Right on Dean Mayfield’s business card, it says, “Mooresville’s Own” and that says a lot about how Mayfield views himself and his business, Mayfield Insurance, Inc. Other than commuting to Indianapolis for college and a couple of jobs prior to 1989, Mayfield’s entire life from before his first birthday to the present has been spent in Morgan County. He’s proud to say Morgan County has always been his home and he says, “I never really thought about going anywhere else.”
The walls of the Squealers Award Winning Barbeque restaurant on High Street in Mooresville are lined with plaques, awards and trophies that tell the story of Jeff Yater and the restaurant he has built from the bottom up.
“Once I was driving around with my mom and dad and said,‘Wouldn’t it be great to have barbeque restaurants named Squealers?’”
There’s a lot going on throughout Morgan County. “Our Board of Directors usually meets every-other month,” notes Joy Sessing, Executive Director of the Morgan County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC). “Recently we’ve beenconvening monthly.” She also observed. “As a two-person team, regular office hours aren’t working out in a practical way right now. It’s best to email or call to schedule a meeting with us to make sure we will be in the office.”
Chip Keller opened Keller’s Office Supply in August of 1998, so far experiencing 13 “lucky years as a respected business owner with a reputation for providing outstanding service adn commitment to the economic growth of his hometown. “When I opened, I leased a spot on the square,” Chip recalled. “Then after three years, the opportunity came up to purchase this building and I’ve been here ever since.”
Chris Branson says that being the youngest of five children stimulated the maturity that his business requires. He recognized this at the young age of 18-years-old when he decided what he wanted as his future career. He achieved that career as funeral director and owner of the Carlisle Branson Funeral Service and Crematory.
On the Big O Tires Facebook page wall, dated January 2011, reads a message posted by the Mooresville Chamber of Commerce that reads, “Thank you Big O Tires Mooresville for being our lunch sponsor for over 5 years!” For the past three years, at least, the Chamber monthly luncheons are attended by over 100 members, with caterers serving up hot meals at the Jones Crossing Banquet Center. Thanks to the efforts of Dave Doyle, owner of Big O Tires in Mooresville and Plainfield, Chamber members and guests out-of-pocket contributions have held steady at $5 per person for several years.
Jerry Woods started Economy Heating and Air Conditioning out of his home on the southwest side of Indy in 1976. He moved the family to Mooresville in 1980. Today, over 30 years later, Jerry’s sons Jeff and Jod have grown the family business into a second generation success story built on a foundation of quality workmanship, reliable products, and—what they value most—a reputation for dealing honestly and fairly with their customers.
“We’ve been in business for over 20 years, and for most of that time, we’ve sustained ourselves through positive word of mouth and referrals,” said Mike Kirsch, founder of M. T. Kirsch Construction Company. “Our reputation is the pride of our business. We have learned how to function productively in the current environment and make every dollar count.”
On a cold and snowy January 24, 2011, Steve Bahr of Duke Energy arrived at Martinsville City Hall to present a check to Mayor Phil Deckard for $10,000. The money was officially rewarded to the not-for-profit organization Rediscover Historic Martinsville, and earmarked to fund the installation of four power boxes and outlet strips, one at each “corner” of the city square. The outlets, once installed, will provide electricity and more convenient access to power outlets during special events downtown, most notably the Fall Foliage Festival.
Angie McGregor doesn’t have to think hard to recall the toughest challenge she and husband Marvin faced as new business owners pursuing their dream to open a fitness center. “The [June] 2008 flood hit the building —only two weeks before our planned grand opening! The storm shattered the front windows, and the building filled with water.” Angie recalls shedding many tears that day when they discovered the facility knee-deep with floodwater. “That was a drastic thing to have happen at any point, let alone when your future is wrapped up in the initial investment…
