Business

By: Tracy Warner—  FORT WAYNE, Ind. – Indiana Michigan Power (I&M) will use aerial drones to inspect transmission lines in the East Central Indiana area beginning May 1st and continuing for about six weeks.  The drone inspection of wires and poles is occurring in portions of Adams, Delaware, Grant, Jay and Randolph counties. These inspections help I&M to ensure the safe and reliable operation of the area’s transmission system. The aerial drone will follow transmission lines for extended periods of time to capture high-resolution images of I&M equipment for structure and line condition assessments.  I&M has contracted with Asymmetric Technologies…

By: Sheena Peters— Muncie, IN – Regional public accounting and advisory firm, Whitinger & Company, is pleased to announce that Member/Owner Linn Crull, CPA received the Paul W. Parkison Department of Accounting Award of Excellence for 2019 from Ball State University. On April 29th, 2019, the Paul W. Parkison Department of Accounting hosted its 10th Annual Alumni Awards Dinner at the Ball State University Alumni Center. This event provides an excellent opportunity to recognize the accomplishments of some of its most distinguished alumni. This year, members of the Department’s Advisory Council selected Linn Crull to receive the Award of Excellence, one…

By: First Merchants— Muncie, IN—First Merchants Corporation (NASDAQ – FRME) has reported first quarter 2019 net income of $38.8 million, an increase of 5.8 percent, compared to $36.7 million during the same period in 2018.  Earnings per share for the period totaled $.78 per share, an increase of 5.4 percent, compared to the first quarter of 2018 result of $.74 per share. Total assets equaled $10.2 billion as of quarter-end and loans totaled $7.3 billion.  The Corporation’s loan portfolio increased by $397 million, or 5.7 percent, during the past twelve months.  Investments increased $319 million, or 20.7 percent, during the…

By: Stacey Shannon— Muncie, IN—When Muncie native Cheryl Lindus returned to the city after living away for 10 years for work, she kept hearing local residents talk about having to leave Muncie for good food, entertainment and shopping. She realized many residents weren’t aware of all Muncie has to offer and decided to do something about it. Last May she launched Experience Muncie, which is a social media project designed to keep local residents informed about what’s going on in the community. Lindus works diligently to post on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram about what is happening in Muncie. She curates information…

By: Stacey Shannon— Muncie, IN—After Chris Mullett graduated from Ball State University with a degree in visual communications, he headed to Indianapolis to work. When he and his wife were ready to start a family, they wanted to be back in Muncie. He decided to open his own company, Mullett Design Group, LLC. This year will mark his fifth year in business, and Mullett said the Muncie community has been great for his business. While he offers a full gamut of graphic design services, Mullett found a new direction for his business after working with the Liberty Perry School Corporation. Now…

By: Hannah Downham— Muncie, IN—Loretta Swit, best known as Major Margaret Houlihan on the iconic television series M*A*S*H, will make her first appearance in Muncie, Ind. at LifeStream’s 16th Annual Aging Well Conference on Thursday, June 6 at the Horizon Convention Center. At 81 years old, “Hot Lips” Houlihan, hasn’t stopped. She is an accomplished actress, devoted animal activist, and a talented artist who continues to travel and speak to groups across the U.S. Many would say Swit has aged well. But what is aging well and how do we do it? LifeStream has been providing the resources for the community…

By: Stacey Shannon— Muncie, IN—While Muncie has changed since Lowery’s Home Made Candies first opened in 1941, the candy-maker itself has stayed very much the same. The family-run business is on its fourth generation of leadership under Charles Joseph, but the recipes and techniques remain the same as they’ve always been. Joseph said stepping into Lowery’s Home Made Candies on West Kilgore Avenue is like taking a step into the past. All candies are made by hand with carefully selected ingredients using the same tools that were used 100 years ago. Lowery’s doesn’t use machines or mixes to make candy….

By: Mike Rhodes— Muncie, IN—Saturday, April 13th is National Record Store Day across the globe. You remember vinyl records, right? LP’s? 45’s? Needles and cartridges? Record cleaning fluid? Discwasher? (Manufactured by RCA in Indianapolis back in the day.) Well, all that old technology is now very popular these days. Even with millennials, who grew up listening to mostly compressed digital music files on iTunes and other digital music services. According to Forbes, analog-recorded vinyl record sales are through the roof. In fact, the format has seen 260% growth since 2009. Used. New. Doesn’t matter. Vinyl records are cool again. And…

By: Mike Rhodes— Muncie, IN—Earlier today, members of Delaware Dynamics, the Muncie-Delaware County Chamber of Commerce, the Muncie-Delaware County Economic Development Alliance, government officials and other community leaders gathered to break ground for a new facility at Delaware Dynamics, in downtown Muncie. In opening remarks, Jeff Parsons said, “Each day the Chamber, the Economic Development Alliance and its partners work together with elected officials and stakeholders to advance economic development in our community, and today is no exception.” Delaware Dynamics new facility  will be dedicated to escalating their high-tech capabilities.  The building will house more high-speed mills including another state-of-the-art…