Rushville Community Celebrates Grand Opening of Rush to Work Job Center

Rush to Work Job Center offers a unique “one-stop-shop” benefiting employers and job applicants alike.

Partnership was the catalyst and cause for celebration Wednesday, February 7, as the Rushville, Indiana community cut the grand opening ribbon for the Rush to Work Job Center.  Born of a collaboration among Eastern Indiana Works, Ivy Tech, the City of Rushville, and Rush County Economic & Community Development Corporation, the newly unveiled job center promises a unique regional training concept to bring employers and job seekers together.

“The Rush to Work Job Center is a testament to what a community can accomplish when all the players affected by a particular issue come together to find the right solution,” said Rushville Mayor Mike Pavey.  “We know that Rushville has a population of unskilled workers.  Ivy Tech wants to train those workers and EIW wants to put those folks to work.  Then our local industries and businesses need those employees.  This building is the ‘one-stop-shop’ where that is going to happen.”

The 6600 square-foot building, located at 306 N. Main in Rushville, a once dilapidated structure, has been completely remodeled.  It is now divided to allow space for the local WorkOne office on the west end and the multi-use training space on the east.  WorkOne is open Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., where career advisors assist potential employees with job applications, resume and interview coaching, and information about education and training options.  The area includes a conference area, classroom, and computer stations.

“We try to align our partnerships to the highest level,” said Mike Row, the CEO of EIW.  “This Job Center is very important to the future of our region.”

Kim Thurlow, Ivy Tech Workforce Consultant and Dean of Advanced Manufacturing, Engineering and Applied Science, guided the design of the training area drawing from her 20+ years with the school.  There are two classrooms, one for a computer room and the other with desks designed for lecture-style learning.  Each room has a window looking out into the open training area, so those utilizing the classrooms can see the functionality of the adjacent space.  The open concept room affords trainers to set up the room to suit their needs.  Additionally, a space enclosed by two overhead doors allows large equipment to be unloaded and stored out of sight until needed.

Thurlow said, “I’ve worked many years seeing other communities come together but Rushville has a certain chemistry.  They have the commitment and the employers who have embraced this Center to say what they need for current and future employees.  This community has truly come together to assist their employers and their residents in skilling up.”

Classroom furniture was generously provided by Ivy Tech.  Other furnishings, technology, and equipment purchases will be paid for with funding from the USDA Rural Development grant program.  What will be bought will be mostly guided by a steering committee headed by the Rush County ECDC office.  The steering committee is led by representatives of all Rush County industries.

“Today is giant step forward for Rushville, especially for the ECDC’s workforce development plan.  We want every regional industry and business to know that the Rush to Work Job Center is open ready for their use,” said John McCane, Rush County ECDC Executive Director.  “Economic development is not just a local issue; our region, our state, will rise when we work together.  The Job Center was only accomplished through partnerships and we want its success to evolve in that spirit.”

To book the Rush to Work Job Center training space, call the Rush County ECDC office at (765) 938-3232.  To reach the Rushville WorkOne office, phone (765) 932-5921.