Wells County Chamber of Commerce Monthly Newsletter
#WeLoveOurMembers
Together We Are Stronger
August Member of the Month:
Apache Propane Honored

Apache Propane has been in business since 2004. Keifer explained that for three years they had storage tanks on several farms to do their business. “Franklin Electric had several tanks on site as back-ups, but never used them; therefore, we were able to purchase the tanks and start growing.”
In 2007 Keifer and Ringger built the shop located on Lancaster Street. Apache Propane is locally owned and operated with over 50 years of experience in the industry. The service area includes all area counties and expands to Michigan, south of Indiana to Richmond and any county in Indiana that touches Ohio. Apache Propane serves residential, commercial and agriculture needs.

Apache Propane’s residential propane services offers a variety of tank types, sizes and installation, products, and accessories. The commercial side of Apache Propane can offer an on-site refueling station service for companies with larger lift truck fuel needs. In addition, during the winter temporary heat service can be offered to construction crews by supplying the job site with tanks, fuel, a variety of heaters, hose assemblies and other accessories.

“We want to provide a variety of options for our customers and deliver the best service we can,” Keifer said. “We are not ones to sit in the office, we are out there working for our customers and on-site, which I think separates us from others.”

The Indiana Small Business Development Center and Indiana University Kelley School for Business Have Partnered Together on Project Hope
 
The Indiana SBDC and Indiana University Kelley School of Business have partnered together on Project Hope to offer support in long term economic recovery. Businesses who have been impacted by Covid19 and would like to establish or enhance their online presence could work with students and or recent graduate interns over a two week timeframe. There is no cost for the businesses to participate.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION OF NORTHEAST INDIANA OFFERING COVID-19 RECOVERY LOANS

The CDC has been awarded a grant through the CARES Act, from the US Dept. of Commerce's Economic Development Adminstration to assist businesses in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. Some of the key features of the program are:
  • Loans from $30,000 to $300,000
  • Inventory and working capital
  • Low interest rate
  • Fixed term
  • Application and commitment fees waived

Features that expire May 6, 2021:
  • Application may be made without bank turn-down letter
  • Reduced interest rate : 2% for first twenty-four months
  • Borrower meed to leverage additional capital

*Initial payment deferments may be available on a case-by-case basis
Contact Cheryl Blackman with Community Development Corporation
260.427.2108
Cheryl.Blackman@cityoffortwayne.org
www.cdcnein.org

SBA 504 interest rates remain at all time lows!
504 and 504 Refinance Rates
10 Year: 2.40%
20 Year: 2.21%
25 Year: 2.27?
SBA Now Accepting New Applications for COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loans

Small businesses, private non-profits and agricultural businesses impacted by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, can still apply for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan. EIDL proceeds can be used to cover a wide array of working capital and normal operating expenses, such as continuation to health care benefits, rent, utilities and fixed debt payments.
Thank You to Our Gold Member!
Jen Miller
755 N Main St, Bluffton
260.824.1410
info@blufftonustor.com
Storage Units

Gary Short
107 N Jefferson St, Ossian
260.622.4196
heyerlysbakery@gmail.com
Bakery, Dessert Shop
Thank You to Our Gold Member!
Thank You to Our Gold Member!
33RD ANNUAL CHAMBER GOLF EXPO
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE THAT PARTICIPATED, DONATED, SPONSORED AND VOLUNTEERED!
RECORD-BREAKING EVENT!

Lunch n' Learn Via Zoom
Wednesday, September 30, 2020
12:00pm to 1:00pm
No Fee to Attend

Creative Conversations
Transcending Divides through Creative Conversations: How can communities use communication to encourage collaborative problem solving across diverse interests and concerns?

Dr. Sara Drury’s interactive lecture will directly engage the history of Indiana as a crossroads of America, a place where there have always been boundaries-geographic, demographic, socioeconomic - that seem to separate our communities. The question at the heart of the presentation is whether these histories and communities are as divided as they may seem.
 
Over the course of the session, participants will learn: 
·    some of this history
·    examine divides in their everyday lives
·    weigh what values they hold in common or in tension with other Hoosiers
·    and deliberate different ideas and pathways forward
 
This type of conversation will leave participants with new skills for understanding and working together to address public problems.
FIELDS OF GRACE TURNS 2!!
2 YEAR ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11TH

COFFEE starts at 7am
Serious Breakfast Blend, Walnut Roast, Salted Caramel, Butterscotch & Caramel Hazelnut are a few brews that will be available. Also 2 french press options!
Tables set up for you to sit and enjoy coffee and breakfast! The quiche is AMAZING!
Who's coming? Be sure to respond to the event
UNITED WAY OF WELLS COUNTY PAPERLESS CAMPAIGN

The United Way of Wells County has announced that they are running a paperless campaign this year. If your company would like to run a United Way campaign, please email Pamela Beckford at pamela@unitedwaywells.org.

Or if you would like to contribute to the campaign as an individual, you can do that at unitedwaywells.org. This year's campaign video features a virtual bus tour of some programs - see below.
WELCOME TO THE OSB TEAM ~ CASEY AND DOUG!

