Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana's President and CEO Matt Schuffert recently presented an oversized check for $35,000 to Andrea Sherwin, President and CEO, Mental Health America of Northwest Indiana, according to a release.

Mental Health America of Northwest Indiana is a non-profit organization dedicated to overall wellness through personal and family support, while remaining committed to its core principle of advocating on behalf of those experiencing emotional challenges, the release said. Mental Health America of Northwest Indiana provides programs for adults living with mental illness or challenges, work with area employers to ensure mentally healthy work environments and serve and advocate for people of all ages living with mental illness, the release said.

First Financial Bank and the First Financial Foundation have awarded a total of $50,000 in grants to seven organizations in Northwest Indiana, according to a release.

Throughout its four-state footprint of Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana and Illinois, First Financial awarded a total of $510,000, matching last year's result as the largest grant campaign to date.

In Northwest Indiana, Sojourner Truth House in Gary is among this year's recipients, the release said. Additional recipients in the area include Computer Skills and Training Center and Gary Community Partnership Corp. in Gary; and The Center of Workforce Innovations and United Way of Northwest Indiana, both in Valparaiso.

First Financial's commitment to the communities it serves extends beyond the annual grant campaign. Earlier this year, First Financial announced a new Community Benefits Agreement for 2024-2028, committing to $2.4 billion in lending and investments to low- and moderate-income clients and census tracts, the release said.

The Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority recently added Controller Courtney Kvachkoff and Director of Economic Development AJ Bytnar to staff, according to a release.

As Director of Economic Development, Bytnar will be responsible for guiding the Transit Development Districts (TDDs), while as controller, Kvachkoff will be responsible for overseeing RDA finances, the release said.

Bytnar brings more than 15 years of experience in economic development, urban planning, zoning and redevelopment, including as Executive Director of Redevelopment for the City of Gary, the release said. Kvachkoff, a Crown Point resident, comes to the RDA from Indianapolis-based Onebridge, where she served as staff accountant, the release said.