Northwest Indiana Business Magazine

The Society of Innovators at PNW named the five winners of the Northwest Indiana High School Pitch Competition in Westville.

The Duneland Chamber of Commerce is hosting a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Ebb & Flow Yoga April 3. The event celebrates the opening of Ebb & Flow Yoga’s new studio in Chesterton. “We're excited to be located in downtown Chesterton, hopefully offering a convenient location for people to experience yoga,” said Gina Laureys, Ebb & Flow Yoga owner and co-founder, in a press release [https://www.ebbflow.yoga/]. The studio will offer a variety of classes for participants seeking relaxation or movement. “Our mission at Ebb & Flow is to create a welcoming environment for all, whether it's your first yoga class or you've been practicing for years,” Laureys said. “We want people to feel comfortable showing up exactly as they are.” The Duneland Chamber invites community members to join the celebration and meet the team at Ebb & Flow Yoga. The event will take place 4:30 p.m. April 3 at 206 S. Calumet in Chesterton. Attendees are welcome to stay for a free 6 p.m. yoga class following the ribbon cutting. #dunelandchamberofcommerce #ebb&flowyoga #businessnews #tourism&recreation

The Valparaiso-based Barbauld Agency received a 2024 Summit Marketing Effectiveness Award in the Health care/Medical Industry. The award marks the agency’s 23rd Summit International Award, the seventh for marketing effectiveness. The Barbauld Agency received the recognition for its marketing campaign: Orthopedic Urgent Care: Here When You Need It. The campaign involved billboards, direct mail, digital and social media ads, video and a microsite showcasing Lakeshore Bone & Joint Institute’s orthopedic urgent care services. “We are honored to receive such a prestigious award for our efforts to promote the outstanding services offered by Lakeshore Bone & Joint,” said Chris Barbauld, The Barbauld Agency president, in a press release [https://lnkd.in/da2RuKE]. “Our team is not only grateful for this recognition, but it also inspires us to help our clients grow.” The Summit Awards recognize web, design, video advertising, interactive, mobile and social marketing from creative agencies worldwide. The organization received 1,500 entries from 10 countries for the 2024 awards season. Only 7.5% of entries achieved winning status. “The Summit Marketing Effectiveness Award recognizes campaigns that create measurable impact by influencing opinions, driving change, or reinforcing key beliefs,” Summit International Awards wrote in its award letter. “Our rigorous judging process identifies work that exemplifies marketing excellence and effectiveness, setting a benchmark for success in the field.” The Barbauld Agency offers digital advertising, website design, content creation, SEO, social media management and brand development. The agency was founded in 2009. #barbauldagency #summitinternationalaward #businessnews #marketing

South Bend-based 1st Source Bank hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of its new Winamac Banking Center location. Representatives from 1st Source Bank, local organizations and the construction company that handled the project were onsite. During the event, the bank presented a donation to Pulaski County Community Foundation. 1st Source Bank [https://lnkd.in/gWjpcMUC new location is at 110 North Market St. in Winamac. 1st Source Corp. is the parent company of 1st Source Bank. The corporation operates 77 banking centers. Founded over 160 years ago, 1st Source Bank serves northern Indiana and southwest Michigan. #1stsourcebank #pulaskicountycommunityfoundation #banking #businessnews

Over 300 girls across five states participated in NiSource Charitable Foundation’s Introduce a Girl to STEAM event. NiSource Charitable Foundation planned the event in partnership with NiSource and its subsidiary NIPSCO. NIPSCO turned its Merrillville headquarters into an interactive classroom for the day. Girls?in fourth through sixth grades participated in games, scientific demonstrations and team-building exercises focused on STEAM – science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics. “Our goal today was to get these girls energized about STEAM at a very young age and inspire them to someday pursue a rewarding career in science, technology and engineering,” said Melody Birmingham, NiSource Charitable Foundation board member and NiSource executive vice president and group utilities president, in a press release [https://lnkd.in/gMvTV4eh]. Women occupy 26% of STEM positions in the United States, according to U.S. Department of Labor 2024 data. “With Introduce a Girl to STEAM, we are nurturing the talent needed to innovate and carry our industry forward for generations to come,” Birmingham said. “We want these girls to feel excited at envisioning themselves someday as engineers and leaders in technology.” The foundation hosted STEAM events simultaneously at NiSource companies in Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Virginia and Pennsylvania. Employees, including engineers, volunteered to mentor and guide the girls through a half-day curriculum. Activities varied from natural gas and electric demonstrations to instructional activities, games and competitions. DAWN (Developing and Advancing Women at NiSource) employee resource group helped plan the event. NIPSCO partnered with the Boys and Girls Club of Northwest Indiana to host 80 girls. “One of the NiSource Charitable Foundation’s primary goals is to make a significant impact on STEM education and workforce development in every community our utility serves,” Vince Parisi, NIPSCO president and chief operating officer, said. “We hope this event will serve as a catalyst for introducing young girls to careers where women are otherwise underrepresented.” #melodybirmingham #nipsco #nisource #businessnews #education

