POET Biorefining raps EPA proposal

POET Biorefining this week submitted its comments on the EPA’s Renewable Fuel Standard proposal.
The EPA has proposed weakening of the required base renewable fue volumes, a move that POET said “would permanently undermine the purpose and function of the Renewable Fuel Standards.”
“EPA’s proposed standards have already proven failure and it has been demonstrated that it could put a stop to all U.S. cellulosic investments,” the company argued in its comments.

Earnings up
First Financial Bancorp has seen an increase in their second-quarter earnings. The firm reported after markets closed that earnings of $18.9 million, or 31 cents per diluted are up 19 percent from the same quarter in 2014, which was $16.0 million, or 28 cents per share.
CEO Claude Davis said in a statement that on an annualized basis, the Cincinnati-based parent of First Financial Bank recorded 7.5 percent growth in its loan portfolio.

Net loss
Allegheny Technologies Incorporated, parent company to the Portland Forge, a net loss attributable to ATI of $16.4 million, or 15 cents per share, during the second quarter 2015 sales of $1.02 billion.
The loss can be attributed to the lower demand in the flat rolled products and high performance materials and components segments. Compared to the first quarter 2015 when the net income was reported at $10.0 million, or 9 cents per share, sales are 9 percent lower.
The second quarter 2014 had sales of $1.12 billion and had a net loss of $3.8 million, or 3 cents per share.

Recycling award
Ardagh Group, parent company of Dunkirk’s glass container plant, and “Reuse,’ its glass recycling partner received a “highly recommended” award for their innovation in capturing a much higher portion of flint cullet for remelting into new bottles and jars.
Ardagh and ‘Reuse’ was awarded at the impressive National Recycling Awards 2015 when judges noted the project as a wonderful example of how to old glass jars can be recycled into a new container without any loss of quality.
The project has also helped the companies customer relatiosn through the involvement with leading food and drink brands supplied from Ardagh’s Doncaster, U.K., plant.

Improvement
Yum brands, parent company of KFC and Taco Bell chains, said that revenue improved in the second quarter and sales in China got a little easier.
The Louisville, Kentucky-based company said their sale improved when they added new menu items, such as breakfast food and premium coffee, along with other menu changes.

Attend training
Mike Engles, a financial adviser with Edward Jones in Portland, and Cindy Gardner, branch office administrator, recently atteneded athree-day training session in St. Louis.
Edward Jones, a Fortune 500 company, provides financial services for individual investors in the U.S. and Canada.

Arts Place hire
Amy Day has been hired as the new center director for the Blackford County Arts Center of Arts Place. She will coordinate the Blackford County MusicWorks program and will also work on exhibits and ArtWorks programs.
She holds a bachelor of music degree from Millikin University and a master’s of music education from VanderCook College.
She retired this spring after teaching music for 20 years for Eastbrook Community Schools. She resides in Hartford City.

Relocating
The behavioral health outpatient departments of Adams Memorial Hospital will be relocating Monday to 815 High St., Suite C, Decatur.
The Berne and Decatur offices will be combined at that location.