Wells County Chamber of Commerce Monthly Newsletter
#WeLoveOurMembers
Together We Are Stronger
July Member of the Month:
Chamber Recognizes Achieva Salon & Spa

Achieva Salon & Spa has been in downtown Bluffton for 62 years. Angie’s grandfather originally opened it as a barber shop; however, 25 years ago Harris and Leas bought the business and changed the name to Achieva Salon & Spa. Harris has been working at the business for 34 years and Leas for 30 years.

“Times certainly have changed,” stated Harris. “Our staff size was smaller and all we did were haircuts, color, perming and waxing. We still have clients today that have been with us from the beginning and comment about how much the business has grown. It has been very exciting to see those changes over the years.”

Today, Achieva Salon & Spa is one of the largest salons in the area offering a wide variety of services from haricuts, styling, waxing, eyebrow tinting, paraffin dips, specialty coloring, massage therapy, manicures, and pedicures. “Our future goals are to bring in an Esthetician and expand Microblading services, “said Leas.

Expanding services requires more space and attracting more talent to the business for the specialty services Achieva Salon & Spa offers. “We have to thank our outstanding landlord, Ben Jones, for helping us with our space and building needs,” explained Leas. “He will do anything for us and has helped to make improvements cosmetically including doubling our space size. Over seven years ago we added a manicure and pedicure room, massage therapy room, and a storage area.”

COVID-19 Small Business Relief Grant Program for WELLS COUNTY HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO AUGUST 14
 
Wells County is pleased to announce the COVID-19 Small Business Relief Grant Program to support Wells County's small business community during the pandemic.

This program is designed to provide short-term gap funding for operating expenses our small businesses may be needing to remain open and maintain their staffing. Recipients are asked to help support our #ShopLocal #ShopWells initiatives after receiving funds as a way to give back.

DEADLINE TO SUBMIT THE APPLICATION IS NOW AUGUST 14TH AT 4:30PM.
NIPSCO: FLEXIBLE OPTIONS AND ASSISTANCE FUNDS AVAILABLE BEYOND EXPIRATION OF STATEWIDE MORATORIUM ON AUGUST 14
 
With the statewide moratorium on disconnecting electric and natural gas service during the COVID-19 pandemic scheduled to end August 14, NIPSCO is committed to assisting and providing its most flexible payment plan options to help those in need.

NIPSCO voluntarily suspended late payment charges and shutoffs for nonpayment in response to the COVID-19 pandemic for all customers beginning in early March, prior to the moratorium. And, although the number of customers who are behind on their bill is less than last year at this same time, the amount owed by some customers has accumulated and there are many who still need help.

“For those who may still be facing financial hardships due to COVID-19 or other reasons, assistance is available now and after the moratorium, to help them manage their energy bills,” said Nick Meyer, NIPSCO vice president of communications and external affairs. “Our goal is to ensure our customers continue having safe, reliable energy after the moratorium lifts and we intend to offer our most flexible payment options suitable for our customers’ individual financial situations.”
PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM DEADLINE APPROACHING
The Paycheck Protection Program is a loan designed to provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their workers on the payroll. SBA will forgive loans if all employee retention criteria are met, and the funds are used for eligible expenses. The deadline to apply for a Paycheck Protection Program loan is August 8, 2020.
FULL LINE OF PPE AVAILABLE FROM J&R PRODUCTS
  • Respirators & N95 Filters
  • Disposable Masks
  • Gloves
  • Safety Glasses
  • Tyvek Suits
Thank You to Our Gold Member!
Bermudez Family
117 W Market St, Bluffton
260.353.1170
americansalvagellc@gmail.com
Vintage Store, Antique Store, Salvage & Reclaim

Foundations of Truth
John Reinhard
113 W Market St, Buffton
260.565.3151
jpreinhard@gmail.com
Ministry, Outreach, Programs, Nonprofit

Jessica Gliha
305 W Nationwide
Columbus, IN
(380) 203-2083
jessica.gliha@geenexsolar.com
Solar Energy, Renewable, Greenfield, Utility Scale

