Business

By Michael Bianski, I&M Communications— FORT WAYNE – Ahead of Utility Scam Awareness Day on Wednesday, Nov. 19, Indiana Michigan Power (I&M) is sharing simple ways to spot and stop scams to keep you safe. Criminals often attempt to pressure customers into paying “unpaid bills” to avoid disconnection. These scams affect both homes and businesses. As of November 2025, I&M has received more than 300 scam reports from customers. “We understand how stressful and unsettling it can be to receive a call threatening to disconnect your power,” said Katie Runkle, vice president of Customer Experience and External Affairs. “By knowing…

By Farmhouse Creative— MUNCIE IN—The end of the year can feel like a sprint. Holiday orders, year-end reports, planning for next year, and still trying to make it home in time for dinner. For small business owners and entrepreneurs, it’s easy to lose steam right when the finish line is in sight. But here’s the truth: you don’t have to crawl your way through December. With the right focus, you can finish the year feeling proud, prepared, and even a little bit refreshed. Here’s how: 1. Reflect Before You Rush Before diving into next year’s goals, take a moment to…

By Barbara Schafer— MUNCIE, IN—This First Thursday, November 6th from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. stop by Gordy Fine Art & Framing to celebrate with Carl and Barbara their first decade of ownership. Greg Pyle will be sharing his musical talents with artworks by various artists that have called Muncie home. Barbara and Carl will be speaking at 6:15 pm. Refreshments will be served. “Our success over these ten years is because we live in a community where people want to  support a small family owned business. They want personalized service with individuals who stand by their work. We learn our…

By Brianna Pisacane— MUNCIE, IN—Goosehead Insurance, Metzler Agency has officially awarded a $10,000 donation to ecoREHAB, a nonprofit committed to advancing the community through sustainable design, rehabilitation, and education, has been awarded $10,000 through the Make More Happen Awards program. Initially, Goosehead Insurance, Metzler Agency received a $5,000 donation through the Liberty Mutual® and Safeco Insurance® 2025 Make More Happen™ Awards program for its partnership with ecoREHAB. After the story was featured on the Make More Happen microsite at https://www.agentgiving.com/goosehead-metzler-agency,  the community rallied with over 500 votes and comments—triggering a matching donation and bringing the total to $10,000. Growing up in…

By Ted A. Baker, CEO, Muncie Innovation Connector, Inc.— MUNCIE, IN—Now entering its fourth year, Business Showcase Week 2025 at the Muncie Innovation Connector promises to be the most expansive and inspiring yet. Aligned with Global Entrepreneurship Week 2025, this signature event will feature more workshops, panel discussions, networking opportunities, and collaborative meet-ups than ever before, reinforcing Muncie’s growing reputation as a hub for innovation and entrepreneurial growth. This year’s theme is “Celebrate. Educate. Collaborate.” Here are a few events that we would like to highlight. Opening Kickoff Celebration & Entrepreneur Impact Awards, Monday, November 17: 8:00 – 9:30 AM…

By Indiana Michigan Power— MUNCIE, IN—Indiana Michigan Power (I&M) crews are nearing completion of work on Tillotson Avenue between Euclid and University Avenues. Tillotson Avenue near IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital is expected to be open within the next few weeks. Some temporary traffic control measures may be required for minor repairs. I&M is coordinating with the City of Muncie to repave Tillotson Avenue in 2026. The final phase of the project includes underground line replacement in Halteman Village, impacting Twickingham Drive, Tillotson Avenue and Riggin Road. This work requires full road closures to be completed block-by-block. Residents in the…

By Reed Levitz— MUNCIE, IN—Northwest Bank is proud to announce the expansion and relocation of the Pat Botts Free Children’s Libraries from its financial centers to thoughtfully selected community spaces across Muncie. The first new location will be the Greater Muncie Habitat for Humanity office on Hoyt Avenue, a fitting tribute to Pat Botts’ lifelong dedication to service, education, and community development. Pat had a heart for Habitat’s mission, making this placement a meaningful first step in the library’s broader reach. A passionate advocate for literacy, Pat believed in the power of reading to transform lives. The libraries bearing his…

By Ben Polk— MUNCIE, IN—On Wednesday afternoon, Tim Pierce and Ben Polk of PrimeTrust Federal Credit Union announced the winners of Soup Crawl and presented a donation check to C.S. Hendershot and Sunni Matters of Second Harvest Food of East Central Indiana. The event raised $30,037.00 this year. Proceeds from the Soup Crawl contribute to Second Harvest Food Bank’s The Big Idea initiative, which aims to break the cycle of generational poverty by uniting schools, families, and resource providers in order to distribute resources, build connections, and create opportunities for children to chart a path to long-term stability. That’s the…

By  Stacey A. Shannon— MUNCIE, IN—This past spring, 33 First Merchants Bank employees traded their desks for a day in the classroom at Anderson Preparatory Academy. Spread across every K–5 classroom, these volunteers brought Junior Achievement’s financial wellness lessons to life. They taught children about saving money and setting career goals. First Merchants employees made concepts like budgeting and entrepreneurship fun and relatable. Delaware County’s hometown bank knows that early education in budgeting and saving is vital to the success of communities. For First Merchants moments like this aren’t one-offs; they’re part of a long tradition of investing in neighbors…