A reminder that Friday (Oct. 31) is the last day to sign up for the Toys-For-Tots/Clothe-A-Child program.

Applications are available at the Chamber office, the Greene County Office of Family and Children in Bloomfield, Bloomfield Town Hall, Jasonville Utility Office and Worthington Town Hall.

* The Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) has launched another online tool to help businesses.

The Indiana BizCafe Web site (http://www.indianabizcafe.com/) gives users a forum to connect with experts, identify investors and find new investment opportunities. The IEDC has also launched the Indiana Database of Research of University Expertise (https://www.indure.org/) to help transform university developed technology into money-making businesses.

Read More Indiana Economic Development Corp. Spokesman Mitch Frazier says both Web sites fill a need in the state's entrepreneurial community.

* Attention Chamber members: The Chamber office has a limited supply of Indiana Small Business Guide to Environmental, Safety and Health Regulations.

The guides covered topics such as waste management regulations, contaminated sites/property transfers and liability issues and emergency planning and community right-to-know act. The guides are provided by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management and are free.

Contact the Chamber office to reserve your copy.

* Working Women in Transition -- For many mature women, retirement is not an option, but changing direction after years of personal investment in a job can be scary.

Losing long-term employees can also cost a company valuable expertise and continuity. To address these concerns, Working Women in Transition gives older women the forum to discover resources and options that can transform their lives as they prepare for their next career and it offers employers an opportunity to explore trends and strategies that tap into the enormous potential of experienced working women.

The opportunity exists for Indiana to thrive by maximizing the economic contributions of its older population and, by doing so, to become a leader among Midwestern states. "PUTTING THE SKILLS AND TALENTS OF MATURE WOMEN TO WORK" seminar will be Nov. 14 from 8 a.m. - noon at Ivy Tech Community College, 200 Daniels Way, Bloomington.

This seminar is free but pre-registration is required. For more information call (317) 233-6303 or visit www.in.gov/icw.

* Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman's office has initiated the "Hoosier Cheer for Our Heroes" campaign. Her office wants to show our troops how thankful Hoosiers are for their sacrifice.

Last year, her office collected over 15,000 letters and cards for our deployed men and women. "Hoosier Cheer For Our Heroes" is aimed at sending our thoughts and prayers to our U.S. troops away from their homes and loved ones this holiday season. Skillman encourages everyone to write a note to our troops and let them know just how much we appreciate the job they are doing for our country.

If you are interested in sending a letter of appreciation or a holiday card to our troops, please send them to my office by Nov. 17 or visitwww.in.gov/lgov/ for more information.

All mail can be directed to: Office of Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman, c/o Hoosier Cheer for our Heroes, 200 West Washington Street, Suite 333, Indianapolis, Ind., 46204. If you send mail in bulk, it is asked that you do not put each card in an envelope, and please do not include any money, candy, or other gifts.

* The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) has announced the 2009 Indiana Pollution Prevention (P2) Grant Program. The P2 Grant Program encourages Indiana organizations to implement innovative pollution prevention projects in facilities and communities.

The purpose of the Indiana P2 Grant Program is to increase pollution prevention and natural resource conservation through measurable results. Any organization located in Indiana is eligible to apply for P2 grants regardless of type, size, or complexity.

Examples of organizations include Indiana manufacturers, schools, not-for-profits, and communities. Examples of eligible P2 grant requests include material substitution, product reformulation, process changes, or in-process recycling of wastes.

In 2009, the Indiana P2 Grant Program will focus on projects that reduce or replace toxic substances that affect air, water, and/or land. Projects that reduce or replace any chemical listed on the Toxics Release Inventory will receive a higher score when evaluated for funding.

Pre-applications will be due on Jan. 16, 2009.

For more information, visit our Web site at http://www.idem.IN.gov/5224.htm, or contact the P2 Grants Manager at (800) 988-7901.

Cheryl is the executive director of the Linton-Stockton Chamber of Commerce. She can be reached by telephone at 847-4846.