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Portage Press
Building a Better Business Community
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Upcoming Events- Sign Up TODAY!
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Chamber News
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Member of the Week
The Member of the Week for the week of November 6-November 10, 2017 is Direct Mail ADvantage. Direct Mail ADvantage has been working to help promote local businesses with affordable direct mail since September 2005.
Direct Mail ADvantage is Northwest Indiana's local cooperative coupon envelope that puts the power of the mailbox to work for you.
Each ad is custom designed with your logo, artwork and an attractive offer to ensure a positive return on your investment! Their envelope is mailed to 50,000 homes in Porter County 8 times per year.
Beckie Guffin has been a resident of Porter County since 1989 and owner of Direct Mail ADvantage. She services all of Porter County and helps businesses build awareness about their product and services with affordable direct mail.
Rise Shine and Share-Success in 60 Series
Date: November 9th, 7:30am-8:30am-Central Time @ Portage Best Western
The Rise, Shine and Share will continue with the Success in 60 Series featuring Larry Galler. This session will teach you how to elevate your staff by hiring better, training better, motivating and inspiring them to greatness.
MidWeek Mingle
The monthly MidWeek Mingle is a laid back networking event. This event allows Chamber Members to meet each other in a relaxed atmosphere. The Mingle is traditionally held at a Chamber restaurant with drinks being available for purchase. If you are interested in hosting a MidWeek Mingle, please contact the Chamber office.
Upcoming Mingles:
November 29th at Best Western Plus Portage
Register Online
State of the Chamber Luncheon
Join Chamber representatives and the community at the State of the Chamber Luncheon on November 16th at Woodland Park from 11:30a-1p. This Luncheon will provide a recap of the past year in the Chamber as well as the opportunity to learn about the goals of the Chamber in 2018. The State of the Chamber Luncheon will feature the presentation of the 2018 slate of Board Members.
Register Online
Annual Awards Banquet
The Annual Chamber Awards Banquet will be held at Woodland Park on November 18, 2017. This evening will recognize businesses and individuals for their time and dedication to the Portage community.
*NEW* This year dinner will feature a choice of Prime Rib, Chicken, or Vegetarian plate plus we will have an open bar for the entire evening. The cost for the Awards Banquet will be $75 per person or $700 per table of 10. Register Online
Chamber Office Closed
The Chamber office will be closed for the Thanksgiving Holiday on Thursday, November 23rd and Friday, November 24th.
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Community News
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Veterans Day Concert
Miller's Senior Living
Willowcreek Middle School Choir students will be at Miller's Senior Living on Friday, November 10th at 12:30pm. This event is open to the public.
Board Seeks Community Member
Portage Township Education Foundation
As a Portage community member, you have an exciting opportunity to support the Portage Township Schools! Consider becoming a Board Member for the Portage Township Education Foundation! The Portage Township Education Foundation provides funds for the Portage Township School (PTS) employees who submit grants. These grants provide unique learning experiences for students which are not able to be funded through the typical school budget. The funding for these grants largely comes through our fundraising efforts. Please send your name, email, phone and occupation to the Portage Township Education Foundation (PTEF) at [email protected]. We hope you can join us!
November Events at Bonner Senior Center
Bonner Senior Center
The Bonner Senior center is open Monday-Friday 8a-4p and is located at 5800 Lexington Ave in Portage. To see a schedule of November events, please click here. A calendar of the November menu can be found here.
Special Christmas Offering for Non-Profits
Real Life Community Church
Real Life Community Church, in its mission to Love God, Love People and Serve the World, is seeking out local non-profit charities to partner with. Annually, Real Life donates funds taken during a special Christmas offering, to local and world-wide charities. We plan to give away a total of $30,000.00 to local charities this December 2017. Real Life will consider all applications that meet the qualifications below, however, Partnerships will be chosen based on a number of factors by members and staff of Real Life Community Church. More information
Working together to make a difference in the Ptg. Twp. Community
Portage Township Park Department
Brendan Clancy, Portage Township Trustee and Aqua Indiana work together to make a difference in the South Haven Community.
