From left are speaker Mark Dobson, Warsaw Kosciusko County Chamber president and CEO; KLA Cadets Dee Ann Muraski, Grace College; Gennie Brissette-Tipton, OrthoWorx; Ashley Stills, Tommy Vance Productions; Michael Kubacki, Lake City Bank chairman and CEO; Tony Cirillo, Syracuse Chief of Police and KYLA moderator; and KLA Moderator Allyn Decker. (Photo provided)

By JONI TRUEX
KLA Public Information Director

KLA Cadets were welcomed to Syracuse by Henry DeJulia, town manager, to learn about economics in Kosciusko County. Mark Dobson IOM, Warsaw/Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce President and CEO, explained the chamber’s function and business role in Kosciusko County.

As the world headquarters for many corporations from different industries, this is a World Class Community. Challenges the county is currently experiencing are the medical device tax and the lack of enough skilled workers when competition is strong.

Michael Kubacki, chairman and CEO of Lake City Bank, provided an overview of banking and finance on the local and federal levels. Lending is more competitive today, but the lending environment is strong. Lake City Bank has always practiced conservative lending.

The next KLA session will be held Feb. 19 at the KCH Wellness Center, where health in Kosciusko County will be featured.

KLA is a not for profit organization devoted to serving Kosciusko County by encouraging leaders and future leaders to dream and create a better community through white paper projects.