Fort Wayne/Allen County
Secretary of State tours GM assembly plant
Indiana Secretary of State Diego Morales toured the General Motors Fort Wayne Assembly Plant in Roanoke on Thursday.
In June last year, the automaker announced it would invest $632 million in the local plant for future truck production.
The Division of Automotive Dealer Services is one of four divisions under the Secretary of State’s office. The manufacture, sale or recovery of a vehicle is regulated by the Division of Automobile Dealer Services.
Morales has periodically visited auto dealerships and auto manufacturing facilities across the state, including Subaru of Indiana Automotive and Honda Manufacturing of Indiana. In a news release, his office said the three plants are important economic drivers with a vision for future innovation.
“The General Motors Fort Wayne Assembly Plant was an impressive operation,” Morales said in a statement.
The local plant employs more than 4,200 people in three shifts and manufactures about 1,300 trucks each day, according to the statement.
Sagamore presented to Fort Wayne architect
Pat Pasterick, a local architect and businessman, received the Sagamore of the Wabash Award for his contributions to Northeast Indiana.
An awards ceremony was held Wednesday night at the Fort Wayne Country Club, where Pasterick was recognized among local leaders and Sen. Travis Holdman. The Sagamore Award was created in the mid-1940s. Each governor selects the recipients.
Pasterick is co-founder and CEO of Design Collaborative. Throughout his 40-year career, Pasterick has consistently demonstrated the power of collaboration, innovative planning and strategic problem solving, Design Collaborative said in a press release.
“Their tireless work has resulted in the creation of more than 15,000 jobs, strengthening Fort Wayne-Allen County as the fastest growing economy in the Great Lakes region,” the local firm said.
As a board member of the Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce in 2012, Pasterick’s vision transformed it into today’s Greater Fort Wayne Inc., according to the release. Her involvement in developing Northeast Indiana’s “Opportunity on the Verge of Greatness” initiative resulted in securing $42 million from the state in investments for quality of life projects.
Additionally, Pasterick’s guidance for the Allen County Public Library saw the completion of its $100 million capital campaign, ensuring top-notch services for all 14 county branches, according to the release.
“Their work with the local arts community, leading arts bodies like Arts United, the Fort Wayne Museum of Art, the Fort Wayne Philharmonic and the Fort Wayne Ballet to redefine its future downtown, is nothing less than commendable,” the press release said.
Area
Kroger teams up with police for food drive
Cincinnati-based grocery chain Kroger and local police agencies are collaborating on a “Pack the Cruiser” food drive to help fight hunger in northern Indiana.
During a four-hour food drive on Saturday, Kroger customers will be asked to donate food, according to a Thursday news release.
Products especially appreciated by local food banks and pantries, according to the release, include peanut butter and jellies, both in plastic jars; canned fruits and vegetables; cereal boxes and granola bars; cups of applesauce and fruits; instant oatmeal; macaroni and cheese cups; and canned tuna and chicken.
Local police officers will greet customers at these Kroger stores and provide “shopping lists” to those who wish to support this hunger relief project, according to the press release.
Participating cities and store locations: Auburn, 1005 W. 7th St.; Bluffton, 1555 Harrison Plaza; City of Columbia, 621 Countryside Drive; Decatur, 929 S. 13th St.; Huntington, 2718 Guilford St.; Ligonier, 903 Lincoln Way South; New Haven, 821 Lincoln Highway.
“Food banks and pantries say demand is up and donations are down, so public support is essential,” the news release said.
– Daily Gazette
Keynote USA
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