By Zach Spicer
JCIDC is once again offering the Educator Externship to Jackson County school staff this summer.
The first session was June 12. In the morning, the group of 10 educators visited Guardian Bikes in the Freeman Field Industrial Park in Seymour. In the afternoon, they toured the Pet Supplies Plus distribution center in the Eastside Industrial Park in Seymour.
Guardian Bikes has been in Seymour since 2022 and has expanded to several buildings at Freeman Field. The company initially manufactured children’s bicycles, and it now also produces adult bicycles. The products are only available to purchase online, and the company is shifting to having all American-made components.
Pet Supplies Plus opened in Seymour in 2012 when the company moved its warehousing operations from Michigan. Today, PSP is the third largest pet supply retailer and the fastest growing. There are now 727 stores in 44 states, and Seymour is home to one of only two full-service distribution centers for PSP. There also are two facility distribution centers. At the Seymour facility, there are more than 10,000 items in the building.
The other dates and locations for the Educator Externship are June 17 at Schneck Medical Center and Dicksons Inc., June 25 at AISIN USA Mfg. Inc. and SpaceGuard Products and July 1 at Walmart Distribution Center and Cummins Seymour Engine Plant.
Educators could choose one date or more than one. At the end, they are required to submit a report that includes what they learned and how they will use that information to benefit their students.