Preston Kaehr
720 E Dustman Rd, Bluffton
(260) 296-0437
info@seniormoneylife.com
Money Management for Senior Adults, Personal Financial Services
Thank You to Our Gold Member!
Thank You to Our Gold Member!
33rd Annual Wells County Chamber of Commerce
Golf Outing

Thursday, August 6, 2020
Timber Ridge Golf Club
ANNUAL CHICKEN BBQ EVENT
2,750 CHICKEN SOLD
23 BBQ SPONSORS
80 VOLUNTEERS
....PRICELESS!

THANK YOU FOR MAKING THIS YEAR A HUGE SUCCESS!
WE APPRECIATE YOU!
State Makes Access to Training Funds Easier!
Due to COVID additional funding has been made available for Workforce Training Programs.

A webinar was held in July explaining the details of the training program. A recording of the webinar is available. Click on the link below.
RIBBON CUTTINGS!
CHAMBER MEMBER RIBBON CUTTING!
Bluffton Animal Clinic
The Wells County Chamber of Commerce staff and Ambassadors welcomed Bluffton Animal Clinic to their new building and location, 1980 North Main Street in Bluffton, with a Ribbon Cutting on June 23, 2020.

Bluffton Animal Clinic opened in 1951 at 979 North Main Street; the building was expanded in the 1970’s. As the practice continued to grow, an additional practice was added in Decatur. Today, there are a total of six veterinarians between the two locations. Dr. Steve Bales said that they had been talking for the past 6 years about expanding and building a new location.

“We have the capability of offering more services to our clients but were limited due to space; it was time to make the next steps happen,” said Dr. Bales. ”The current location was not conducive to the surgeries needed, the space to meet with clients was small, space was tight in all aspects of running the business and it wasn’t built for what we need to do for today.”

Two years ago, they met with a veterinarian architect in the design of the building and in 2019 ground was broke for the new facility. Monday, June 22, 2020 the doors officially opened. “We have the ability now to expand our facilities and have a plan for a second building,” explained Dr. Bales. “A lot of our clients want large animal care and some live two or more hours away. We can definitely serve them better having space here to give the animals the care they need.”

NEW CHAMBER MEMBER RIBBON CUTTING!
Magnolias & Minis

Schwartz stated that she has always loved clothing and enjoys dressing people to look their best. Friends and family would borrow her clothing and always asked her opinion about the style. “This has always been a hobby of mine since High School.”

Schwartz said that when their family was traveling to Tennessee, they stopped at clothing boutiques along the way. “I love to shop and the styles boutiques had to offer; however, it was costing a lot of money. I looked into a wholesale license to save some money but had to order in large quantity and then had a lot of extra clothing to sell.”

The idea of going online and selling the extra stock launched a business for Schwartz who has been selling out of her home for the past year and a half. “I was doing very well, and the plan was to actually open a storefront by 2022,” explained Schwartz.

“My husband, Leander, surprised me when he bought the building in February to open the business,” said Schwartz. “We completely gutted the building and remodeled everything. We moved walls, added flooring, re-wired, added new windows, remodeled the store front, and sealed and striped the parking lot.”


Welcome Collin Campbell to
Treeboy Productions

“My name is Collin Campbell and I am a Marketing Strategist working under Treeboy Productions. I am from Wells County and although I briefly moved to the city after high school, Bluffton and the surrounding area is where I call home. I recently made the jump to Treeboy Productions after seeing the opportunity to help hometown businesses realize their individual goals. A lot of what I do at Treeboy revolves around brand strategy and communication with partners. We want to show the personnel and stories behind your company and connect that to the right customers for your business. We do this by utilizing a talented production team who will capture your story and tailored distribution channels which will ensure that those stories reach the right people at the right time.”
Aqua Blast Corp vs COVID-19, Introduction to our Mister Unit

This Mister can be used with a chemical premixed. The unit is ready to go at the flip of a switch. When you need to clean with a bit more pressure, this unit can be used as a Pressure Washer. It a 2 gallon a minute at 1000 PSI which is great for washing the car or spraying off the house or cleaning the sidewalk or driveway.

