Just a little over five years ago, references to “craft beer” might have needed some explanation. Today, the craft beer business is booming in Columbus and throughout the United States and the industry needs very little clarification. In a 2013 study by the Brewer’s Association, a not-for-profit trade group representing small and independent craft brewers, Ohio’s craft beer industry was named the fourth largest producer in the country, crafting more than one million barrels. Locally, there are more than a dozen breweries inside the I-270 beltway and even more on the way. Looking out farther into the Zanesville, Lancaster, Newark, Delaware and Mansfield areas, the number of operational breweries in central Ohio totals closer to 25. Driving Columbus’ ascension in the exploding craft brew industry is brewmaster, Eric Bean. 

Most every company has one of ‘those’ employees. They’re the first to volunteer for after-work or Saturday events. They’re the ones who call the Marketing Department to say ‘I’ll help set up the banquet room for the Holiday party’ or ‘Count on me to work the fund-raiser for Pelotonia’ or ‘I can help at the Golf Outing – what do you need me to do?’. At Heartland Bank, Paula Brutchey, AVP Operations Manager, is one of ‘those’…..

The history of bluegrass music is traced back to British and Irish immigrants who arrived in Appalachia in the 18th century and brought with them the musical traditions of their homelands. Some 300 years later, bluegrass music is alive and well and being celebrated locally in Newark at the second annual Bluegrass on Main Street event this Saturday, August 29.

The relationship between Burton Metal Finishing and Heartland Bank was established when the company was founded 28 years ago, long before the fire that ravaged their manufacturing facility on October 4, 2013. In the previous year, the bank worked alongside the Burton family to deepen that relationship and assist with revitalizing their struggling business. The revival began when the family (President Dan Burton, VP Scott Burton and CFO Victoria Burton) wanted to deepen that relationship and assist with revitalizing their struggling business. The revival began, when the family, like so many other small business owners across the country, sought financial help from their local bank. At that time, Heartland suggested that the family work directly with FocusCFO, a local financial consulting and management firm, to help make improvements in areas such as efficiency and leadership. After evaluating the business, FocusCFO made suggestions that would improve cash flow, operations, internal accounting and revenue. With the help of this group, Burton Metal Finishing began a rise toward success.

On July 4, 1973, the Simon family founded NOMIS (Simon spelled backwards) Golf Course - a 9-hole course just outside of Johnstown. In 1994, the sons of Charles Simon followed their dream of enlarging the course and property into an 18-hole development. They enlisted Barry Serafin to help design and develop the course, and Brian Fracker with Heartland Bank to assist with financing.