Latest news with #ChristopherBates
Indianapolis Star
08-07-2025
- Business
- Indianapolis Star
Incentive programs are drawing remote workers here. Here's how successful they've been
Moving his family back home to Central Indiana was always the goal for Christopher Bates. The Purdue graduate, who works as a toxicologist, lived in Washington, D.C. then Cincinnati after getting his PhD. After more than a decade away, Bates returned with his wife and two young sons to Central Indiana. The family moved into a house on the south side of Westfield in early June. Bates is one of dozens of people to take advantage of a program incentivizing remote workers to move to Central Indiana this year, amid a nationwide increase in remote work following the COVID-19 pandemic. Westfield, Noblesville, Indianapolis, Avon, Plainfield and cities in eight other Central Indiana counties partner with MakeMyMove, a for-profit tech platform that helps communities design, promote and manage incentive programs tailored to their local goals. 'Hamilton County checks all the boxes with good schools and a safe place to live,' Bates said. 'I would've moved here with or without the incentive program, but it was the cherry on top.' The Westfield incentive program for remote workers, through Indianapolis-based MakeMyMove, is valued at $8,000. It includes a one-year Westfield Chamber membership, a coffee conversation with Mayor Scott Willis, a kit with local goods and the opportunity to choose from packages that include tickets to family events, sporting events, a gym membership or a local restaurant gift package. Each community has different incentive packages. For Indianapolis, the incentive package includes memberships for a coworking space and a gym, tickets for Pacers games and other sports events and tickets for the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, and it's valued at $10,000. Some cities offer cash for relocation as part of their packages, including Avon and Noblesville, which both offer $5,000 in cash with other perks included. More: What's coming to Westfield?: Sun King, Graeter's Ice Cream, Wawa and Bub's Burgers planned 'Those extra goodies help you figure out where everything is,' Bates said. 'It's a good extra boost to help people get to know the community in a more seamless way.' Funding for the incentive programs typically comes from cities, local economic development organizations and chambers of commerce, or private foundations, according to MakeMyMove. Westfield pays the costs of their incentive packages, according to the city. 'The goal is to bring in residents who contribute not just economically, through spending and income taxes, but also by engaging in the community,' said the city's director of communications Kayla Arnold. 'Encouraging people to live where they work can help ease infrastructure demands caused by daily commuting, while also supporting local businesses and fostering long-term community investment.' Since March, Westfield has attracted six remote workers to move to the city through the MakeMyMove program. Noblesville, Indianapolis, Avon and Plainfield had already participated in the incentive program for remote workers when, earlier this year, MakeMyMove partnered with the Central Indiana Regional Development Authority, the Indiana Economic Development Corporation and Indy Chamber to extend the program to 11 counties in Central Indiana. The 11 participating counties are Marion, Hamilton, Hancock, Shelby, Johnson, Morgan, Hendricks, Boone, Madison, Brown and Putnam. So far this year, the programs have brought seven remote workers to Indianapolis, six to Carmel, five to Fishers and 13 to Noblesville. MakeMyMove first partnered with the City of Noblesville in 2022. Overall, 89 new households have moved to Noblesville as part of the remote worker incentive program, with an estimated $37.6 million economic impact, according to the city. 'It is an innovative tool to attract a talented and diverse workforce,' said Lexie Rock, communication director for Noblesville. 'This program helps grow the local talent pool in high-wage and high-skilled jobs, and it is not only achieved through the relocation of remote workers but also their spouses and families.'
Indianapolis Star
08-07-2025
- Business
- Indianapolis Star
Hamilton County man enjoys flexibility of working from home
WESTFIELD Christopher Bates looks out from his home office Wednesday, July 2, 2025 in Westfield. He works remotely for H.B. Fuller. He and his family recently moved to Hamilton County and used the company that helps people with relocation. The company partners with the Indy Chamber to offer incentives and practical assistance for people to relocate to Indianapolis and the area. Even though he is from the area, and he knows the area, the MakeMyMove still gave helpful assistance. Kelly Wilkinson/IndyStar Christopher Bates works remotely in his home office Wednesday, July 2, 2025 in Westfield. He and his family recently moved to Hamilton County and used the company that helps people with relocation. The company partners with the Indy Chamber to offer incentives and practical assistance for people to relocate to Indianapolis and the area. Even though he is from the area, and he knows the area, the MakeMyMove still gave helpful assistance. Kelly Wilkinson/IndyStar Christopher Bates works remotely in his home office Wednesday, July 2, 2025 in Westfield. He and his family recently moved to Hamilton County and used the company that helps people with relocation. The company partners with the Indy Chamber to offer incentives and practical assistance for people to relocate to Indianapolis and the area. Even though he is from the area, and he knows the area, the MakeMyMove still gave helpful assistance. Kelly Wilkinson/IndyStar Christopher Bates works remotely in his home office Wednesday, July 2, 2025 in Westfield. He and his family recently moved to Hamilton County and used the company that helps people with relocation. The company partners with the Indy Chamber to offer incentives and practical assistance for people to relocate to Indianapolis and the area. Even though he is from the area, and he knows the area, the MakeMyMove still gave helpful assistance. Kelly Wilkinson/IndyStar Christopher Bates works remotely in his home office Wednesday, July 2, 2025 in Westfield. He and his family recently moved to Hamilton County and used the company that helps people with relocation. The company partners with the Indy Chamber to offer