clifty-engineering history

It all started in 1965 when his friend Tony Steinhardt asked Hughes for financial and machine shop support for the struggling MISS MADISON. Bob not only obliged but, within five years, was serving as leader of the team's governing body.

1973: The Environmental Control and Beautification committee of MACC sets up a contest for growing the largest sunflower.

Their name changed again to the Madison Area Chamber of Commerce in 1976.

1981: Junior Achievement Company, Business Youth of Madison, begins program – sponsored by Grote and supported by MACC

1985: Jefferson County Board of Tourism accepts an Indiana Travel and Tourism Award, much to the help of “The Magic of Madison” and support of MACC MACC sponsors Leadership Jefferson County again, a “six month series of seminars to identify and train potential leaders in the community.”

1989: “The Madison Area Chamber of Commerce leads the voluntary efforts of area business and civic minded professionals in the fight to maintain a local environment where businesses and individuals can prosper.

1990: Chamber’s first Tele-Auction held at the Community Developed Complex o MACC receives grant to “establish and operate a small business incubator in Madison,” to be the Indiana Small Business Incubator Program from Indiana Institute for New Business Ventures

1995: Venture Out Business Center breaks ground as the new business incubator.

1996: MACC receives a grant/tax credits from the Neighborhood Assistance Program to use for training in the VOBC

2002: SBDC starts new NxLevel entrepreneurial training program, providing a “practical, hands-on approach to developing their small business…” Delta Queen Steamboat Co. riverboats plans to make 16 stops in Madison, which the MACC helped coordinate

2010: Supports the JC Clearinghouse purchase and renovation, funded by the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA) and the Community Foundation of Madison and Jefferson County.

2016: Crafton resigns as Executive Director in January.