Business

By: Charlize Jamieson and Mike Rhodes— Muncie, IN–On the weekend of Friday evening April 12 and Saturday, April 13, Rotarians from across Central Indiana District 6560 and guests from around the world, converged on Muncie’s Horizon Convention Center for the annual district conference.  Typically, these conferences have been held in Indianapolis however, this year, Muncie’s own Dale Basham is the District Governor and downtown Muncie was privileged to host the 200 Rotarians who attended. Rotary International is a service organization whose purpose is to bring together business and professional leaders in order to provide humanitarian service and to advance peace and…

By: Jenny Hamilton, President & CEO of LifeStream Services— Muncie, IN—Each May, the nation celebrates Older Americans Month. What began in 1963 as a way to raise awareness of the issues facing older adults, eventually led to the passing of the Older Americans Act in 1975. LifeStream Services has been serving as the Area Agency on Aging for our region for the past 44 years since that time. We provide programs and services such as nutrition, transportation, and in-home care to over 19,000 older adults and people with disabilities. The theme of Older Americans Month 2019 is “Connect, Create, Contribute.”…

By: Amy Leffingwell— Indianapolis, IN—The Indiana Small Business Development Center (SBDC), part of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC), honored one business from each of its 10 regions statewide on Thursday, May 9th in Indianapolis. Muncie based Farmhouse Creative, founded by Angie Rogers-Howell in 2012, received the 2019 Small Business Impact Award, representing the east-central region. This award recognizes small businesses that work to help grow Indiana’s economy and strengthen communities across the state. This is the second SBCD award for Farmhouse Creative since it’s inception in 2012. Farmhouse Creative is a woman-owned marketing and branding firm specializing in print and digital…

By: Stacey Shannon— Muncie, IN—In May of 2007, Michelle Glowacki-Dudka and Gerry Hall opened River Gardens Bed and Breakfast at 4610 S. Burlington Dr. as a hobby business, but one the couple takes very seriously. Glowacki-Dudka, who is also a professor at Ball State University, said River Gardens Bed and Breakfast is one of only two formal bed and breakfasts in Muncie. More than an Airbnb, River Gardens offers a wide array of amenities, including a full breakfast menu that guests can customize according to their tastes and schedules. As the name suggests, the bed and breakfast is located right on the…

By: Stacey Shannon— Muncie, IN—Since August 2013, Cover-Tek in downtown Muncie has been providing health and wellness services to local residents in a variety of ways. Lindsey Staton, who is the office manager, said Cover-Tek works with numerous local companies and is also open to the public. Cover-Tek offers a wide array of services, including lab testing, flu shots, vaccines and B12 shots as well as classes in CPR, first aid and bloodborne pathogens. While most services are offered on a walk-in basis in Cover-Tek’s office at 926 W. Main St., the company also works onsite with various local businesses to…

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…