Cultural Trail receives grant
Indianapolis Cultural Trail announced it has received a $1 million grant from Anthem Foundation to support programs and maintenance that will help keep the trail open throughout the year.
The grant was part of Anthem Foundation’s 75th anniversary celebration.
“Indianapolis Cultural Trail Inc. ensures the Cultural Trail is a world class public space and beautiful experience that is always accessible,” said Kären Haley, Indianapolis Cultural Trail executive director. “This includes a significant operations and maintenance program, which is essential to the Trail’s role in community and economic development and the health and wellbeing [sic] of our community.” 
The trail is an eight-mile linear park and pedestrian and bike pathway that connects the downtown cultural districts in Indianapolis.
“We’ve been proud to call Indianapolis our home since 1944,” said John Gallina, executive vice president and CFO of Anthem, Inc. “As Indianapolis has grown, especially in this quadrant of downtown, Anthem has grown with it. This donation from the Anthem Foundation will help the Indianapolis Cultural Trail continue to support health and wellness and inspire residents and visitors to enjoy the beauty and rich culture of our city.”
Gleaners Food Bank marks milestone
Gleaners Food Bank in Indianapolis announced it has distributed more than a half billion pounds of food and other items since its founding in 1980.
The nonprofit organization marked the milestone with a celebratory send-off of a Gleaners Food truck.
“With 40% food waste and 15% food insecurity in this country we do not face a food shortage, we face a supply chain opportunity,” John Elliott, CEO of Gleaners, said in a press release. “The challenge of hunger impacts crime, education, physical and mental health, worker productivity and diminished economic success. Hunger and resultant chronic illnesses are hurting taxpayers, employers, and our shared future. Solving these challenges represents a massive cost avoidance opportunity for generations of taxpayers.”
Indiana Humanities offers grant opportunities
Indiana Humanities will offer more than $225,000 in grants in 2020. The grants will help provide opportunities for smaller funding and larger grants that support innovative public humanities programs. Grants range from $2,500 to $25,000. The statewide organization will host grant workshops throughout the year.
“Our goal is to provide flexible and dynamic grants that encourage and inspire nonprofits across the state to create engaging and impactful public humanities programs for their communities,” said George Hanlin, director of grants for Indiana Humanities.
Kendrick Foundation Grant
Adult and Child Health (A&C) received a $121,308 grant from the Kendrick Foundation, an organization that works to enhance health and education in Morgan County.
The grant is awarded to organizations based on their ability to address substance abuse, mental health and obesity, three priority areas for the Kendrick Foundation. Since 2013, A&C has partnered with Mooresville Schools to create a healthy environment for students and teachers. This grant will be used to expand existing services to include the Second Steps program, a behavioral health training and curriculum. The program aims to decrease risk factors for bullying, risk for self-harm, substance abuse and neglect. Along with Second Steps, A&C will use the grant to provide training for students and staff to help them achieve better health outcomes.
Vincennes University Early College receives grant
Vincennes University received the Local Career Coaching Grant from the Governor’s Workforce Cabinet for its Early College Program. The $109,000 grant will allow the college to enhance programs in Northeast Indiana to prepare students and adults for college and careers. Building upon 21st Century Community Learning Center programs implemented last year, Vincennes University will extend programming for project-based learning, field trips, paid internships and career exploration for area high school students.
“We want to be a premier leader in providing Early College experiences for all students,” said Odelet Nance, assistant dean of instruction-early college programs for Northeast Indiana at Vincennes University in a press release. “With this grant, we are able to provide early intervention, beginning at kindergarten through adults.”  
Recognition for outstanding service
MDwise has been recognized for its health care service and member satisfaction by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA). The Indiana nonprofit health care organization provides medical care for uninsured Hoosiers. In 2019, MDwise received a 3.5 out of 5 rating among health insurance  plans in the NCQA’s annual Medicaid Health Insurance Plan Ratings.
“The NCQA rating reflects our commitment to our members and providing access to quality health care,” Becky Tapp of MDwise said in a press conference. “We are unwavering in our commitment to improve our members’ health care access and experience.”
New medical device company
The Whitley County Economic Corporation announced Mach Medical will invest nearly $14 million to establish a new medical device company in Columbia City. The project is expected to create up to 132 jobs by the end of 2025.
The new jobs are expected to come with an average hourly wage of $37.41 plus benefits. The 36,000-square-foot building will be constructed in the Park 30 Business Center in Columbia City and have the ability to expand to 64,000 square feet to accommodate growth. The project is expected to be completed by the fourth quarter of 2020.
The building will also include space for SITES Medical Inc., a Whitley County-based company currently operating out of the Micropulse Orthovation Incubator.
“We are really excited about the opportunity we have at Mach Medical to make a significant impact on the cost, quality and performance of orthopedic implants in the U.S. and around the world,” said Steve Rozow, general manager of Mach Medical. “Our factory will leverage Industry 4.0 cutting-edge technologies and represents the next generation of manufacturing jobs.”
OB/GYN of Indiana joins Axis Women’s Health
The physicians of OB/GYN of Indiana announced they have joined Axis Women’s Health, one of the nation’s largest independent women’s health groups.
The move will allow OB/GYN of Indiana to continue partnering with independent providers and local health systems, which will allow for better access to care and more connected health services for women.
“For the past 25 years, OB/GYN of Indiana has been a leader in providing outstanding women’s healthcare [sic] in Central Indiana,” stated Dr. Richard Gates, president of the board of directors of OB/GYN of Indiana. “With the continued pressures of today’s healthcare environment, our physician leadership and administration felt it was important to thoroughly review how to best remain independent while still achieving our mission to be a more caring, connected, and progressive group of physicians.”
