July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.
Glass plant back in production
Business roundup
Glass plant back in production
Dunkirk's Saint-Gobain Containers plant's amber glass furnace, temporarily disabled by a major leak of molten glass in May, is now back in operation producing about 2.5 million beer bottles a day for Anheuser-Busch Brewing Company.
The leak of approximately 1 million pounds of molten glass on May 1 triggered a massive response by local fire department, company and rescue personnel who worked long hours to cool and restrict the flow of the lava-like and extremely hot glass so that further damage to equipment could be prevented and the area could be cleaned up as quickly as possible.
Company officials said they were extremely pleased that no one was injured as a result of the incident and all proper safety procedures were followed. Completion of a training exercise at the plant earlier in the year was credited with helping to maintain safety during the massive leak of molten glass that reached temperatures as high as 2,800 degrees Fahrenheit.
Firefighters from more than a dozen area departments poured thousands of gallons of water onto the plant facilities in response to the spill on May 1. Dunkirk firefighters remained on the scene until 2 p.m. the next day.
Saint-Gobain employees worked long hours and special shifts to make repairs and clean up the area as quickly as possible.
During the Glass Days festival in late May, plant manager Mike Hart thanked fire department and rescue personnel for their help. He said residue from the molten glass spill had already been cleared away at that time, and the furnace operation was being started up again.
Saint-Gobain corporate spokesperson Gina Behrman said, "As a result of the training and preparation in place, employee safety was protected and the disruption and damage to the furnace was minimized. The appropriate safety procedures were followed by all the employees and contractors at the plant, and we are very pleased that no one was injured as a result of the incident or during the repair process."
Saint-Gobain's Dunkirk plant has two glass furnaces - one for amber glass and another for clear glass containers. The latter furnace was not affected by the leak. It produces jars for jelly and preserves as well as other clear containers. Overall, the plant is capable of producing 4.5 million glass containers a day.
Saint-Gobain corporate spokesperson Gina Behrman said, "As a result of the training and preparation in place, employee safety was protected and the disruption and damage to the furnace was minimized. The appropriate safety procedures were followed by all the employees and contractors at the plant, and we are very pleased that no one was injured as a result of the incident or during the repair process."
Saint-Gobain's Dunkirk plant has two glass furnaces - one for amber glass and another for clear glass containers. The latter furnace was not affected by the leak. It produces jars for jelly and preserves as well as other clear containers. Overall, the plant is capable of producing 4.5 million glass containers a day.
Wind farms proposed
Two wind farms, one of which would be partly in Jay County, could be developed near Winchester in Randolph County.
Indiana and Michigan Power recently earmarked $150,000 for an interconnection study on attaching its proposed wind farm to the electrical power grid.
Horizon Wind Energy, Houston, Texas, announced last year that it planned to build a 100- to 200-megawatt wind farm within 60,000 acres south of Winchester.
The Texas company's project would cost several million dollars and generate hundreds of thousands of dollars in annual lease payments to property owners, significant property tax revenue, hundreds of construction jobs and 10 to 20 permanent maintenance and operation jobs.
Nearly two years ago, I&M installed three meteorological test towers, one each in Jay, Randolph and Wayne counties.
Late last summer and early fall Horizon erected two "met towers" in Randolph County; the company added three more towers late last year or early this year, Cathy Flatter, director of the planning commission in Randolph County, said.
The commission has created a wind energy committee to draft a wind ordinance for the county.
The locations for the wind farms have not been announced.
Promoted
Judy Heflin has been promoted from assistant branch manager to branch manager at the Bank of Geneva's Berne office.
Heflin began working at the bank in October 1999 as a teller. She was promoted to the branch's assistant branch manager in July 2006.
Originally from Elwood, Heflin and her family have lived in Berne for the past 15 years. Her husband, Terry Heflin, is production manager at Strick Corporation in Monroe.
Sales trip
Area economic development officials, including one from Jay County, joined together along with Energize ECI Inc. for a recent trip to meet with site selection professionals in the Cleveland area June 25-26.
The purpose of the trip was to familiarize leading site selection professionals based in Cleveland about the many business advantages of expansion and relocation opportunities in East Central Indiana, said Roy Budd, Energize ECI Inc. executive director.
Participants of the trip included Bill Bradley, executive director of Jay County Development Corporation; Rob Cleveland, executive director, Blackford County Economic Development Corporation; Brad Buening, executive director, Rush County Economic & Community Development Corporation; Tim Eckerle, executive director, Grant County Economic Growth Council; Jake Mummert of Anderson Corporation for Economic Development; and Budd.
Wellness fair
Swiss Village is hosting a Wellness Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday (July 9) at the Arthur & Gloria Muselman Wellness Pavilion.
The fair, which will include various businesses from Berne and the surrounding area, is open to the community and will showcase goods and services that promote living a healthier life.
For more information contact Michelle Lechlitner, Swiss Village marketing director, at (260) 589-3173.
Five-Star Bank
Bank of Geneva, which has a Portland branch, ranks among some of the nation's strongest banks at a time when the number of five-star banks nationwide is down 8 percent from last year, according to BauerFinancial Inc. of Coral Gables, Fla.
The bank has earned its highest five-star rating, a distinction just 10 percent of the nation's can claim, for the 63rd consecutive quarter.
