Wells County Chamber of Commerce Monthly Newsletter
#WeLoveOurMembers
Helping You Lead the Way
February Member of the Month:
Chamber Celebrates Clean Fuels National as February Member of the Month

Michael, his father Kash and brother Gregg, started Clean Fuels as a tank cleaning business for the ag industry. “We cleaned farm tractors, grain trucks, fuel oil tanks, and anything that held fuel,” stated Michael. “We were able to offer a solution to a problem people didn’t know they had with dirty tanks and microorganisms growing in them, which led to fuel being contaminated and running through expensive equipment.”

Within three years the business started to expand into the retail market pushing hard with the gas stations locally and within the region. “We would assess the fuel storage tanks and found many were leaking, dirty, amongst many other things, which in turn, contaminates the fuel we put in our vehicles,” explained Michael. “Once we identified the cause and could help gas stations, our business increased in the mid-west substantially.”

Their work took them on the road for a year servicing tanks and growing the business. Vanover stated they worked with local and state governments and different environmental agencies to identify and rectify the contamination issues.

Thank You to Our Gold Member!
The SBA put together a matrix that compares the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) and the COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) eligibility. This matrix is designed to help you decide what is best for your small business.

Do you need a Masks Required sign for your door?
Download your sign HERE
Thank You to Our Gold Member!
CACHE Properties
Alan Gunkel
122 Lamar St, Bluffton
260.417.4960
agunkle@natloil.com

Lance Diffendarfer
3010 Butler Ridge Pkwy, Fort Wayne
260.436.7510
lance.diffendarfer@pauldavis.com

Kaleb Dienelt
3003 Ryan Rd, New Haven
260.245.2510
kaleb@relianceio.com

Thank You to Our Gold Member!
Thank You to Our Gold Member!
Invitations for the Annual Dinner will be Mailed March 8th
REGISTRATION IS OPEN FOR JIM O'DONNELL
Breakfast Will be Provided
$10.00 - Chamber Members
$12.00 - General Admission
RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED
Click HERE to RSVP Your Attendance
SAVE THE DATE FOR NEXT LUNCH AND LEARN:
Marketing Your Business Through Social Media & How to Engage Customers

Tuesday, April 13th
Noon to 1pm
Dr. Josh Bell, with Corrective Chiropractic, will provide best practices for how to promote your business on social media, building your client base, the value of a lead, and how to keep customers engaged.

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
Limited Seating....RSVP today!
Email Erin to reserve your seat: eprible@wellscoc.com or call 824-0510 ext. 2.
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!
Photography Business Opens in Bluffton
The Wells County Chamber of Commerce staff and Ambassadors welcomed a new business to downtown Bluffton, Burman Photography, located at 209 West Market Street. Burman Photography is located in the second level of the newly renovated building.

Nathan and Steve Stauffer recently purchased the building and started to renovate the upstairs with the original intent of housing apartments. Soon after the purchase of the building, Nathan received requests from area photographers to house studios for their businesses. The Stauffer’s started to transition the space and within six months fixing water leaks, removing carpet, sanding the wood flooring, installing an HVAC, fixing walls and painting, opening up the windows, removing plaster on the walls and ceiling, and upgrading the electrical and plumbing.

Amanda Burman commended the Stauffer’s for involving them in the process to make sure the space would be feasible to serve their needs. “We needed a creative home space for our businesses because we have had to travel to other towns to take photos. This allows us to give the full-on experience for clients. In addition, when clients come from out of town, I can have them experience our community by visiting the area businesses. This is a way to bring a community together.”
A hobby that started over eight years ago became a business reality for Amanda Burman. Inspired by her own children to capture those moments starting when they were newborns led to bigger opportunities. “As I learned more about photography and running a side-business, the income on the side helped to pay for expenses, such as my husband going to Grad School,” explained Burman. “I was still teaching full-time, but the intent was to set goals and open my own business within ten years.”

Ind Brow Designer Celebrates a Ribbon Cutting
Ind Brow Designer offers a tattooing technique in which a small handheld tool is used to create a semi-permanent pigment to the skin. Oswalt has been experienced in this technique for over a year.

Oswalt stated she has always wanted to own and run her own business; having an overall say in the direction of the business, offer products and services unique to her. “When this location became available, I knew it was time to branch out on my own and offer a service that is not very common in the area.”

The stand-alone building is enough space to grow the business. Oswalt said her sister, Madison Oswalt, will be joining her in a couple of months and will be offering facials, waxing, and lash extensions. “We are excited to offer additional spa-type treatments to clients.”

Although Oswalt originally had a plan to offer microblading services on the side for extra money and fun, she soon realized there was a demand. “I had no idea there was such high interest and people come from all over because there are not a lot of people that offer this technique in the area.”

FIRST BANK OF BERNE NAMED AS TOP 100 AGRICULTURAL BANKS BY AMERICAN BANKERS ASSOCIATION
Distinction as nation’s Top 100 demonstrates strong commitment to agriculture lending.
 
