Article provided by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce
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NOTE: Indiana Chamber, Wellness Council of Indiana to Host Webinar Next Week
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) COVID-19 vaccine rule mandate for employers with 100 or more employees is now final. The White House released a fact sheet this morning. The good news is that some of the most pressing concerns by the business community were favorably addressed.

by Lindsey McClain, RHS Intern

​Snickerdoodle, hot apple butter, creamy vanilla bean, and northern pine are just some of
the delectable smells wafting through the air. An ambiance of reds, greens, and browns welcome
you as you walk into one of the largest candle stores in the Midwest. Just off I-70 at the
Centerville exit is Warm Glow Candle Co., home of their famous American-made candles and
decor. The store boasts an impressive array of merchandise, from rustic signs and home decor, to
garden pieces and handmade chocolates. The sister store here, Artisans & Java, features booths
for over a dozen independent artisans. They do everything from wood carving, to jewelry
making, to pottery and home decor. Any aesthetic can be found represented in one of these
booths; This is why variety is such a special quality of Warm Glow and its combined sister
stores.

Supplied by Whitewater Community Television
September 15, 2021

​With the delta variant of COVID-19 continuing to cause illness, hospitalizations and deaths in our community many local residents are looking for information on how they can keep themselves and their families safe.  On Thursday, September 23, 2021 at 6pm, Dr. Thomas Huth, VP, Medical Affairs, Reid Health and Dr. David Jetmore, Wayne County Health Officer are again making themselves available to answer community members questions with an appearance on Whitewater Community Television’s weekly public affairs program, IN Focus.  Joining Dr. Jetmore and Dr. Huth will be local retired pediatrician and Wayne County Health Board President, Dr. Paul Rider.  

Story Provided by Christina R. Metcalf on behalf of Frank Kenny Marketing

​On social media you need interaction. Without it, your content won’t get seen by your audience. But getting people to interact can be a challenge. But not anymore!
 
Here are 50 conversation starters for your business. That’s about two months of work-week posts already done for you!

Story by Lindsey McClain, RHS Intern

​Her vision and love of fashion drove her, and in 2019 she started selling merchandise from her grandmother's shop. It was only two years later on January 26, 2021 that she had opened her own space where JaeMae Boutique was officially rooted. What Julia believes sets her business apart is the care she has for her customers stating, “I just want to be here to brighten people’s days.” A part of this she believes is making cute clothing accessible for everyone. This is why she takes great care filling her store with both petite and plus sized options. Julia said she's had times when she’s gone into a store and felt defeated that nothing would fit her, so it's extremely important to her that her store is inclusive for everyone.
 
 
Julia Allen is somewhat of an anomaly among residents of Richmond. People are intrigued by her young age and maturity, as well as her commitment to the community. Since starting her business, Julia has offered discounts for shopping small at other local businesses; Her website invites members of the community to park clean ups-- organized by JaeMae boutique seller Yahairi Patoja, founder of Diverse Curls. To Julia and the women she works with, Wayne County is home. She said that her favorite things about Wayne County are its mix of history and newness as well as the close-knit sense of community she feels here. 

You will find JaeMae Boutique located at 191 Fort Wayne Ave, Richmond, IN and at local events such as Archway Days and Octoberfest. You can also stay up to date on new products through the JaeMae Instagram, Facebook, and website. Julia has big plans for the future of her boutique. Besides just expanding, she wants to create a business template modeled after her own. She hopes that women would be able to use this and the information she provides to pursue their own business endeavors--pushing others to follow their dreams just as she has. Julia’s passion and drive show through in every aspect of her business. This is truly a place to feel welcome and inspired. I encourage everyone to stop by and see for yourself just how special JaeMae Boutique really is.

Connect with JaeMae Boutique!
 
Website:http://www.jaemaeboutique.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jaemaeboutique/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jaemaeboutique/?hl=en

Article supplied by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce

After decades of neglect, the state of American infrastructure is poor. America currently ranks 13th in the world when it comes to the overall quality of our infrastructure and the American Society of Civil Engineer’s 2021 Report Card rated it a C-.
It is past time we brought our infrastructure into the 21st century, and that is exactly what the $1.2 trillion bipartisan bill passed in the Senate and now up for consideration in the House does. It is the largest federal investment in both public transit, clean drinking water, and waste water infrastructure in American history. It is the largest investment in passenger rail since the creation of Amtrak and makes the single largest dedicated bridge investment since the construction of the interstate highway system.
The bipartisan infrastructure bill will benefit all Americans by creating millions of jobs, improving global competitiveness, and adding trillions of dollars in economic growth at a time when we need it most.

Article provided by Frank Kenny

​Let’s face it. You can’t throw a rock these days without hitting a help wanted sign. If someone wants to work, there is little stopping them on the employer side. (There may be things like childcare or scheduling on the employee’s side but that’s another article.)
 
If you’re running ads along with all the other employers out there, you’re at the mercy of their budgets—and if they have a larger one than you—they may be able to get their wanted ads in more effective places more often. A sign in your place of business can also be effective but only if the right person passes your place. To stand out in this employee’s market, you need to get creative.

Story provided by Reid Health.

July 30, 2021 -- Reid Health and Meridian Health Services have joined together to launch a maternal treatment program in Richmond called The Nest.
Substance use disorders, drug overdose deaths, and neonatal abstinence syndrome continue to be a significant problem in Wayne County. From January to August 2019, Reid had 543 deliveries and of those, 170 had a positive drug screen at the time of delivery.
The Nest aims to address those issues through integrated mental health, addictions, and medical services for pregnant women and those who have recently given birth.
"The program provides a welcoming and supportive environment where women can go without feeling judged or overlooked," said Erika Brandenstein, M.D., Reid OB/GYN and Medical Director for The Nest.

Provided by the Office of Community & Rural Affairs
​FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

INDIANAPOLIS (July 23, 2021) –Today, Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch and the Office of Community and Rural Affairs announced the five community finalists of the PreservINg Main Street Pilot Program. The finalist communities include the towns of Attica, Brookville and Cambridge City, and the cities of Kendallville and Jasper. 
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In partnership with Indiana Landmarks and Indiana Humanities, PreservINg Main Street is designed to build a sustainable historic preservation ethic while building local capacity and a comprehensive downtown revitalization model. ​

​Daniel Arthur
Communications Coordinator
Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce
Daniel@wcareachamber.org
765-962-1511

​The Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that Indiana Governor Holcomb will be visiting Richmond on September 9, 2021. A Governor’s Luncheon, hosted at Forest Hills Country Club, will include a “fireside” chat with Indiana’s Governor.
 
This member-exclusive event will give Chamber members the opportunity to interact with the 51st Governor and hear about the current state of Indiana. From COVID recovery to the workforce, infrastructure development and more, the conversation will be informative for all those that attend.