IU Health Jay nurses recognized

Jay County’s hospital has been honored for the quality of its nursing staff.

IU Health Jay announced this week that it received the Pathway to Excellence designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center.

The Pathway to Excellence Program recognizes a health care organization’s “commitment to creating a positive practice environment that empowers and engages staff.” It sets standards for shared decision making, leadership, safety, quality, well-being and professional development.

“I am extremely proud of the hard work and preparation that our team has put in to preparing for the Pathway to Excellence designation,” said IU Health Jay chief operating officer and chief nursing officer Christina Schemenaur in a press release. “Our nurses and everyone at IU Health Jay is committed to a culture of excellence and providing the highest quality of care. It is exciting to be recognized for the dedication to our patients and community.”



CenterPoint upgrading

CenterPoint Energy on Thursday announced plans to continue replacing natural gas mains and service lines throughout Indiana.

The list of projects includes two that have already been completed in Dunkirk. Several more are in progress in both Dunkirk and Redkey. They are part of plans to replace about 1,200 miles of steel and cast-iron pipes with industry-grade plastic.

The company is planning more than $76 million in investments.

“Our ongoing investments in our natural gas infrastructure remain a top priority for our company as we strive to provide our customers and communities with safe and reliable service,” said Ashley Babcock, Vice President, Indiana and Ohio Gas. “These improvements will also help reduce operational emissions as we continue our journey toward a cleaner energy future.”



Railroad deal reached

A Tennessee company is planning a more than $10 million investment in Delaware County.

Delaware County Commissioners and director of economic affairs Brad Bookout announced this week that SRM Concrete of Smyrna, Tennessee, will build a $9.5-million facility in the industrial park near the intersection of Interstate 69 and Indiana 332. The company will also lease a railroad spur from the county for seven years at a cost of $3.5 million.

“SRM plans to immediately begin work at the site and anticipates up to 15 employees,” said SRM chairman Mike Hollingshead in a press release. “SRM is the largest concrete company in the United States. The company donates 10 percent of profits back to the community each year.”



Dean appointed

Ball State University has appointed Cathy DuBois as the new dean of Miller College of Business.

DuBois previously served as associate dean for graduate and online programs at Kent State University. She had been at Kent State for 20 years, entering administration in 2012.

“I am excited to welcome Dr. DuBois as our next Bryan Dean of the Miller College of Business,” BSU president Geoffrey S. Mearns said in a press release. “Throughout our search process, Cathy stood out with her passion, her administrative experience, and her values-based leadership. I look forward to working with Cathy to continue to build on the strengths of our Miller College of Business and to advance our University’s mission and strategic plan.”



Improvements planned

Improvements anticipated to cost nearly $10 million are coming to the Indianapolis Regional Airport, the Daily Reporter (Greenfield) reported recently.

The Indianapolis Airport Authority last month approved an award of contract to Milestone Contractors in a not-to-exceed amount of nearly $5.5 million plus a 10% construction reserve of nearly $550,000, for a total of over $6 million. With inspection and materials testing, the total anticipated project cost is over $7 million.

An airport authority board memo notes that the east and west aprons and the adjoining taxi lane at the airport were constructed over 40 years ago and have reached the end of their useful life.