 The Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce has introduced Student Future Success (SFS) as the new umbrella brand for its Work-Based Learning (WBL) initiatives, creating a clear and consistent identity for student workforce development efforts across Wayne County.
Student Future Success brings together programs that support career exploration, job shadowing, internships, and hands-on learning experiences under a unified framework. The branding is designed to help students, schools, employers, and community partners more easily understand and navigate opportunities at each stage of a student’s development. “This new branding helps us tell a clearer story about how students engage with career and workforce experiences over time,” said WCACC Director of Employer Engagement, Shawntel Baker. “Student Future Success is intended to support the great work already happening in our schools while providing a shared identity that strengthens communication and collaboration with employers.” The SFS brand introduces a new visual system designed to reflect trust, growth, and long-term opportunity for students, while remaining aligned with existing Chamber branding. The branding is intended to complement, school-led programs and does not change program requirements or district autonomy. By aligning program language, structure, and visual identity, the Chamber aims to strengthen employer engagement, improve clarity for students and families, and support long-term workforce readiness across the county.
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 RICHMOND, Ind. — The Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce celebrated the people, partnerships, and progress shaping the community during its 2026 Annual Dinner, themed “Wayne’s World: Party On, Wayne County!” The high-energy evening brought together business leaders, elected officials, educators, and community partners to recognize excellence across service, business, and individual leadership. Emceed by Derric Watson, the event blended entertainment with purpose — opening with Wayne’s World–inspired tributes to what makes Wayne County unique, while spotlighting the individuals and organizations driving real momentum across the region. “The Annual Dinner is our opportunity to pause, celebrate, and shine a spotlight on the people who move Wayne County forward,” said Melissa Vance, President & CEO of the Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce. “This year’s theme reminded us that while we work hard, we can also celebrate boldly — and our award recipients truly represent the heart, creativity, and commitment of this community.” Celebrating Leadership & Impact The evening began by recognizing outstanding volunteers from each of the Chamber’s five Action Committees, highlighting the behind-the-scenes leaders who support Chamber programs year-round: Outstanding Chamber Committee Members
“The theme we kept coming back to was momentum,” said AJ Sickmann, 2026 Chamber Board Chair. “Momentum in education, momentum in workforce development, momentum in business growth and momentum in how we tell Wayne County’s story.” The Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Dinner remains one of the organization’s premier events, celebrating collaboration, leadership, and the shared belief that when businesses and community partners work together, the entire county thrives. Check out all pictures on the Chamber Facebook
US Chamber of Commerce
Persistent inflation, shifting trade policies, and disruptive technologies like AI are reshaping the business landscape. On Dec. 10, Neil Bradley, U.S. Chamber Executive Vice President, and RSM US Chief Economist Joe Brusuelas discussed how businesses can adapt to these challenges. Why it matters: To remain competitive and drive growth, companies must embrace innovation, enhance efficiency, and prepare for evolving economic conditions. Key takeaways: Bradley and Brusuelas outlined trends shaping the economic landscape.
Watch Video US Chamber of Commerce The MetLife & U.S. Chamber of Commerce Small Business Index is 68.4 this quarter, down from last quarter (72.0) and similar to Q4 2024 (69.1).Most measures this quarter do not show a significant decline, however, there is a slight softening across some key measures, including comfort with cash flow and future hiring/investment expectations.
Notably, fewer small businesses report being very comfortable with their current cash flow this quarter. Additionally, views of their local economy have declined slightly, with two in five (43%) small businesses saying that their local economy is in good health. At the same time, views of the national economy are stable: 38% say the same of the U.S. economy, similar to last quarter. Longer term, outlooks for both the national and local economies are more optimistic compared to this time last year. This quarter, inflation continues to be the biggest challenge facing small business owners, but these inflation concerns have remained stable for the past two quarters. However, more small businesses are reporting increased challenges for both revenue and employee retention. Slightly more small businesses cite employee retention (17%) as a challenge this quarter (was 12% in Q4 2024). In the same vein, compared to this time last year, concerns about attracting talent have more than doubled. This quarter, 14% said attracting talent was a top challenge (up from 6% in Q4 2024). Read More on the US Chamber Website Funding supports 14 local history organizations across 12 Indiana counties through Project and Impact Grants INDIANAPOLIS, IN (Nov. 19, 2025) — The Indiana Historical Society (IHS) has announced the recipients of its latest round of Heritage Support Grants, awarding $50,642.97 to 14 local history organizations representing 12 Indiana counties.
The Heritage Support Grants program, provided by the Indiana Historical Society and made possible by Lilly Endowment Inc., offers critical funding to local, county and regional historical societies, museums and sites. These grants support projects that address high-priority needs in collections stewardship, capacity building, sustainability and planning. Wayne County, Ind. (Nov. 19, 2025) – In addition to the lane restrictions shared previously for the week, crews will be patching potholes overnight tonight and Thursday.
