Richmond, Ind., – Ivy Tech Community College is excited to announce Nick O. Rowe, founder and CEO of N.O.R. Solutions, as the keynote speaker for the 2025 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Living the Dream Community Breakfast.

The "Living the Dream" breakfast will begin at 8:00 AM, with doors opening at 7:30 AM. This event will take place on January 20, 2025, at Ivy Tech Community College, Richmond campus, Johnson Hall. The event is free, and attendees must register by January 15, 2025.

At the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Living the Dream Community Breakfast, Rowe will share his experiences, focusing on leadership, service, and community building – themes central to Dr. King’s legacy. His message will inspire attendees to pursue leadership in their own lives while embodying the spirit of service and equity championed by Dr. King.

Nick O. Rowe brings a wealth of experience and insight to this year’s event. With a distinguished career in leadership, Rowe served as president of Kentucky American Water, the largest investor-owned water utility in the state. He was responsible for leading the company’s performance, establishing best practices, and enhancing external relationships with customers, government officials, and regulatory agencies. Rowe’s leadership extended to several states during his tenure at American Water, including Tennessee, Virginia, and Maryland.

In addition to his professional achievements, Rowe is deeply involved in civic and business organizations. He serves on the boards of the Lexington Industrial Foundation, Central Bank Advisory Board, and Commerce Lexington, among others. Rowe has been recognized for his leadership and communications, receiving the Public Relations Society of America’s Communicator of the Year Award in 2007.

Registration Details: Deadline: January 15, 2025
Register Here: https://engage.ivytech.edu/s/events
For any registration questions, contact: [email protected]
For additional event information, contact: [email protected]

Cope Environmental Center (CEC) invites you and your family to join us for Sap & Syrup, a family-friendly and educational event on March 8, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. This is a wonderful opportunity to experience the tradition of maple syrup making and enjoy a delicious pancake breakfast featuring syrup tapped from the trees on the Cope property.

Sap & Syrup will take you on a journey through history, exploring how maple syrup has been made for centuries. This hands-on experience offers a glimpse into the past and provides both children and adults with an engaging and educational morning. You will learn about the process of tapping trees, collecting sap, and boiling it down to create sweet maple syrup.

Throughout the morning, there will be three different guided hike times to accommodate all participants. The hikes will take place outdoors, so please dress appropriately for the weather. After your hike, warm up and enjoy an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast with maple syrup made right here at CEC.

The cost for adults is $10, which includes the hike and breakfast, or $8 for breakfast only. For children 12 and under, the cost is $8 for the hike and breakfast or $5 for breakfast only.

Registration and payment are required prior to the event. To learn more and secure your spot, please visit our website at www.VisitCope.org.

​We hope you can join us to embrace the beauty of nature, discover the magic of maple syrup production, and enjoy a cozy breakfast with your family. We look forward to seeing you at Sap & Syrup.

Renew Richmond, Indiana Department of Transportation

Opening expected on or after Wednesday, Jan. 8 

The new year is starting with the new U.S. 27 bridge opening to traffic in downtown Richmond. The new U.S. 27 bridge over Norfolk Southern Railroad and local streets in Richmond is expected to open on or after Wednesday, Jan. 8. It’s expected to open to traffic after the morning commute.  

“The new U.S. 27 bridge is a key connector for Richmond and specifically for the Depot District,” said Mayor Oler. “I’m proud of the growth and vitality of this important neighborhood. And I want to express our deepest appreciation for INDOT’s commitment to Renew Richmond and the development of the new bridge. Together, we are enhancing connections that are helping us create a better, more vibrant, and stronger Richmond.” 

The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) bridge replacement project addressed safety issues with pier columns in busy downtown streets and included improvements to pedestrian facilities to be compliant with the American with Disabilities Act.  

“INDOT is proud to be a part of helping to Renew Richmond,” said INDOT District Deputy Commissioner Valerie Cockrum. “We have built a better and stronger U.S. 27 bridge – a bridge that serves as the main north-south route for the area. And the added aesthetics with the city signage and the Richmond star create a signature backdrop for a growing downtown.” 