A partnership that has continued to grow and make a difference in the lives of Portage Township children and families has just taken another step forward as  representatives from Aqua Foundation Inc. presented a $1000.00 check to Brendan Clancy, Portage Township Trustee and Jessica Bailey, President of Friends of Portage Township Foundation Inc. earlier this week.
Aqua's involvement with Portage Township Parks includes their participation in the park's 'Team Up 2 Clean Up' event which takes place each year in April. Not only do volunteers perform cleaning and beautification tasks at the Township's South Haven parks but they also reach out into the community and have completed projects for the Boys & Girls Club, South Haven Little League, and even cleaning a 2 mile stretch of McCool Road.
Indiana Tourism Bureau Encourages Organizations to Apply
Indiana Dunes Tourism is offering grant money to people and groups who plan to bring visitors into the county by building new attractions or by organizing festivals, events, meetings, conventions, or sports tournaments during 2018.
Grants are available to for-profit, nonprofit, and government entities.
A total of $50,000 is available to be awarded in 2018. Indiana Dunes Tourism, the official tourism bureau of Porter County, is specifically looking to support endeavors that will bring visitors from outside of the Lake, Porter, and LaPorte County areas, fill hotel rooms, and have a positive economic impact on local businesses and attractions.
In 2017, Indiana Dunes Tourism awarded grants to Gears of Hope Duneland Tour, Fish-On Annual Outdoor Show, Indiana Dunes Birding Festival, Taltree Acorn Concert Series, Northern Amateur Golf Tournament, Prairie Music Fest, Chesterton European Market, and many others.
The grants can be used for such things as construction of new attractions, as well as advertising, printing, and promotional expenses that bring visitors to Porter County and encourage overnight stays. The funds can also be used to develop brochures, websites, and other tools that encourage visitation.
Those interested in the 2018 grant program should visit:
indianadunes.com/grants
.
Old Glory, the Compelling Story of Our Flag
Edmonds & Evans
Edmonds & Evans will be sponsoring an event at the Bonner Senior Center on November 10th at 10:30am entitled Old Glory. All in attendance will receive a mini-US flag. This event is open to the public.
Blood Drive
Miller's Senior Living
The American Red Cross Blood Mobile will be at Miller's Senior Living for anyone interested in donating blood on Wednesday, November 15th from 9a-12p. Please RSVP to Kim Walters at 219-764-0628.
Miller's Senior Living Community
Miller's Senior Living Community offers FREE Senior Zumba Gold Classes for everyone! These classes are offered every Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday in the Main Lobby at 10:45 am. The Zumba Gold class is taught by a certified YMCA instructor. All are invited to attend.
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Community Education
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Dollars and Sense Program
Modern Woodman Fraternal Financial
Dollars and Sense Financial Literacy Program is designed for kids from elementary through high school, our online educational platform helps your child establish good savings and spending habits at an early age.
Every child that signs up through his or her school, athletic team, or church, will be able to take a financial literacy quiz every year they are in school from kindergarten through 12
th
grade. Every year they take the quiz, Modern Woodmen will pay them $20 just for taking the quiz. In addition to the money they receive every year from Modern Woodmen, we will donate $50 per kid to the team, school, or church they sign up with. If you are interested in learning more or incorporating these programs please contact Alex Ferreira at 219.851.5732 or [email protected]
FAFSA Fridays
United Way of Porter County
United Way of Porter County has partnered with three community partners to provide free FAFSA filing services beginning
Friday, October 13
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Known as FAFSA Fridays, the program offers services at two Porter County locations October through April on the second Friday of each month. The program is available thanks to a partnership with Valparaiso University, Neighbors' Educational Opportunities and Indiana Tech.