Berne, Ind. – First Bank of Berne has been listed as a Top 100 Farm Lender in the nation by American Bankers Association, the largest banking trade association in the United States. The Top 100 list is determined by farm loan volume.

First Bank of Berne has a long history of agriculture lending, beginning when it opened in 1891. Today, First Bank of Berne has grown into a regional leader in agribusiness lending, as evidenced by being named to the nation’s Top 100 list. First Bank of Berne employs experienced farm financial consultants with proven ability to help agribusinesses prosper. The community bank offers a variety of agricultural lending, including both long- and short-term loans. First Bank of Berne also provides extended services such as farm financial consulting and custom-designed crop insurance.

“We’re proud to be recognized as one of the nation’s leading ag lenders,” said Rick Gentis, First Bank of Berne Agribusiness Banking Manager. “The knowledge, experience, and expertise our entire staff, especially our ag lending team, offers our customers is paramount to the continued growth and success of our area.”

First Bank of Berne serves northern Indiana and northwest Ohio. The bank is committed to each of the communities it serves, focusing on both business and agribusiness services designed to help these communities grow and thrive.

To learn more about First Bank of Berne, visit firstbankofberne.com.
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WELCOME DR. ALLISON TRELEAVEN TO EYECARE ASSOCIATES

Dr. Treleaven has worked in community-based eye care for the last 3 years. She provides comprehensive eye care to all ages, manages ocular conditions such as diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and macular degeneration, and provides low vision rehabilitation services.

Dr. Treleaven is a 2012 Graduate of Westminster College in Salt Lake City, Utah where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in biology. She graduated summa cum laude in 2016 from The Ohio State University College of Optometry where she earned her Doctorate of Optometry and Masters in Vision Science. She was the recipient of the Optelec Excellence in Low Vision Award, the Select Optical Community Outreach Clinical Excellence Award, and The Vincent J. Ellerbrock Memorial Award for her research accomplishments in vision science.

While at Ohio State she worked for the Laboratory of Vision Enhancement while completing her Master’s degree. She presented her findings at the American Academy of Optometry meeting and published her research in Vision Research.
She completed a low vision rehabilitation and geriatric residency at the Birmingham VA medical center in Birmingham Alabama in 2017.

In 2019 Dr Treleaven earned the distinction of Fellow of The American Academy of Optometry (FAAO).

Professional memberships and affiliations include the American Optometric Association, The Indiana Optometric Association, the Northeast Indiana Optometric Society, and The American Academy of Optometry.

Dr. Treleaven lives with her husband Kevin, and cat Eloise in Fort Wayne. They enjoy visiting national parks, skiing, and cheering on The Ohio State Buckeyes.
AMERICAN LEGION HAPPY BIRTHDAY
CELEBRATION DINNER
Mark your calendars for our annual Birthday Dinner on March 13th. Our menu will be: Baked Steak or Ham, Mash Potatoes, Green Beans and a celebratory Birthday Cake for dessert! Dinner will start being served at 6pm and awards will follow directly after dinner. Please call or stop in the Legion from 11am to 6pm. Would love to see everyone and support another great year together!!

Just a reminder: Our dining room is open to the public! Come in and enjoy our amazing food!
Kehoe Park Summer Concert Series
Bluffton Parks & Recreation Department
260/824-6069
 
This year marks the 30th year of the Kehoe Park FREE Summer Concert Series! The 2020 season brought us a few extra challenges with the Covid19 concerns, but all in all, it was an extremely successful season. This highly anticipated concert series has developed a reputation of featuring quality bands and expert musicianship that draw visitors to Bluffton. In order to bring talent from across the country, we rely on area sponsors who believe in showcasing our community.

The Kehoe Park Summer Concert committee is dedicated to reaching out to a wide audience by offering both Friday night concerts and Sunday evening performances at no cost. We will continue to work with the Wells County Health Department to adhere to state and local guidelines to offer these performances safely.

Can we count on your support and investment toward this community-building program with your financial support of the 2021 Kehoe Park Summer Concert Series? All donors who reply by April 15th will be recognized for their support on the series schedule that is distributed throughout the community as well as on the Bluffton Parks Department Facebook page and city website where we will be posting the series flyer. 

Contributions in support of the Kehoe Park Summer Concert Series are tax-deductible and may be directed to the Wells County Foundation, Inc. (Please note Kehoe Park Summer Concert Series in the memo section of your check.) The tentative 2021 concert line-up is listed below! Mark your calendar and plan to join us! Thank you for your support.
 
2021 Tentative Summer Concerts:
Fridays from 8:00 - 10:00 p.m. 
June 11th – The Insider, a Tom Petty Tribute
June 25th – Nick Harless
July 16th – Completely Unchained, Van Halen Tribute
August 6th – Toga opening for Big Bang Baby, Stone Temple Pilots Tribute

Sundays from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
June 13th – Gospel Celebration
July 18th – Tom Frye Band, Christian
August 8th – Casual Fridays
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!
Thank You to Our Silver Member!