Merchant Trick-or-Treat is Oct. 30

Downtown trick-or-treating is a go for Halloween weekend.

Jay County Chamber of Commerce has announced that it will host its Merchant Trick-or-Treat from 5 to 7 p.m. Oct. 30 in downtown Portland.

All Jay County businesses are invited to participate. Those that are not located in the downtown Portland area are invited to set up in the parking lot on the south side of community Resource Center, 118 S. Meridian St.

A list of participating businesses will be provided to the trick-or-treaters. Businesses should RSVP by Friday.

For more information, contact chamber executive director Tabby Sprunger at [email protected] or (260) 726-4481.



Funds donated

American Family Insurance of Portland recently made a $2,500 donation to Youth Service Bureau of Jay County.

The donation came via the company’s Dreams Foundation. PJ Corwin of Youth Service Bureau nominated the organization for the funding for “dedication shown by employees to ensure clients continued to receive essential services during the state at home order caused by the (coronavirus) pandemic.”

“We’re thankful for the opportunity to support our local communities,” said American Family agent Deb Grider. “We’re proud to make this donation and hope others will be inspired to do the same.”

American Family Insurance’s Dreams Foundation is giving a total of $500,000 to 20 non-profit organizations in the U.S.



Construction underway

Indiana Michigan Power announced this week that construction is underway on its St. Joseph Solar farm in St. Joseph County.

The project, which is a partnership with the University of Notre Dame, involves installing 57,720 solar panels for the 20 megawatt facility. It will be the company’s largest solar farm, with the ability to power 2,700 homes annually.

Installation is expected to be complete by the end of November, with the facility to begin operating in spring 2021.



Making cans

Ardagh announced this week that it is now making cans for Cape May Brewing Company.

Ardagh, which operates glass manufacturing plants in Dunkirk and Winchester, is making 12- and 16-ounce cans for the company. The cans are for Always Ready, Cape May IPA, Coastal Evacuation and Cape May White.

“We’re emerging as a very trusted brand, where our customers know they’ll consistently see new products that meet any occasion,” said Ryan Krill, Cape May’s CEO. “We continue to carve out a specific niche in the crowded craft beer market where the highest quality ingredients are the foundation for innovation and variety.”



Ready to help

Both Walgreens and CVS announced plans this week to help distribute a COVID-19 vaccine when one becomes available.

Both companies said in press releases that they would assist in getting the vaccine to “high priority groups,” including those who live in or work at long-term care facilities.

"CVS Health has been on the front lines of the fight against COVID-19, working across the health care spectrum in all the communities we serve and that will continue to be the case when we have a vaccine to administer," said CVS Health chief medical officer Troyen Brennan in a press release. "Our nation's elderly living in long-term care facilities are one of the most vulnerable populations. With early access to a vaccination, we can help keep them, and the staff caring for them, healthy and safe.”



Named to board

Yum! Brands has named Dick’s Sporting Goods president Lauren R. Hobart to its board of directors. The company also announced that Michael J. Cavanagh will retire from the board after 12 years.

Hobart has been president of Dick’s Sporting Goods since 2017. She previously spent 14 years at PepsiCo.

“Lauren will make an excellent addition to the Yum! Brands Board as she brings broad leadership experience and a wealth of knowledge from well-known and highly respected retail and consumer products companies,” said Brian Cornell, non-executive chairman of the Yum! Brands and chairman and CEO of Target. “We look forward to the insights and many contributions she will bring …”

Yum! is the parent company of Pizza King and Taco Bell.



Dividend declared

NextEra Energy on Thursday declared a quarterly stock dividend of $1.40 per share.

NextEra, which owns and operates Bluff Point Wind Energy Center in Jay and Randolph counties, will pay the dividend on a split-adjusted bases of 35 cents per share because of a four-for-one stock split that is effective Oct. 26. It is payable Dec. 15 to shareholders of record on Nov. 27.

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