Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis
09/11/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/11/2024 12:23
Elevate Spotlight: Owl Creek Construction of Evansville, Ind.
last updated on Wednesday, September 11, 2024 in Federal Home Loan Bank Indianapolis
Editor's note: Elevate Spotlight is an ongoing series of profiles focused on recipients of our Elevate Small Business Grants. Watch this space and our social media for future occasional installments. First up: Owl Creek Construction in Evansville, Ind.
It's onward and upward for Owl Creek Construction, thanks to our Elevate Small Business Grant program. And that's a hard fact for the company specializing in concrete work. (Pun intended. Read on and you'll see why.)
Founded in 2020, Owl Creek is a woman-owned construction company based in Southern Indiana. Owner Joann Zeller has grown her business thus far by concentrating on concrete work, where her employees have extensive experience, and by cleverly positioning herself in the market.
"We've managed to find a niche for ourselves in the industry and the community," Zeller said. "Many of the other concrete contractors in the area bid on big jobs, but there are fewer contractors ready to take the smaller jobs in the $50,000 to $200,000 range, and that's where we come in."
But they could only do so much - until this year.
Enter Elevate Small Business Grant
Joann first heard about the Elevate grant opportunity through the Southwest Indiana Small Business Development Center, a local small business incubator. By partnering with member institution Liberty Federal Credit Union, Owl Creek Construction was successful in applying for funds to buy a new dump trailer that would significantly increase her hauling capacity.
"We also added one FTE position when we recently started a new project in town, knowing that we would have the dump capacity to complete it on time," Zeller said.
Immediate impact on business
She added: "You could see the difference from the first job we took with the new trailer. Before, that job would have taken four trips to haul everything away, but with the new equipment, we're able to do it in one."
Zeller is proud of her business' success, but just as proud of the community it serves. "We like to think our increased capacity benefits everybody. We've taken a few jobs recently that are projects in residential subdivisions, and being able to be more efficient in our work helps move things along so we can get in and out quickly with less congestion and disruption to residents. We like to think that reflects well on the other contractors, too."
Congratulations Joann, and thanks again to the dedicated staff at Liberty Federal Credit Union who made this happen.
Click here to read more about other 2024 Elevate Small Business Grants program.
Questions can be directed to Corporate Communications at [email protected].