Business

By: Chad Mertz— Muncie, IN– First Merchants Corporation (NASDAQ – FRME) has announced Jamie Matthews as its new market president for the Muncie region. Matthews will oversee all market operations and build upon the company’s recent growth and success in the city it has called home for more than 125 years. Matthews has been with First Merchants for nearly a decade, serving as a business banker, commercial relationship manager, and most recently as commercial banking sales manager. Prior to First Merchants, Matthews was a men’s basketball coach for Manchester College, Saginaw Valley State University and Eastern Washington University. He received…

By: Delaware Advancement Corporation & Muncie-Delaware County Economic Development Alliance— Muncie, IN – Delaware Advancement Corporation and the City of Muncie are pleased to announce that additional funds have been secured to provide enhancements to the Riverside trail project. The residents living along and near the trail route have shared their feedback in public and individual meetings, and the project team has worked to find resources to address their concerns. Among the issues cited included loss of trees, flooding, safety of pedestrians, and speed of traffic. The Ball Brothers Foundation has granted $25,000 to cover the cost of planting 30-35 replacement…

By: First Merchants— Scott McKee brings commitment to community leadership, passion for social causes MUNCIE, IN— First Merchants Corporation (NASDAQ – FRME) has announced the naming of Scott McKee as its Corporate Social Responsibility Director. McKee, an industry veteran with more than 30 years’ experience, will lead and implement efforts around community relations, volunteerism, philanthropy, financial education and community reinvestment activities. Beginning in 2019, Company leadership began discussing changes to further support core values of community leadership, organic growth and social responsibility. “First Merchants believes in taking care of our communities,” said Michael C. Rechin, President and CEO of First…

By: First Merchants— Muncie, IN – First Merchants has announced  a $1.4 billion community investment plan with the National Community Reinvestment Coalition (NCRC) and its community-based members and partners. The collaborative initiative began with a needs assessment in September 2019 and was finalized earlier this month. The commitment, which extends through 2025, includes mortgage, small business and community development investments and lending. Philanthropic funding is a primary focus as well and will be funneled to low- and moderate-income communities across First Merchants’ regional market areas in Indiana, Ohio, Illinois and Michigan. “The $1.4 billion Community Benefits Agreement accelerates First Merchants’ leadership…

By: Kristina Clemens— Muncie, IN—In an industry where 96 percent of new firms go out of business within five years, Clemens Home Solutions has grown and prospered for more than two decades. Certainly, a good deal of this success has come because construction is in the blood of Shawn Clemens, the company’s owner and founder. Passionate about building things for as long as he can remember, Shawn has been actively working on home construction sites and remodeling projects since he was 12 years old – an age when most kids’ building activities still involve the use of LEGOs. Then, there’s the…

By: Knapp Supply— Muncie, IN—Knapp Supply’s long history goes back to just after the Civil War.  After being honorably discharged from the Union Army in March 1864 for injuries that he suffered at the Battle of Chickamauga, Captain Alexander A. Knapp moved to Union City, Indiana. In 1871, Capt. Knapp was elected to the Union City Council, where he oversaw the construction of the Union City Waterworks.  With the completion of the Union City Waterworks, demand for plumbing supplies was great.  So, in 1874, Capt. Knapp started a “plumber, steam, and gas fitter” supply company in Union City.  With a…

By: Muncie-Delaware County Chamber— Muncie, IN— The Muncie-Delaware County Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that Rev. Dr. Ronald Naylor will be recognized as the 2020 recipient of the Chamber’s Legacy Award. This year’s Legacy Gala is scheduled for Saturday, August 22, at the Horizon Convention Center in Muncie. The Muncie-Delaware County Chamber of Commerce’s Legacy Award is presented annually to an individual who has made extraordinary, sustained, and positive contributions to the Muncie-Delaware County community, and who has provided leadership in the development of programs, events, and/or new traditions that promote goodwill and community pride. “Ron Naylor has been…

By: Ted Baker— Muncie, IN—The Muncie Innovation Connector is pleased to announce the launch of the Delaware County Micro-Business Restart Loan Fund.  Independently-owned for-profit businesses located in Delaware County, Indiana with a maximum of five full-time employees may be eligible for a loan up to $2,500 through the Delaware County Micro-Business Restart Loan Fund. This program is presented by the Muncie Innovation Connector and the East Central Indiana Small Business Development Center. Businesses must have been actively in operation with sales in January 2020 to apply. Businesses that received funds from either the Paycheck Protection Plan (PPP), Emergency Injury Disaster…

By: Muncie-Delaware County Economic Development Alliance— Muncie, IN— In a groundbreaking ceremony on May 28th, local officials and representatives of WS Property Group gathered to celebrate the start of construction on White River Lofts, a mixed-use riverfront building in downtown Muncie that includes 55 residential apartments with high quality finishes and views of the White River. Commercial space will be available on the ground floor. The project is the first phase of the White River Canal District, and will be located at 400 W Washington Street, adjacent to the riverfront, and walkable to shops, restaurants, and offices in Muncie’s central…