Small Budget, Big Impact — How Portage Businesses Can Win Online Without Overspending
Competing Without the Deep Pockets Portage’s small business owners face a shared truth: digital marketing can feel expensive and overwhelming. But visibility doesn’t come from dollars alone — it comes from clarity, consistency, and community. A lean plan with smart habits can beat a big budget campaign every time.TL;DR Clarify your audience and their top problem. Use free and low-cost tools before jumping to ads. Repurpose one good piece of content into many forms. Measure what moves
1st Source Bank Announces the Promotion of Amanda Miller
South Bend, Ind. (November 13, 2025) – 1st Source Bank is pleased to announce the promotion of Amanda Miller to Officer of the Bank. Ms. Miller has been with 1st Source since 2005 and is the Portage Central Banking Center Manager, now with an added Bank Officer designation. In the community, Ms. Miller has volunteered with Chamber Network Night, State of the City Luncheon, Breakfast with the Mayor, Meals on Wheels, Porter County Fair, and Junior Achievement. She also serves on the board of Family
Greater Portage Chamber of Commerce Celebrates Local Excellence at 2025 Awards Celebration
The Greater Portage Chamber of Commerce gathered with business leaders, community partners, and local officials on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, at Woodland Park for its annual Awards Celebration—an evening dedicated to honoring the people, organizations, and projects making an impact throughout Portage. The event, supported by generous sponsors Centier Bank, Comcast NBCUniversal, NIPSCO, U.S. Federal #1364 The Chamber proudly presented awards across multiple categories: New Construction Award
Northwest Health – Porter Investing $11M to Add Behavioral Health and Expand Inpatient Rehabilitati
Valparaiso, Ind. – Northwest Health – Porter today announced plans to invest more than $11 million in a multi-year project to increase community access to behavioral health care with new inpatient and intensive outpatient programs and to expand its inpatient rehabilitation services to meet the growing need across Northwest Indiana. Behavioral Health Services The new behavioral health programs will be located at Northwest Health - Portage, 3630 Willowbrook Road, and are expected to open in 2028. Services
United Way Northwest Indiana Launches New Volunteer Resource Center
Valparaiso, IN – November 12, 2025 – United Way Northwest Indiana is proud to announce the relaunch of its Volunteer Resource Center — a centralized digital hub that makes it easier than ever for community members, corporate partners, and local nonprofits to connect through service.This new platform allows volunteers to browse and register for opportunities, track service hours, and engage with causes across the Region — all from one convenient location.“Our community is filled with people who want to make
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Ivy Tech Community College Hosts Financial Aid Workshops, Offers Scholarship Opportunities
Valparaiso, IN – Ivy Tech Community College will host free workshop on November 9, 2025, to help students and community members apply for financial aid. Workshop will be held from 2pm to 4pm CT at the Ivy Tech Valparaiso campus. The workshop will assist Indiana students in filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA form is required for students to be considered for federal and state grants, scholarships, and federal student loans at most colleges, universities, and
NIPSCO Shares Tips for Carbon Monoxide Awareness Month
MERRILLVILLE, Ind. – In recognition of Carbon Monoxide Awareness Month in November, NIPSCO urges customers to beware of the “silent killer” that claims the lives of hundreds of Americans each year. Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, tasteless and non-corrosive gas that is produced when fuels (such as gasoline, wood, natural gas, propane or oil) burn incompletely. While natural gas does not contain CO, it can be generated when there is insufficient oxygen for fuels to burn correctly. NIPSCO
United Way Northwest Indiana Welcomes Shalana Thompson as Vice President of Finance
Valparaiso, IN – November 7, 2025 – United Way Northwest Indiana is proud to announce that Shalana Thompson has joined the organization as Vice President of Finance, effective Wednesday, November 5, 2025.Thompson brings extensive experience in financial leadership, strategic planning, and operational management. In her new role, she will oversee all aspects of financial strategy, planning, reporting, and compliance to ensure that United Way Northwest Indiana continues to operate with fiscal responsibility
Vidette Makes, IEDC grants launch pad to prototypes, production
Valparaiso, IN – Vidette Makes is opening the application process for NWI Launch Pad, a collaborative effort powered by the Indiana Economic Development Corporation designed to provide affordable, high-quality prototyping and small-batch production services to entrepreneurs in NW Indiana. Led by Vidette Makes, in partnership with Chicago Additive, Northwest ISBDC, IEDC, and Northwest Indiana SCORE, this initiative will:● Enable early-stage entrepreneurs to prototype and test new products using