"As I conversed with parents sending their children off to college, we saw a need to assist them in getting the financial support they needed to do so," said Kim Olesker, president & CEO of United Way of Porter County. "We are grateful to our partners for joining us in this effort." This opportunity is open to all seeking assistance to file their college financial aid paperwork. Participation is by appointment only. Participants should bring a hard copy of their 2015 income tax information, including W2, and the student's social security number with them to the appointment. Appointments are approximately 30 minutes long and available from 2 to 4:30 p.m. Program locations are United Way of Porter County in Valparaiso and Neighbors' Educational Opportunities in Portage. For more information about FAFSA Fridays and to make an appointment, visit UnitedWayPC.org/FAFSA.
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Business News
New President/CEO
Porter-Starke Services
The Board of Directors of Porter-Starke Services is proud to announce that Matthew J. Burden,Ph.D., has accepted the position of President/CEO effective
December 29, 2017
.
Burden, who has an extensive academic background in psychology and cognitive neuroscience research related to public health matters, has many years of executive experience in community mental health, serving as Executive Director/CEO at Swanson Center since 2009. He also currently
serves as a Board Member for the Indiana Council of Community Mental Health Centers.
"I'm honored and excited to accept this position and will work to build upon the positive legacy the organization has established," said Burden. "With comprehensive in
patient and outpatient behavioral health services as well as primary care, Porter-Starke Services is well-positioned to continue to provide high-quality healthcare services to the residents of Northwest Indiana.
Current President/CEO, Rocco Schiralli, will remain with Porter-Starke as Chief Strategy Officer and take a leadership role in strategic planning for the organization.
Attorney Kenneth J. Allen Ensures Safe Before/After School Care
Boys & Girls Club of Porter County
Northwest Indiana and Chicagoland Injury Attorney Kenneth J. Allen, for a second year, donated $10,000 to the Porter County Boys & Girls Club Kidstop program which provides safe and affordable after school childcare for area families. The Kidstop programs allows parents to work or attend school while knowing their children are safe and is currently offered in nine schools in three school systems throughout Porter County.
Kidstop engages youths in fun activities while supporting personal development focusing on academic success, good character and citizenship, and living healthy lifestyles. This is accomplished through targeted Club activities and caring, capable staff who forge relationships with young people and influence their ability to succeed in life.
Providing financial stability for a family often involves finding affordable childcare. And, finding affordable childcare is often an insurmountable challenge for many families in Porter County, forcing many parents to choose between paying for childcare and leaving their child home alone after school.
Program Director seeks members and hosts
United Way AmeriCorps
The United Way of Porter County has named Maddie Grimm Director of the United Way AmeriCorps program serving Lake, Porter, LaPorte and Marshall Counties.
Grimm will lead a team
 of 46 members annually to meet community need by offering support services to area schools and nonprofits. The 2017-18 AmeriCorps program year has begun and Grimm is looking for members to participate. AmeriCorps members serve as K-12 tutors in area schools, high school career advisors and non-profit capacity builders. AmeriCorps members gain new skills and experiences while meeting critical needs in. Program placements run now through June 2018 depending upon placement. Applicants must be 18 years or older and a U.S. Citizen or permanent resident. All ages are welcomed to apply. Full-time, part-time and minimum-time positions are available. Each placement offers a stipend and an education award that can be used for past, current and future education debt. Some participants may even qualify for student loan deferment during their service term. Nonprofits and schools interested in being a host site will need to provide a service plan and share placement costs. To apply to become a member or host site, contact Maddie Grimm at (219) 464-3583 or
[email protected]
. To learn more, visit UnitedWayPC.org/AmeriCorps.
