{"id":1959,"date":"2018-08-30T20:59:17","date_gmt":"2018-08-31T00:59:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/?p=1959"},"modified":"2018-08-30T20:59:17","modified_gmt":"2018-08-31T00:59:17","slug":"1959","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/newindy\/?p=1959","title":{"rendered":"Latest News"},"content":{"rendered":"

Art Walk: Chalk It Up!<\/strong><\/p>\n

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The overwhelming success of last year’s Art Walk: Chalk It Up! encouraged the Clinton County Arts Council to make this an annual event in downtown St. Johns. This year’s event will be held on Friday September 14, 2018 from 5:00-8:00 p.m.<\/p>\n

Downtown businesses will be opened for extended hours as they host local artists and musicians who will showcase their works and\/or talents. The Mike Shafley Band, sponsored by Butler Financial Group, will be featured. http:\/\/mikeshafleyband.com\/<\/font><\/a><\/p>\n

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Come for dinner too. Many food vendors will be available. Food ticket sales will be available. Vendors will not need to handle money and make transactions but be committed to your taste buds. A portion of the Food Ticket Sales will benefit the Clinton County Arts Council programming efforts and their Trail Underpass Mural Project.<\/p>\n

Participating businesses include:
\n– Allaby & Brewbaker Insurance; hosting artist Grace Gifford
\n– Back Alley Pet Grooming; hosting artist,Chad Burnham
\n– Butler Financial Group; hosting artist Joella Colley and a chalk artist
\n– Bruno’s Bar; hosting music artist, CJ Lowe
\n– Carousel Corn, hosting chalk contestant
\n– Deb’s Sereni-TEA Lounge; hostingTea Time Art, muralist Tamara Brown
\n– Mercantile Bank; hosting chalk artist, Hannah Seely
\n– Studio Retreat; hosting chalk artist, Garrit Smith
\n– Three Legged Dog Antiques; hosting artist, Felicia Sheldon
\n– Woodbury’s Flower Shop; hosting artist, Mariah Munroe
\n– Whimsical pARTy Gallery; hosting artist, Tracie Davis<\/p>\n

This is a free public event intended to bring arts and cultural awareness through a fun, family-friendly event.<\/p>\n

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Dairy Processing Campus marches forward<\/strong><\/p>\n

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On Monday, August 27 the St. Johns City Commission approved the site plans for both Spartan Michigan and Proliant Dairy Michigan and authorized E.T. MacKenzie Company\u2019s work on the drain relocation project. This is now just pending approval of a purchase and development agreement between the City and Glanbia, a global nutrition group based in Ireland and who has partnered with Select Milk Producers Inc. and Dairy Farmers of America to form Spartan Michigan LLC.<\/p>\n

Per Public Act 198, the City Commission approved the establishment of an Industrial Development District and subsequently approved Industrial Facilities Tax (IFT) Exemptions for both Spartan Michigan and Proliant Dairy Michigan make the projects financially viable. The IFT exemption applications will go before the Michigan State Tax Commission for final approval later this year.<\/p>\n

Announced by LEAP on August 9, the new dairy processing campus is expected to dramatically improve the production, profitability, and long-term prospects for one of Michigan\u2019s top agricultural products.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe City of St. Johns has strived for years to create a business-friendly atmosphere and specifically created the Business Park to showcase all that St. Johns has to offer,\u201d said St. Johns Mayor Dana Beaman. \u201cSt. Johns\u2019 ideal location, friendly residents, and strong business community makes it an ideal location for any type of business.\u201d<\/p>\n

Construction for both facilities on the 146-acre industrial park site is expected to begin in September of this year and be completed by October of 2020. When complete, the Lansing region\u2019s site will be among the largest dairy processing facilities in the country.<\/p>\n

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Food and Fun Fest at the Depot<\/strong><\/p>\n

by Maralyn Fink<\/p>\n

On Wednesday evening I visited the Pilgrim Church Food and Fun Fest. It was a great night for this after all of the rain we had.<\/p>\n

Things were in full swing with games for the kids and free food for everyone. Everyone seemed to be having a great time, and it was well attended.<\/p>\n