August 20, 2016 at 9:21 p.m.
Rural expo plans taking shape
Business roundup
Plans are continuing to take shape for the inaugural Rural America Farm and Garden Expo set for Sept. 7 through 9 at Jay County Fairgrounds.
A farmers’ market has been added to the agenda, which already includes demonstrations, seminars and numerous exhibitors, said Dean Sanders, executive director of the Jay County Chamber of Commerce.
Sanders noted there will be activities for kids, a soil judging competition and performances by the Dumpster Drummers, sponsored by Jay County Solid Waste Management District.
A “farm to fork” dinner is set for Sept. 8, and a farmers’ breakfast for Sept. 9.
“The Jay County Chamber of Commerce is proud to host this community-based agricultural expo designed to spotlight the region’s excellent resources,” said Sanders.
The American Ethanol NASCAR racecar driven by Austin Dillon will be on display Sept. 7, and the Lutheran Air helicopter will be on display Sept. 8.
Hours for the event are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sept. 7 and 8 and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 9. Admission to the expo is $5 for adults or $10 a carload. There is no admission fee for children 18 and younger.
The “farm to fork” dinner tickets are $12 per person. The farmers’ breakfast costs $7 per person.
With the purchase of a ticket to the “farm to fork” dinner or the breakfast, admission to the expo is included. Advance tickets are available at Jay County Chamber of Commerce, 118 S. Meridian St., Portland, or online at http://www.jaycountychamber.com.
Major sponsors are Habegger’s Ace Lumber and Building Supply of Berne and Bluffton, POET Biorefining and the Jay County Visitors and Tourism Bureau. The event is also supported, in part, by a grant from the Friends of Jay County Agriculture through The Portland Foundation.
A detailed schedule of events and activities is expected to be announced soon.
Big settlement
Ardagh has agreed to pay California $3.5 million to settle environmental violations that occurred at one of its glass plants when it was owned by Saint Gobain Containers.
The Fresno Bee reported this week that the company, which is the parent of glass container plants in Dunkirk and Winchester, had also agreed to implement procedures that would prevent future violations at its Madera, California, plant.
State inspectors from the Department of Toxic Substances Control discovered the violations during inspections in 2010 and ’11.
Inspectors found contaminated dust with high levels of lead, cadmium, selenium and arsenic in air pollution control equipment connected to a glass furnace. The state also cited the company for illegally disposing of hazardous waste, failure to train staff adequately and failure to have a legally required contingency plan to deal with spills.
Ardagh’s Dunkirk plant has been recognized nationally for its environmental safety record and procedures. The Dunkirk glass container plant was one of several acquired by Ardagh from Saint Gobain, while the Winchester plant was acquired from Anchor Glass.
The $3.5 million will go into California’s Orphan Site Fund, which pays for the clean-up of properties that pose an environmental or public health threat when the owner is unable or unwilling to pay for the clean-up.
Tyson fined
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is fining Tyson Foods Inc., parent company of Portland’s Tyson Mexican Original plant, $263,498 for violations at a chicken processing plant in Texas.
Two repeated and 15 serious violations were cited, including improper drainage, lack of guards on dangerous machinery, obstructed fire exits and improper storage of chemicals.
“We never want to see anyone hurt on the job, which is why we’re committed to continual improvement in our workplace safety efforts. We fully cooperated with OSHA’s inspection of our … plant and intend to meet with OSHA officials in an effort to resolve these claims,” a Tyson spokesman said in a prepared statement.
Strong quarter
Walmart reported a strong second quarter this week.
The retailer reported revenue of $120.9 billion and net income of $3.8 billion.
Sales at stores that have been open at least a year were up 1.6 percent.
Its own bowl
Dollar General announced this week it has acquired the naming rights for the college football bowl game that has been sponsored it the past by GoDaddy.com.
The game will be played in Mobile, Alabama’s, Ladd-Peebles Stadium on Dec. 23.
European growth
Yum Brands, parent company of Pizza Hut, KFC and Taco Bell, has announced plans for a major expansion in Europe, partnering with AmRest Holdings.
Pizza Hut will be boosting its presence in Central and Eastern Europe, adding 300 new restaurants in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Poland, Bulgaria, Serbia, Croatia and Slovenia over the next five years.
Those will be developed, owned, and operated by AmRest, which is based in Europe.
There are now more than 700 Pizza Huts in 24 countries in Europe.
Pork partners
Marsh Supermarkets is partnering with Indiana Pork to promote more pork products to Hoosier consumers.
The partnership was put together with the help of the Indiana Grown Initiative, which was developed by the Indiana State Department of Agriculture.
“We are thrilled to see this partnership come to fruition thanks to Indiana Grown,” Jason Slaton, president of the Indiana Pork board of directors, said in a press release. “We are grateful that Marsh is so willing to support Indiana hog farmers and believe this partnership sets an excellent example of the success the Indiana Grown initiative can generate.”
David Palmer, senior vice president of sales, marketing and advertising for Marsh, says the company wants to continue to support Hoosiers.
“Being able to support Indiana Grown and support Indiana Pork is just one of the steps that we’re taking to provide local products to our local marketplace,” he said in a prepared statement.
New jobs
A German company is planning to relocate and expand in Greenwood, adding 60 new jobs, The Daily Journal reported.
