More Than 370 Attend Grand Open House Event
The sun was not yet above the horizon when equipment began rolling south down High School Road in Indianapolis. To those traveling I-465, it was likely a strange sight: a feed truck, fuel transport truck, two sprayers, propane truck, YieldPro truck & trailer and spreader, all equipment that hadn't yet graced Wayne Township, Marion County, Indiana at such a capacity. But as the sun rose on September 9, 2022, country came to town in a big way.
Co-Alliance has officially moved our corporate headquarters from Avon, Indiana to a larger site in Indianapolis. The new facility will better accommodate our growing team and is more centrally located in our current footprint.
We're now located at 770 North High School Road, Indianapolis, IN.
A grand open house event took place Friday, September 9 to commemorate our growth and welcomed dignitaries and industry partners to the new facility.
Prior to the main event, we convened with Indiana agriculture key stakeholders, discussing the relevant issues and opportunities in agriculture.
At the grand event, held on the front grass of the new location, President and CEO Kevin Still spoke of the strength of agriculture in Indiana and the growth that is taking place at the farm gate.
“This move signifies more than a change in location. It is a symbol of growth of our farmer-owned cooperative, the strength of agriculture in Indiana and the evolution of how we will do business to fit a changing industry,” remarked Still. “This location will offer us better access to technology, proximity to the center of our footprint and the ability to better serve our more than eleven thousand owner-members.”
Co-Alliance Cooperative operates 162 locations with over 1000 employees in place working diligently alongside farmers to find new opportunities for growth. The co-op is owned by 11,262 farmer-owners, 8,100 of which hail from Indiana. Co-Alliance services more than 5 million agriculture acres in Indiana, Ohio & Michigan, offering services in agronomy, propane, fuels, grain, seed, hog production and feed.
Group photo of employees who work at the new Indianapolis facility
Bruce Kettler, Director of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture remarked about the value of Co-Alliance in Indiana. “Co-Alliance services over 8,000 Indiana farm families and over 5 million acres. The cooperative spirit is alive and well at Co-Alliance. Through innovation, leadership and the continued enhancement of sustainable agricultural practices, Co-Alliance will guide Indiana’s farm families towards another century of success”
There was more than 370 in attendance including: Indiana delegation, commodity groups, retail and manufacturing partners, lending institutions and others for the grand opening event.
Following the ceremony, a ribbon cutting was held to officially welcome the public to the state-of-the-art facility. A lunch and tours of the new facility followed the ribbon cutting. Representatives from each division of the cooperative business, including energy, agronomy, grain and swine & animal nutrition were on hand to give attendees a genuine understanding into the business.
Pictured in front of the new headquarters is Rodney Graham, Co-Alliance CFO, Jeremy Mills, Co-Alliance Board Assistant Secretary & Treasurer, Bruce Kettler, Director of Indiana State Department of Agriculture, Tim Burke, Co-Alliance Board Chairman, Kevin Still, Co-Alliance President & CEO, Bill Peters, Co-Alliance Board Vice-Chair and Tom Tucker, Co-Alliance Board Secretary.
Tim Burke, farmer from Monticello, Indiana and Chairman of the Co-Alliance Board said that the significance of this move is about service to rural communities. “To us, it’s all about service: How we treat our neighbors, how we find solutions in a changing landscape, how we respond to hardships and setbacks. From the youngest child to our most senior neighbor, Co-Alliance seeks to make a positive impact on every member of the communities we serve.” To date in 2022, Co-Alliance has reinvested more than $500,000 back into the communities they serve through 4-H, FFA, food security programs and farm and energy safety training.
ISDA Director Bruce Kettler visits with Co-Alliance Board member Bill Peters
No one left empty handed.
A highlight of the day was seeing so many faces familiar to our many years of operation. Pictured are Suzanne & Dave Whicker with Kevin Still. Dave is the former CEO of Midland Cooperative. These co-op roots run deep.
It was a great day. We've never been more excited about the future opportunities within the cooperative system.
We thank the many guests who joined us and the employees who made the event happen. Fo more footage, we invite you to check out our Instagram!