Launch Jay! applications are open

Those interested in pitching business ideas have one more week to sign up for a local competition.

Jay County Development Corporation and Jay County Chamber of Commerce are teaming up to host “Launch Jay!,” a “Shark Tank”-style competition for local entrepreneurs to pitch ideas for new or expanding businesses.

Participants will have the opportunity to attend a series of Indiana Small Business Development Center workshops in September to help them prepare. The live pitch competition will be held Oct. 2.

There is a $7,500 first prize with additional prizes for second and third places, as well as an audience choice winner. Money must be used toward expenses to help develop business ideas.

Applications are available at Community Resource Center, 118 S. Meridian St., Portland or by contacting [email protected] or [email protected]. The deadline to sign up is Friday.

For more information, call (260) 726-9311 or (260) 726-4481.



Hospital adds

IU Health Jay announced last week that L. Michelle Kattner and Cassie Alexander have joined the staff of its behavioral health department.

Kattner is a licensed mental health counselor and a licensed social worker. She earned her master’s degree from The Ohio State University.

Alexander is a licensed clinical social worker who earned her master’s degree at Indiana University – East.

Both have already worked for IU Health for several years.



Key retiring

Steve Key, executive director and general counsel for Hoosier State Press Association, announced Thursday that he plans to retire in 2022.

Key has led HSPA since 1993, including lobbying the state legislature for government transparency. He previously worked as a newspaper reporter and editor for 13 years.

“It’s been an honor to work on behalf of Indiana newspapers because local journalism is a vital component of our democracy,” Key said in a press release. “I just hope I’ve made a positive impact on the ability for reporters and the public to hold government accountable and for newspapers to successfully serve Indiana communities.”

HSPA’s board is preparing to begin a search for its next executive director, who would work with Key during a transition period.



Ribbon cutting

Jay County Chamber of Commerce will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony next week.

A ribbon cutting is scheduled for noon Friday celebrating one year in business for Glass Capital Grill, 126 E. Commerce St., Dunkirk. The restaurant opened last August but did not have a ribbon-cutting ceremony because of the coronavirus pandemic.



Offering training

John Jay Center for Learning will host ServSafe Training beginning at the end of the month.

ServSafe classes are scheduled for 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 30, Sept. 27 and Oct. 25. For more information, call John Jay at (260) 729-5525.



New VP named

David Rosenberg has been named executive vice president of Indiana Economic Development Corporation.

Rosenberg, who most recently was vice president of operations for consulting and advising firm Market Street Group, will oversee initiatives including the Indiana Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI). A graduate of Indiana University, Rosenberg previously served as deputy chief of staff and director of enterprise development under former Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard.

“I’m excited to welcome David to the executive team where we will provide leadership and oversight for several important IEDC initiatives and focus areas,” said Indiana Secretary of Commerce Brad Chambers, who announced Rosenberg’s hiring Monday. “His past experience has prepared him well for this role …”



Tyson closing

Tyson Foods will close its LD Foods facility in Jefferson, Wisconsin, next month.

The facility, which has 62 employees, will shut down Sept. 16, the Daily Jefferson County Union reported. Tyson has decided to discontinue the product line produced at the facility.

“As part of ongoing efforts to focus on the strategic plans of our business, we plan to discontinue operations at our Jefferson, Wisconsin, plant in mid-September,” Tyson Foods spokesperson Derek Burleson told the Union. “The closure is due to a combination of factors, including the changing product needs of our customers.”



Leading innovation

Purdue Polytechnic Institute professor Nathalie Duval-Couetil has been named its Innovation and Entrepreneurship Fellow.

Duval-Couetil, who works in the institute’s department of technology leadership and innovation, will be tasked with helping faculty and students interested in “pursuing technology commercialization and entrepreneurial activity.” She will also work to develop partnerships for commercial-oriented projects.

"We applaud Nathalie's dedication to entrepreneurship and innovation,” said Carrie Berger, Purdue Polytechnic’s interim dean, in a press release. “We are thrilled to see this recognition of her hard work. I am confident that Nathalie will help our college leverage the unique resources of the Burton D. Morgan Center for Entrepreneurship as we continue to empower our faculty and students …”