“I am pleased to announce Allen Insurance Agency as the Chamber’s July Blue Ribbon Business of the Month,” says Beth Alston, Chamber Blue Ribbon Chair.  Chamber Business Owner Allen recently accepted the award.

Allen Insurance Agency has been a Chamber member since 1985 and is an Independent Insurance Agency that offers a variety of insurance products such as: auto, home, farm, commercial, life, and health.  Mr. Miracle is a Wabash County native and a graduate of Northfield High School.   His team consists of Vicki Gray, Abby Gatchel, and Lilly, the office cat.  “We strive to be a full service agency.  Vicki and Abby are very dependable employees who are extremely customer service oriented.  We take pride in the level of service we provide our clients and the many relationships we have developed,” states Miracle.

Indianapolis – On June 28, Peabody Retirement Community filed a voluntary Chapter 11 restructuring case in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Indiana. The filing was the result of extensive negotiations, culminating in an agreement with holders of a majority of outstanding bonds, which will result in an exchange for new bonds. This restructuring will permit Peabody to fulfill its goal of payment in full to all other creditors and enhance its financial strength to further benefit its residents and employees. Peabody’s Chapter 11 counsel is Katz & Korin, PC.

The next Tailgate Food Giveaway is scheduled for Friday, July 12 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Winchester Senior Center, 239 Bond Street in Wabash.

The event is open to anyone who is a resident of Wabash County who needs food. Patrons should approach the Senior Center by entering Wabash City Park through the Hill Street entrance.

Indianapolis, IN - The Indiana State Police Department is responsible for issuing licenses to carry a handgun to citizens of Indiana that request a license. The Department is required to issue or deny the request - stating the denial cause - within 60 days from the time an application is submitted. Efforts to meet the time frame requirement have not been met due to a significant rise in the number of requests for handgun licenses. This is attributable to the number of shootings across the country, coupled with national news stories debating more restrictive gun laws.
Historically, applications received for a license to carry a handgun averaged around 5,200 per month, but increased dramatically toward the end of 2012. January of 2013 resulted in more than 23,000 application requests being submitted to the state police. The level of demand has marginally decreased in the months that followed, falling to just over 6,500 new license requests in June. However, the overall monthly increase has led to a substantial backlog in applications, pushing processing time to more than 110 days.

The Chamber will host Scot Goskowicz, a business counselor from the Fort Wayne Small Business Development Center, on July 17.  Free personal appointments with Scot must be scheduled through the Chamber office.  Whether you are starting a new business or needing assistance with your current company, SBDC has the resources to help.  SBDC offers assistance with marketing demographics, funding options, business and succession planning, growing ideas, setting goals, identifying resources, pursuing opportunities, and overcoming challenges in your business.

The Indiana Department of Education and the College Board, at an awards ceremony and reception at the Statehouse in Indianapolis, recently honored Manchester Junior-Senior High School.

Katelin Vogel, a 2013 graduate of Wabash High School was crowned the 2013 Wabash County Festivals Scholarship Pageant Queen Saturday night.

Katelin will represent Wabash County at the State Festival Convention in Indianapolis on November 15 and 16. Katelin and her court will be attending the

FunFest in North Manchester; Dave Kunkle Car Show, Wabash; Herb Fest, Wabash; Roann Covered Bridge Festival, Roann; Chili Cook-off, Wabash and the Lagro Good Old Days in Lagro.

The Chamber Membership Committee, under the direction of Rachel Cruz (Wabash County REMC), was pleased to announce its new Chamber Ambassadors Program at the June 12 Business Before Hours.  Five members were inducted as ambassadors, who will serve as the personal connectors between members and the Chamber Board of Directors.