Business

By: First Merchants Corporation— Muncie, IN—First Merchants Corporation (NASDAQ – FRME) has reported second quarter 2018 net income of $39.6 million, an increase of 64 percent, compared to $24.1 million during the same period in 2017. Earnings per share for the period totaled $.80 per share, an increase of 40 percent, compared to the second quarter of 2017 result of $.57 per share. Net income for the six months ended June 30, 2018 totaled $76.3 million, compared to $47.3 million…

By: Allison Robbins— Muncie, IN–Central City Leadership Team, a newly formed group of community members representing the private, public and philanthropic sectors of Muncie, is launching Next Muncie, a long-term redevelopment and revitalization initiative. The team announced this strategic effort under the name “Next Muncie” to emphasize its dedication toward continually propelling the city forward. “Next Muncie is an exciting opportunity to help accelerate and prioritize the economic development and neighborhood revitalization projects that will transform our city,” said Geoffrey…

By: Kris Blackmon— 11thAnnual MSP 501 Identifies World’s Most Forward-Thinking MSPs & Leading Trends in Managed Services Muncie, IN—Leap Managed IT ranks among the world’s 501 most strategic and innovative managed service providers (MSPs), according to Channel Futures 11th-annual MSP 501 Worldwide Company Rankings. The MSP 501 is the first, largest and most comprehensive ranking of managed service providers worldwide. This year Channel Futures received a record number of submissions. Applications poured in from Europe, Asia, South America and beyond….

By: Stephanie Clawson— Muncie, IN—Eastern Indiana Works, a leader in data-driven workforce solutions, announces the appointment of Dan Borgenheimer, Derek Dodd and Shelley York to 3-year terms on its Board of Directors. Dan Borgenheimer serves as the Business Transformation MTD Plant Coach for 3M Industrial Business Group in Hartford City, IN and will serve as a private sector representative on the Eastern Indiana Works Board of Directors. Mr. Borgenheimer was nominated by the Blackford County Economic Development Corporation and appointed…

By: Sheena Peters— Orlando, FL– The International Business Innovation Association (InBIA), an international non-profit organization and global advocate for entrepreneur-driven economic ecosystems, recently completed its board elections and five board members were elected to three year terms. Ted Baker, Executive Director of the Muncie Innovation Connector, Inc. has been re-elected to serve a second term. An InBIA member since 2010, Ted Baker is in his eighth year with the Innovation Connector, a technology incubator and coworking space in Muncie, IN….

By: Corey Sharp, Purdue Polytechnic— Muncie, IN—As Purdue Polytechnic prepares to expand its footprint by providing courses in Muncie’s Mad/Jax facility, initial efforts are underway to explore how shared space and programming in the facility could benefit K-12 students, college students, manufacturers, and non-profit organizations. With manufacturers concerned about the lack of skilled workers who possess the technical training needed to fill high-demand, high-wage jobs, interest in investing in the current and future workforce has never been stronger. Representatives of…

By: Mike Rhodes— Muncie, IN—As you know, the Innovation Connector has been the home to many startup businesses and organizations in the Muncie community. Mark Slusher’s company, Endpoint Creative, is one of them. The company specializes in digital video production, visual marketing,  and high-end live video streaming. Slusher was born and raised in Delaware County and attended Delta High School. “I like Delaware County,” he said. “There are a lot of great things happening here.” An avid community volunteer, Slusher…

By: Shawn Rogers— Muncie, IN—New Corner Brewing Company is announcing its plans to open a tasting room at Prairie Creek Reservoir just minutes outside of Muncie.  The new location will feature all of New Corner’s unique local brews on tap as well as additional local favorites from around the state.  “We are very excited to be able to make this announcement,” said owner Sean Brady. “We think that a tap room located at the Reservoir will add another level of…

By: Danyel Struble, Attorney at Law— Muncie, IN—If you have suffered a personal injury that is the fault of another person or company, it is important to promptly consult with a personal injury attorney and preserve all evidence of the accident and your injuries. The journey through a personal injury case can be confusing and stressful.  As a personal injury attorney, I guide my clients through the following personal injury road map. The first step for a potential personal injury…