Published: June 13, 2009 06:44 pm      

Business briefs

Hickman earns auction award

CAMDEN — Don Hickman Jr., principal broker of Hickman Auctions and Realty Inc., was recently presented the “World Champion Auctioneer Award” by the Society of Professional Auctioneers.

The Auctioneers Society honored Hickman with a trophy and a framed certificate, that recognized Hickman’s “superior professionalism, knowledge, integrity and bid calling.”

Hickman’s company is based in Camden, where he operates the Camden Auction Barn with his family. The Camden Auction Barn has auctions every Friday night, starting at 6 p.m., with two operating auction rings.

Hickman also teaches auctioneering. Anyone interested can contact Hickman at (574) 686-3000 or on his cell phone at (765) 404-5091, or to stop by the auction barn.



FSA accepting nominations

INDIANAPOLIS — Farmer and rancher candidate nominations will be accepted starting Monday for local Farm Service Agency county committees.

The nomination period continues through Aug. 3, with elections taking place during the fall.

To be eligible to serve on an FSA county committee, a person must participate or cooperate in a program administered by FSA, be eligible to vote in a county committee election and reside in the local administrative area in which the person is a candidate.

Producers may also nominate themselves, and organizations representing minorities and women may also nominate candidates.

To become a nominee, eligible individuals must sign form FSA-669A. The form and other valuable information about FSA county committee elections are available at www.fsa.usda.gov/FSA/webapp?area=newsroom&subject=landing&topic=cce.

Nomination forms for the 2009 election must be postmarked or received in the local USDA Service Center by close of business on Aug. 3.

FSA county committee members make decisions on disaster and conservation programs, emergency programs, commodity price support loan programs and other important agricultural issues. Members serve three-year terms.

Nationwide, there are more than 7,800 farmers and ranchers serving on FSA county committees. Committees consist of three to five members, who are elected by eligible local producers.

Ballots will be mailed to producers beginning Nov. 6. The voted ballots are due back to the local county office either via mail or in person by Dec. Newly elected committee members and alternates take office Jan. 1, 2010.



Credentials earned at Steinberger

Steinberger Construction Inc. announced that five team members have earned Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design credentials, recognizing their knowledge and expertise in green building.

As LEED accredited professionals, Jim Steinberger, Matt Lewellen, Brant Myers, Ben Thompson and Chris Brennan will be able to guide clients through the LEED process.

The LEED Green Building Rating System is the nationally accepted benchmark for green building. It sets objective criteria for sustainable building projects, emphasizing lower operational costs, energy and water conservation, a safe and healthy workplace, and waste reduction. There are seven major focus areas: site sustainability, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, energy and resources, indoor environmental quality, regional priority, and innovation and design.

Steinberger Construction Inc., established in 1945, is a general contractor specializing in design and construction for industrial, commercial manufacturing, agricultural, energy and environmental clients.



Seminar offered for business owners

The Hoosier Heartland Small Business Development Center is offering the seminar, “How to Start Your Business,” from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Inventrek Technology Park, 700 E. Firmin St., Kokomo.

There is no charge for this seminar. An adviser will answer questions about licensing, permits, record keeping, marketing, planning and more.

Registration is required. To register call (866) 961-7232 ext. 559, or e-mail rsampson@isbdc.org at least 24 hours prior to the seminar.



SBA offers online business workshop

The U.S. Small Business Administration will conduct a free online business workshop from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. June 16.

The online workshop will provide guidance to prepare small business owners for meeting with a lender. Business owners will learn how SBA is involved in the loan process, what documents to take to a lender, and how to make a good first impression with the lender.

Business plans and other strategies needed to help business be successful will be discussed. The session will provide an overview of SBA guaranty loan programs and services that can help an entrepreneur start or grow a business.

Log on to the session from any computer at www.readytalk.com and for the audio portion call (866)740-1260. The access code for both is 3056201#. To register contact (317) 226-7272 ext. 115 or e-mail vernice.mathis@sba.gov.