ServSafe training set for next week

ServSafe training will be available at John Jay Center for Learning in Portland.

The next session is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, July 22.

The certification course is open to all food service employees and emphasizes safe food- and beverage-handling practices to minimize the risk of food-borne illnesses.

Additional sessions will be held on Tuesdays Aug. 19, Sept. 23, Oct. 28 and Nov. 25.

For more information, or to register, call (260) 729-5525.

Office launches

The State of Indiana has launched the Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation.

Indiana Gov. Mike Braun said the office is intended to help Main Street entrepreneurs “to start, grow and scale their businesses to grow Indiana’s economy and support Hoosier workers.” Brian Schutt, co-founder of Indianapolis co-working space and startup incubator Refinery46, is leading the office.

Primary directives for the office are to:

•Develop and administer programs to support the growth of small business, entrepreneurship and innovation.

•Direct and oversee programs and sources of funding.

•Strengthen policies and programs supporting the growth of entrepreneurship.

•Coordinate with state agencies and other state-funded entities to align services and programs.

•Work with funded entities to measure funds reaching rural communities.

•Develop and administer programs to support and encourage youth entrepreneurship.

Coordinator hired

The Economic Development Alliance of Muncie-Delaware County hired Gina Caravaglia as redevelopment commission coordinator.

Caravaglia joins the alliance after working as a graduate assistant with Ball State University’s Department of Political Science and Indiana’s Voting System Technical Oversight Program. She’s a BSU graduate with a bachelor’s degree in psychological science and a master’s degree in public administration.

“We’re excited to welcome Gina to the Alliance team,” said Elizabeth Rowray, alliance president and CEO, in a press release. “Her background in public administration, project coordination, and civic engagement makes her an ideal fit for our organization. As we continue advancing the Vision 2027 plan, Gina’s leadership will be instrumental in aligning redevelopment efforts with our countywide goals for business growth, investment, and quality of place.”

BSU honored

The Public Media Journalists Association honored Ball State Public Media with three national awards.

Indiana Public Radio took first-place awards for news feature and newscast. Ball State PBS took second place for audience engagement.

“Like public radio stations around the country, IPR’s news team takes our mission for local news seriously, especially in this time of local news deserts,” said Stephanie Wiechmann, IPR managing editor, in a press release.

Program to begin

Indiana Department of Environmental Management is launching the Indiana Pollution Prevention Toolkit Program, a free resource to help businesses implement measures to prevent pollution.

The new program will launch with an information session from noon to 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 23. The webinar will cover methods for finding and detecting compressor leaks.

The program offers information sheets, checklists, access to live webinars and confidential compliance assistance.

For more information, or to register for the webinar, visit idem.IN.gov.

Expo scheduled

Registration is open for the Indiana Chapter of the National Tooling and Machining Association and the Precision Machining Association Indiana District’s Indiana Manufacturing Suppliers Expo.

The event will run from 1 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 21, at Embassy Suites in Plainfield. It will include educational tracks including AI in manufacturing.

“Indiana’s small manufacturers and suppliers are the heart of our economy - bringing cutting-edge tech, consistent quality, and real innovation,” said Dan Kendall, Precision Machining Association chair, in a press release. “This Expo unites that community, building meaningful partnerships and fueling growth. And with AI reshaping how we make things, this year’s expanded education sessions are essential - packed into one power-packed afternoon, they give manufacturing leaders the tools to not just keep pace, but lead.”

To register, or for more information, visit intma.org.

Applications open

CenterPoint Energy Foundation is accepting applications for its final grant cycle of 2025.

Non-profit organizations that have their primary location in a CenterPoint Energy service area are eligible. The foundation prioritizes community vitality and education projects serving low-to-moderate income families and communities.

“We’re proud of the impact the CenterPoint Energy Foundation has in creating positive, meaningful change within the communities where we deliver electric and natural gas service,” said June Deadrick, vice president of community relations at CenterPoint Energy, in a press release. “The Foundation remains committed to initiatives and programs enriching the lives of those living and working within our service areas, while building a foundation for a brighter tomorrow.” 

To apply, or for more information, visit CenterPointEnergy.com/Foundation. The deadline is Friday, July 18.

Hosting drive

Menards is hosting a food drive through the end of July.

The company will accept donations of non-perishable food items through July 31. They can be placed in collection boxes near the exit doors to its locations.

Participating locations include stores in Anderson, Fort Wayne, Kokomo, Muncie, Richmond and Celina, Ohio.

Awards set

Indiana Chamber of Commerce will host its annual awards dinner at 5 p.m. Nov. 5 at the JW Marriott Indianapolis.

Daymond John, founder of FUBU and a longtime star of “Shark Tank,” will be the featured speaker.

Individual tickets are $195. For more information, visit indianachamber.com.

Nominate manufacturers

Nominations are open for the Indiana Manufacturers Association 2025 Manufacturing Excellence Awards.

The awards honor Indiana companies and individuals for their contributions to the manufacturing industry. They are open to all manufacturers in Indiana.

Anyone can make a nomination by going online to indianamfg.com/2025-manufacturing-excellence-awards. The deadline is Sunday, Aug. 31.