Wawa to introduce Indiana locations in 2025
The first Wawa Food Market opened in Pennsylvania in 1964 as an outlet for dairy products, and now they have approximately 1000 locations spread throughout the eastern coastal states. But the convenience store chain has recently announced plans to grow. Their intentions are to add stores in Florida, North Carolina, and Georgia over the next 2 years, and then into Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio in 2025.
Wawa Stores offer are typically gas stations with a convenience store with a large food selection with custom-prepared sandwiches, freshly brewed coffee, hot breakfast sandwiches, specialty beverages, and a more complete dinner menu.
Bill would incentivize more military members to call Indiana ‘home’
State lawmakers recently welcomed current and former service members to the Statehouse for the 9th Annual Military & Veterans Legislative Day. It was a great opportunity to meet with Hoosier men and women who served to discuss important issues impacting them and their families.
One issue that routinely comes up in my conversations with Hoosier vets is how Indiana could be more competitive in incentivizing members of the military to live, work and raise a family in Indiana. That’s why I’ve offered legislation this session to phase in a complete income-tax exemption for military pay for Indiana’s active military members.
Currently, active military members can qualify for a maximum $5,000 exemption, and active duty National Guard and reserve members are exempt from the individual income tax. House Bill 1034 would start with a 25% exemption on military pay in 2024, 50% exemption in 2025, a 75% exemption in 2026 and end with a full exemption by 2027.
Military members not only risk their lives for our great nation, but are also an asset to our growing workforce. Indiana is already facing a skilled labor shortage, with more than 85,000 open job opportunities. These professionals have the leadership, communication and technical skills our state needs, and this legislation would offer a great incentive for them to live and work here.
After their service, veterans can begin careers in a number of fields, like health care, technology and law enforcement, but the first step is finding a place to call home. With three neighboring states already offering a complete exemption from military income, our state needs to offer the same incentives to service members and support those looking to make a life here.
Ivy Tech Bloomington awarded more than $24,000 by Circle of Ivy for spring projects
Ivy Tech Community College Bloomington received $24,088 from Ivy Tech Foundation’s Women in Philanthropy, Circle of Ivy, to fund six spring semester projects. Circle of Ivy awarded a total of $263,649 for 84 projects statewide. Circle of Ivy raises funds to diminish barriers to higher education for Ivy Tech students. Women’s philanthropy at Ivy Tech has a statewide reach with a focus on campus needs and projects that positively impact students. Ivy Tech Bloomington received funding for projects that will invest in students, technology, instructional materials, and global travel.
Funding will be released for the following purposes:
- $6,000 to increase faculty participation in Alternative Spring Break
- $5,000 to purchase new stone carving tools for students in fine arts 3-D sculpting classes
- $4,000 to underwrite Chicago day trip for students in accelerated studies program
- $3,180 to purchase new virtual reality headsets for the campus Joan Olcott Library
- $3,000 to support Bloomington E-Sports engagement for students
- $2,908 to expand the Biology Outdoor Learning Lab on Profile Pkwy
Since its inception in 2015, Circle of Ivy has grown to more than 1,000 members. They have raised more than $1 million to assist with 384 projects. To learn more about Circle of Ivy, visit ivytech.edu/circleofivy.
This Week in Hoosier History
1989 – Dan Quayle took the oath of office to become the 44th Vice President of the United States, serving under President George H. W. Bush. He was the fifth Hoosier to serve as Vice President. He had spent eight years in the United States Senate and four years in the US House of Representatives.
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