Michigan City, IN – Three new individuals have been appointed as members to the Economic Development Corporation Michigan City (EDCMC) Revolving Loan Fund Committee. Karri Krumnow and Jay Niec were appointed to the board on October 18, 2016 by the Michigan City Common Council. Belicia Hicks was added to the board on October 25, 2016 by Michigan City Mayor, Ron Meer. The Michigan City Revolving Loan Fund (MCRLF) was established in 2010 with the purpose of stabilizing and expanding the employment base and economy of Michigan City through attraction of primary employment and capital investment.
Belicia Hicks is the owner and operator of Coleman & Hicks Funeral Home and Crematory located in Michigan City. She is looking forward to serving on the Revolving Loan Fund Committee. Belicia earned her mortuary science degree at Malcolm X College. She was the first and only African-American woman funeral home owner in La Porte County, Indiana, and served as the only appointed Chief Deputy Coroner under the leadership of Dr. Vidya Kora. She currently owns and operates a Professional Autopsy service that works hand in hand with local pathologists. Her latest venture was acquiring and operating Robbins Brothers Funeral Home in Benton Harbor, MI and she is in the final stages of closing another acquisition of a funeral home in Chicago, IL. She is very proud, honored and dedicated to serving her community at Coleman & Hicks Funeral Home and Crematory.
Karri Krumnow, Vice President of Business Banking with 1st Source Bank, is happy to join the Revolving Loan Fund Committee. She has been in Banking for over 20 years most recently coming from a 16 year career as a VP Business Banking Team Leader overseeing a team of bankers throughout Mid-Michigan. Her focus was on growing Business Banking in a new market to Huntington Bank throughout Flint, Saginaw, and the Port Huron markets. Karri has always been a big partner in community involvement and this has continued under her employment with 1st Source Bank. Karri is a graduate of Owens State College in Ohio. She has become an ambassador for the Michigan City Area Chamber of Commerce, is part of the Retention & Expansion Committee for the La Porte Chamber of Commerce, and has done work with Habitat for Humanity in La Porte County.
Jay Niec, Lead Engineer with SEH, Inc., is thrilled to be appointed to the Revolving Loan Fund Committee. Jay is a lifelong resident of Michigan City and is a detail-oriented client and project manager. Jay brings 38 years of both municipal and engineering management, as well as experience in designing and managing medium to large complex water and wastewater treatment.
Jay is a graduate of Florida Tech, Purdue University, and the Illinois Institute of Technology, and he holds a Masters certificate in Professional Project Management from Villanova University. Jay has experience with client management, contract development and supervision, regulatory discussions (IDEM and EPA), state revolving loan fund procurement for clients, and operations. In addition, he brings experience in securing various funding mechanisms for projects and managing multidiscipline teams.
In March of 2015, the EDCMC partnered with the Regional Development Company (RDC) in Valparaiso. The RDC, via the partnership, is the administrator over the MCRLF and works in conjunction with the EDCMC and the City of Michigan City to review and process the MCRLF. Local companies with questions about the fund can visit rdc504.org or call (219) 476-0405.
Economic Development Corporation Michigan City, Indiana (EDCMC) is committed to growing and attracting new industry and business to the community as well as strengthening existing business. EDCMC services, programs and one-on-one assistance clearly provides the optimum business environment — a place where commerce and industry can prosper and grow. EDCMC merges the right mix of resources, including: city government officials, residents and the expertise of business leaders. Exclusive incentive packages and unique natural resources make Michigan City the place to build or expand. For more information, call (219) 873-1211 or visit www.edcmc.com.