A new documentary from WTIU Public Television explores some of the 6,000 miles of hiking, pedestrian, and biking trails in Indiana. The Hoosier Way: Trails of Indiana premieres Monday, February 28 at 8 p.m. on WTIU and simultaneously streams on Facebook Live. The program takes viewers on a tour of some of Indiana’s finest outdoor nature trails, hikes, rails-to-trails conversion projects, and urban trails systems, revealing the beauty and wonder of the Hoosier state’s natural habitats. Across the country and within the state, unused railroad corridors are being converted to public multi-use trails. Indiana towns and cities—small and large—are dedicating funds, space, and precious resources toward paved recreational routes for residents and guests to enjoy. Indiana’s extensive state parks and dedicated nature preserves offer some of the state’s finest outdoor nature trails for hiking and mountain biking.
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As part of Mayor John Hamilton’s Recover Forward initiative, the City of Bloomington’s Department of Economic and Sustainable Development is providing support for organizations to improve building efficiency through the 2022 Solar and Energy Efficiency Loan (SEEL) Program.
Possible projects eligible for matching grant funds include solar installation, weatherization, lighting, refrigeration, ventilation, cooling, and water heater upgrades with the goal of reducing utility costs for nonprofits and community organizations. Through a partnership with CDFI Friendly Bloomington and IFF, the 2022 Solar and Energy Efficiency Loan (SEEL) Program will provide support through City-funded energy assessments and matching grant funds of $10,000 for projects of at least $20,000. Additional financing support to cover project costs is available through low-interest loans financed by IFF and Hoosier Hills Credit Union. Twelve nonprofits will be eligible to participate in the 2022 program with intake forms accepted on a rolling basis by the cohort application deadline found at bloomington.in.gov/sustainability/seel. The City of Bloomington Economic Development Commission has recommended that the Bloomington Common Council approve a proposed tax abatement associated with investments being considered at Catalent’s South Patterson Drive facility that would potentially add up to 1,000 new biotech jobs in Bloomington over the next five years. Catalent is examining future investment options to support the growth of its biomanufacturing sterile fill/finish, packaging, and quality control laboratories at its Bloomington facility. The abatement proposal under consideration is performance-based and would require an annual review at both the EDC and Common Common Council to ensure the company is meeting its commitments. Catalent purchased the former Cook Pharmica operations in 2017, which included one building and employed approximately 800 full-time staff members. Catalent received a tax abatement from the city for a 2019 expansion project, which estimated 200 new full-time jobs, but in actuality totaled 948. The 2019 abatement supported the company’s new fill/finish and packaging facility, for which it was awarded LEED Silver certification in 2021. Catalent currently employs over 3,000 full-time employees in Bloomington, where it manufactures over 100 biologic medicines, including COVID-19 vaccines for Moderna and Johnson & Johnson. Sibling Cities USA and the cities of Palo Alto, California and Bloomington, Indiana are hosting a virtual kickoff for the first-ever Sibling Cities relationship on Tuesday, February 15 at 12 p.m. EST. The public is invited to register and attend this free Zoom event or view the live stream on Facebook (facebook.com/citybloomington) or YouTube (youtube.com/c/bloomingtonindiana).