Casey Robbins has joined Ossian State Bank as Mortgage Loan Officer. Casey was born and raised in Waterloo, Iowa, and has spent the last ten years living in Denver, Colorado. He and his wife, Nicole, recently moved from Colorado to the Bluffton area to be closer to family. Casey received his residential mortgage license in 2017, and has been originating home loans ever since. In his free time, Casey enjoys playing golf, fishing, and rooting for his favorite sports teams – the Chicago Cubs and Iowa Hawkeyes. Casey is excited to help with any of your mortgage needs, and is available for appointments at either of the bank’s locations in Ossian or Bluffton. He can be reached on his cell, 260-296-0562, at the bank, 260-622-4141 x 21, or by email, crobbins@ossianstatebank.com.

Doug Kaehr has joined Ossian State Bank as Vice President & CFO.  He has thirty-five years of experience in the financial industry including accounting positions at manufacturers and wholesalers, client relationship and credit portfolio management positions at both large and small asset-based lending firms, and a commercial credit underwriting role at a national bank. Doug obtained his B.S. degree in Accounting from Indiana University-Fort Wayne. He has been a Wells County resident for much of his life, and resides in Ossian, IN with his wife Tamara. His contact information at the bank is (260) 622-4141 ext.14, or dkaehr@ossianstatebank.com.
WELCOME ANGIE COMMENT TO METROPOLITAN TITLE IN BLUFFTON

Angie Comment is the newest manager of the Bluffton Metropolitan Title. She grew up in Decatur, Indiana and graduated from Bellmont High School in 1999. Angie attended IPFW after graduating high school, and took a position in 2003 at one of the largest title companies in the state. In 2016, she made the move to Indiana’s Title Company, Metropolitan Title and, in 2019, transferred to the Bluffton office to be closer to her home in Preble.
Angie has been in the title industry for 17 years and is always interested in learning new things and helping others. She has been married for over 10 years and has 5 children to keep her busy outside of working life. She enjoys spending time with her children, playing games and cooking with them after work.
LED BILLBOARD SPOTS AVAILABLE NOW IN WELLS COUNTY!
RAM Advertising currently has billboards available in Wells County and South Allen County for your business. Rates as low as $500 month to have your ad seen by thousands a day!
All of our Static Billboards are well lit for 24/7 Visibility!

and see what works for you!
NEW LOCATION...SAME GREAT SERVICE!
Shari Tomac with Farmers Insurance moved her office to 122 LaMar St, Ste 116 (located behind DQ).
Watch the attached video message from Shari.

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.
NEW! NEW! NEW!....AND EXCITING!
Grant's Catering & Smokin' Wheels BBQ, formally known as Wedding Dreams by Linda featuring Grant's Catering, changed their name and added a food truck to their offerings. The new website address is now: http://grantscatering.com.
CALLING ALL ARTISTS!
The Creative Arts Council is looking for local artists to display their fall themed artwork in the Balentine Gallery at the Arts, Commerce & Visitors Centre.

The exhibit will run from September 16th through October 31st.
If interested in participating, please bring 1-3 pieces to the Creative Arts Office by Monday, September 14th. Artwork will be hung on Tuesday, September 15th.
If you have any questions, please call at 260-824-5222.
Woodforest National Bank Celebrates 40 Years

The Wells County Chamber of Commerce staff congratulated Woodforest National Bank employees, located inside the store of Walmart in Bluffton, and Walmart employees celebrating 40 years of community banking service. Woodforest National Bank has successfully stood among the strongest community banks in the nation, proudly offering outstanding customer service since 1980. Woodforest currently operates over 700 branches in 17 states across the United States and is an Outstanding CRA rated institution. For more information about Woodforest National Bank, please visit www.woodforest.com.
Nurse owned healthcare business implements succession plan effective September 1
Fort Wayne, Indiana, August 24, 2020– Dorian Maples, RN, BA, CMC, Aging Life Care Professional ® - President of Dorian Maples & Associates (DM&A), would like to announce that there has been an informal succession plan that will now be implemented. Ruth Force, MS, LSW, CMC, Aging Life Care Professional ®-Director has formed Force Care Coordination +, LLC and will be transitioning the care management of DM&A’s clients to her new business. It will be effective September 1.
Dorian and Ruth have worked together in both home care and care management for almost twenty years in northeast Indiana. Katherine Thompson BSW, SSD, CMC currently with DM&A as Life Care Coordinator, will be joining Ruth on this exciting adventure.
Dorian Maples, RN, BA, CMC will continue advocating for Elders in her retirement.
YOUR ADVENTURE AWAITS
Join Scouting
Boys & Girls Grades K – Age 17
To Find out more …Plan to attend
Scouting Information Meeting
Thursday September 17  6:00 p.m.
Wells County 4-H Park (Cook House)
www.BEASCOUT.org   260 273-2711
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!
Craigville Appliance
Grant's Catering & Smokin' Wheels BBQ