The Pangere Corporation Selected as General Contractor
The Pangere Corporation
The Pangere Corporation was selected by Community Healthcare System as the General Contractor for the construction of a new Stroke and Rehabilitation Center. Along with its team of 38 subcontractors and its many supplies, the Pangere team will be constructing a four-story, 129,000 square-foot, multi-specialty facility to be located in Crown Point, IN. Pangere will self-perform all the carpentry work and the erection of the building steel structure. The architect for this project is Design Alliance. The new facility will feature inpatient rehabilitation treatment, along with physician practices, outpatient services, and immediate care for family health and wellness.
Read More
Ran Taylor Honored by Fundera
Boost Mobile
Ran Taylor of
Boost Mobile has been honored by Fundera as an ambitious, hard working entrepreneur that has reached success and given back to his community at the same time.
"Ran Taylor always had a passion for business and business development so when he learned of the opportunity to own a Boost Mobile store he saw the chance to help people save money, spend better and have fun doing so.
Owning a business has come with many challenges for Taylor with the lack of support from the community and trouble securing a business loan. Taylor knew to be successful he has to work twice as hard and network with twice as many people in the community.
He believes in the community even when it seems like the support is lacking he said, "Without your community backing you, you can find yourself out of business just as quick as you got into the business. If and when you put the customers and our communities need first your business will succeed automatically."
Taylor said he hopes his business will leave a legacy of inspiring others that they too can be successful like him even without business loans, partners or a college degree."
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Business Education
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Build the Staff that Builds YOUR Business
Greater Portage Chamber of Commerce
Date: November 9th, 7:30am-8:30am-Central Time @ Portage Best Western
The Rise, Shine and Share will continue with the Success in 60 Series featuring Larry Galler. This session will teach you how to elevate your staff by hiring better, training better, motivating and inspiring them to greatness.
Apps Unleashed: Grow Your Business Using Just Your Phone
SCORE
Date: November 16th, 1pm Eastern Time
With a smartphone or tablet you've got an incredibly powerful computer, communication device and online marketing tool... in your pocket! There are hundreds of free (or very inexpensive) apps at your disposal that can drive sales, improve communication with your customers, and market your business.
Join Ron Cates, digital marketing icon and renowned app expert, as he highlights and discusses the following:
Must-have apps (including both the newest and the obscure gems you've never heard of),
How to use apps for maximum impact,
How to utilize apps in conjunction with your other marketing efforts to magnify results.
Note: This session is designed for EVERYONE. "Beginners" will not feel lost, but "power-users" will still learn something new.
Register Online
4 Ways to Market Your Business Locally
SCORE
Date: November 21st, 1pm Eastern
Need tips on how to make your small business stand out in your neighborhood? Get insider marketing tips and inspiration from Amanda Brinkman, Chief Brand Officer at Deluxe and creator and co-host of the acclaimed series, "Small Business Revolution - Main Street."
In this webinar, you'll learn how small businesses like yours have reignited the spark that drives their success. Whether you own a brick and mortar business or operate out of your home, you'll learn how to:
Create a website with purpose to generate more sales,
Increase your odds of getting found online in local directories,
Cost-effectively connect with your most valuable customers,
Build an identity to match your unique story Register Online
5 Marketing Moves You Can Make Now To Increase Your 2018
SCORE
Date: Thursday, November 30th, 1pm Eastern
2017 is nearly over and smart business people are already looking ahead to the next year. They're making investments, planning out their next moves and creating strategies to grow both sales and profits in the months ahead. Hopefully, you're doing the same.
In this webinar, nationally-recognized CRM expert Gene Marks will share the marketing moves these successful people are doing right now to profit next year, including:
Investing in customer relationship management: What apps they're using and what pitfalls they're avoiding.
Creating more online content: The best practices for starting your own video or podcast series.
Revisiting their website and social media: The latest SEO and advertising tools and how they're working with consultants.
Moving towards marketing automation: The latest marketing automation technologies and how they're generating leads.
Establishing metrics: How data is driving their decision making and what metrics are most useful.
And, you'll walk away with great ideas and concrete strategies for creating a 2018 marketing plan specifically for your business. Register Online
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Activities and Promotions
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