Apply the disinfectant solution onto the surface to be treated. Let the product remain on the treated surface for at least 10 minutes and then air dry. The Mixed Solution is good for 48 hours.
Proxitane AHC can be used on:
Schools, colleges, industrial facilities, dietary areas, office buildings, recreational facilities, and retail and pharmaceutical and cosmetic manufacturing facilities, animal hospitals, veterinary clinics, animal life science laboratories, kennels, kennel runs, cages, feeding and watering equipment, pet shops, zoos, pet animal quarters, poultry premises, trucks, hatcheries, and livestock quarters.
Do You Need Cancer Relief?
Or Know Someone That Does?
We are here to help!

Offering financial assistance for those incidentals that insurance does not cover for Wells County cancer patients. All funds raised through local donations, annual golf outing and Gospel Concert/Auction stay local! Call 260-3071074 for assistance.
Isch Named Leader in Banking Excellence – Local
Charles E. Isch, retired president and CEO of First Bank of Berne, is being honored by the Indiana Bankers Association with the IBA Leaders in Banking Excellence award, to be presented at a private ceremony in December in Indianapolis. This award, the Association’s highest honor, celebrates exceptional leaders who have positively impacted Indiana banks and the communities they serve.
Charles retired as president and CEO of First Bank of Berne in 2010 and as a director in 2015. He served his full banking career with the bank, joining in 1964 as a teller. Isch is past president of the Berne Chamber of Commerce and was named Berne Citizen of the Year in 2009. He has served in leadership capacity with organizations including the Muensterberg Plaza and Clock Tower project, Swiss Village Inc., Berne Community Development Corp. and Habitat for Humanity. Isch twice served on the board of the Indiana Bankers Association and once on the board of the Community Bankers Association of Indiana, which later merged with the IBA. He is a graduate of International Business College, completed the Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin and is a member of the IBA 40 Year Club.
At the upcoming awards event, Indiana dignitaries from private and public sectors will be making presentations, and honorees will have the opportunity to offer comments. Additionally, participants will be invited to visit the IBA offices to view the Leaders in Banking Excellence wall, with plaques showcasing each honoree to remain on permanent display. Each honoree is to receive a keepsake plaque at the awards ceremony.
The 2020 Leaders in Banking Excellence represent a range of current and retired leaders in
banking. All were nominated by IBA members and approved unanimously by the IBA Board of Directors.
Congratulations to the 2020 class of IBA Leaders in Banking Excellence:
George L. Allison, Owen County State Bank, Spencer
Craig M. Dwight, Horizon Bank, Michigan City
Clay W. Ewing, German American Bank, Jasper
Charles E. Isch, First Bank of Berne
Gene E. Miles, First Farmers Bank & Trust, Converse
Larry W. Myers, First Savings Bank, Jeffersonville
John W. Tanselle, SmithAmundsen LLC, Indianapolis
Ryan M. Warner, Bippus State Bank, Huntington
David G. Wihebrink, Logansport Savings Bank
NOW AVAILABLE
Customized Cornhole Sets
Our cornhole sets can be customized with graphics featuring things like your companies logo, or you can choose from one of our in stock patriotic designs.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO TAKE A
CRUISE TO ALASKA?
Be a part of a first-ever excursion through the Chamber, partnering with member Rochester Travel, as we travel to Alaska in 2021. Many are signing up and excited to travel to this awesome destination.

Bookings can be made until December 2020.
Thank You to Our Gold Member!
Community Events
Click on any event for more information
HOW IT WORKS:
Member businesses provide a discount to other Chamber Members when they show their membership card.

WHY IT WORKS:
The Member2Member provides value to all participating Chamber Members by offering them a discount on goods and services, while also driving new customers to YOUR business.

HOW TO ENROLL:
Thank You to Our Gold Member!
Thank You to Our Silver Members!