First Bank of Berne awarded

A local bank earned an award from a state organization.

Indiana Bankers Association honored First Bank of Berne with a Five Star Member Award on Sept. 15.

The award recognizes banks that “demonstrate outstanding commitment to the Association in five areas: political awareness, issues advocacy, life-long learning, IBA volunteerism, and Preferred Service Provider utilization.” The award covers First Bank of Berne’s efforts in 2020.

“We very much appreciate the dedication of First Bank of Berne and as a Five Star Member bank,” said Amber Van Til, president and CEO of Indiana Bankers Association, in a press release. “Our Association is strong, thanks to our supportive members.”



Trick or treating set

Jay County Chamber of Commerce has scheduled its Merchant Trick-or-Treat for 5 to 7 p.m. Oct. 29.

All Jay County businesses are invited to participate. Those that are not located in downtown Portland will be able to set up in the Community Resource Center Parking lot at 118. S. Meridian St.

Businesses that intend to participate should RSVP with the chamber by Oct. 22.

For more information, email [email protected] or call (260) 726-4481.



Ready to hop

Jay County Visitor and Tourism Bureau is organizing the Eastern Indiana Shop-Hop Antique and Boutique Shop Hop on Oct. 1 and 2.

The event is intended to encourage shopping at local antique stores and clothing boutiques in a five-county area, including Jay County. Businesses are encouraged to come up with their own unique specials for the event.



CANPACK begins

Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb visited Muncie on Wednesday to join Mayor Dan Ridenour and executives from CANPACK for a groundbreaking ceremony for the company’s new aluminum beverage can manufacturing facility in Delaware County.

CANPACK in May announced plans to build the $380-million, 862,000-square-foot facility in Muncie. It is projected to add 345 jobs by the end of 2023.

The Muncie facility will be the second in the U.S. for CANPACK, which is based in Poland.



Edwards named

Ivy Tech Community College this week announced that Julius Edwards has been named its vice president of business, logistics and supply chain. He begins in his new role Monday.

Edwards currently serves as vice chancellor of academic affairs at Ivy Tech’s Marion campus. He has held various other roles with Ivy Tech over the last decade, including director of the transfer center and dean of the school of business, logistics and supply chain and school of public affairs and social services.

“Julius Edwards is uniquely qualified to fill this incredibly important role,” said Ivy Tech senior vice president of workforce and careers Chris Lowery in a press release. “I am delighted he has agreed to serve in this capacity and look forward to working closely with him.”



Invenergy awarded

Renewable energy firm Invenergy’s Clean Path New York project was selected Monday by New York State to provide more than 7.5 million megawatt hours of energy to downstate New York and New York City.

Invenergy, which is planning a solar facility in northwest Jay County, expects the $11-billion project to go online in 2027. Clean Path New York will also develop a $270 million investment fund to support workforce development and education programs, health services and efficiency and electrification retrofits.

“With this award the Clean Path New York project team can proceed with ensuring that the communities that host these major new transmission and generation infrastructure investments have the opportunity to participate and thrive in New York’s clean energy economy,” said New York Power Authority president and CEO Gil C. Quiniones.



IU prof leading

Indiana University assistant professor of geography Natasha MacBean is leading a NASA-funded research program on carbon cycling.

The research studies dryland regions — areas of water-limited ecosystems that make up about 40% of the earth’s surface. The three-year investigation, which is funded by a $900,000 NASA grant, is being led by MacBean and includes staff from the U.S. Geological Survey, University of Arizona and NASA.

“Given the importance of drylands globally, it’s significant that we fully understand dryland ecosystem processes,” MacBean told Indiana Environmental Reporter. “There are complex interactions between vegetation, carbon and water cycles in drylands and how those processes respond to changes due to climate as well as land management that are not yet fully understood.”