Business news: First Things First Porter County READI grant and Franciscan peer counselor training

Mrvan Announces DOT Grant for CITGO Petroleum in East Chicago

U.S. Rep. Frank J. Mrvan, D-Highland, recently announced a federal grant award for CITGO Petroleum in East Chicago under the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) – Federal Aviation Administration’s Fueling Aviation’s Sustainable Transition (FAST) grant program,
according to a release.

According to the DOT, CITGO Petroleum will receive $18,334,500 to establish the Chicago Area SAF Blending Hub – CITGO Terminal in East
Chicago, the release said.  The funding will aim to enable the delivery, unloading, blending and use of up to 42,000 gallons per day of sustainable aviation fuel.  This project will facilitate cost effective SAF blending and rail logistics services at the CITGO East Chicago terminal with the end result to produce lower carbon aviation fuels that will reduce emissions.

The FAST grant program was established under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, which Mrvan supported and was signed into law during the
117th Congress, the release said.

Pulmonology, critical care doc joins Franciscan in Michigan City

Dr. David Villafuerte Martinez, pulmonary and critical care physician, is now part of the Franciscan Physician Network and is accepting new
patients in Michigan City, according to a release.,

Villafuerte Martinez attended medical school at Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador in Ecuador and completed both his residency and
fellowship at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio.

He is accepting patients at Franciscan Medical Pavilion, 3500 Franciscan Way, 4th Floor in Michigan City. Call 219-878-8200.

PCCF secures $1M from READI for First Things First

First Things First Porter County was recently awarded a $1 million grant from Indiana Economic Development Corp.’s Regional Economic
Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI), according to a release.

Managed by Porter County Community Foundation (PCCF), the funds will propel new and existing projects including:  Building Blocks
multimedia project, Bright By Text, Help Me Grow (HMG) Porter County, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library and Creekside Early Learning Center at Neighbors’ Educational Opportunities, the release said.

Launched by Gov. Eric Holcomb and led by the Indiana Economic Development Corp., READI encourages regional collaboration and data-driven, long-term planning that will attract and retain talent in Indiana. The $500 million READI fund was passed by legislation during the 2021 session and was divided among 17 regions representing all 92 counties, the release said. Learn more at FirstThingsPC.org.

Franciscan Health Breast Care Center hosting peer counselor training

Franciscan Health Breast Care Center Crown Point is hosting a free peer counselor training Sept. 10 for breast cancer survivors aimed at
connecting patients and survivors through a new program, according to a release.

Pink Ribbon Connection, in partnership with the Franciscan Health Breast Care Center Crown Point, is offering training for breast cancer
survivors interested in becoming peer counselors for other breast cancer patients and survivors. The training will take place from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Sept. 10 at the Franciscan Health Breast Care Center Crown Point, which is located on the third floor of the Burrell Professional Center at the Franciscan Health Main Street Outpatient Center, 1205 S. Main St. in Crown Point. To register, call 219-757-5741.

VU programs receive accreditation

Valparaiso University’s bachelor’s degree programs in bioengineering and environmental engineering have been accredited by the Engineering
Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), according to a release.

ABET accreditation assures that programs meet standards to produce graduates ready to enter critical technical fields that are leading the way in
innovation and emerging technologies, and anticipating the welfare and safety needs of the public, the release said.

Environmental Engineering students will focus on using their knowledge of chemistry and biology to improve the quality of air, soil, and water, taking advantage of the University’s proximity to Lake Michigan while bioengineering combines engineering and physiology, teaching students to improve lives by working with the human body, the release said.

For more information, visit valpo.edu/college-of-engineering/.

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