| Issue No. 241 Serving the Entire Business Community September 2004 | ||
VISIT OUR SPONSORS  |
Old-fashioned Sidewalk Sale Days 2004| Advance Indiana Training Fund From the Desks of Pat Vercauteren and Jean Whetstone IVY Tech State College Grant funds are available to improve the skill levels of Indiana workers. The Incumbent Worker Training Fund (IWTF) was created when the Indiana General Assembly approved Senate Bill 486 in 2001. This established a ìpoolî of monies with the intention of continued improvement of the skill levels of Indiana workers. The funds are supported through a special assessment based on a company's unemployment insurance (UI) taxable wages. The only grant requirements are that there is a one-to-one funding match and that the workers being trained receive a portable credential that is recognized and carried with the employee throughout their career. Portable credentials include a journeyman's card issued from the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training, or an associate degree, technical, or career development certificate. They can, also, include occupational certifications such as AWS welding or MOUS computer skills credentials. These grants can be written to cover the cost of tuition, books and supplies. The company's matching funds come from the salaries and benefits paid to the employees while attending the training. These grants open up advanced training to employees, who otherwise could not afford it and they encourage businesses to do business in Indiana, according to Ray Patnaude, Director of Human Resources with Hubbell/Raco, who has benefited from these grants for the past two years. Ivy Tech State College can customize the training to meet the company's specific needs. Training can take place on-site at the company or at any Ivy Tech facility. If several companies share the same training needs, they can be joined together in a consortium grant. Economies of scale can be achieved when a few employees of several companies need the same training and can be combined into a full class. A major purpose of this initiative is to improve Indiana worker's skill levels, increase wage bases in high demand jobs. The program is focused on individual service sectors which include advanced manufacturing, information technology, high-tech distribution and life sciences. If you are interested in learning more on how your company can take advantage of applying for a grant, you can contact Pat Vercauteren, Director of Apprenticeship and Workplace Learning for Ivy Tech at 317-921-4773. ------------   Lake City Bank862 E. Jefferson St., Plymouth; 574-935-4200 Lake City Bank is sponsoring the day at the Dome for the NLC football teams (8) on Saturday, September 18. Lake City Bank has 22 offices located in the 8 school districts that make up the NLC, therefore proving once again, "It's good to play in Lake City." Football tickets may be purchased in advance from the Plymouth Varsity and JV football players at a reduced price.† Plymouth will be playing Elkhart Memorial at approximately 1:30 p.m. Lindenwood Retreat and Conference Center9601 S. Union Rd., Donaldson; 574-935-1780; www.lindenwood.org Villa Maria re-opened August 6, 2004. Lindenwood's bedroom/conference facility is now open to offer retreat lodging and meeting space in a more efficiently controlled and pleasing environment. A new heating and air conditioning system has been installed in all bedrooms, meeting rooms and corridors. With the installation of new carpet in 49 bedrooms, the entire Villa has new carpet. Corridor lighting and ceilings have been replaced giving the corridors a brighter appearance. The limestone entryways and outside brickwork have been cleaned and repaired. The Villa gymnasium has been completely refurbished and renamed the Linden Room. New lighting makes this space desirable for multipurpose meetings and activities. The Linden Room is now fully heated and air conditioned, with a capacity for 100 guests, seated theatre style. The 7-circuit labyrinth rug has been replaced with a permanent labyrinth painted into the floor surface. Also added is a resource center with a computer/printer for internet access, art supplies for retreatants, and a lending library with books and audiotapes. Check out their website www.lindenwood.org for our Fall 2004 Programs. The Memory Zone Scrapbook Store3012 Miller Dr., Plymouth; 574- 936-2070; www.thememoryzone.com The Memory Zone Scrapbook Store recently relocated to US 30, at 3012 Miller Dr., one mile west of WalMart. They have added 2500 square feet of space allowing them to provide a larger selection of merchandise and a great space for ìcroppingî. They also added a small kitchenette for special events and have also added several new staff members. Feel free to stop in and check out the new location and meet all the staff. There are a number of events happening on a regular basis for all ages. Schedules are available at the register or on line at www.thememoryzone.com. The Frame Shoppe109A N. Michigan St. Plymouth; 574-936-5259 The Frame Shoppe has added The Wizard to their production staff. The Wizard is the most technologically advanced computerized mat cutter in the picture framing business. The Wizard will be capable of cutting corporate logos into mats enhancing any corporate giving program. The Wizard can cut almost†any conceivable opening into any mat. These mat creations can added to framed artwork, photograph, cross-stitch, etc. Stop by The Frame Shoppe and see the Wizard! Miller's Senior Living Community625 Oakhill Avenue; Plymouth, IN 46563; 574-936-9801 The area businesses and entrepreneurs are invited to attend a Business Buffet on Wednesday, October 20, 2004 from noon to 1:00 pm at Miller's Assisted Living Apartments. The featured speaker will be Michael Hope, Communication Director at Purdue North Central. The Business Buffet is educational seminars, featuring information and practical topics geared for business people, such as supervisors, managers, and office staff. These bi-monthly 'lunch and learn' sessions start promptly at noon. There is no charge for the presentation, and lunch is available for $5.00 per person. For reservations or more information, please contact Anna Corbett at 574-936-9801. Please RSVP for lunch by October 15, 2004. Schoop's1410 N. Michigan St., Plymouth; 574-936-9970 October 4th, Schoop's restaurant will be celebrating 15 years of business and friendship in Plymouth. Tom and Gloria Franko would like to invite our community to visit Schoop's for some 'extra' specials during the month of October. They want to extend their sincerest 'Thank You' for all the support through their memorable years. Fitness Forum Nautilus1576 Hoham Dr, Plymouth; 574- 936-2333; www.holmclinic.com Watch for the lime green shirts! They'll be running together to reach their goal in the 5K Blueberry race. Sixteen junior high girls have been training since July 5 in the Fitness Forum 'Girls Have the Power' program to run in the 5K race. The program combines health education, peer issues, and physical challenge. For some it has been a stretch to meet the goal. For others it has been an extension of their school track involvement. The beauty has been in combining skill levels into a common goal. At the same time an adult group gathering together weekly in '5K Kamp,' has been training and learning about nutrition, technique, and injury prevention. And what would a program be without a meal? A high carbo meal, that is, will be enjoyed by all before the race. Participants say, 'the program is a good way to train gradually and accomplish things you never thought you could.' 'The commitment and camaraderie the program provides has been great.' From 11 to 66 years old, it's all about encouragement, goals, and participating in our community at the greatest festival around! ------------ New Members
------------ September 2004 ------------ September Inserts
|
2004-2005 PROGRAM SERIES