Work on the new, seven-span bridge started in spring 2023. The work included the long-term closure of U.S. 27 from North D Street to North G Street and the closure of Fort Wayne Avenue from North 8th Street to North F Street (north of the railroad tracks). Access has been maintained to local businesses, and all long-term closures will end when the bridge opens to traffic.  
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All roadway and sidewalk work on the project is complete. Final punch list and aesthetic items will continue into the spring including painting the outside of the steel beams and staining the stars on the bridge railing.   

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – A Purdue Extension workshop series that seeks to help Indiana small businesses build or enhance their online presence will be available statewide this spring.

“Digital Ready Businesses” was launched in 2017. The program has been updated and new workshops added to reflect current trends. Participants can attend all 11 (1 hour) sessions or only those that meet their needs. The hands-on training, led by county Extension educators, covers a variety of topics, from website basics to podcasting, blogging, the ins and outs of social media, and email analytics and marketing.

The series is being offered virtually starting in February from 2-3:00pm ET:

1. Claim Your Online Turf - Tuesday, Feb. 4

2. Website Basics - Thursday, Feb. 6

3. Grow Your Virtual Customers - Tuesday, Feb. 11

4. Search Engine Optimization - Thursday, Feb. 13

5. Email Analytics & Marketing - Tuesday, Feb. 18

6. Podcasting 101 - Thursday, Feb. 20

7. How to Blog Successfully - Tuesday, Feb. 25

8. Introduction to Social Media Platforms - Thursday, Feb. 27

9. Social Media Plan & Content - Thursday, Mar. 4

10. Social Media Analytics & Marketing - Tuesday, Mar. 6

11. Digital Storefront - Tuesday, Mar. 11


Sessions are $25 each or you can register for the complete series for $250.

“These workshops are designed for entrepreneurs and small business owners or employees who might not have an online presence, or have one that is outdated,” says Roberto Gallardo, director of the Purdue Center for Regional Development and Community and a regional economic specialist for Purdue Extension.

In follow-up surveys, participants have reported significant increases in sales, customer base and customer engagement, and nearly 9 in 10 recommended the series to others.

“We have a long way to go,” one participant responded, “but at least we now have a plan. Since our workshop I started concentrating on Facebook and Instagram with the help of my daughter. She started to post daily even though our content/backdrop was not exactly how we wanted it. We grew Facebook from 1,547 to 2,079 and Instagram from 676 to 2,013.”
​Register HERE by January 27th

For more information, visit extension.purdue.edu/cdext or contact Daniel Walker [email protected]

By ​Oi Lin Cheung, Ph.D. Director of the Business and Economic Research Center and Professor of Finance, Indiana University East

​This article examines the recent performance of some key economic indicators and the 2025 economic outlook for the Richmond region, a region comprised of seven east-central Indiana counties: Fayette, Franklin, Henry, Randolph, Rush, Union and Wayne.

Manufacturing continues to be the region’s lead industry sector by employment, providing 12,894 jobs in 2024 Q1. Manufacturing is followed by health care and social services (8,262 jobs), retail trade (7,895 jobs) and accommodation and food services (4,635 jobs) (see Table 1).
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According to 2022 U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis data,1 Wayne County had the largest population and earned the highest total income in the region: approximately 31.6% of the region’s total population (209,627 people) earned about the same proportion (31.4%) of the region’s total income ($10.46 billion). Following Wayne County, Henry County housed close to one-quarter (23.3%) of the region’s total population and earned more than one-fifth (21.7%) of the region’s total income. Franklin County ($55,675) and Rush County ($55,087) had the highest per capita personal income (PCPI) values in the region, both reaching more than 94% of Indiana’s state PCPI ($58,323) and more than 84% of U.S. PCPI ($65,470). While Randolph County (+1.21%) experienced the most percentage growth in PCPI, Franklin County (-0.24%) and Union County (-0.11%) actually recorded slight declines in PCPI between 2021 and 2022.

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(November 25, 2024) - The Housing Authority of the City of Richmond, IN (HACR) has been chosen as recipients of two of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO) Awards of Merit in the category of Resident and Client Services for providing job opportunities and food options to residents and members of the community.

