Business

By: Nancy Carlson— Muncie, IN—The business owners in the Village, the eight block commercial area due south of Ball State University, are organizing for the first time in decades. The Village Merchants Association is re-forming to address issues common to all merchants, such as trash, parking, outdoor seating, event promotion, and relationships with the city and university. After a successful event called “$2 Tour of the Village” in August, sponsored by the Riverside/Normal City Neighborhood Association, the merchants decided to…

By: David Huhnke— Muncie, IN– The Community Champions Fund is pleased to announce that it has awarded funds to ten organizations totaling $32,895.00.  This is the final disbursement of the Community Champions Fund, which was subsidized by Old National Bank’s 100 Men Who Cook event, to support organizations within the community to provide programming, services, and activities that endeavor to reduce violence as well as provide security and care for victims of violence.  Since 2015, Community Champions Fund has awarded…

By: Chad Mertz— Companies execute legal close following regulatory approvals in August Muncie, IN— First Merchants Corporation (NASDAQ: FRME) and MBT Financial Corporation (NASDAQ: MBTF) have finalized a merger of the two companies. Following regulatory approvals last month, the companies consummated their legal closing through a 100% stock transaction effective September 1, 2019. As previously announced in late 2018, Monroe Bank & Trust will also merge with and into First Merchants Bank. Headquartered in Monroe, Michigan, MBTF operated 20 banking center…

Provided By: Joseph DiBlasi, The Conference Board— New York—As Americans celebrate Labor Day, a nationwide survey reveals they’re feeling better about their jobs than they have in years. Conducted by The Conference Board, the survey shows that about 54 percent of U.S. workers are satisfied with their employment. Satisfaction climbed by almost three percent from the prior year, which marks a near-record increase in the survey’s history. Workers also report being much more at ease about their job security. And…

Co-Founder Ron Fauquher to Retire After 39 Years with the Company  Muncie, IN – Ontario Systems, a leading provider of enterprise software that automates complex workflows and accelerates revenue recovery for clients in the healthcare, accounts receivable management (ARM), and government markets, today announced that effective immediately, Jason Harrington, President of Ontario Systems, will succeed retiring Co-Founder and CEO Ron Fauquher to become the fourth CEO in the company’s nearly 39-year history. A native of Muncie, Indiana, where Ontario Systems’ headquarters…

By: The Muncie-Delaware County Chamber of Commerce— Muncie, IN—The 9th annual Muncie-Delaware County Chamber of Commerce’s Legacy Gala was held at the Horizon Convention Center on Saturday evening, August 24th. Among those who paid tribute to the legacy of the Ball family was Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb.  The event also included speaker James A. Fisher, CEO of the Ball Brothers Foundation Board of Directors; Geoffrey Mearns, Ball State University President; Dr. Jeffrey Bird, CEO of IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital; and, Stephanie…

Leading Investment Firm Poised to Help Software Provider Achieve Next Level of Growth— Muncie, IN–Ontario Systems (“Ontario”, or “the Company”), a leading provider of enterprise software that automates complex workflows and accelerates revenue recovery for clients in the healthcare, accounts receivable management (ARM), and government markets, has entered into a definitive agreement to partner with New York-based New Mountain Capital, a leading growth-oriented investment firm with over $20 billion in assets under management. With its purchase of a majority share…

By: Stacey A. Shannon— Muncie, IN—While In & Out Cleaning Services specializes in both residential and commercial cleaning services, the company is focused on building relationships with its customers and being part of the Muncie community. Alex Romoser, a co-owner of the business along with Josh Arthur, said the company has been in business for 15 years and continues to grow. In & Out Cleaning Services, which offers everything from gutter cleaning to window washing to regular cleaning services, offers…

By: Mike Rhodes, Editor-in-Chief— Muncie, IN—Jim Mansfield, executive director of the Muncie Visitors Bureau was named a winner of the 2019 Hoosier Hospitality Award at ceremonies held earlier today at the Indiana State Fair Wine, Beer, & Spirits Pavilion. Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch presented Mansfield with the award. The Hoosier Hospitality Award is given to Hoosiers that have displayed a high level of service in tourism-related professions at hotels, restaurants, attractions and other destinations in Indiana. Jeff Bryan nominated Mansfield…