plants in central Indiana, including the more than 3,000 megawatts of wind energy planned for the region.

Building more extra-high voltage 765-kV transmission lines in Indiana provides significant economic and environmental benefits. A 765-kV transmission line requires less land to carry more power than lower voltage lines.

Construction begins on US 231 in Spencer County

Governor Mitch Daniels, together with local and state officials, broke ground last week on two additional segments of the US 231 Corridor in Spencer County. In all, the US 231 Corridor, which will improve access between Kentucky and Interstate 64, is a $146 million project. Contracts totaling $47.7 million have been awarded for this portion of corridor.

"Because, and only because of the Major Moves transaction, our wait for a bigger, better US 231 is over. And because we have the dollars to build it now, it will cost millions less than was expected, and we'll invest those savings in more roads and more jobs," said Daniels.

I-69-spencer-sign

The original estimated cost of the corridor was nearly $163 million, with a projected completion date of 2014. But because the project has been accelerated by three years, the Indiana Department of Transportation has been able to reduce its cost. The US 231 corridor project will fulfill a long-standing commitment by the state, local government, regional planning commissions, and citizens to improve US 231 between the Ohio River and Interstate 64. Studies on improvements to US 231 were initiated years ago for safety and economic development reasons.

The US 231 Spencer County Corridor includes added capacity for a 20.3-mile section of US 231, which is currently a two-lane rural road with inadequate capacity. When complete, the new, limited access travel corridor allows for the distribution of products from southwestern Indiana. The project has an anticipated completion date of 2011.

jacqui-chris-at-I69-kickoff
Jacqui Duncan & Christine Prior at the I-69 Groundbreaking in Evansville

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Mayor of Owensboro Presents Artist Thomas Kennedy With Key to the City.

Tom Kennedy accepts key to his hometown, Owensboro, Ketucky from Mayor Tom Watson

(L) Owensboro Mayor Tom Watson presents a
key to the city to Thomas Kennedy (R) as Greater
Owensboro Economic Development Director Nick Brake looks on.

Artist Thomas Kennedy was pleasantly surprised when he was presented the key to the city of Owensboro, Kentucky today. Kennedy and Tom Utter of Lincolnland Economic Development Corporation were at the Owensboro City Commission meeting at the invitation of Nick Brake, Owensboro Economic Development Director, to present a signed, numbered limited edition print of Kennedy's painting, "The Life of Abraham Lincoln" to Mayor Tom Watson, the people of Owensboro, Kennedy's' home town, and the people of Daviess County. The presentation was meant as a gift of gratitude to Kennedy's home town and a gesture of regional cooperation for the upcoming Lincoln Bicentennial.

Following the unveiling of the print, Thomas was asked to remain at the podium for a special presentation. On being presented with the key to the city, he remarked that it was one of the greatest honors he has ever received.

For more information on Thomas Kennedy, his painting, "The Life of Abraham Lincoln", or his other work visit his website @ www.thomaskennedyart.com.

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Tom Utter Addresses the Owensboro City Commissioners and Diginitaries
Prior to the Presentation of Kennedy's "The Life of Abraham Lincoln"
print to the Mayor and people of Owensboro, Kentucky

Area Schools Named Four-Star Schools

Five schools in the North Spencer School Corp. — David Turnham Educational Center, Nancy Hanks and Lincoln Trail elementary schools, Heritage Hills High School and Heritage Hills Middle School — were named Four-Star Schools.

Four-Star Schools are public schools that meet Adequate Yearly Progress as defined by the No Child Left Behind law. They also perform in the top 25 percent of all Indiana schools in student attendance rates, mathematics proficiency scores, language arts proficiency scores and the percent of students passing both language arts and mathematics.

Saluting Lincoln's Hoosier Roots - Lincoln Boyhood Home Celebration

The national bicentennial celebration of Lincoln's birth, coordinated by the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission and commissions in Indiana, Kentucky, Illinois and other states across the nation, may help bring Indiana's role into sharper focus, according to Frank J. Williams, chief justice of the Supreme Court of Rhode Island and a nationally recognized Lincoln scholar, author and lecturer. Click for Courier & Press article.
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LEDC now offers official Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial fine art giclée prints, lithographs and jigsaw puzzles for sale. A portion of every sale will benefit the economic development efforts of Spencer County Indiana.
Go here for more info on prints or becoming a member of LEDC.

 
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