The official presentation of the awards took place in Orlando, FL. on September 25, 2024 during NAHRO’s Summer Conference. “The NAHRO Awards of Merit Program was created to give national recognition to NAHRO Member organizations that have found innovative ways of making a difference in the communities and the lives of the people they serve. As our country grapples with a nationwide affordable housing crisis, housing agencies across the country face local challenges with tenacity, creativity and a powerful will to improve their communities.”

Through the FSS program, HACR has increased outreach to residents and the community we serve. “These programs aim to celebrate self-sufficiency and achievement and honor the work our staff and residents do each and every day to ensure a safe and affordable place to call home. Resident and Client Services include innovative use of programs such as special activities for children, families, the elderly, anti-drug programs, social services, and self-sufficiency. Whether we are building and repairing homes, forging local partnerships to provide resources such as food and workforce development, or increasing the agencies’ ability to serve; these dedicated professionals build and implement innovative solutions that improve the lives of their residents, their staff, and the communities in which they work.” The HACR awards for Merit are listed below:

Award #1 On-Site Job and Volunteering Fairs
The Housing Authority of the City of Richmond (HACR) Indiana launched a series of Job and Volunteering Fairs (JVFs) in the purpose-built communal spaces integrated into each of its public housing developments. In partnership with Eastern Indiana Works, HACR has recruited local employers who are actively hiring to meet face-to-face with jobseekers, enabling them to learn about available roles, exchange contact information, submit resumes, and make lasting first impressions. JVFs create an easy opportunity for HACR residents to consider and engage in paths to improving their financial self-sufficiency, including paid work, volunteer positions, and our Family Self Sufficiency program.

Award #2 Pop-Up Farmers Market: Connecting Residents and a SNAP Doubling Program
The Housing Authority of the City of Richmond (HACR) hosted a Pop-up Farmers Market at one of its public housing developments, bringing fresh local foods to residents and educating them on the Farmers Market’s SNAP Double Dollars Program (SDDP). The SDDP allows shoppers using SNAP to double their benefits and pay for meat, eggs, produce, baked goods, and more at the market. The SDDP does not reach many HACR residents at this time due to lack of awareness and transportation; however, HACR is working diligently to take steps as quickly as possible to expand and improve awareness & transportation to better serve those in need. The Boys & Girls Club of Wayne County provided person hours by serving free lunch provided by HACR. The Richmond Farmer’s Market provided equipment, person-hours, and connection to vendors. Over 50 HACR residents attended, and $446 in doubled SNAP benefits were spent.

​Through successful partnerships, HACR has been able to increase the number of job opportunities and fresh food to families that we serve in the Richmond Wayne county Area. It is HACR’s hope that the general public, community leaders, private industry and government itself will become inspired to reform and enhance existing housing and community development programs, and in addition, create new ground-breaking programs and services to meet the housing needs of our nation’s most vulnerable citizens

Washington, DC – On Tuesday, November 12, the Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce proudly sent Richmond student Ellie Fost to represent Indiana in the 2024 National Civics Bee Championship at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation headquarters in Washington, D.C. The National Civics Bee, organized in collaboration with The Civic Trust® of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, seeks to promote civic engagement and inspire young Americans to take an active role in shaping their communities and nation.

Ellie’s path to the National Civics Bee Championship began with her thought-provoking essay on Teen Mental Health in Schools. In her writing, she combined insightful analysis with well-researched data, creating a compelling argument for greater attention to mental health issues among adolescents. One particularly powerful example was her discussion of the disproportionate ratio of school counselors to students, a stark issue that highlights the strain on resources and the urgent need for more comprehensive support systems in schools. Through this thoughtful approach, Ellie not only shed light on an important topic but also demonstrated her ability to tackle complex social challenges with both empathy and critical thinking.

Ellie earned the opportunity to compete against 27 talented students from across the nation through both her insightful essay and her impressive ability to tackle challenging questions with confidence and clarity. Beyond the competition itself, she also had the privilege of experiencing American democracy up close. During her time in Washington, D.C., Ellie had the chance to visit key national institutions and engage directly with civic leaders, gaining invaluable insight into the workings of government and the principles that shape our democracy.
“We were honored to be able to participate as a regional host site for Indiana’s first year of participation in the National Civics Bee,” said Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Melissa Vance. “To have the state champion hailing from Richmond was the icing on the cake. It is incredible to see talented youth taking time to strategically think and put those ideas into words on a national stage. We couldn’t be prouder of all the middle school students who participated.”

