Wells County Chamber of Commerce Monthly Newsletter
#WeLoveOurMembers
Helping You Lead the Way
January Member of the Month:
Karing for Kids Nets January Honor

Karing for Kids originally started by Cathy Gossett in Logansport, Indiana, to honor the memory of her daughter. In 2003, Tim and Rhonda were asked by their church to take $50 and grow the Kingdom of God in 90 days and that is when they learned about Cathy’s mission and the reasoning behind it. The O’Reilly’s were touched by the mission and purpose of the organization. “Cathy lost her teenage daughter in a car accident and it touched our hearts,” said Rhonda.

A year and a half later Tim and Rhonda tragically lost their teenage daughter in an auto accident as well. “After we lost Jennifer, we knew we needed to carry on in her honor through Karing for Kids,” explained Rhonda. “We started working with the schools asking for referrals; in the beginning we served 176 children and each year it continued to grow.”

Karing for Kids offers three specific missions during the year such as Jennifer’s Closet (providing essential clothing items to families in need); School Supply Project (assists families during back-to-school time with backpacks full of school supplies); and The Blessing Tree Christmas Project (providing essential items as Christmas gifts to area children).

Thank You to Our Gold Member!
Small Business Development Center Resources (SBDC) to Help Your Business

Project Hope is accepting applications. This is a Free service, but you must show the following:

- Be an Indiana SBDC client. (Easy and free process). CLICK HERE TO APPLY.
- Have been in business as of February 15, 2020.
- Be able to demonstrate a negative impact from COVID-19.
- Identify a project that will improve the business’ capacity to respond to COVID-19.

Small Business Development Center was awarded CARES Act funding to help provide more services to small businesses impacted by COVID

Free services are available to help with Marketing, Social Media, Linkedin, Accounting/Bookkeeping, and Small Business Strategizing. Contact Billie at wunderlb@pfw.edu or 481-0494 to schedule a meeting.
First Loans for New PPP Borrowers
Businesses that have not previously received a PPP loan may apply for a first-PPP loan. Note that the rules and eligibility requirements for new, first PPP loans are different than those for second draw PPP loans.

You may be eligible to apply for a PPP Loan for the first time if you:
  • are a business, certain type of non-profit organization, housing cooperative, veterans’ organization, tribal business, self-employed individual, sole proprietor, independent contractor, or small agricultural co-operatives;
  • employ not more than 500 employees or qualify under other SBA rules;
  • have not previously received a PPP loan

Refer to SBA Rules for more information on eligibility requirements. You can apply until March 31, 2021.

Contact your Financial Institution for additional information.
Do you need a Masks Required sign for your door?
Download your sign HERE
Thank You to Our Gold Member!
Daniel Barger
726 W US Highway 224, Uniondale
260.227.3202
dbarger@dbb.com

Amanda Burman
937.212.8393
amanda@burmanphotography.com

Rock Creek Stone Quarry
Jason Fiechter
781 N 500 W, Bluffton
260.273.1851
fffarming@yahoo.com
Thank You to Our Gold Member!
Thank You to Our Gold Member!
Invitations for the Annual Dinner will be Mailed First of March
REGISTRATION IS OPEN FOR JIM O'DONNELL
Breakfast Will be Provided
$10.00 - Chamber Members
$12.00 - General Admission
Microsoft Excel Trainings Being Offered
Beginning, Intermediate and Advanced Classes
Wednesday, May 19 and Thursday, May 20
8am to 12pm Both Days

Wednesday, June 2 and Thursday, June 3
8am to 12pm Both Days

Tuesday, June 22 and Wednesday, June 23
8am to 12pm Both Days
Wells County Leadership Academy
Applications Being Accepted for the
2021-2022 Year
Deadline: June 11th

WHO SHOULD PARTICIPATE?
Anyone who wants to improve their leadership skills, develop stronger communication skills, and focus on creating a network of peer-mentor-business relationships. Our desire is that these individuals would then make a life-long commitment to community service, mentor new leaders, and make a positive impact in the workplace.

As an employer are you looking for a leadership training program for your employees?
 
As a working professional, do you need a program that will enhance your career, teach you principles of leadership and help make a difference in Wells County?
 
YOUR SOLUTION...the Wells County Leadership Academy offers participants solutions to the fast-paced ever-changing needs of business and industry in the 21st century.


Please contact Erin Prible at 260.824.0510 ext. 2 or eprible@wellscoc.com for questions or additional information.
Thank You to Our Gold Member!
HomeCourt Home Care is Home
New Location Celebrated with a Ribbon Cutting
The Wells County Chamber of Commerce staff and Ambassadors welcomed HomeCourt Home Care to their new location at 124 Oak Forest Drive in Bluffton with a Ribbon Cutting celebration. Owners, Heath and Lindsay Gentis opened the business in 2017 and continues to grow primarily focusing on Wells, Adams, and Huntington counties.

Much has changed in the three years since the business opened in 2017. HomeCourt Home Care, a family-owned, family-run business, started in a 700 square foot space employing 15 Caregivers. As the need started to rise in offering high-quality care for aging people in the community, the company grew.

Space became available offering 1,800 square feet, 5 offices, a conference room, and a kitchen. “We slightly renovated the space by painting, adding a reception area, new flooring, and lighting upgrades,” explained Lindsay. “We wanted the front area to be welcoming and inviting for individuals walking in. We now employ 75 Caregivers and have 5 office staff and continue to double each year in the hours of care we provide to clients.”

Mike Vanover and Local Leaders Deliver Meals to
First Responders in Bluffton
Meals will be provided to public safety workers at the Bluffton Police Department, the Bluffton Fire Department, and the Wells County Sheriff’s Department. The Frontline Fridays team includes Michael Vanover, Josh Hunt, Travis Holdman, Taylor Vanover, Kyle Kerley, and others who are partnering to financially and logistically support this effort.

Marjorie Stephens, President and CEO of the BBB Serving Northern Indiana added, “We hope that through this effort, we are able to help keep local businesses strong and thank our frontline workers. We will continue to make available the GoFundMe site to help frontline workers and our local restaurants who support them.”

Thank You to Our Gold Member!
Thank You to Our Gold Member!
Community Events
Click on any event for more information
Thank You to Our Gold Member!