L-S Chamber to host 'Buy Indiana Business Expo' in cooperation with NSWC Crane Monday in French Lick

Friday, October 23, 2009
By Timberly Ferree, Staff Writer

The Linton-Stockton Chamber of Commerce, in participation with Crane Division, Naval Surface Warfare Center, will host the 13th annual "Buy Indiana" Business Expo.

The event -- which is slated for Oct. 27 from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. at the French Lick Resort -- will spotlight about 200 participating vendors and is open to the public.

"This is an opportunity for our chamber to work closely with Crane," explained L-S Chamber Executive Director Cheryl Hamilton. "It's also an opportunity for our chamber to work with other businesses."

This is the second time the L-S Chamber has hosted the event and the first time the event has sold out.

"We're having to turn vendors away," Hamilton said, noting that part has not been easy.

Overall, about 85 percent of the vendors want to do business or extend business with Crane, she added. About 10 percent are looking for business-to-business contacts and another 5 percent are looking to do business with Crane employees.

"We expect over 400 Crane employees to go through the expo," she added. "It's a wonderful opportunity for our chamber."

About 24 local chamber members have volunteered to help out at the expo.

"It's a way for us to shine as a community," Hamilton added. "But it's been both challenging and rewarding."

The annual expo got its start at Crane, but quickly outgrew the base. It was then moved to local communities and is now traditionally held at the French Lick Resort.

About 179 vendors at this year's expo will be representing companies across the Hoosier state.

Opening remarks at the expo will be delivered by Captain Charles LaSota, State Sen. Lindel Hume, State Rep. Sandy Blanton, State Rep. Eric Koch, State Rep. Mark Messmer, and Linton Mayor Tom Jones.

Under the "Buy Indiana" initiative, NSWC Crane solicits local area businesses first for purchases not expected to exceed $25,000 and especially for bankcard purchases of $3,000.

For more information regarding the "Buy Indiana" business initiative, call the Deputy for Small Business Office at NSWC Crane at (812) 854-1542 or (812) 854-4338 or visit Crane's Web site at www.crane.navy.mil .