Knox County, Indiana, has a population of almost 37,000 in southwestern Indiana. The county seat and largest city is Vincennes. When originally formed, Knox county extended all the way to the Canadian border. The terrain is rolling hills largely used for agricultural purposes.
In November 2020, The Pantheon opened as a coworking space. Previously a theater, the space targets remote workers and small businesses needing part-time office space.
The number of reported jobs retained by the SBA’s PPP program was 5,007 by 543 companies using $47M in combined loans. The top industries receiving loans relate to oilseed, corn, vegetable, and melon farming, trucking, and drilling oil and gas wells. Women own approximately 9% of businesses. Just over 1% of businesses are Asian or Hispanic owned. There are no businesses owned by military veterans or African Americans in the county.
German American Bank did the most loans (146) and highest dollar amount (>$15M) in the county. First Robinson Savings Bank came in 2nd in the number of loans (102) but 3rd in loan amount (>$6.6M) to First Financial Bank ($6.9M). Companies of note in the top 10 by loan size include Bestway Express (trucking), AME Group (IT Services), Niehaus Companies (building materials), Pioneer Oil and Franklin Well Services (oil and gas), and Ripco (grain system construction).
Our featured business in Knox County is Bestway Express. Founded in 1981 by Mac McCormick the company is still owned and operated by his family. After his untimely death in a private plane crash in 2006, son Eli joined the firm and today leads it as CEO. Mac’s brother, Patrick, fills the role of chairman. The company has a fleet of 225 power units and 400 dry van trailers.