Register online for the February 15 event at bloomington.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMpd-urpjMtE9w9q7bZ_cWEjfIzmkub0ZjI. The Kickoff will feature a fireside chat with Cornell William Brooks, former President of the NAACP and professor at Harvard University, who serves on Sibling Cities USA’s Advisory Board; and remarks from Tara VanDerveer, Indiana University alumna and Head Coach of the defending National Champion Stanford Women’s Basketball Team. Government leaders from both cities and Vicki Veenker, founder of Sibling Cities USA, will comment on prospects for this new initiative. Trivia, updates from the City Coordinators, and surprise introductions will round out the festivities. Sue Ellspermann, President of Ivy Tech Community, announced at the Wednesday, Feb. 9 State Board of Trustees meeting an extension of the Ivy+ Textbooks program. Ivy+ will continue to cover the cost of required textbooks for all eligible students in the 2022-23 academic year. This is the second year textbooks will be provided at no cost to students. “Continuing to find innovative ways to lower costs for our students is an important part of the overall value we are providing to students and to our community,” said Dr. Ellspermann. “We know that the cost of textbooks are often a limiting factor for our students, and we are pleased to be able to provide free textbooks for another year.” In fall 2021, more than 55,000 students received free textbooks for a savings to students of over $14 million. In spring 2022, more than 47,000 students have already enrolled and will receive similar savings. Ivy Tech’s Ivy+ tuition (www.ivytech.edu/tuition) program also continues in 2022-23, providing a new tuition model for full-time students. When students take at least 12 credit hours a semester, they pay a flat rate and can add additional credit hours for no additional cost. As part of the Ivy+ tuition program, part-time students will see their tuition frozen in 2022-23 at the same rate as the previous academic year and will pay the lowest per-credit-hour fee in the state. The Hoosier Hills Estate Planning Council is pleased to announce it is holding its annual Estate Planning Day on May 20th, 2022 from 7:30 AM – 4:30 PM at the Monroe Convention Center. The event will feature CE seminars, networking opportunities, and exhibitor booths for professionals, as well as a free, one hour Estate Planning Tips panel from 11:00 – Noon for the general public.
Cost for the daylong event is $95 for members, $250 for non-members, or $220 for both admission to the event and membership in the HHEPC. For full agenda and details, please visit www.hhepc.org Northwest Bank, a full-service financial institution offering a complete line of business and personal banking products, has been recognized by Forbes as one of America’s Best Midsize Employers for 2022. The annual list ranks the 500 midsize employers that received the most recommendations from a survey of 60,000 American workers. Northwest Bank is 80 on the overall list and is the third-highest ranked among 30 employers in the Banking and Financial Services category.
“At Northwest, we’re the bank where people make the difference. With this as our foundation, we face each day as one, embracing our unique perspectives to spark creative solutions. Knowing that we’re better together, we strive every day for understanding, empathy and trust, while building a workplace that provides a rewarding experience and supports everyone’s well-being,” said Ronald J. Seiffert, Chairman, President and CEO, Northwest Bank. “We appreciate the dedication of our employees and are committed to continuously enhancing the culture, programs and services that make Northwest a great place to work.” There’s no other business quite like yours because no other business has your unique vision, identity and spirit. Ten years ago, the FedEx Small Business Grant Contest was created to put the spotlight on small businesses just like yours. One of a kind and exceptionally different.
In celebration of the contest’s 10th anniversary, we’re giving you even more chances to win big by awarding more than $360,000 in prizes. The entry period is now open, so be sure to enter before the February 28 deadline. You could win big and empower your business to do more of the things you do best. Enter for a chance to win one of these prize packages:
All winners also receive priceless business-building consultation and learning opportunities. Entry Deadline: February 28, 2022 Are you looking to elevate your career potential and improve your resume? Ivy Tech Bloomington’s Career Coaching and Employment Connections is offering several courses to help prepare you for the skills necessary to advance in your career. Individuals can receive certifications and training in a variety of industries, such as Clinical Medical Assisting, Professional Management, ServSafe Management, and Human Resource Management. Registration for several of our classes closes soon. To register, and to learn more about our course offerings, visit ivytech.edu/bloomington/ccec today, or call 812-330-6042. You can also reach us at bloomington-workforcetraining@ivytech.edu.
Ivy Tech Community College biotechnology student, Rachelle Price (Wehr), started classes this past summer and secured employment in her field. Price was hired on the spot at a local Catalent career fair. “I was whisked away to multiple people upon hearing I was an Ivy Tech biotech student,” Price said. “I felt like a hot commodity, and through my classes on FDA regulations, biotech terminology and pharmaceutical production practices, I was able to talk confidently about my skills and what I could offer the team.” Price attended the career fair on the advice of her professor Dr. Lee who she says has encouraged her since she entered the program. She ultimately plans to move up in her new career and continue her education. “I am considering microbiology and other life sciences classes,” she said. “As a kid, I dreamed of becoming a scientist and now I am well on my way!” Before Price started biotechnology classes at Ivy Tech, she was working in a lower wage career. With her boys now teens, she decided she wanted a new job that would help her reach her family’s overall goals. “I wanted more. More money, a better work environment, and more opportunities to provide for my family,” she said. |
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