Wurth Service Supply wants to build a 230,000-square-foot building in the Southpoint Business Park, off Interstate 65.
A farmers’ market has been added to the agenda, which already includes demonstrations, seminars and numerous exhibitors, said Dean Sanders, executive director of the Jay County Chamber of Commerce.
Sanders noted there will be activities for kids, a soil judging competition and performances by the Dumpster Drummers, sponsored by Jay County Solid Waste Management District.
A “farm to fork” dinner is set for Sept. 8, and a farmers’ breakfast for Sept. 9.
“The Jay County Chamber of Commerce is proud to host this community-based agricultural expo designed to spotlight the region’s excellent resources,” said Sanders.
The American Ethanol NASCAR racecar driven by Austin Dillon will be on display Sept. 7, and the Lutheran Air helicopter will be on display Sept. 8.
Hours for the event are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sept. 7 and 8 and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 9. Admission to the expo is $5 for adults or $10 a carload. There is no admission fee for children 18 and younger.
The “farm to fork” dinner tickets are $12 per person. The farmers’ breakfast costs $7 per person.
With the purchase of a ticket to the “farm to fork” dinner or the breakfast, admission to the expo is included. Advance tickets are available at Jay County Chamber of Commerce, 118 S. Meridian St., Portland, or online at http://www.jaycountychamber.com.
Major sponsors are Habegger’s Ace Lumber and Building Supply of Berne and Bluffton, POET Biorefining and the Jay County Visitors and Tourism Bureau. The event is also supported, in part, by a grant from the Friends of Jay County Agriculture through The Portland Foundation.
A detailed schedule of events and activities is expected to be announced soon.
Big settlement
Ardagh has agreed to pay California $3.5 million to settle environmental violations that occurred at one of its glass plants when it was owned by Saint Gobain Containers.
The Fresno Bee reported this week that the company, which is the parent of glass container plants in Dunkirk and Winchester, had also agreed to implement procedures that would prevent future violations at its Madera, California, plant.
State inspectors from the Department of Toxic Substances Control discovered the violations during inspections in 2010 and ’11.
Inspectors found contaminated dust with high levels of lead, cadmium, selenium and arsenic in air pollution control equipment connected to a glass furnace. The state also cited the company for illegally disposing of hazardous waste, failure to train staff adequately and failure to have a legally required contingency plan to deal with spills.
Ardagh’s Dunkirk plant has been recognized nationally for its environmental safety record and procedures. The Dunkirk glass container plant was one of several acquired by Ardagh from Saint Gobain, while the Winchester plant was acquired from Anchor Glass.
The $3.5 million will go into California’s Orphan Site Fund, which pays for the clean-up of properties that pose an environmental or public health threat when the owner is unable or unwilling to pay for the clean-up.
Tyson fined
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is fining Tyson Foods Inc., parent company of Portland’s Tyson Mexican Original plant, $263,498 for violations at a chicken processing plant in Texas.
Two repeated and 15 serious violations were cited, including improper drainage, lack of guards on dangerous machinery, obstructed fire exits and improper storage of chemicals.
“We never want to see anyone hurt on the job, which is why we’re committed to continual improvement in our workplace safety efforts. We fully cooperated with OSHA’s inspection of our … plant and intend to meet with OSHA officials in an effort to resolve these claims,” a Tyson spokesman said in a prepared statement.
Strong quarter
Walmart reported a strong second quarter this week.
The retailer reported revenue of $120.9 billion and net income of $3.8 billion.
Sales at stores that have been open at least a year were up 1.6 percent.
Its own bowl
Dollar General announced this week it has acquired the naming rights for the college football bowl game that has been sponsored it the past by GoDaddy.com.
The game will be played in Mobile, Alabama’s, Ladd-Peebles Stadium on Dec. 23.
European growth
Yum Brands, parent company of Pizza Hut, KFC and Taco Bell, has announced plans for a major expansion in Europe, partnering with AmRest Holdings.
Pizza Hut will be boosting its presence in Central and Eastern Europe, adding 300 new restaurants in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Poland, Bulgaria, Serbia, Croatia and Slovenia over the next five years.
Those will be developed, owned, and operated by AmRest, which is based in Europe.
There are now more than 700 Pizza Huts in 24 countries in Europe.
Pork partners
Marsh Supermarkets is partnering with Indiana Pork to promote more pork products to Hoosier consumers.
The partnership was put together with the help of the Indiana Grown Initiative, which was developed by the Indiana State Department of Agriculture.
“We are thrilled to see this partnership come to fruition thanks to Indiana Grown,” Jason Slaton, president of the Indiana Pork board of directors, said in a press release. “We are grateful that Marsh is so willing to support Indiana hog farmers and believe this partnership sets an excellent example of the success the Indiana Grown initiative can generate.”
David Palmer, senior vice president of sales, marketing and advertising for Marsh, says the company wants to continue to support Hoosiers.
“Being able to support Indiana Grown and support Indiana Pork is just one of the steps that we’re taking to provide local products to our local marketplace,” he said in a prepared statement.
New jobs
A German company is planning to relocate and expand in Greenwood, adding 60 new jobs, The Daily Journal reported.
Wurth Service Supply wants to build a 230,000-square-foot building in the Southpoint Business Park, off Interstate 65.
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