Goodwill store to open Thursday

A new retail store will open in Portland this week.

Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana will hold a grand opening at 9 a.m. Thursday, April 24, for its new location in Portland.

The new store will be located at 124 W. Votaw St. in the former Walgreens building.

Goodwill is also accepting job applications for the Portland store at goodwillindy.org.

Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana also operates locations in Muncie, Anderson, Marion, Richmond and New Castle and is in the process of rebuilding its Winchester store that was severely damaged in the March 2024 tornado.

Launching brokerage

Mark Leavell of Redkey announced last week that he is launching Leavell Real Estate.

The new real estate brokerage will be located at 123 W. High St., sharing a building with Redkey Junktion. Leavell said he plans to add to his team.

Leavell can be reached at [email protected] or (260) 729-7040.

Klenke nominated

Mercer Health’s Lisa Klenke has been nominated for the 2025 Ohio Hospital Association Albert E. Dyckes Health Care Worker of the Year Award.

Klenke has been CEO of Mercer Health for 12 years. Previously, she was its chief nursing officer for 20 years.

The award goes to an Ohio health care worker who “personifies leadership, motivates colleagues, influences others, provides valuable service, exemplifies the mission, vision and values of their organization, and has an impact in their community.”

“On behalf of the Mercer Health Board of Governors, we are proud to recognize Lisa for her unwavering leadership and years of dedication,” said Mercer Health board president Robert Rose in a press release. “Her vision and integrity have profoundly shaped Mercer Health’s success and the well-being of our community."

Mercer Health also recently honored volunteers, including Irene Seitz for most total hours (5,722) and Roy Kremer for most hours in 2024 (508). To volunteer, visit  mercer-health.com/about/volunteer-services.

Organization adds

Bowen Health has named Hasnain Naqvi as its new director of revenue cycle, Malissa Dupree as associate director of billing and Emily Smith as associate director of patient services.

Naqvi has managed billing and revenue cycle teams at clinics in Texas and Kentucky as well as Indiana. Dupree has been with Bowen for 10 years in its accounts receivable department.

Job fair is Thursday

The United States Postal Service will host a job fair Thursday, April 24.

The Dunkirk Post Office will have a session from 1 to 4 p.m.

Sessions are also scheduled for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the following locations:

•Montpelier — 215 S. Jefferson St.

•Richmond — 400 North A. St.

•Winchester — 130 N. Meridian St.

•Berne — 215 W. Main St.

Building opens

Ball State University celebrated the reopening of its Cooper Science Building last week.

The building went through a $60 million renovation process in three phases. It includes modernized laps, interactive classrooms and new space for collaboration and research.

“The renovation of Cooper Science Building is another example of how strategic investments in our physical campus directly support the success of our students,” said BSU president Geoffrey S. Mearns. “I am grateful for the state’s continued support, which enables us to build and maintain innovative, sustainable facilities that advance academic excellence and serve the needs of our community.”

Project begins

Purdue University recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for its new Mitch Daniels School of Business.

The 164,000-square-foot facility is expected to open in fall 2027. It will be the second-largest classroom building on Purdue’s campus.

“Practiced with integrity, business careers are the noblest of life choices,” said Daniels, the former president of the university for whom the new school is named. “They create new jobs and wealth for others and bring into being the resources which the public and nonprofit sectors take to pursue their goals. This modernized school of business will send out its graduates armed with a sense of mission and the tools to fulfill that mission in the most complex of enterprises.”

Partnering

Ardagh Glass Packaging – North America announced a new partnership Thursday with CAP Glass for establishing glass recycling services across the country.

The initiative is expected to divert tens of thousands of tons of glass from landfills. The glass will be used in Ardagh’s glass manufacturing process for new infinitely recyclable glass containers.

“Ardagh appreciates the valuable contributions from CAP Glass, as well as their forward-thinking approach and dedication to bringing this vision to life,” said Derek Wall, Vice President Procurement for Ardagh Glass Packaging-North America. “Their innovative ideas and long-term vision have played a pivotal role in making this collaboration a success.”

Ardagh owns and operates glass manufacturing facilities in Dunkirk and Winchester.

Deal signed

Invenergy signed a 20-year power purchase agreement last week with Grant County Public Utility District.

Beginning in 2027, Invenergy will provide the district with 120 megawatts of energy from its Quincy Solar Energy Center in Washington. Construction is expected to begin in late 2025, with commercial operations to start by the end of 2027.

“We are excited to partner with the Grant PUD to advance their generation goals and help meet local energy needs with homegrown solar power,” said Laura Miner, Invenergy senior vice president of renewable development, in a press release. “We look forward to continuing to work with landowners, local officials, and the broader community to bring the benefits of Quincy Solar to Grant County residents.”

Invenergy is planning Skycrest Solar in northwest Jay County.

Training available

Indiana Chamber of Commerce will host Forklift Safety: Train the Trainer from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 20.

The event offers in-person and virtual options and will be held at the Indiana Chamber Conference Center in Indianapolis. Participants will learn about training staff on forklift operation.

For more information, or to register, visit indianachamber.com.

Hosting drive

Menards stores are holding a pet supplies drive through the end of May.

Supplies needed include food, treats, feeders, collars and beds. Items collected will be donated to local humane associations.

Donation boxes will be near the exit doors at Menards locations, including in Muncie, Richmond and Celina, Ohio.

Nominate manufacturers

Nominations are open for the Indiana Manufacturers Association 2025 Manufacturing Excellence Awards.

The awards honor Indiana companies and individuals for their contributions to the manufacturing industry. They are open to all manufacturers in Indiana.

Anyone can make a nomination by visiting indianamfg.com/2025-manufacturing-excellence-awards. The deadline is Sunday, Aug. 31.

Applications sought

Tyson Ventures, a branch of Tyson Foods, is seeking applications for Tyson Demo Day 2025.

The event will focus on advancing artificial intelligence in food technology, emphasizing brand engagement, innovation in research and development and reimagining product development processes. There will be a focus on artificial intelligence this year.

“This year, we’re spotlighting the transformative potential of AI to enhance how we connect with customers and consumers, design innovative products, and deliver exceptional experiences,” said Doug Kulka, Tyson Foods chief information and technology officer, in a press release.

Firms that are selected will pitch their innovations at Tyson Demo Day in July.  

Conference set

The Indiana District Export Council will host the Doing Business with North America conference from 11:15 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, May 8, at Newfields Art Museum in Indianapolis.

Speakers for the event include the General Consuls for Canada and Mexico and leaders from Eli Lilly, Greater Indianapolis Foreign Trade Zone (INzone) and Indiana University.

Tickets are available at indianadec.org.

Nomination opens

The state is now accepting nominations for the Governor’s Century and Half Century Business Awards.

The awards honor businesses that have been in operation for at least 50 years and have “demonstrated a commitment to serving the community.”

Criteria for the award includes:

Continuous operations in Indiana for 100 or 50 years by Dec. 31, 2024.

Participation in the same line of work for the duration of its operations.

Having its base in Indiana since it was founded.

Applications are available at iedc.in.gov/program/century-and-half-century-awards. The deadline is Friday, May 30.

Training offered

ServSafe training will be available at John Jay Center for Learning in Portland.

The next session is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, April 29.

Additional sessions are scheduled for May 20 and June 24.

The certification course is open to all food service employees and emphasizes safe food- and beverage-handling practices to minimize the risk of food-borne illnesses.

For more information, or to register, call (260) 729-5525.

••••••••••

Does your business have news to share? Email us at [email protected] to be included in our weekly business roundup.