US Aggregates launches program

A local industry has launched a new program to encourage sustainable practices.

US Aggregates has created a new Sustainability Champions program as part of its effort to reduce its environmental footprint and promote efficiency.

Through the program, each US Aggregates location will have a “sustainability champion” to lead initiatives and share sustainable practices. The “champions” will serve as liaisons between parent company The Heritage Group and the 18 US Aggregates locations.

“They will help to lead projects that will make a positive impact on their plant’s environmental footprint,” said environmental manager Laurie Webb in a press release. “These volunteers have stepped-up to help make this new program a success, and I can’t wait to see what we will accomplish this year!”

The program will focus on limiting the company’s environmental impact via energy, waste, water and other areas.

“Sustainability champions” include Colten Swanson in Portland, Autumn Remley in Ridgeville and Zach Hayden in Linn Grove.

Firm opens

Grant Source has opened for business in Berne.

The firm owned by Shawn Hamrick focuses on grant-writing. It plans to “work hand-in-hand

with local communities, focusing on community development through grant writing, research, and nonprofit management.”

“Getting back involved with a local nonprofit and seeing the need for community growth while traveling throughout Northeast Indiana started the wheels turning,” Hamrick said in a press release. “Looking into how I could do my part, grant writing was the answer. I’ve been involved with serving my community locally and with a national board and nonprofit. Adding to my engineer experience and documentation expertise, I want to use my knowledge to assist communities and nonprofits.”

Grant Source will work primarily with planning and construction grants, including grant research, grant writing, nonprofit implementation plans, nonprofit assessment, strategic planning, document creation and grant tracking.

NP joins staff

Mercer Health has added nurse practitioner Benjamin Gudorf to its staff.

Gudorf will work out of Mercer Health Medical Group’s Galleria office in Celina, Ohio. He is experienced in primary care and specializes in diabetes, education and sleep medicine.

The Galleria office is located at 909 E. Wayne St., Suite 124, Celina.

For more information, visit mercer-health.com.

Advance shifting

Advance Auto parts announced last week that it has completed the store closure phase of its transformation plan and will now return to a growth model.

The closures included the company’s location on Meridian Street on the north side of Portland. The company said more than 75% of its stores are now in markets where it has the No. 1 or No. 2 position based on store density.

Advance said it expects to open 30 new locations this year and at least 100 by the end of 2027.

“Advance Auto Parts is on the path to accelerate store growth and focused on the fundamentals of selling auto parts,” said Shane O’Kelly, president and CEO of Advance, in a press release. “We are excited about what’s to come for Advance. Our team members are committed to providing the right parts and the right service for our PRO and DIY customers in their communities.”

Events scheduled

A series of events designed to connect local businesses and industries with students will be held next month.

Jay County Junior-Senior High School’s career fair is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, April 3. Interview day will follow from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, April 23, with signing day by appointment.

The events focus on students having the opportunity to meet and interview with local businesses and industries.

For more information, or to be a part of the event, email organizer Kyle Love at [email protected].

I&M offers advice

Indiana Michigan Powers offered tips recently for being prepared for severe storm season.

Tips include:

•Identifying a safe area in the home

•Planning to check on senior citizens

•Deciding what to do if there is an electrical outage

•Making an emergency kit with non-perishable food, water, a flashlight, batteries and other key items

•Securing loose objects such as outdoor furniture

•Ensuring proper ventilation for lanterns, heaters or fuel-fired stoves

For more information, visit indianamichiganpower.com/safety.

Recommended against

The European Medicines Agency’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use recently issued an opinion against recommending donanemab for marketing authorization.

Donanemab isa treatment for early symptomatic Alzheimer's disease. Lilly said it plans to seek re-examination from the committee.

“Europeans living with early symptomatic Alzheimer’s disease and their loved ones urgently need additional treatment options. Today’s disappointing CHMP opinion means they must keep waiting,” said Ilya Yuffa, executive vice president and president of Lilly International, in a press release. “Lilly remains confident in the safety and effectiveness of donanemab and the value it can bring to patients with early symptomatic Alzheimer’s disease. We hope that through the re-examination process, we will be able to continue our discussions with the agency to bring donanemab to the millions of people across Europe suffering from this relentless, fatal disease.”

Planning to divest

Dollar Tree announced last week that it has reached an agreement to sell Family Dollar to Brigade capital Management and Macellum Capital Management for just over $1 billion.

The deal is expected to be complete in the second quarter of 2025. Family Dollar will keep its headquarters in Chesapeake, Virginia.

“This is a major milestone in our multi-year transformation journey to help us fully achieve our potential,” said Dollar Tree CEO Mike Creedon in a press release. “We will continue to grow and optimize our Dollar Tree business to maximize value for Dollar Tree associates, customers, and shareholders with an enhanced focus on compelling initiatives, including our expanded assortment, significant planned new store openings across the United States, and transactions that advance our growth strategy.”

Offering course

Radius Indiana will host its Economic Development for Community Leaders conference from April 22 through 24 at French Lick Resort Conference Center.

The event will include educational sessions on topics including real estate development, population attraction programs, business retention and attraction, workforce, marketing, business finance and incentives, and community development and business district revitalization. It is open to community leaders and local and state officials interested in learning more about economic development.

“We are excited to once again offer our economic development course to our communities, and we welcome our neighbors from surrounding counties as well,” said Jeff Quyle, Radius Indiana president and CEO, in a press release. “Our program features classic elements of economic development and introduces community leaders to new topics that can impact the growth and vitality of cities and towns.”

To register, or for more information, visit radiusindiana.com or call (812) 277-9778.

Conference scheduled

Indiana Chamber of Commerce will host its 2025 Indiana Workers’ Compensation Conference April 23.

The event, which will include tips on handling claims, controlling insurance costs and mental health, will run from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Ritz Charles in Carmel. There are in-person and virtual options available.

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