LaGRANGE —
Within moments after the Pledge of Allegiance at the first official meeting of the 2013 LaGrange County Board of Commissioners, newly elected member Jac Price was named president.
“It was a surprise to me,” Price said. “I found out I was being chosen at the same time everyone else found out. I had been asked last year if I was interested in the position. I told them I would be less-than-honest if I said I couldn’t handle the job, but that I was not campaigning for that position.”
Price is well known in the area. He was born and raised in LaGrange County. Back in 1979, with a young family to support, Price boldly quit his job at DuoTherm and the next year opened a laundromat on Fenn Street in LaGrange.
He married his high school sweetheart, Madonna, 47 years ago and they have lived on his family’s homestead ever since. He has a degree in accounting from International Business College and he graduated from Lakeland High School, as did his four grown children. Like his business, his family has expanded. He smiles broadly as he claims six grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
A natural-born entrepreneur, Price said he learned to follow-up on leads when they presented themselves. He remembered one day in particular, the LaGrange Hospital’s administrator came in to drop off dry cleaning and asked him if he was interested in expanding to commercial laundry service.
“By 1983 I had won the bid on providing laundry service for The Howe School, LaGrange Hospital and the Sturgis, Mich., hospital,” Price said. He now has multiple accounts located in three states and nine Indiana counties.
For many years Price has been directly involved in economic development for LaGrange County and Northeastern Indiana. He is a member of the federally funded, Northeast Indiana Workforce Investment and Development Board. Last year he was presented with the “Hoosier Award” by that board. The group oversees numerous satellite offices which coordinate public training programs with Ivy Tech and IPFW to name a few. He also sits on the Parkview LaGrange Hospital Board and served 10 years on the local chamber board.
He says he is fortunate to have his son Rex run the laundry as its chief executive officer, because now Price has become much busier with his public service work. In his new position as president of the LaGrange County Commissioners, Price has a seat on four regional and 13 local boards, commissions and task forces. He always finds time to serve. He says his motivation is seeing his county prosper.
“I want to see our county improve its work force quality and as a result, our economic future.” Price served for six years on the LaGrange County Council, this past year he was their president.
As for seeking higher office, Price said, “I’m old enough, and have served long enough, not to seek any higher political office. I serve at the pleasure of the public or until I have lost my enthusiasm.”
Local News
Related Photos
-
LaGrange County Commissioner Jac Price is shown enjoying his time with granddaughter Maria.
YOU SHOULD KNOW: LaGrange County Commissioner Jac Price
- Local News
-
-
Businesses gearing up for new digs in downtown Goshen
GOSHEN — It may not be much to look at now, but just you wait.
-
The Plain Side: Quad Hopper finds a bit of Utopia
I have found my El Dorado, my Shangri La, my Utopia. It’s in Mishawaka.
This is not an ad for Barnes & Noble book sellers. I am only relating what happened Saturday last. -
IU Health employees work to promote wellness during day of service
GOSHEN – Around 50 employees volunteered for the Goshen Parks Department Friday to help improve the city’s trail system.
-
Charges filed in ’08 armed robbery
GOSHEN — A Goshen man who allegedly helped rob an Amish man at gunpoint in 2008 has been charged with the crime.
-
Fair concert tickets on sale Saturday
Tickets for reserved track seats for the 2013 concert series at the Elkhart County 4-H Fair go on sale Saturday at 9 a.m.
-
Cheek honored for at annual ‘Celebrate America’ meeting
GOSHEN — Chuck Cheek was honored for his volunteer training efforts and involvement with the education program of Celebrate America Thursday.
-
ADEC Ride-A-Bike Saturday
This year’s ADEC Ride-A-Bike — the 41st — will get started Saturday at Concord High School.
-
Debate up in arms
GOSHEN - Brad Rogers wanted to make a statement. He’s found an audience, though perhaps not an entirely receptive one.
-
Monaco RV production to move to Decatur after sale
After Monaco in Wakarusa ships its last order sometime in August, the RV production facility, and the 520 jobs its provided, will be gone.
-
First Elkhart River Festival Saturday
GOSHEN — There’s a new festival highlighting the Elkhart River Saturday evening at the old Goshen Powerhouse
- More Local News Headlines
-
Probe Begins After Conn. Commuter Trains Crash
NTSB Begins Investigation Into Conn. Train Crash
Lotto Fever Sweeps the Country
Conn. Commuter Trains Collide; 60 Go to Hospital
Coffee Run Leads to Hatchet Hitchhiker Arrest
Fmr. IRS Head Insists No Politics in Targeting
CDC: Fecal Bacteria Common in Swimming Pools
$1 Million in Jewels Stolen at Cannes Film Fest
NM Mom Chases Down Child Abductor
Raw: Crash Sends Car Into Fla. Pool
Raw: Obama Sits Down With Elementary Kids
Raw: Bear Falls From Tampa Tree
Ousted IRS Chief: Errors Not Caused by Politics
Terror Suspect Due in Court in Idaho Friday
Raw: Driver Ejected From Truck, Over Bridge
Could Tobacco Be the Next Biofuel?
Wash. State Releases Draft Rules for Legal Pot
Dying Man's Blinks Lead to Murder Conviction
Officials: Texas Tornado Likely Had 200 Mph Wind
Brothers Arrested in NOLA Parade Shooting
