Small Business Saturday, proudly supported by American Express, is Saturday, November 27.

The Fulton County Chamber of Commerce is encouraging community members to support local businesses on Small Business Saturday and the week following by sponsoring a Shop Small Bingo game as a way to have fun and support the local economy.

The Chamber is currently looking for small businesses to participate in the Bingo game. It is free to participate, and Chamber membership is not required.

If you own a small business in Fulton County and would like to learn more about the program, please contact Stephanie Hensley or Jillian Smith at 574.224.2666 or chamberassist@rtcol.com.

You may register to participate at https://www.fultoncountychamber.com/form/view/24609 by Monday, November 8.

A generous donation will help the Times Theater in Rochester to restore its marquee.

$15,000 was received by the Times Theater from an anonymous donor.  According to a release from the theater organization the donor's only reques was that the funds be used towards  restoration of the marquee.  The donor (& the Times) hope this donation will inspire others and seed the fundraising campaign that will ultimately see the neon lights shine once again on Main Street. 

Current projection for the marquee restoration is upwards of $70,000. 

Earlier this year, The Times Theater participated in the Main Street Revitalization  Program (MSRP), which facilitated the removal of the stonework and revealed the original brick storefronts.  New windows were also installed, doors and fresh paint,  too.  The marquee and ticket booth did not qualify for this program.  

Currently, The Times is working on ADA upgrades, approval of emergency exits and installation of lighting.   Recent fundraising has secured funds for the concession stand, lobby and ticket booth (A thank you here for @trevamulligan). 

Want to learn more?  Donate or volunteer?  You can reach out by email to  thetimestheaterinc@gmail.com. 

The mailing address is P.O.Box 168 Rochester, Indiana. 

Phone 317.409.1438.

High school students, and their parents or guardians, are invited to “Tuesday @ the Tech” on Oct. 19 to tour the new campus of Ivy Tech Community College Kokomo and learn about the options it offers for their futures.

The program is set for 9 a.m. to noon on the Ivy Tech Kokomo Campus at 1815 E. Morgan St.

“With a new campus, new programs, and new support services, Ivy Tech Kokomo offers pathways to new futures for students of all ages,” said Derry Ebert, vice chancellor of Enrollment Services for the Ivy Tech Kokomo Service Area. “For the Oct. 19 event, we hope parents and guardians will bring their high school students out to see the new campus and learn more about how they can get a jump on their future with all that’s new here.”

The program will begin at 9 a.m. in Hingst Hall, the community room in the new Health Professions Center. Ivy Tech faculty and staff will be on hand to talk about programs, financial aid, advising, and class scheduling, among other aspects of moving into higher education.

For more information about how to register, go to www.ivytech.edu/Kokomo .

The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) announced its Family of Companies' second nationwide hybrid hiring event, including virtual and on-site interviews, will take place from 2-5 p.m. ET on Wednesday, October 13.

The organization's mission is to hire 20,000 associates by finding talent for retail, e-commerce, manufacturing, supply chain, merchandising, logistics, corporate, and pharmacy and healthcare roles.

"The Kroger Family of Companies is eager to welcome 20,000 associates to our organization as we prepare for an incredible holiday season where customers are planning to return to larger family gatherings and celebrations," said Tim Massa, Kroger's senior vice president and chief people officer. "It's an exciting time to work in grocery retail, and as one of the leading retailers and employers in America, we're committed to offering associates a culture of opportunity and career with purpose, competitive pay and benefits, and flexible schedules. We truly want our associates to have a rewarding and uplifting experience while meeting our customers' needs and delivering on our promise to be in-stock, fresh, and friendly."

The Kroger Family of Companies offers resources, benefits, and training, to support and develop associates and make their lives easier including:

• Wages & Benefits: The Kroger Family of Companies provides comprehensive compensation packages, including competitive salaries and wages, healthcare, and retirement. In addition to an $800 million incremental investment in associate wages and training over the last three years, the organization is investing $350 million more in 2021 that has increased its average hourly wage to more than $16 nationally and when coupled with benefits, total compensation is more than $21 an hour.

• Continued Education & Tuition Reimbursement: The Kroger Family of Companies' tuition reimbursement program, offering up to $21,000 for both part-time and full-time associates, covers a GED to PhD. Since inception, this program has benefitted 6,789 associates, with hourly associates making up 88.4% of those who have taken advantage of the offering so far.

• Training & Development: The Kroger Family of Companies offers on-demand, role-specific training and resources through FEED desktop and mobile and modern learning platforms like Axonify as well as leadership, career advancement, and diversity, equity, and inclusion training.

• Health & Wellness: The Kroger Family of Companies continues to further support associates' safety, health, and well-being by coaching managers to lead with compassion and empathy and through resources like The Well-Being Assistant powered by Magellan Health that is available 24/7 and offers free counseling sessions as well as BetterHelp, another mental wellness resource. The organization also encourages use of Whil, a wellness platform that encourages activities like mindfulness, yoga, and sleep. Additionally, the organization continues to award a one-time payment of $100 to associates who become fully COVID-19 vaccinated.

• Perks & Discounts: The Kroger Family of Companies provides flexible scheduling, an advance pay option through partner DailyPay, as well as discounts on groceries, electronics, streaming services, travel, and more.

"We know that a career looks different for everyone, so we strive to provide the tools and support associates need to create their own path to success. No matter where your journey begins, we have fresh opportunities for everyone," continued Massa.

Hiring Event Details
The Kroger Family of Companies welcomes individuals who are looking for a career with purpose. Available opportunities include store leaders, customer service managers, personal shoppers, e-commerce specialists, digital marketing managers, software engineers, data architects, delivery drivers, warehouse workers, machine operators, category and procurement managers, financial analysts, pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, project managers, and administrative supporters.

To preview all available roles and register for the hiring event, visit The Kroger Family of Companies' career site.