Community awards nominations open

Nominations are open. 

Jay County Chamber of Commerce has opened nominations for the 2023 Jay County Community Awards.

Nominations will be accepted across 10 categories — business, innovator, citizen, industry, not-for-profit, young professional and community group of the year, Dunkirk Community Commitment, Small Community Commitment and Lifetime Achievement. Forms are available at form.jotform.com/240283847835162 or the chamber office. The deadline is Feb. 28.

Finalists will be announced in April and the Jay County Community Awards Banquet and Ceremony will be held in May.

The first LIFT Jay meeting of 2024 is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 27. Cindy Cash will present “Love 2 Learn: How to Make Face-to-Face Meetings Interactive.” Cost for the event, which includes the meal and program, is $18 for chamber members and $23 for non-members. To register, visit jaycountychamber.com.

The chamber also preparing for the next radio spotlight day with WPGW Radio on Thursday, March 7. Those interested in participating can pick up a sign-up form at the chamber office, 118 S. Meridian St., Portland. The deadline to sign up to participate is March 1.

For more information, visit JayCountyChamber.com.

Elected delegate

First Bank of Berne president and CEO Kent Liechty was elected recently to the Independent Community Bankers of American Delegate Board.

The ICBA board works with its national policy positions and programs. Liechty will also be involved in grassroots activities in Indiana and serve as a liaison between independent bankers and the IBCA staff.

“Kent is a respected member of his community and a dedicated advocate for our industry,” said ICBA chairman Derek B. Williams, president and CEO of Century Bank & Trust in Milledgeville, Georgia, in a press release. “We are fortunate to have Kent serve as a volunteer and contribute his valuable experience and unique perspective for the benefit of our industry, as well as the customers and communities we serve.”

Director named

East Central Indiana Small Business Development Center announced last week that Judy Porter has been named as its new regional director.

Porter has worked at the center for nearly a decade, including as interim regional director since November. She takes over for Karen Lloyd, who resigned from the role at that time.

“As we welcome Judy Porter to an elevated leadership role, we recognize her unwavering commitment to the Indiana SBDC’s values of professionalism, collaboration, and client-centered excellence,” said Andrew Carty, state director for the Indiana Small Business Development Center, in a press release. “Her proven nine-year track record of results-oriented service ensures that the East Central Indiana SBDC will be led with dedication and effectiveness, serving our communities with integrity and innovation.”

Porter listed several points in her plan for the center’s future:

●Capitalizing on the region's past achievements.

●Forging new connections and fortifying existing ties in local communities.

●Overhauling and presenting new training resources.

●Maintaining the local pitch competitions

“I have a passion for helping small businesses and entrepreneurs reach their full potential,” Porter said. “That could mean a one-person business or a 500-person business. Everyone has a unique situation, and our team will meet them where they are.”

Clinic moves

Adams Memorial Hospital’s StatCare urgent care clinic has moved to its new location at 1401 N. 13th St., Decatur.

The facility is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. It will be open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on holidays.

"We are excited about the relocation of StatCare to our new medical office building in Decatur, which will allow us to better serve our community," said Dr. Scott Smith, CEO and medical director at Adams Health, in a press release. "The new location offers improved accessibility and space for our patients."

Planning outreach

Meridian Health Services last week announced plans to expand its community outreach.

The organization plans to implement or expand its Back-to-School Physical Fit Fair, Give Kids a Smile free dental exam program, Flu-Lapalooza for free flu shots, its speaker series and the annual City Fit fitness fair in Richmond. The speaker series, which has been held previously in Muncie, Richmond and Lafayette, will be expanded to include schools.

“Today, Meridian’s impact is felt in every corner of the state,” said Meridian president and CEO Seth Warren in a press release. “We have the responsibility as one of the leading providers of integrated health services in Indiana to offer more free events that give greater access to important health services and information, especially to those in traditionally under-served communities.”

For more about Meridian’s plans, visit rialzo.meridianhs.org.

Nominations open

Indiana Chamber of Commerce is accepting nominations for its 2024 Ogletree Deakins Human Resources Professional of the Year Award.

The award goes to full-time human resources employees in Indiana who “have made significant contributions to their organization over the past year through implementation of best practices, organization design and effectiveness, and alignment and accomplishment of the strategic direction of their company.”

The award will be presented during the Indiana HR Conference April 30 through may 2 and the Indiana Convention Center.

“Managing human resources is one of the most vital functions of any business or organization,” says chamber president and CEO Vanessa Green Sinders in a press release. “It can also be an extremely complicated task, and the job has only gotten more challenging since the pandemic with hybrid work schedules, labor shortages and changing employee needs, and government regulations.”

To nominate, visit indianachamber.com/hrpro. The deadline is March 8.

Goal reached

McDonald’s announced Friday that it has reached its goal of using 100% cage-free eggs.

The fast food chain partnered with supplier Cargill and farms across the country to reach the target. It originally set the goal in 2015 to be cage-free by the end of 2025.

"Our journey to move to sourcing 100% cage-free eggs in the U.S. was a huge undertaking — made uniquely possible by our McDonald’s owner/operators, egg producers, and our supply chain working together as one team," said Bob Stewart, McDonald’s senior vice president, in a press release. “I am incredibly proud of what we achieved together and the positive impact we will continue to make on the path toward a more sustainable future.”

McDonald’s bought almost 2 billion eggs in the U.S. in 2023.

Hosting events

The Central Indiana Chapter of the American Society of Safety Professionals and the Indiana Chamber of Commerce will host the 2024 Indiana Safety and Health Conference Feb. 26, through 28.

Former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback and current NFL analyst Terry Bradshaw will be the featured speaker for the conference. The event will also include the Indiana Forklift Rodeo, speakers, a 10-hour course for general industry, an innovation showcase and the governor’s workplace safety awards luncheon.

For more information, or to register, call (800) 824-6885 or email [email protected].