Indiana Grants $42M for Recycling; New License Plate Launches

The state of Indiana has awarded a total of $42 million in grants aimed at expanding recycling efforts, with significant contributions going to Goodwill Industries of Michiana, Inc. in Lake County. This funding, provided by the Indiana Recycling Market Development Board, is expected to facilitate over $15.7 million in total investments, create 42 jobs, and prevent approximately 197,884 tons of recyclable materials from ending up in landfills each year. The grants are administered by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management.

Goodwill will receive $301,011 to help divert an additional 32,812 tons of recyclable material annually. Other organizations benefitting from the grants include CT Polymers in Marshall County with $500,000, Greencycle in Marion County receiving $453,989, Nexus IN RNG – Laporte, LLC in LaPorte County with $500,000, and Plastic Recycling Inc. in Marion County awarded $249,382. The Trustees of Indiana University in Monroe County will also receive $45,000.

New Appointments Made by Governor

Recent appointments to state boards and commissions have included several residents from Lake, Porter, and LaPorte counties, as announced by Governor Mike Braun. These appointments cover a range of organizations, including the Indiana Protection and Advocacy Services Commission, where Elizabeth Bergeron from LaPorte County has been named. Other notable appointments include Rick Smith from NIPSCO to the Underground Plant Protection Advisory Committee and Thomas Collins of the Luke Family of Brands to the Gary/Chicago International Airport Authority Board of Directors.

Chuck Williams from CL Williams and Companies has been designated to the Ports of Indiana Commission, while Richard Hudson from the Porter County Department of Development & Storm Water Management has been appointed to the State Board of Registration for Land Surveyors. Additionally, Andy Snyder from the LaPorte Fire Department has been named to the Secured School Safety Board.

Funding Opportunities and New Initiatives

In a bid to enhance tourism, Indiana Dunes Tourism is launching a grant program that will provide $50,000 to support community projects and marketing initiatives aimed at attracting visitors to Porter County. Applications will be accepted until December 1, 2023, with grant recipients announced on January 5, 2024. Eligible applicants include for-profit, non-profit, and government organizations, as well as cities and towns in the region. Projects must also be capable of attracting visitors from outside Porter County.

Healthcare in the region is bolstered with the addition of Dr. Marrium Siddiqui, an infectious disease physician who has joined the Franciscan Physician Network. Dr. Siddiqui is accepting new patients at the Specialty Center in Crown Point and comes with extensive training, having earned her medical degree from Lincoln Memorial University DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed her residency at Ascension St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis.

Applications are now open for a mentoring program initiated by the Northwest Indiana Influential Women Association. This program is designed to support the personal and professional development of emerging women leaders through a six-month mentorship experience. Mentees are required to maintain active membership in the association and participate fully in scheduled activities. The application deadline for the second cohort is December 3, 2023.

Finally, starting in January 2024, a new specialty license plate representing Purdue University Northwest will be available through the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. This initiative allows residents to showcase school spirit while contributing to scholarships for PNW students. Each license plate will require a $40 fee, with $25 allocated directly to support student scholarships. Interested individuals can find more information at pnw.edu/license-plate.