Issue link: http://palletcentral.uberflip.com/i/990149
Policy at Play Jackie Walorski is Champion of Manufacturing, Farming & Small Business in Indiana By Patrick Atagi 10 PalletCentral • May-June 2018 palletcentral.com CAPITOL HILL CORNER I n May, incumbent U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski won the Republican primary in Indiana's 2nd Congressional District besting her one challenger, Mark Summe, with nearly 79 percent of the vote. If she is successful at the general election in November, where she faces Democratic challenger Mel Hall, Walorski will head into her fourth term in 2019. The 2nd District, in fact, has the second-highest concentration of manufacturing jobs in the nation, according to the congresswoman, with approximately 23 percent of workers there employed in manufacturing. There are also several wood pallet companies in the district that play an integral role in the regional economy, which also includes farming. "The wood pallet industry is critically important for businesses in my district to get their products to market," Walorski added. "Hoosiers know how to be good stewards of the environment as well as the economy, and the wood pallet industry is key to achieving both of these goals." "Regional manufacturers are a primary buyer and user of wood pallets in the 2nd district of Indiana and we are the manufacturer of the pallets for those businesses," said Cliff Baumgartner, vice president of North Central Pallets, Inc. in Argos, Indiana, which is in Walorski's district. The 40-year-old company, with about 40 employees, makes wood pallets, crates, animal bedding, colored mulch and sawdust. "The wood pallet industry is very much a regional business and we manufacture and sell primarily in this region," Baumgartner added. Among other wood pallet companies in Walorski's district are Grand Forest Products in New Carlisle and Indiana Wood Products in Middlebury. "Given the importance of the wood pallet industry to the many manufacturers, small businesses, and other job creators in my district, I strongly support policies that will help these industries grow," Walorski said. "I have worked to pass historic tax reform legislation and roll back regulations that needlessly burden businesses that already face enough challenges." "I have the privilege of representing a district full of hardworking people, dynamic cities and towns, and thriving businesses," Walorski said. "Our economy in northern Indiana is driven in large part by manufacturing, agriculture, and small businesses." Walorski was first elected to represent Indiana's 2nd District in Congress in 2012. The district, with a population of about 750,00 people, covers much of north central Indiana and includes all or part of 10 counties and the cities of South Bend, Elkhart and Wabash. She was born and raised in South Bend and graduated from Taylor University, a Christian liberal arts school in Upland, Indiana. Walorski started her career as a television news reporter in South Bend before moving on to jobs as a development director for colleges and universities. After Walorski married her husband, Dean, the couple moved to Romania where they spent four years working as missionaries providing food and medical supplies to impoverished children. On their return to Indiana, Walorski said, "I decided to serve in a different way." Between 2004 and 2010, she served in the Indiana House of Representatives before moving on to the U.S. Congress. iStockphoto.com/Tanarch Honorable Rep. Jackie Walorski with Jeff Lewis, Atlanta Pallets & Services.