Drivers can expect the following restrictions: Wednesday, Nov. 19 (8 p.m. Wednesday to 7 a.m. Thursday)
Construction Speed Limit The construction zone speed limit remains active on I-70. A reduced speed of 55 mph is in place for the duration of Revive I-70 work. It is important for drivers to slow down and avoid distractions in work zones.   For Susanna Tanner, every photograph is more than a portrait, it’s a reflection of who someone truly is. Her Richmond-based studio has become a place where people show up not just to take pictures, but to be seen.
Her journey to photography started in a very different world. After college, Susanna worked in videography and television, taking internships and jobs at stations in Kansas City, Indianapolis, and Lexington. The work was fast-paced and demanding, but over time, the weight of constantly covering difficult stories began to take its toll. “I was really tired of chasing fire trucks and reporting on things that were always more negative than positive,” she recalls. “I wanted to focus on the good, on people’s real lives.” When she returned home to Richmond, there wasn’t a similar opportunity waiting, so she decided to pivot. Using the skills she’d developed behind the camera; Susanna began experimenting with still photography. She took workshops, studied under other photographers, and over time built a business that blended her technical expertise with her love of storytelling. She formalized her studio as an LLC and balanced it alongside her marketing work until 2020, when she decided to take the leap and make photography her full-time career. Richmond Flying Mummies Soar into Northwoods League Baseball with Logo, and Branding Reveal
The Mummies will begin play in May of 2026 at Historic Don McBride Stadium Richmond, Ind. – October 6, 2025 – The Richmond Flying Mummies, the newest addition to the Northwoods League's summer collegiate baseball circuit, today unveiled their official name, logo, and branding ahead of their inaugural 2026 season at Historic McBride Stadium. Blending ancient mystique with high-flying excitement, the Flying Mummies are set to wrap up fans in a whirlwind of fun, family-friendly entertainment. In a nod to Richmond's rich history of innovation and community spirit—coupled with the uniqeness of two mummies on display in Richmond, Indiana and the time spent in Richmond by the Wright Brothers—the team name "Flying Mummies" evokes images of timeless legends taking flight on the diamond. "We're not just building a team; we're resurrecting the thrill of summer nights under the lights," said team President/Managing Partner Matt Bomberg. "The Flying Mummies represent resilience, surprise, and that unbeatable rush of a comeback win. Richmond is ready to unwrap something truly special." The vibrant logo features a dynamic mummy character—flanked by the wings of a Wright Brothers inspired plane. Rendered in bold lines with a touch of whimsical glow, the design captures the essence of ancient lore meeting modern athleticism. Custom typography includes a sleek, script for "Flying Mummies" and a fun wrapped font of the word Mummies ensuring the marks pop on jerseys, caps, and scoreboards alike.  In the heart of Eaton, Ohio, Opti-Vise IT has been transforming the way small and medium-sized businesses manage their technology. Founded in 2007, Opti-Vise began with a simple but powerful mission: to empower businesses with reliable, forward-thinking technological support that allows them to focus on growth and success. Led by its dedicated leadership team — Kelly McQueen (Vice President & Chief Development Officer), Kent Hamilton (CFO), and Kyle Hamilton (President & CEO)— Opti-Vise has steadily grown, serving over 70 businesses across the Greater Dayton region. With a focus on proactive IT management, the company provides network security, cloud solutions, help desk services, and strategic consulting, positioning itself as more than just a service provider, but as a long-term partner for business success.  In 2024, Opti-Vise acquired a new office at 231 E. Main Street in Eaton and is currently in renovation mode, preparing the space to better serve clients and the local business community.
“We felt like we were always one step behind when it came to technology. After hiring Opti-Vise, we feel like we are now one step ahead.” — Brad VanVleet, VanVleet Insurance  Richmond, Ind. – Ivy Tech Community College Richmond is pleased to announce the creation of the Corsi Family Scholarship, designed to support students who face financial challenges as they pursue career-focused education.
The scholarship honors the Corsi family, Italian immigrants who made Richmond their home in the early 1900s and contributed to the community’s stability and prosperity. Today, the family is extending that impact by investing in educational opportunities that will help strengthen Wayne County’s workforce. “We are deeply grateful for the generosity of the Corsi family,” said Brandi Jackson, Vice Chancellor of Workforce and Development at Ivy Tech Richmond. “This gift not only honors their family’s legacy in Richmond but also ensures that future generations have the chance to build better lives through education. This is the kind of investment that transforms both students and our community.” A representative of the Corsi family shared, “Our family has always believed in the value of hard work and opportunity. By creating this scholarship, we hope to give today’s students the same chance to build stability and success that earlier generations of our family found here in Richmond.” The scholarship will be awarded annually to Ivy Tech Richmond students who demonstrate financial need and are pursuing programs that lead to high-demand, high-wage careers. For more information about the Ivy Tech Foundation or to support scholarships, visit https://giving.ivytech.edu/. |
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