MyFarms open house on Thursday

MyFarms LLC will host an open house from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday at its new home, the former Albertson’s carpeting store, 119 E. Main St., Portland.
Managing director Chris Fennig said the event should be of special interest to farmers, students interested in technology, and entrepreneurs.
The Jay County Chamber of Commerce will have a ribbon cutting ceremony at 5 p.m. for the grand opening at its new location.
For more information contact Fennig at [email protected].

Key Palace for sale
A “for sale” sign now sits in front of the Key Palace Theatre, 123 S. Meridian St., Redkey.
The renowned blues venue, which was founded by Charlie Noble in 1986, is now listed with ADM Commercial Real Estate for about $70,000.
Regina Williamson, sister of Noble, told the Muncie Star Press the family “tried to keep the blues alive,” but they were unable to do so.
The crowds at the club had dwindled lately and the club was struggling to stay afloat.
The last concert at Key Palace was in May.

Crush hunger
Red Gold, the country’s largest privately-held tomato processing company, is sponsoring “Run to Crush Hunger” on Saturday, Oct. 13, at Callaway Park in Elwood. The firm is based in Elwood and has a large operation at Geneva.
Check-in for the competitive 5K run and walk begins at 7:30 a.m. Start time is 9 a.m. all proceeds will go to Morrisett Center Food Pantry and Second Harvest Food Bank.
A chili cook-off follows the run at 11 a.m. For more information, go to www.RedGoldTomatoes.com.

Wind in Winchester
The Winchester Redevelopment Commission decided that construction of a wind turbine at Vision Industrial Park could help to reduce utility costs for the city.
The commission approved a non-binding agreement, which included approving a lease with the Winchester Redevelopment Authority for the project and an additional appropriation of funds not to exceed $3 million.
Winchester Mayor Steve Croyle said the resolutions do not commit the commission to following through on the project, but allow it to move to see if the project is viable.

Redevelopment
Rob Cleveland, executive director of the Blackford County Economic Development Corporation, is asking Blackford County residents to complete a five-question survey on how to proceed with redevelopment on the site of the former Blackford County Hospital.
A meeting will be held at the Blackford County Courthouse annex, 121 N. High St., Hartford City, on Aug. 29 at 10 a.m. to discuss possible redevelopment options for the hospital.
The hospital, which is located at 503 E. Van Cleve St., Hartford City, has stood vacant for years. Officials have been attempting redevelopment at the site for some time.

Adds subsidiary
Bluffton Motor Works, 410 E. Spring St., Bluffton, recently acquired an Ohio manufacturer of gearmotors and gear reducers as a wholly owned subsidiary.
Toledo Gearmotor, 5439 Roan Road, Sylvania, Ohio, will now manufacture Bluffton Motor Works line of gearmotors in addition to its own products, allowing Bluffton Motor Works to add increase operation of its core motor products.

Wal-mart falls short
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. reported a 5.7 percent increase in second-quarter net income and raised its outlook for the full year as it continues to bring back customers with its low prices.
Its total revenue, however, fell short of Wall Street estimates and the discount store’s expansion plans in Mexico have been delayed amidst charges of bribery.
The company, which has a store at 950 W. Votaw Street, Portland, saw its shares close at $72.15 on Thursday.
Closing branches
Old National Bank announced Thursday it plans to close or sell 15 percent of its branches in three states.
The bank plans to close 18 branches across the state including nine in the Indianapolis area.
The branch at 910 N. Meridian St., Portland is not among those set to be closed. But branches in Winchester will be consolidated.
At branches being closed, members’ accounts will be transferred to the nearest Old National.
Many of the branches being closed down were acquired by Old National in a federally overseen takeover last year.
To keep their presence in dwindling in the area, Old National has re-upped its naming rights deal on the Old National Center entertainment venue in Indianapolis. The new deal keeps the Old National name on the center for another five years.

To meet
The budget and administration committee of the Alliance for Strategic Growth will meet at 10 a.m. Monday at the ASG corporate office, 122 E. Main St., Muncie.[[In-content Ad]]