Indiana Recycling awards $42M in grants
Goodwill Industries of Michiana, Inc. (GIM) in Lake County was among six organizations sharing $42 million in grant funding from Indiana’s Recycling Market Development Board to expand recycling in Indiana.
The joint effort represents over $15.7 million in expected total investments that will create 42 jobs and prevent an additional 197,884 tons of materials from going into landfills each year, a release said. Grants are administered by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management.
Goodwill will receive $301,011 to divert an additional 32,812 tons of recyclable material annually. Other entities receiving grants include: CT Polymers in Marshall County, $500,000; Greencycle in Marion County, $453,989; Nexus IN RNG – Laporte, LLC in LaPorte County, $500,000; Plastic Recycling Inc. in Marion County, $249,382; the Trustees of Indiana University in Monroe County, $45,000.
Braun names new state officials
Lake, Porter and LaPorte county residents were among those recently named to state boards and commissions by Gov. Mike Braun, according to a release.
Appointments include: Indiana Protection and Advocacy Services Commission, Elizabeth Bergeron, Unity of Indiana, LaPorte County; Underground Plant Protection Advisory Committee, Rick Smith, NIPSCO, Lake County; Gary/Chicago International Airport Authority Board of Directors, Thomas Collins, Luke Family of Brands, Porter County; Ports of Indiana Commission, Chuck Williams, CL Williams and Companies, Porter County; State Board of Registration for Land Surveyors, Richard Hudson, Porter County Department of Development & Storm Water Management, Porter County; and Secured School Safety Board, Andy Snyder, LaPorte Fire Department, LaPorte County.
Dunes Tourism launches grant program
Indiana Dunes Tourism is offering $50,000 in grants to fund community projects, marketing initiatives and unique events that attract visitors to Porter County, according to a release.
The grant application deadline is 11:59 p.m. Dec. 1, with recipients announced Jan. 5. Grants are for the fiscal year 2026 for projects and events running next year.
Porter County for-profit, non-profit and government organizations, including cities and towns, are eligible. Private-sector applications will also be considered if the project or event attracts visitors from outside Porter County, the release said.
Organizations interested in participating in the 2026 grant program should apply at IndianaDunes.com/Grant-Programs.
Infectious disease physician joins Franciscan
Dr. Marrium Siddiqui, an infectious disease physician, is now part of the Franciscan Physician Network and is accepting new patients in Crown Point, a release said.
Siddiqui earned her medical degree from Lincoln Memorial University DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine in Harrogate, Tennessee. She completed her residency in internal medicine at Ascension St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis and her fellowship in infectious diseases at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago.
She is accepting new patients at the Franciscan Physician Network Specialty Center Crown Point, 12750 Saint Francis Drive, Suite 410. For more information and to make an appointment, call 219-769-8340.
Applications open for mentorship program
After a successful launch of a new mentoring program by the Northwest Indiana Influential Women Association, applications are now open for the next group of mentees and mentors.
The NWIIWA Mentoring Program was created to foster personal and professional development for the next generation of women leaders, a release said. The 6-month program is designed to help mentees focus on specific goals they hope to achieve by drawing on the expertise of mentors during monthly virtual meetings and special gatherings.
To be eligible for the program, mentees must maintain an active NWIIWA membership and lead their growth by attending all scheduled program activities and professional development sessions offered through the program. The deadline for applications for the second cohort of the program is Dec. 3. Visit https://www.nwiwomen.org/mentorshipprogram for information.
PNW launches Indiana specialty license plate
A new Purdue University Northwest Indiana license plate will be offered beginning in January through the Bureau of Motor Vehicles for 2026.
Indiana residents will have the opportunity to showcase their school spirit while directly contributing to scholarships for PNW students, according to a release. Proceeds from each specialty license plate registered will help fund scholarships at PNW, the release said.
The new plate design, featuring PNW’s gold and black colors and official logo, will be available starting in January. Reserving a PNW plate requires a $40 group license plate fee, $25 of which is distributed back to PNW to support student scholarship, the release said.
For information, visit pnw.edu/license-plate.