Invenergy will contest court ruling

Invenergy plans to contest a state appeals court ruling in Illinois.

The company, which is planning Skycrest Solar in northwest Jay County, announced it will appeal a decision by the appeals court to the Illinois Supreme Court. The appeals court reversed the Illinois Commerce Commission’s 2023 approval of hundreds of miles of transmission lines as part of a multi-state project intended to transport wind energy from Kansas across Missouri and Illinois to Indiana.

The western portion of the project is not affected by the ruling. It is targeted to be operational in 2029.

Registration open

Anyone with a business idea can now sign up for the chance at funding assistance.

Registration is open for Launch Jay!, a business pitch competition put on by Jay County Development Corporation and Jay County Chamber of Commerce.

The “Shark Tank”-style business pitch competition offers entrepreneurs the opportunity to earn funding for their ideas for a new business or expanding an existing business. Participants will go through a series of workshops leading up to the live pitch competition on Oct. 5.

Applications are available at Community Resource Central, 118 S. Meridian St., Portland, or by emailing JCDC executive director Travis Richards at [email protected].

For more information, call (260) 726-9311.

Laying off

Tyson Foods will be laying off nearly 400 employees from its plant in Wilkesboro, North Carolina.

Tyson, which has a facility in Portland, confirmed the layoffs to 5News of North Carolina. It has also laid off employees in Arkansas and announced layoffs in Indiana, Illinois, Virginia, Missouri and South Dakota.

“Due to increasing demand, we are shifting production in our Wilkesboro, NC facility to support our Tyson fully cooked products,” Tyson told 5News in a statement. “As a result of these process changes, fewer positions will be required in the facility. Our priority is to help team members impacted by this change, and we are working with them to offer other opportunities at Tyson Foods."

Bottles added

Ardagh Glass Packaging – North American last week announced more new bottles to its American-made offerings.

The company will offer new bottles in 50-milliliter, 100-milliliter and 375-milliliter sizes.

“As the largest domestic manufacturer of glass bottles for the U.S. spirits market, Ardagh Glass Packaging supplies glass bottles to the most iconic spirits brands in the U.S.,” said Ardagh vice president of sales for food and spirits Darrell Wineman in a press release. “Ardagh continues to focus on developing its portfolio of American-made, sustainable glass spirits containers, like the newly released stock bottles, to showcase the brands America loves.”

Ardagh operates glass manufacturing facilities in Dunkirk and Winchester.

Named to top 5,000

Inc. 5000’s rankings included more than 50 Indiana companies this year.

Beach Boss Influencers of Newburgh was the highest rated on the list at No. 11. Next on the list were iSolutions Payments (131) of Zionsville, Stepping Stones Behavioral Solutions (468) of Indianapolis, REsimpli (510) of Highland and Egglife Foods (563) of Wolcott.

Muncie’s Accutech Systems made the list at No. 4,674.

Inc. 5000 said the Indiana companies on the list had a median revenue growth of 210%.

Called to cease

Indianapolis pharmaceuticals firm Eli Lilly is demanding healthcare providers stop promoting and selling off-brand versions of its weight loss and diabetes drugs.

The company, which makes Zepbound and Mounjaro, sent cease-and-desist letters to various firms, Bloomberg reported. The letters told providers to cease the “manufacture, promotion, and/or sale” of compounded versions of tirzepatide, which is the active ingredient in Lilly’s drugs.

Added to board

Bob Moritz has been named to Walmart’s board of directors.

Moritz is the retired chairperson of PricewaterhouseCoopers. He will become a member of the board’s audit committee and technology and ecommerce committee.

“We are a people-led, tech-powered, omnichannel retailer dedicated to helping people save money and live better,” said Walmart board chair Greg Penner in a press release. “As we continue to build on this foundation while defining the future of retail, it’s important to have strategic leaders like Bob on our Board. With his history at the helm of PwC, his strategic, global perspective and highly relevant governance experience make him the ideal candidate to help us on our continued journey to be the best we can be.”

Subway awards

The Subway Cares Foundation last week announced $625,000 in scholarships to Subway employees.

The Subway Fresh Start Scholarship Program provides scholarships to employees for college or vocational/technical school. It has provided more than $5 million in scholarships since 2016.

“Our Fresh Start Scholarships are an investment in the world’s future leaders,” said Howard Lipman, executive director of the Subway Cares Foundation, in a press release. “These outstanding team members have shown a steadfast commitment to pursuing higher education and serving their communities, and it’s an honor to support their continued growth.”

Named EVP

Heidi Capozzi has been named CVS Health’s executive vice president and chief people officer.

Capozzi, who previously served as executive vice president and global chief people officer for McDonald’s, will step into the new role Sept. 9. The job leads human resources, labor relations and corporate responsibility for CVS.

"Heidi brings a depth of experience and a breadth of industry insights to CVS Health, in particular a proven track record of hiring, building, and growing strong teams and advancing a winning culture,” said CVS Health president and CEO Karen S. Lynch in a press release. "From nimble startups to established brands, Heidi has consistently applied her expertise to championing talent and we look forward to her being a part of our leadership team.”

Capozzi will take over for Laurie Havenec, who is leaving CVS.

Promoted

McDonald’s last week named Tiffanie Boyd as its new executive vice president and global chief people officer.

Boyd took over her new role Monday. She previously served as senior vice president and chief people officer for McDonald’s. She will oversee human resources, including talent management, talent acquisition and other areas.

"Tiffanie is an exceptional HR leader who understands that great people are the bedrock of the McDonald's business,” said McDonald’s chairman and CEO Chris Kempczinski in a press release. “Since she joined the company a few years ago, Tiffanie has quickly established herself as a collaborative, values-driven leader who has championed several transformational programs like our People Brand Standards and talent development initiatives that have turned our U.S. business into a role model within the system. I am excited to welcome Tiffanie to our Global Senior Leadership Team as she takes the reins as McDonald’s next Global Chief People Officer."

Added to board

Dollar General announced last week that it has appointed Kamy Scarlett to its board.

Scarlett serves as executive vice president of human resources and corporate affairs for Best Buy. She will serve on the board’s compensation and human capital management committee and the nominating, governance and corporate responsibility committee.

“We are pleased to add Kamy to Dollar General’s board of directors,” said Michael Calbert, Dollar General’s chairman of the board, in a press release. “I am confident her wealth of retail industry experience and leadership in both human resources and corporate affairs over the past thirty years will provide valuable insights in support of our strategic goals and growth plans.”