Chamber, Rotary partner to mentor

The Jay County Chamber of Commerce is partnering with the Portland Rotary Club to launch a mentoring program aimed at nurturing entrepreneurship in the county.
Portland Rotarians will form the core of the Jay Advisory Group, which will be available to act as mentors to local residents interested in starting new businesses.
Entrepreneurs will be able to choose from a list of individuals to find a suitable mentor with the right expertise.
Boosting entrepreneurship in the county was one of the goals of the 20/20 Vision Plan.

Reporter leaves
A reporter for The Commercial Review has left the newspaper for a new position.
Rachelle Haughn, Portland, who has worked for The CR for seven years, will be working on publications for the Academy of Model Aeronautics, Muncie. Friday was her last day at The CR.
The 2001 graduate of Ball State University, Muncie, has covered the city and police beats since April of 2004. Her work has included city meetings, her own weekly column, and covering crime, fires and county court news.
The search for her replacement has begun.

Networking luncheon
Jeff Day, owner of TLS By Design, will present the program at the next Jay County Chamber of Commerce Networking Luncheon.
The luncheon begins at noon on May 31 at Jay County Hospital. Cost for lunch is $8. E-mail reservations to [email protected].

500 celebration
Ridgeville has joined the 100th anniversary of the Indianapolis 500 as part of the Back Home in Indiana Community Decoration Program sponsored by the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
The town has received 50 free tickets to the time trials and eight tickets to the race, valued at $1,400.
The town has been decorated with flags and pennants and through donations from local businesses, only $31 was spent from town funds.
The first place winner in the program receives $25,000 for a town improvement project.

Wal-Mart gas
Gas prices are further contributing to a sales slump for Wal-Mart.
The company’s earnings outlook was tempered due to fears that gasoline around $4 will bite into consumer spending.
The company has been in a two-year sales funk, although it posted its first increase in seven quarters earlier this year.

IBM jobs
IBM could add 500 jobs through an expansion at its Daleville location.
The company will already add 120 new positions over the next two years, but Delaware County officials offered an additional $325,000 in loan money if the company will bring an additional 380 jobs.
Officials believe the addition of the 500 workers is a strong possibility.
Wal-Mart buying
Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is buying a stake in online retailer Yihaodian as it looks to expand influence in China.
The company sells groceries, clothing, electronics and other items and the deal is expected to close in 60 days.
Wal-Mart makes about 26 percent of its revenue from overseas business.

Flood coverage
The United States Department of Agriculture Risk Management Agency is reminding producers to contact their insurance agent if they have been affected by heavy rainfall and flooding affecting planting.
Producers may have a variety of options if they will be planting late due to weather.
Additional information can also be found at www.rma.usda.gov.

Kakes moves
KellieKakes, Fort Recovery, has moved into Wayne IGA in the village.
The bakery service, owned by Kellie Menchhofer, was formerly operating out of the Tin Cupboard, but has now moved to the grocery store.
Pre-packaged baked goods will be available at the store, as well as special orders.[[In-content Ad]]