Author Archives: dave

RV Maker Gets Grant

Posted on by
Reply

The LaGrange County Economic Development Corporation (LCEDC) announced today the award of a $50,000 grant from the LaGrange County Investment Fund to Crossroads RV. The company announced in December, 2011 that it was expanding operations and constructing a new facility at their campus in the Town of Topeka.

The project is expected to result in the creation of up to 250 new jobs at Crossroads RV by 2014, and will include approximately $3.9 million in new investment in the community.
Continue reading →

Healthcare Scholarships Available from La Porte Hospital

Posted on by
Reply

Since 1983 Indiana University Health La Porte Hospital, the La Porte Hospital Foundation and the La Porte Hospital Auxiliary have sponsored scholarships and awards/loans to provide financial assistance to students pursuing healthcare careers. Through the combined efforts, more than $128,750 was distributed to 42 students in 2011.

The following Auxiliary scholarships are available in 2012:

  • Auxiliary Scholarships – a $750 available to first-time applicants.
  • Renewals of $1,000 available for students applying for second year, based on satisfactory academic progress and need.
  • Friends of Auxiliary – $750 available.
  • Harold and Marcy Bowen Scholarship – $750 available.

(Students must be in their freshman or sophomore year and enrolled in a healthcare program at an accredited school.)
Continue reading →

Notes: Richmond Approves Dairy Abatement

Posted on by
Reply

Richmond has granted its first tax abatement under a new structure that provides for up to 100% abatements for companies creating jobs.

The Richmond Common Council on Tuesday night approved the first tax abatement under the new structure that would allow up to a 100 percent abatement for businesses planning expansions that result in job creation.

Council members unanimously approved a 10-year abatement for 90 percent of property taxes on real estate and equipment for Wayne Dairy Products, Inc., 1590 N.W. 11th St., for a $12 million expansion that is expected to create 11 new jobs and retain 102 jobs.

The NFL Combine begins today in Indianapolis.

The Leading Index for Indiana from the IBRC hit its highest level since 2007 in Janaury.

Are robot firefighters part of Lafayette’s manufacturing future?.

John Regetz, executive director of Michigan City’s economic development corporation, is taking an economic development job in Idaho.

Northwest Indiana Forum Announces 2012 Officers, Committees

Posted on by
Reply

The Northwest Indiana Forum elected Don Babcock (NIPSCO) to continue in his role as Chair of the 2012 Managing Board of Directors with a unanimous vote. Jill Ritchie (United States Steel Corporation) will serve as Chair-Elect and Tom Keilman (BP) as Secretary/Treasurer.

Building on the history of strong and effective volunteer committees’ work, Charles Weaver (Starke County Economic Development Foundation) will lead the Economic Development efforts. Chairing Environmental Affairs and Public Policy are Robert Crookston (Microbac Labs) and Jill Ritchie (United States Steel Corporation) respectively. Cal Bellamy (Krieg DeVault) will oversee the Audit Committee while Dewey Pearman (Construction Advancement Foundation) will handle member retention and recruitment duties.
Continue reading →

Valpo Chamber Honored with Multiple Awards

Posted on by
Reply

The Greater Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce was recently honored by the Indiana Chamber Executives Association (ICEA) for its communication skills and leadership.

Rex Richards, President of the Greater Valparaiso Chamber, was named the Chamber Executive of the Year for the state of Indiana. The Chamber also was also recognized in the ICEA’s Communication Excellence Awards, receiving top honors for its U-Guide, a business directory and community resource guide geared toward local university students, and its Web site www.valparaisochamber.org, while receiving honorable mentions for its annual Membership Directory and Community Resource Guide and its quarterly Valparaiso Magazine.

The Valpo Chamber was also named one of the top five finalists for the annual Chamber of the Year Award.
Continue reading →

Orthopedic Manufacturer Expands in Wells County

Posted on by
Reply

Haven Manufacturing Indiana, Inc., a manufacturer of orthopedic instruments, industrial parts and special tooling, announced today that it will grow its operations in Wells County, creating up to 70 new jobs by 2014.

The Ossian-based company, which provides services and parts to the medical, furniture, aerospace and transportation industries, plans to invest $2.34 million to renovate and install computer numerical control (CNC) equipment at its current 30,000-square-foot facility at 6935 State Rd. 1.
Continue reading →

Munster Hospital CEO Named Executive of the Year

Posted on by
Reply

Community Hospital’s Chief Executive Officer Donald P. Fesko, OD, MBA, FACHE already has a number of successful accomplishments related to his career. On March 20, the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) will add to those accomplishments by presenting Dr. Fesko with the Robert S. Hudgens Memorial Award as the 2012 Young Healthcare Executive of the Year. The award honors an exceptional healthcare executive who is under 40 years of age; is a Fellow of ACHE and holds a CEO or COO position in a healthcare organization.

“We are proud that ACHE has selected Don as the Young Healthcare Executive of the Year,” said John Gorski, Chief Operating Officer of Community Healthcare System. “It serves as an acknowledgment of something we’ve known since day one: that he is an integral part of the tradition of excellence that defines Community Hospital and the Community Healthcare System. Don has worked to foster excellence throughout our organization and has a keen understanding of how to build on these strengths,” Gorski said.
Continue reading →

Notes: Unions Launch Education Campaign

Posted on by
Reply

Indiana’s labor unions are launching a voter education campaign in response to right-to-work legislation.

“We’re taking the anger and turning it into motivation,” said Randy Palmateer, business manager for the Northwest Indiana Building Trades Council.

“We may have become complacent over the years,” said Palmateer whose five-county organization represents 42 locals and 40,000 to 50,000 workers.

Gov. Mitch Daniels, who once opposed right-to-work, signed the bill championed by Republican Party leadership on Feb. 1 ending a nasty two-year battle that included a walkout last year by House Democrats.

“This won’t bring one single job to Indiana,” said Palmateer. “It will lower wages and job site safety will suffer. It will erode what unions have fought for.”

The warmer-than-usual winter could put the state’s fruit crop at risk.

Experts say that a new study by IU greatly exaggerates the University’s economic impact.

St. Joseph Chamber Named Best in State

Posted on by
Reply

The Chamber of Commerce of St. Joseph County was named Outstanding Indiana Chamber of the Year by the Indiana Chamber Executives Association (ICEA) today at their annual winter conference in Indianapolis. ICEA is the leading organization for education and professional development of chamber executives and staff across the state.

The award recognizes organizational excellence in chambers of commerce and is based on the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s accreditation process for local chambers. It highlights accomplishments in the areas of leadership/governance, finance, advocacy and membership development.
Continue reading →

Superior Construction Reaches Safety Milestone

Posted on by
Reply


Superior Construction Co., Inc., is celebrating its 13th year of safe operations at the BP Whiting Refinery. Employees of the Gary-based construction firm have put in more than 15 million work-hours at the facility over that period without a single “lost-time incident” – an accident serious enough that a worker needed time off to recover.

“We have built an excellent safety culture there over the years by getting our employees involved,” says Safety Director Tom Owens. “The credit goes to everyone out there. We have great supervisors and employees who make safety a part of their job.”
Continue reading →