U.S. Aggregates earns mining award

An organization that operates a local stone quarry recently received a variety of honors.

U.S. Aggregates received the Excellence in Mining Award last month at the Indiana Mineral Aggregates Association winter workshop.

The award goes to companies for “their commitment to safety, sustainability and to their contributions in their community.”

The firm also received eight Indiana Mineral Aggregates Association Safety Awards, which go to facilities with no reportable injuries for at least one year.

U.S. Aggregates received 15 gold awards and one silver award across all of its facilities.

“This recognition is a testament to the importance US Aggregates places on worker safety, as well as commitment to setting high standards for employee health and well-being,” the company said in a press release. “US Aggregates is honored to be recognized for our teams’ commitment to quality, environmental stewardship, and safety in our operations. We are proud of the work we do each day to ensure that our products exceed industry standards while keeping our workers safe on the job site. Congratulations again on these well-deserved awards.



Cooper celebrates

Cooper Farms is celebrating 85 years in operation this year.

The family farm and food company was founded in 1938 with 300 turkeys when Virgil Cooper took over the farm in Oakwood, Ohio, following his mother’s death. It now has 2,400 employees and 375 farms that help raise turkeys, hogs and chickens.

“Being innovative in the way we do things, always looking to improve our processes, is part of the reason our company has been successful,” said Gary Cooper, who returned home with his brother Jim to work for the farm in 1974. “We were founded on a can-do attitude and we will continue to have that mindset in the way we do business moving forward.”



Lilly cuts

Indianapolis-based Eli Lilly announced Wednesday that it is making price reductions for some of its most commonly prescribed insulins.

The company set the price reductions at 70% from current costs. It also created a program that caps the out-of-pocket insulin cost for patients at $35 or less per month.

"While the current healthcare system provides access to insulin for most people with diabetes, it still does not provide affordable insulin for everyone and that needs to change," said David A. Ricks, Lilly's chair and CEO, in a press release. "The aggressive price cuts we're announcing today should make a real difference for Americans with diabetes”



CVS investing

CVS Health announced Tuesday that it is investing $10 million in a housing project in Indianapolis.

The project calls for construction of St. Lucas Lofts, a new 48-unit “supporting housing community” in the city. It is a collaboration with non-profit developers Englewood Community Development Corporation and RDOOR Housing Corporation.

“Providing access to affordable, secure housing is an important step towards improving overall health outcomes and promoting health equity,” said CVS Health lead manager of workforce initiatives Lena Barkley in a press release.“When people have stable access to safe and affordable housing, it positions them to improve their overall wellbeing — medically, financially and emotionally — by addressing their own health needs or even focus on securing education or steady employment.”



Contest is open

Walgreens is accepting entries in its Expressions by Walgreens contest.

The artistic challenge for high school students awards prizes for visual arts, media arts, spoken word and creative writing.

“Every generation has unique challenges representing the present times,” said Walgreens senior director of community relations John Gremer in a press release. “Expressions began out of a desire to help young people handle the tough issues they may be facing. Helping high school students find their voices through art lines up perfectly with our commitment to create more joyful lives through better health.”

For more information about the contest, visit expressisonschallenge.com. The deadline to enter is March 31.



Invenergy purchasing

Invenergy announced last week that it has entered into an agreement to purchase American Electric Power’s 1,365-megawatt unregulated, contracted renewables portfolio.

The agreement came in at $1.5 billion, including project debt. The sale is expected to close in the next few months.

“Invenergy is proud to bring our industry-leading development, financial, and operating expertise to this quality renewable operating portfolio,” said Invenergy president and corporate business leader Jim Murphy in a press release. “Our longstanding record of working with AEP, familiarity with the portfolio projects, and the strength and cohesiveness of our investor consortium led to this significant agreement.”

Invenergy is developing Skycrest Solar in Jay County.