Ellie encountered strong competition in the first quiz round and was unable to advance further in the contest. Nevertheless, she took the opportunity to reflect on her overall experience during the trip to Washington, DC, as well as her time participating in the competition, “Even if I didn’t make it through the national level, I was able to spread my cause at the local and state level.” She also mentioned that getting to see and explore D.C. was her favorite part of the trip.
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The Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce is thrilled to announce that it will host the local 2025 National Civics Bee. This exciting opportunity allows students to explore their personal values and deepen their understanding of civics, all while competing for cash prizes and other exciting rewards. The first step for students to get involved is to write and submit an essay, with submissions due by February 4, 2025. For essay requirements and submission details, please visit: Essay Submission

​The demolition of the pedestrian bridge connecting the former Elder-Beerman store to the adjacent parking garage is tentatively scheduled to commence on November 18, 2024, and is expected to continue through November 25, 2024. During this period, South 7th Street will be closed to all traffic between East Main Street and South Service Drive to ensure safety and facilitate the demolition process. The alley on the north side of the parking garage will also be closed to both vehicular and pedestrian access. Pedestrian traffic on the east side of South 7th Street will be restricted. Residents and visitors are encouraged to plan accordingly and seek alternative routes to navigate the area.

Richmond, Ind. – Healthcare students at Ivy Tech Community College - Richmond have a brandnew space to learn and train in, one that furthers the relationship between the school and Reid Health as both organizations seek to build a pipeline of future healthcare workers.

A grand-opening celebration took place Tuesday for the Debra Edelman Healthcare Education Center, including a ribbon-cutting ceremony, official dedication, and tours and demonstrations for the public.

Much of the second floor of Johnson Hall on the Ivy Tech campus at 2357 Chester Blvd. in Richmond has been remodeled into a healthcare simulation center. Spaces stocked with the same equipment that is used at Reid Health have been set up to mimic medical-surgical, maternity, and intensive care rooms. There's also a paramedic training area with an ambulance simulator and a new pharmacy tech space.

"Ivy Tech is committed to producing high-quality nurses and healthcare workers. Expanding our program required the right resources and facilities to ensure student success," said Heather Wierzbinski-Cross, Dean of Nursing and Health Sciences for Ivy Tech Richmond.

"This new simulation space is a vital step in preparing our students for the growing demands of the healthcare workforce. By collaborating with Reid Health, we offer students a realistic, highfidelity environment that mirrors clinical settings, helping them build confidence and develop the skills necessary to succeed in the field."

Misti Foust-Cofield, Vice President/Chief Nursing Officer for Reid Health, said Ivy Tech Richmond's new healthcare space will provide countless opportunities for partnership and integration. "We're grateful for Ivy Tech Richmond's forward thinking and work to create a space that encourages and trains our future nurses and other clinicians," she said. "This space will be valuable for high school students who might be exploring nursing, college students who are acquiring skills alongside trained faculty, and seasoned caregivers who might be learning new skills."

Most of the space was ready for the beginning of the fall semester classes a few weeks ago, while the finishing touches of the ambulance simulator were put into place last week. "Our healthcare and nursing programs are feeders to the pipeline of healthcare workers in our service area," said Ivy Tech Richmond Chancellor Chad Bolser. "Training the healthcare and nursing workforce of the future is one of the main priorities in our strategic initiatives. Reid is a tremendous partner in this effort, and we want to ensure each one of our graduates has a direct connection to Reid's operation.

"Our relationship with Reid runs deep. We could not provide the educational opportunities we do without our relationship with Reid." Reid Health staff provided advice and guidance on the project as well as some equipment to match what's used at the health system's facilities. "Nurses and providers are at the heart of what we do, so we need to have skilled people who want to work in East-Central Indiana and want to work for Reid Health. Sometimes it's hard to attract folks from outside the region," said Jason Troutwine, Reid Health Vice President/Reid Foundation President. "One of the best ways for us to attract nurses and other skilled labor is to grow our own."To get students prepared to work in healthcare so they can easily transition into a job at Reid Health, that's laying a lot of groundwork for us."