Bank of Geneva operates branches in Berne, Geneva and Monroe.[[In-content Ad]]
The leak of approximately 1 million pounds of molten glass on May 1 triggered a massive response by local fire department, company and rescue personnel who worked long hours to cool and restrict the flow of the lava-like and extremely hot glass so that further damage to equipment could be prevented and the area could be cleaned up as quickly as possible.
Company officials said they were extremely pleased that no one was injured as a result of the incident and all proper safety procedures were followed. Completion of a training exercise at the plant earlier in the year was credited with helping to maintain safety during the massive leak of molten glass that reached temperatures as high as 2,800 degrees Fahrenheit.
Firefighters from more than a dozen area departments poured thousands of gallons of water onto the plant facilities in response to the spill on May 1. Dunkirk firefighters remained on the scene until 2 p.m. the next day.
Saint-Gobain employees worked long hours and special shifts to make repairs and clean up the area as quickly as possible.
During the Glass Days festival in late May, plant manager Mike Hart thanked fire department and rescue personnel for their help. He said residue from the molten glass spill had already been cleared away at that time, and the furnace operation was being started up again.
Saint-Gobain corporate spokesperson Gina Behrman said, "As a result of the training and preparation in place, employee safety was protected and the disruption and damage to the furnace was minimized. The appropriate safety procedures were followed by all the employees and contractors at the plant, and we are very pleased that no one was injured as a result of the incident or during the repair process."
Saint-Gobain's Dunkirk plant has two glass furnaces - one for amber glass and another for clear glass containers. The latter furnace was not affected by the leak. It produces jars for jelly and preserves as well as other clear containers. Overall, the plant is capable of producing 4.5 million glass containers a day.
Saint-Gobain corporate spokesperson Gina Behrman said, "As a result of the training and preparation in place, employee safety was protected and the disruption and damage to the furnace was minimized. The appropriate safety procedures were followed by all the employees and contractors at the plant, and we are very pleased that no one was injured as a result of the incident or during the repair process."
Saint-Gobain's Dunkirk plant has two glass furnaces - one for amber glass and another for clear glass containers. The latter furnace was not affected by the leak. It produces jars for jelly and preserves as well as other clear containers. Overall, the plant is capable of producing 4.5 million glass containers a day.
Wind farms proposed
Two wind farms, one of which would be partly in Jay County, could be developed near Winchester in Randolph County.
Indiana and Michigan Power recently earmarked $150,000 for an interconnection study on attaching its proposed wind farm to the electrical power grid.
Horizon Wind Energy, Houston, Texas, announced last year that it planned to build a 100- to 200-megawatt wind farm within 60,000 acres south of Winchester.
The Texas company's project would cost several million dollars and generate hundreds of thousands of dollars in annual lease payments to property owners, significant property tax revenue, hundreds of construction jobs and 10 to 20 permanent maintenance and operation jobs.
Nearly two years ago, I&M installed three meteorological test towers, one each in Jay, Randolph and Wayne counties.
Late last summer and early fall Horizon erected two "met towers" in Randolph County; the company added three more towers late last year or early this year, Cathy Flatter, director of the planning commission in Randolph County, said.
The commission has created a wind energy committee to draft a wind ordinance for the county.
The locations for the wind farms have not been announced.
Promoted
Judy Heflin has been promoted from assistant branch manager to branch manager at the Bank of Geneva's Berne office.
Heflin began working at the bank in October 1999 as a teller. She was promoted to the branch's assistant branch manager in July 2006.
Originally from Elwood, Heflin and her family have lived in Berne for the past 15 years. Her husband, Terry Heflin, is production manager at Strick Corporation in Monroe.
Sales trip
Area economic development officials, including one from Jay County, joined together along with Energize ECI Inc. for a recent trip to meet with site selection professionals in the Cleveland area June 25-26.
The purpose of the trip was to familiarize leading site selection professionals based in Cleveland about the many business advantages of expansion and relocation opportunities in East Central Indiana, said Roy Budd, Energize ECI Inc. executive director.
Participants of the trip included Bill Bradley, executive director of Jay County Development Corporation; Rob Cleveland, executive director, Blackford County Economic Development Corporation; Brad Buening, executive director, Rush County Economic & Community Development Corporation; Tim Eckerle, executive director, Grant County Economic Growth Council; Jake Mummert of Anderson Corporation for Economic Development; and Budd.
Wellness fair
Swiss Village is hosting a Wellness Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday (July 9) at the Arthur & Gloria Muselman Wellness Pavilion.
The fair, which will include various businesses from Berne and the surrounding area, is open to the community and will showcase goods and services that promote living a healthier life.
For more information contact Michelle Lechlitner, Swiss Village marketing director, at (260) 589-3173.
Five-Star Bank
Bank of Geneva, which has a Portland branch, ranks among some of the nation's strongest banks at a time when the number of five-star banks nationwide is down 8 percent from last year, according to BauerFinancial Inc. of Coral Gables, Fla.
The bank has earned its highest five-star rating, a distinction just 10 percent of the nation's can claim, for the 63rd consecutive quarter.
Bank of Geneva operates branches in Berne, Geneva and Monroe.[[In-content Ad]]
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