The Michigan City Neighborhood Leadership Academy is look for participants for its spring session starting April 10. The City of Michigan City and the Economic Development Corp. Michigan City partner to present the program. The academy aims to help individuals take leadership roles in their neighborhoods and build collaboration with neighbors to foster change. Participants learn about the city, its departments, processes and resources. The program includes eight sessions. Sessions take place 5 to 8:30 p.m. Thursdays from April 10 through May 29. Dinner is included. In lieu of the May 1 session, a Cornerstone Class session will take place 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. May 3. “At the end of 2024, we celebrated our first Leadership Academy graduation since Covid,” said Clarence Hulse, EDCMC executive director, in a press release [https://lnkd.in/gJffU7NU]. “The participants shared their talents and insight to develop plans for change in their own neighborhoods.” Erin Meisner, EDCMC community development manager, will help facilitate the sessions. Attendees will hear from speakers and take part in activities and discussions. During the last class, participants present their final projects before graduating. “I was heartened by the differences and needs represented by each project for the individual neighborhoods,” Meisner said. “The different ideas were brought together in solid plans.” Applications are now being accepted for Michigan City residents ages 18 and over who reside within the city limits. The submission deadline is March 28. Learn more here [https://lnkd.in/d4ViWnDC]. The Economic Development Corp. Michigan City works to grow and attract new industry and business to the community as well as strengthening existing business. #clarencehulse #economicdevelopmentcorporationmichigancity #michigancityneighborhoodleadershipacademy #businessnews #economicdevelopment

NWI Biz Hub and Bank of America are partnering to offer a free Business Credit Series at Legacy Foundation. The sessions include: * March 20: Building Business Credit * April 10:? Access to Capital – Part 1 * May 1:? Access to Capital – Part 2 * May 22: Cash Management Small business owners, entrepreneurs and anyone seeking to learn more about business credit is invited to attend. The upcoming March 20 session will focus on the lending process from a financial institution, including preparation, application and review. The program is facilitated by Johnny Wilbon, Bank of America vice president business community officer. Wilbon is also national co-chair of the CDFI Ambassador Program. All sessions take place 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Legacy Foundation in Merrillville. Participants are welcome to attend one or all sessions. Learn more here [https://lnkd.in/dKRwSCN]. #bankofamerica #legacyfoundation #nwibizhub #businessnews #smallbusiness

Construction on the SoLa community development in Michigan City is slated to begin this July, creating 275 permanent jobs and hundreds of seasonal positions.

The Merrillville-based Crossroads Chamber recently hosted a Career Discovery Union Showcase Tour. The event brought together guidance counselors from eight towns across the Region to explore alternative career pathways for students not pursuing traditional college routes. Throughout the day, counselors toured union halls, manufacturing facilities and active worksites. They learned how the industries provide competitive wages, job security and strong career progression. “I really feel like I will be better able to help my students who have an interest in the trades,” said Kimberly Swan, Crown Point High School guidance counselor, in a press release [https://lnkd.in/gHy_PCnV]. “Equally important, this experience will help me promote the trades to students who have no knowledge of the trades as a possible career.” The Central Midwest Regional Council of Carpenters played a key role in the event. “For too long, the trades have been viewed as a last resort when in reality, they should be recognized as a valuable career,” Travis Williams, Carpenters Union representative, said. “This tour allowed counselors to experience the full spectrum of our industry firsthand—from the apprenticeship classroom to the early and final stages of a project.” The day kicked off with a presentation by Kevin Comerford of the Construction Advancement Foundation. Counselors then embarked on site visits to Plumbers Local 210, Electrical Professionals Local 697, Central Midwest Regional Council of Carpenters and Polycon Industries. They also visited two live construction worksites. “This tour was an incredible opportunity to bridge the gap between education and industry,” Deann Patena, Crossroads Chamber president and CEO, said. “By bringing counselors directly to these workplaces, we’re equipping them with the knowledge and resources to guide students toward rewarding careers in the trades—right here in Northwest Indiana.” #kevincomerford #crossroadschamber #centralmidwestregionalcouncilofcarpenters #businessnews #workforce

Northwest Health and Lakeshore Public Media are presenting free screenings of a documentary about menopause. The documentary, The [M] Factor: Shredding the Silence on Menopause, centers on the experiences of women across the U.S. Cameras follow women into their doctors’ offices, at work and in their homes. The film exposes the challenges they face—regarding race, gender, structures and barriers. The women featured in the film open up about their experiences. They share their stories of enduring symptoms and being ignored, ridiculed and left untreated. Following the screening, conversations with obstetrics/gynecology physicians will engage attendees. Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions, discuss menopause health concerns and tell their stories. “At Northwest Health, we know the importance of empowering people with information to help them live healthier,” said Kelly Credit, Northwest Health spokesperson, in a press release [https://lnkd.in/geiGswpw]. “We are pleased to share this eye-opening film along with an opportunity for women to connect with others and discuss their shared experiences with a physician who understands.” Screenings [https://lnkd.in/gU4n9UzN] will take place 5:30 to 8 p.m. March 12 at Sand Creek Country Club in Chesterton and 5:30 to 8 p.m. April 8 at Uptown Social in Michigan City. “Working together, Northwest Health and Lakeshore Public Media can help ensure that conversations about menopause and other health issues are brought to the forefront,” Chuck Roberts, Lakeshore Public Media president and CEO, said. “Together we can offer women and community members the tools, resources and support needed to navigate health care challenges experienced by Northwest Indiana residents.” #lakeshorepublicmedia #northwesthealth #the[m]factor #businessnews #health&wellness