Published: July 05, 2008 08:24 pm         

Business Briefs

Business software classes available

Ivy Tech Community College and the North Central Indiana Small Business Development Center are offering a QuickBooks 2008 class from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Fridays from July 11 to Aug. 1, at Ivy Tech’s Logansport campus.

This course is designed for small- to medium-sized businesses. It will teach the use of QuickBooks 2008 to create a new company, work with customer and vendor transactions, use Point of Sale software, create meaningful customized reports, keep an instant track of inventory, run payroll and create tax documents.

The cost is $200 including textbooks. Knowledge of basic computer terminology and mouse use is required.

For more information or to register, call continuing education coordinator Jan Hulet at (800) 459-0561, Ext. 528.



Ferrellgas nominated for national award

Ferrellgas Partners L.P., one of the nation’s largest propane distributors with offices in Plymouth and Francesville, was nominated for the 2008 Employer Support Freedom Award.

The award is given annually by the U.S. Secretary of Defense National Committee to honor American employers of National Guard or Reserve members for their exceptional support above the requirements of federal law.

The 2008 recipients will be announced mid-summer and honored in Washington, D.C., at the 13th annual Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award ceremony on Sept. 18. For additional information visit www.esgr.mil



MWI adds electronic parts manufacturer

MW Industries Inc. (MWI) has acquired RAF Electronic Hardware (RAF), a division of R&R Manufacturing Company Inc. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

RAF, with headquarters in Seymour, Conn., is a leading manufacturer and catalog marketer of electronic hardware components, serving customers in the computer, telecommunications, medical, defense and aviation industries.

Dan Sebastian, president and CEO of MWI, said the addition will compliment the company’s existing catalog operations, add to its presence in the technology sector and strengthen its distribution network.

MWI (www.mw-ind.com) is a manufacturer of springs, stampings and fasteners. The company owns and operates Hyperco and Matthew-Warren Spring production facilities in Logansport.



Little attends model schools conference

Logansport resident James Little, a resident of Logansport and the director of the Kokomo Area Career Center, attended the 2008 Model Schools Conference held on June 22 to 25 in Orlando, Fla.

The conference brought together educational leaders from the nation’s most successful schools to describe successful practices and school instructional models.

The four-day conference provided leadership and professional development opportunities for over 7,000 educators from across the nation as well as numerous new ideas and strategies for educators to help students improve their school performance.



Seminars offered for business owners

The North Central Indiana Small Business Development Center is offering two business workshops in the area.

The first, “Launching Your Business,” will be offered from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 15 in Logansport-Cass County Economic Development Foundation office, located at 310 S. Pearl St.

Questions about licensing, permits, record keeping, marketing and planning will be answered. There will be time for questions and answers.

The second seminar, Funding Options for Small Business, will be presented from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on July 22 at the Inventrek Technology Park Building, 700 E. Firmin St. in Kokomo.

Topics will include information on SBA loans, cash flow statements, components in writing a business plan and commercial lending information. A representative from SCORE will be present as well as a local lender. The lender will present information on what a bank needs from a loan applicant and how lenders fit into the SBA loan process.

The cost for each workshop is $35 per business and covers all materials.

To register, log on to www.conf.purdue.edu/sbdc or call toll free at (800) 359-2968 at least 24 hours before the scheduled workshop.



Ivy Tech to offer manufacturing program

INDIANAPOLIS — Ivy Tech Community College has announced it will split its manufacturing and industrial technology program into two new programs, advanced manufacturing and industrial technology.

The change will allow the college to expand its advanced manufacturing offerings as well as add two new certificate programs in mechatronics and manufacturing operations. It will also allow Ivy Tech to offer additional course work in advanced manufacturing with a focus on soft skills, lean manufacturing, quality systems, integrated manufacturing technology and project-based leadership skills.

Students in the new advanced manufacturing program will become Manufacturing Skills Standards Council certified within their first two classes. Students will also have to complete a two-credit co-op with a manufacturing company at the end of the degree cycle.