incentives and practical assistance for people to relocate to Indianapolis and the area. Even though he is from the area, and he knows the area, the MakeMyMove still gave helpful assistance. Kelly Wilkinson/IndyStar Christopher Bates works remotely in his home office Wednesday, July 2, 2025 in Westfield. He and his family recently moved to Hamilton County and used the company that helps people with relocation. The company partners with the Indy Chamber to offer incentives and practical assistance for people to relocate to Indianapolis and the area. Even though he is from the area, and he knows the area, the MakeMyMove still gave helpful assistance. Kelly Wilkinson/IndyStar Christopher Bates looks out from his home office Wednesday, July 2, 2025 in Westfield. He works remotely for H.B. Fuller. He and his family recently moved to Hamilton County and used the company that helps people with relocation. The company partners with the Indy Chamber to offer incentives and practical assistance for people to relocate to Indianapolis and the area. Even though he is from the area, and he knows the area, the MakeMyMove still gave helpful assistance. Kelly Wilkinson/IndyStar
BBC News
27-06-2025
- BBC News
Bishop Auckland woods sex attacker gets life sentence
A sex offender described as "every woman's nightmare" after he tried to rape a teenage girl has been given a life Bates, 37, attacked the girl after pretending to be lost in woods near Bishop Auckland, Durham Police girl's family said it had had a "profound effect" on of Kirk Merrington near Spennymoor, admitted attempting to rape a girl aged between 13 and 15 years old and was jailed for life with a minimum term of six years and eight months. Sitting at Teesside Crown Court, Judge Joanne Kidd said Bates was "the living embodiment of every woman and girl's nightmare" and the "very reason parents warn girls how to defend themselves". 'I don't care' Bates attacked the girl as she walked in Eldon Woods, near Bishop Auckland, on the afternoon of 10 April, Durham Police 37-year-old pretended to be lost and asked her for directions out of the woods before performing a sex act on himself, a force spokeswoman terrified girl sprinted away but was caught by Bates, who dragged her to the ground and tried to rape her, police an attempt to stop him, the girl told Bates she was 10 years old, to which he replied "I don't care" and continued his attack, the force managed to shout to a passer-by for help, which caused Bates to flee the were called and he was arrested in the woods a short time later. 'Appalling and horrific' In a victim impact statement, the girl's mother said the attack had a "profound effect" and her daughter got scared if a man got near her in public."The woods used to be her safe place," the mother said. "However, she is so afraid she cannot go there any more."Det Con Dave Taylor said it was an "appalling and horrific crime" in which Bates "targeted a young, vulnerable girl" in a "very predatory way"."He poses a significant risk to lone women and girls," the officer said, adding he praised the "remarkable courage" shown by the victim.A sexual harm prevention order was also made to last indefinitely. Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
Yahoo
29-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Prolific Finger Lakes restaurateur named semifinalist for prestigious national honor
One of the most prolific business owners in the Finger Lakes region was recently named a semifinalist in the prestigious James Beard Awards, which recognize exceptional talent in the culinary and food media industries. Christopher Bates, together with his wife, Isabel Bogadtke, own F.L.X. Hospitality, which operates several businesses: F.L.X. Wienery, a casual burger and hot dog joint along the Seneca Lake Wine Trail in Dundee. F.L.X. Table, an intimate restaurant in Geneva that serves a five-course tasting menu based on local sourcing. In 2017 it was named the country's best new restaurant in the USA Today 10Best Reader's Choice poll. The Quincy Exchange, a cozy American bistro in Corning's historic Gaffer District. The Maillard Club, a high-end steakhouse with a chef's counter omakase experience; it's housed in the same building as The Quincy Exchange. F.L.X. Provisions, two retail shops and tasting rooms that sell Finger Lakes wines (including Element Winery), international beers, New York state spirits, house made food products and more. They are adjacent to the restaurants in Geneva and Corning. F.L.X. Culture House, a nano brewery that focuses on complex sours and barrel aged beers; its products are sold at F.L.X. Provisions. Element Winery, which Bates established with his father, Robert Bates, in 2006. In 2017, they purchased 30 acres of land on the east side of Seneca Lake planted with the varieties that excited them ― syrah, pinot noir, cabernet franc, chardonnay, merlot and cabernet sauvignon — and shifted toward an estate approach. In addition, Bates travels the world as a master sommelier, having passed the notoriously difficult exam in 2013. That year he also won TopSomm, an important sommelier competition in America. He was named one of Food & Wine magazine's 2016 sommeliers of the year. The James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards were established in 1990, with the first awards given in 1991. They celebrate excellence across all types of dining experiences, from fine dining to casual establishments. The 2025 restaurant and chef awards have 25 categories;Bates is a semifinalist in outstanding professional in beverage service, which is new this year. The Finger Lakes region has earned occasional recognition from the James Beard Awards in the past. Finger Lakes winery Red Tail Ridge was named a semifinalist in the category of outstanding wine, spirits or beer producer in 2019 and 2020. Dano Hutnik, the late chef and owner of the recently closed Dano's Heuriger in Lodi, New York, was a semifinalist for best chef in 2012 and 2014. Nominees will be announced on Wednesday, April 2, and winners will be announced at the James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards ceremony on Monday, June 16, at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. Tracy Schuhmacher has covered Rochester's food scene, along with the Finger Lakes wine and culinary scene, since 2015. Send tips to tracys@ This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Christopher Bates, F.L.X. Table owner, named James Beard semifinalist