Remember, honor loved ones this holiday with special Powers Health events
NORTHWEST INDIANA | This holiday season, give a gift that honors your loved ones while enriching the lives of others. Your donation to Lights of Life, Angel Tree of Lights and Wings of Healing will support cancer research or scholarships for students pursuing a career in healthcare. Learn more about these programs: Lights of Light Tree Lighting Ceremony6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 3 – Community Hospital Entrance B, 901 MacArthur Blvd., Munster Each light adorning the Lights of Life trees at Community Hospital
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Indiana Dunes Tourism Launches $50,000 Grant Program to Fund Community Projects, Marketing Initiatives and Unique Events
PORTER, Ind.—Indiana Dunes Tourism is offering $50,000 in grants to fund community projects, marketing initiatives and unique events that attract visitors to Porter County. The grant program aligns with the organization's mission to attract new and repeat visitors to Porter County by enhancing their stay through the promotion of attractions, marketing efforts and new product development. The grant application process opened on Monday, November 3, at noon, and the deadline for submission is Monday,
Lerner & Rowe Gives Back Presents $2,500 to United Way Northwest Indiana's Day of Caring
Valparaiso, IN – October 27, 2025 – United Way Northwest Indiana is proud to announce a gift of $2,500 to support Day of Caring from Lerner and Rowe Gives Back. The donation underscores Lerner and Rowe’s commitment to supporting community-wide volunteerism and the region’s largest single-day service event. The 2025 United Way Day of Caring, hosted on August 1st by United Way Northwest Indiana, brought over 650 volunteers to complete more than 80 service projects that strengthened local nonprofits
Smarter Services: How Small Businesses Can Adapt to the Next Wave of Technology
You’ve just reached a turning point in your business—whether it’s hiring your first employee, expanding into new markets, or upgrading customer support. At these critical moments, the tools you adopt can make or break efficiency. The rise of advanced digital systems is reshaping how small business services operate, giving even the leanest teams access to capabilities once reserved for enterprise budgets. Why Service Models Are Shifting Customers expect faster responses, smoother transactions, and
Amplify Your Business Through Customer Recommendations
Businesses are constantly seeking innovative ways to grow their customer base and enhance their brand presence. One powerful approach is leveraging customer referrals, which can significantly impact your business’s success. By forming strategic partnerships and engaging customers through tailored experiences, you can create a dynamic referral network. This network not only attracts new customers but also strengthens existing relationships, fostering loyalty and trust. Embracing these strategies can
Clarity Surrounding the CTA, BOI and FinCEN: Help for Businesses in Michigan City, IN
The Corporate Transparency Act may require certain U.S. companies to disclose beneficial ownership information to FinCEN to combat financial crimes. While a Texas federal district court’s preliminary injunction puts this requirement on hold, many experts expect that to be overturned. In that event, failure to file could lead to fines of $500 per day, up to a maximum of $10,000, and possible criminal penalties. However, filing your Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) report will help you avoid fines
Boss Moves: How Adobe Acrobat Helps Women Entrepreneurs Get It Done
Being an entrepreneur is all about juggling, innovating, and growing—but what if you had a secret weapon to make it easier? Enter Adobe Acrobat, a powerful ally that streamlines your day-to-day, helping you work smarter while leaving more room for what truly drives your business forward. This Women’s Small Business Month, we’re celebrating the ways Adobe Acrobat is empowering women entrepreneurs to elevate their hustle, simplify workflows, and realize bigger dreams. Acrobat AI Assistant: Check out
Reimagine Your Business with a Paperless, Tech-Driven Approach
Imagine a workspace where efficiency soars, clutter vanishes, and security fortifies—all while contributing to environmental sustainability. Transitioning your business to a paperless workflow is not just a modern fad but a strategic move towards a streamlined, secure, and eco-friendly future. This guide will walk you through the essential steps to transform your workplace, from identifying paper-heavy processes to selecting the right digital tools and ensuring your team is on board.Begin This Transition
Building a Business Anywhere with Remote Entrepreneurship
Starting a fully remote company offers new entrepreneurs the chance to build a borderless workspace, with talent sourced from anywhere in the world. While the potential is vast, it requires thoughtful strategies to ensure success. By leveraging cutting-edge tools and mastering asynchronous communication, you can create a cohesive team across continents. Additionally, running a remote business supports environmental sustainability by reducing your carbon footprint. This article will guide you through the
