IDDC awards public art, placemaking grants

The Indiana Destination Development Corp. is awarding more than $414,000 to support nearly 40 public art and placemaking grants in 26 counties. Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch said each project will put Indiana's character and culture on display.... Read More

Education consortium lands READI funding

A group of higher education institutions in northern Indiana has secured more than $1.1 million in funding from the state's Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative, or READI. The funding will support health sciences programs at four schools.... Read More

FedEx combining air, ground operations to slash costs

FedEx will combine almost all of its ground, air and other operations as part of a $4 billion cost cutting plan. The package delivery company said FedEx Express, FedEx Ground, FedEx Services and other operating companies will be rolled into a single entity.... Read More

IUPUC gains full membership to NAIA

IUPUC on Wednesday announced it has received full membership to the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. The university said with the membership, it will officially join the River States Conference for competition beginning this fall.... Read More

Daviess County EDC leader to step down

The Daviess County Economic Development Corp. is on the hunt for a new leader. The organization announced Tuesday that Executive Director Bryant Niehoff will be stepping down to become the new CEO of the Uplands Science and Technology Foundation.... Read More

Indiana schools awarded grants for CTE programs

The Indiana Officer of Career and Technical Education has awarded nearly $750,000 in grants to nine Hoosier high schools. The funding is designed to support CTE programs that prepare students for advanced manufacturing and information technology careers.... Read More

Indy coffee shop acquired for training housing-challenged youth

Hascall Shaffer, director of workforce development for 91 Place, said the not-for-profit had been searching for a coffee shop to train the young adults living in the organization’s housing, as well as former residents. The not-for-profit operates two transitional homes with four youth residents each, along with live-in mentors, said Karynn Adamowicz, director of development and communications for 91 Place. Neidhammer will continue to operate as a coffee shop with the usual offerings, but 91 Place residents that have undergone workforce development training and an interview process will be employed at the shop. Alumni and residents of the program can maintain a job at the shop for nine months to a year, and will be equipped to seek out employment opportunities elsewhere. “The idea is to just give them a safe place to learn some skill, which is being a barista in a coffee shop, and getting to know regulars,” Shaffer said. “Just kind of open up their world to something outside of just a warehouse, or picking up trash, or something like that.” “My biggest hope is for them to find stability and confidence in themselves, that they can go after a job that they really want, rather than a job that they just need,” Shaffer added. The Neidhammer also contains an event venue and co-working space. 91 Place will not take over these spaces, Shaffer said. The coffee shop was closed beginning on April 1 for the transition. It will reopen Wednesday under the ownership of 91 Place. A grand opening is scheduled for April 15.... Read More

HealthLinc to launch dental residency

Valparaiso-based HealthLinc has received a $500,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to develop an accredited dental residency program to serve its clients across northern Indiana. ... Read More

Shared kitchen, incubator launches in Noble County

Be Noble Inc. is teaming up with the Community Learning Center in Kendallville to launch The Cookery, a commercial, shared kitchen and foodservice incubator. The partners say the goal is to attract and support culinary arts entrepreneurs in the area.... Read More

Ball State Financial adds to portfolio

Muncie-based Ball State Financial has merged with Muncie Post Office Credit Union. While financial details are not being disclosed. Ball State Financial said the credit union's members will benefit from an expanded array of services.... Read More

Intelinair acquires digital ag company in Illinois

Indianapolis-based precision agriculture startup Intelinair Inc. is growing its portfolio. The company announced Tuesday it has acquired Aker Technologies Inc., a digital agriculture company headquartered in Illinois, though terms of the deal are not being disclosed.... Read More

Ball State expands global reach

Ball State University is partnering with American University at Iraq-Baghdad to help students abroad earn a Master of Business Administration degree through Ball State’s Miller College of Business. ... Read More