Hagerstown's creative use of EDIT Funds benefits a home grown business -   November 1, 2011

“We knew we had a good business plan and the work ethic to be successful. We were just in need of the capital to move it forward and make it a reality.”

The project added modern features, yet kept old-time flavors such as gleaming wood floors, an original stairwell and railing and a wraparound porch.

There’s a grassy yard and, of course, an old iron gate.

IronGate could have located anywhere in Indiana. Many clients are based in Indianapolis and other major Midwestern cities.

Repeat customers and word of mouth keeps bringing business in.

But, Huffine and Richards dreamed of developing a small-town business with a big-time approach to design, marketing and branding.

They wanted to work where they could ride bikes to work and be five minutes from the parks and schools where they could take active roles as their children grew up.

IronGate can work seamlessly between traditional and digital worlds in Hagerstown just as well as in any town.

Web developer Pete Shaffner joined the business in 2010 after graduating from Ball State.

IronGate Creative Team - Back Row (Jeff Richards, Jeff Huffine, Amanda Olson) Front Row (Pete Schaffner, Dustin Carpenter)

Like Huffine, he is a graduate of Hagerstown High School. Richards grew up near Muncie.

The company recently expanded, adding another full-time programmer... Dustin Carpenter of Yorktown.... and a part-time designer-illustrator Amanda Olson of New Castle.

IronGate develops talent and deepens its local roots by providing summer jobs and internships to local college students.

The staff produces an array of traditional and digital media for clients that range from a large hospital to a local bank, from Red Gold to really hot sauces, from Richmond Baking to admired non-profits.

Huffine believes the loan has turned out to be a definite win-win because the goal of EDIT loans is to create businesses and jobs.

“People often question the use of EDIT Funds, but this is a great example of how it can work,” he said.

IronGate is a positive reflection on the economic development efforts of Hagerstown and Wayne County.

“We are thankful,” he told town council recently.

“We truly are at home in Hagerstown.”

For more information about IronGate Creative visit: http://www.irongatecreative.com.

IronGate Creative, a marketing and technology company, is at home on Main Street

By Mike Bennett

HAGERSTOWN, Ind. -- IronGate Creative has a stately, leisurely appearance from the outside. But, there’s a beehive of business activitity going on inside.

It’s multimedia mecca on Main Street.

Drawing tables and computer stations fill the upstairs rooms.

Colorful framed creations line the walls and staircase.

Award plaques and a huge conferencing table attest further to the company’s success with advertising, marketing and product branding.

IronGate designs logos, magazines, packaging and web sites. It offers on-the-edge services with social media.

Its success in Hagerstown is a testament to a shared vision and community resources.

Co-founder Jeff Huffine says a loan for $30,000 through Hagerstown’s economic development fund was essential in the final decision to locate the business at 35 W. Main St., within steps of an old-fashioned pharmacy, a pizza parlor and the post office.

He and business partner Jeff Richards had started their business in Hagerstown, but were considering other location options about seven years ago.

Many people scoffed at the potential of the rundown old residence, Huffine says.

It had a colorful history, including serving as home for the Exponent newspaper.

Besides stories that were produced in the building, there were persistent sightings of a friendly ghost.

Those all heightened its appeal, gave it artistic character, Huffine jokes.

The choice for Huffine and Richards was about vision and branding, about picking hometown and character over a potential relocation.

It also was about taking a risk.

Cross-Media Project for the Economic Development Corporation of Wayne County, Indiana - Visit site

“Jeff and I joke that we’re not smart enough to be scared..... so we proceeded on with our plans,” Richards says.

The two received a loan from First Bank Richmond to buy the building and make initial renovations.

Hagerstown official Nick Jarrett helped steer them through the EDIT process that resulted in a $30,000 loan at 1.5 percent interest.

“The Town of Hagerstown made a good EDIT Fund investment by making this low-interest loan to this business.” Says Peggy Cenova, President of the Hagerstown Town Council. “Not only did they preserve a historical building on our Main Street – but they have added professional employees to their payroll. This business is a perfect example of retaining the kind of well-paid jobs that we need to grow to a prosperous future.”

“The loan was just what we needed,” Huffine says.