Darke County Economic Development Celebrates Progress and Honors Local Excellence at Annual Economic Forum

Darke County Economic Development hosted its Partnering for Progress Annual Economic Forum and Annual Investor Meeting on Friday, April 25, 2025, celebrating a year of strong collaboration, investment, and growth within the community.

During the event, the organization shared updates on recent initiatives, projects, and achievements that continue to position Darke County for a thriving economic future. “The Economic Development Forum is one of our signature events," said Darke County Economic Development Executive Director, Mike Bowers. "It is our opportunity to report out to our investors and update them on the positive impact the office is having in the county. We are very blessed and fortunate to have a great group of investors that assist us in our mission of being the best resource we can be for our communities, our companies, and our schools.”

One of the highlights of the afternoon was the presentation of two major awards recognizing outstanding contributions to the local economy and workforce.

BASF was named the recipient of the Community Improvement Corporation’s Business of the Year Award, an honor first established in 2011 to recognize companies making significant investments and impact in Darke County. BASF’s Greenville site, which specializes in producing automotive coatings for global automobile manufacturers and the automotive refinishing industry, employs approximately 150 people. Recent investments have further strengthened their commitment to Greenville, underscoring the company's role as a vital part of the local economy.

In addition, Darke County Economic Development presented the Darke County I.G.N.I.T.E. (Inspiring Growth by Networking & Innovation Through Employment) Awards to 12 outstanding high school juniors and seniors who have excelled in work-based learning programs. These students have demonstrated exceptional ability to apply their classroom knowledge in real-world settings while showcasing the power of collaboration between education and industry in preparing the future workforce.

This year's I.G.N.I.T.E. Award recipients are:

• Aleah Shilt, Ansonia High School – Administrative Assistant at KTL Performance Mortgage

• Blake Schmitmeyer, Versailles High School – Assistant Manager at The Butcher Block and Smokehouse

• Cloey Wolford, Greenville High School and Miami Valley Career Technology Center (MVCTC) – Dental Assistant at Family Health Services of Darke County, Inc.

• Damon Hamilton, Mississinawa Valley High School and Miami Valley CTC – Medical Office Management at Premier Health Network

• Gunner Diegel, Ansonia High School and Miami Valley CTC – Pre-Apprenticeship with Bender Electrical Contracting

• Keyana Hackney, Arcanum High School and Miami Valley CTC – Dental Assistant at Dayton Dental Care

• Lily Hayes, Arcanum High School and Miami Valley CTC – Orthodontist Assistant at Alvetro Orthodontics

• Maddie Hutchens, Greenville High School – Early Childhood Education Intern at Greenville Learning Center and Greenville City Schools, and Eikenberry’s IGA

• Nick Gehret, Versailles High School – Welder at Bensman Welding

• Ryleigh Hickle, Greenville High School and Miami Valley CTC – STNA at The Brethren Retirement Community

• Skyanne Flicker-Kiser, Greenville High School – Beauty Systems Group

• Wyatt Schwartz, Arcanum High School – Owner of Schwartz's Landscaping

  
  

“These students exemplify the strong work ethic, innovation, and dedication that are essential to the future success of Darke County,” said Darke County Economic Development Career Connections Coordinator, Olivia Schmitmeyer. “We are proud to celebrate their achievements, and we are grateful to our business and education partners for investing in the next generation of talent.”

The forum not only recognized the achievements of local businesses and students but also reinforced the importance of strategic partnerships, continued investment, and workforce development in shaping a vibrant economic landscape for Darke County.

For more information about Darke County Economic Development and its initiatives, visit www.darkecounty.com.