Purdue partners on national security

Purdue University has signed an agreement with Oak Ridge National Laboratory for research collaboration regarding national security.

Purdue will be part of new research opportunities to enhance national defense. Areas of focus include artificial intelligence and quantum computing.

“By combining research efforts of Purdue and Oak Ridge National Lab under this MOU, we are leveraging the strengths of two world-class research institutions for the national good,” said Purdue executive vice president for research Dan DeLaurentis in a news release. “This also further positions Indiana at the forefront of national security innovation while contributing to national defense workforce development programming by creating new opportunities for students and researchers.”

Expanding access

Eli Lilly and Company and Indiana University have a new agreement to expand access to clinical trials.

Lilly, an Indianapolis-based pharmaceuticals firm, and the university are expanding their partnership for clinical trial innovation, strengthening Alzheimer’s disease clinical care and research and helping develop the future scientific and clinical talent for Indiana’s life sciences sector. The five-year agreement aims to advance treatment options for Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes and cancer.

“Indiana has everything it takes to build a best-in-class system for clinical trial innovation: world-leading science, statewide health systems that reach patients where they are and a community that believes in turning discovery into better care,” said David A. Ricks, chair and CEO of Lilly, in a news release. “Our goal is to transform clinical research, advancing science and improving care for Hoosiers while setting a standard that reaches far beyond our state.”

Adding stores

Dollar General announced plans Thursday to open about 450 new stores in the U.S. in 2026.

The announcement came during the company’s third-quarter earnings call. In addition to the new U.S. locations, plans call for 10 new locations in Mexico and remodeling 4,250 stores.

"Our first priority is investing in the business, including our existing store base, as well as other high-return growth opportunities such as new store expansion, remodels, and other strategic initiatives," said Donny Lau, chief financial officer at Dollar General.

Collaborating

NextEra Energy and Google Cloud on Monday announced an expansion of their partnership to develop new gigawatt-scale data center campuses with energy generation and capacity.

The companies “will collaborate to enhance these technological innovations and AI developments to accelerate go to market.” The partnership will include AI-enhanced field operations for NextEra and creating a more reliable and resilient power grid.

"Our partnership with Google exemplifies this very singular moment when energy and technology are becoming inextricably intertwined," said NextEra Energy chairman and CEO John Ketchum in a news release. "Together, we intend to build data center capacity and energy infrastructure at scale, advance cutting-edge technology and reimagine how energy companies operate. By combining NextEra Energy's unmatched skills as America's leading energy infrastructure builder and operator, with Google's world-class technology expertise, we will help transform the energy sector."

NextEra owns and operates Bluff Point Wind Energy Center in southern Jay County and northern Randolph County.

Hosting drive

Menards is hosting a toy drive through Dec. 15.

Toys collected will be donated to those in need. Menards is requesting donations of new, unwrapped toys.

Menards locations in Muncie, Anderson, Richmond and Celina, Ohio, will have drop boxes available for donations.

Courses scheduled

Indiana Chamber of Commerce has several programs coming up.

General Occupational Safety and Health Administration courses will be held beginning Tuesday, Jan. 20.

Also, the Indiana Safety and Health Conference & Expo will be held from Feb. 23 through 25. It will feature a variety of speakers as well as more than 60 educational sessions.

The courses and expo will be held at the Indiana Chamber of Commerce Conference Center in Indianapolis.

For more information, visit indianachamber.com.