Nomination time for chamber awards

Nominations are being sought for the Jay County Chamber of Commerce’s annual awards.
Nomination forms for Business of the Year, Citizen of the Year, Industry of the Year, Innovator of the Year, Non-Profit Organization of the Year, Young Professional of the Year, Lifetime Achievement, and the Dunkirk Community Commitment Award are available at the chamber’s office in the Community Resource Building, 118 S. Meridian St., Portland.
The deadline for nominations is Jan. 21, 2016.
Guidelines for each award are included on the nomination forms. For more information, contact the chamber via email at [email protected].

Recycling effort
Ardagh Group Glass-North America, parent company of glass container plants in Dunkirk and Winchester, has announced its support for an effort called the “GameDay Recycling Challenge.”
The national program is intended to promote waste reduction at college and university football games in the U.S.
During the challenge, colleges select a home football game to promote recycling. They are then judged on their effectiveness in five waste reduction categories, including recycling.
Clemson University won the challenge in 2014, collecting more than 60,000 pounds of recyclables and food organics during a single home game.

Expecting growth
Though the Volkswagen fallout continues to cloud the picture for European automakers, parts supplier Motherson Sumi Systems, parent company of Portland’s MSSL Wiring Systems, continues to be upbeat.
In an interview this week with The Financial Express, the company’s chief financials officer, G.N. Gauba, said he expects revenue growth of 24 to 25 percent in the next five years.
Gauba said he did not foresee Volkswagen’s troubles “having much impact” on the company.

Net breakfast
The next Jay County Chamber of Commerce networking breakfast will be at 7:30 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 14.
Rhonda Mock Short will present a program on “Haunted Jay County.” The deadline for reservations is noon Monday. Cost of the breakfast is $5 per person. To make a reservation, email [email protected].

Earnings report
Allegheny Technologies Inc., parent company of Portland Forge, this week it expects to report a net loss of $29 to $34 million for the third quarter.
Third quarter performance was pressured by ATI’s Flat Rolled Products segment, which remains challenging. That’s the division involved in a lockout notice in an ongoing contract dispute with the United Steel Workers.
ATI said its Flat Rolled Products facilities are being operated by salaried and temporary workers.

Rough quarter
Yum Brands, the parent company of KFC, Pizza Hut, and Taco Bell, reported a disappointing third quarter that has some analysts wondering if it should shed the Taco Bell chain entirely.
The company reported adjusted third quarter profit of $1 a share, down from earlier estimates. That sent the stock down this week nearly 19 percent.
The Chinese economy is one of the factors that has investors concerned. Last year, Yum received half its revenue from sales in China, but the Asian economy is slowing down. Same-store sales in China fell two percent from the same period a year ago, while analysts had expected 9.6 percent growth.
Taco Bell, meanwhile, posted four percent same-store growth in the quarter. Taco Bell has no restaurants in China.

Trick or treat
The annual Merchant Trick or Treat Night in downtown Portland will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30.
Participation is free to members of the Jay County Chamber of Commerce. There is a $20 non-member fee. Businesses not located in downtown Portland may set up their Trick or Treat station in the parking lot adjacent to the Community Resource Center.

Attends seminar
Dr. Steven DeGroff, who has offices in Berne and Winchester, recently attended an educational seminar on new treatments for eyelid disease, dry eye syndrome, macular degeneration, double vision, and cataracts. The seminar was presented in Fort Wayne by Cataract and Laser Institute of Indiana.

Bank awards
Old National Bank will be presented with two awards Nov. 10 during the American Bankers Association convention in Los Angeles.
The bank’s 12 Steps to Financial Success program won a first place Community Commitment Award in the financial education category. The program prepares prisoners held for non-violent offenses to re-enter society.
For his work with that program and other educational efforts, Financial Empowerment Officer Ben Joergens won the first place George Bailey Distinguished Service Award. The honor is for “a non-CEO bank employee who demonstrates outstanding initiative, impactful work and the ability to inspire others,” according to an Old National press release.