Construction projects set

Twenty five permits for projects valued at more than $276,000 were issued in October by Jay/Portland Building and Planning.
Two of the top three most expensive projects were agricultural-related — a $46,900 barn addition by Mack Nuckols, 4395 West 650 South, Portland, and a $35,000 silo by Tom Homan, 1947 E. Division Road, Portland. Also making the top three was an interior remodeling project at Circle K (South), 729 S. Meridian St., Portland, valued at $42,000.
Here are the remainder of the projects, with values listed:
Jay Creek Amish Parochial School, 8162 N. 250 East, Bryant, addition, $3,500; CW Farms, 5339 W. Ind. 26, Portland, grain bin, $1,250; Ralph Guingrich, 2667 E. 100 North, grain bin, $3,500; Dewain Hirschy, 4545 N. 150 West, Portland, pole barn, $18,000; Barry Blankenbaker, 7807 W. 300 North, Pennville, pole barn, $17,000; Reinhart Brothers, 7250 N. 700 East, barn lean-to, $4,500 and Vernon Muhlenkamp, 7827 E. 600 North, Bryant, barn addition, $25,000.
Also, Portland Forge, 208 E. Lafayette St., Portland, fence, $21,500; Patriot Sweet Cakes (Tiffany Lairson), 101 N. Meridian St., Portland, business occupany; Clear Chiropractic, 406 W. Votaw St., Portland, business sign, $2,200; Fort Recovery Industries Inc., 710 E. 100 North, Portland, business sign; Michael Stults, 712 W. Third St., Portland, residential addition, $9,800; Tom Robbins, 918 E. Race St., Portland, deck, $500; and Glen Wilhelm Jr., 520 W. Water St., Portland, deck, $100.
Also, Chris Limbert, 5487 S. 250 West, Portland, deck, $975; Community and Family Services Inc., 521 S. Wayne St., Portland, storage shed, $2,200; William Fields, 2209 E. 100 South, Portland, deck, $1,000; Lavine and Janet Schwartzkopf, 914 W. Seventh St., Portland, garage, $10,000; David Schumacher, 8094 N. Ind. 1, Bryant, carport, $1,100; Nicholas Costello, 316 S. Meridian St., Portland, carport/fence extension; and John Fisher, 1560 S. 300 East, Portland, detached garage, $5,000.

Cutting output
In a move that could eventually affect a Portland industry, Honda announced this week it was cutting U.S. and Canadian production by 50 percent due to parts shortages resulting from flooding in Thailand.
FCC (Indiana), Portland, supplies clutch components for Honda and was forced to shut down for periods over the summer when Honda manufacturing was interrupted by the March earthquake and tsunami in Japan.
Honda also announced this week that its third quarter profit fell 56 percent.

Taking nominations
The Jay County Chamber of Commerce is currently accepting nominations for its annual awards.
Awards for citizen of the year, business of the year, industry of the year, lifetime achievement and Dunkirk community commitment will be given out at the chamber’s annual meeting in January.
The nomination deadline is Nov. 21.
For more information, call the chamber at (260) 726-4481 or go to www.jaycountychamber.com.

Recycling incentive
Jay County REMC is offering cooperative members a $35 incentive to recycle functioning but unwanted home refrigerators and freezers. Qualifying appliances must have an interior measurement of 10 to 30 cubic feet to be eligible.
To schedule pickup of an appliance, call (877) 395-5535 or go to www.jayremc.com.

Profits rising
Bluffton-based Franklin Electric Co. this week announced record third-quarter earnings of $19.2 million, or 80 cents per diluted share. The figures represent a 56 percent increase over the $12.3 million amount posted during the third quarter of 2010.
The company, which is building a new headquarters in Allen County, set quarter records for sales, earnings per share and earnings.
Franklin Electric currently employs 225 and plans to add 35 jobs by mid-2013.

Cutting hours
Walmart, which has become known for its supercenters that are open 24-hours, is re-thinking that strategy in some areas.
The Indianapolis Star reported recently that four Indy-area Walmart stores have begun closing during overnight hours, and a spokesperson said store hours are considered on a market-by-market basis.
The Walmart supercenters in both Portland and Winchester are open 24 hours.

Service offered
Indiana University Health Blackford Hospital announced recently it will offer digital mammography services.
Digital mammography images can be captured more quickly than with traditional methods, reducing exam times. The images can also be stored, shared and interpreted electronically.
The equipment was purchased through funds raised by the Blackford Community Hospital Foundation in the 1990s.

Solid earnings
Old National Bancorp this week reported third-quarter earnings of $16.8 million (18 cents per diluted common share), a 41 percent increase over 2010 figures.
The Evansville-based company operates a branch in Portland.

Railroad hiring
Norfolk Southern railroad, which serves Portland, plans to hire 500 people by the end of the year. The railroad plans to add 2,600 employees in 2012.
Online applications can be submitted via the railroad’s website.[[In-content Ad]]