Business

New Holiday Inn to Bring 50+ Jobs

By Michele Owen— MUNCIE, IN—On Thursday, May 25th, a new 105 room hotel was approved by the Board of Zoning Appeals. This was the final step to bring a new Holiday Inn Express & Suites to Muncie, located on Hometown Boulevard, near the Greg Hubler Hyundai dealership. A 2020 hotel study showed that Muncie could support at least three new hotels. “There’s definitely a need,” commented Mayor Ridenour. “There are so many conventions and events hosted in Muncie, and our…

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Teaching Youth the Languages of the Next Generation

By Ted A. Baker, CEO/Executive Director— MUNCIE, IN—Over the past two years, I have written several articles about the scope of services and activities at the Innovation Connector.  From leasing office space to entrepreneurs, coaching and advising business owners and entrepreneurs, hosting workshops and events, and providing opportunities for networking and coworking, the Innovation Connector has served the Muncie community well. We know that students are encouraged to learn foreign languages as part of their school work, such as Spanish…


YMCA of Muncie Receives Major Investment From IU Health East Central Region

By Kristen McConnell— MUNCIE, IN—The YMCA of Muncie is gathering community support for a new facility located on the campus of Muncie Central High School.  Local East Central Region philanthropy leaders for the IU Health Foundation approved a multi-year pledge of $5 million from its ECR Community Health Fund to go towards the $31 million campaign. IU Health East Central Region’s President, Dr. Jeffrey Bird, has been involved with the YMCA project for nearly three years and serves on the…


Rialzo Raises Funds for Youth Mental and Physical Health in Local Schools

By Meridian Health Services— MUNCIE, IN– Meridian Health Services’ Rialzo, East Central Indiana’s largest charity gala, returned on Saturday, May 6 at the Horizon Convention Center in Muncie.  Seven hundred of Meridian’s greatest supporters traveled through the rabbit hole to a world of wonderment at the Alice in Wonderland-themed Rialzo XII. Rialzo will help support the dire need for increased mental and physical health services for children in local schools through Meridian’s School-Based Health Clinics. This funding comes at a…


City of Muncie Receives Grant From Indiana American Water Company

 By Indiana American Water— GREENWOOD, IN—Indiana American Water has announced that it is awarding a total of $10,000 to four organizations across the state as part of its 2023 Environmental Grant Program. Winners include the City of Muncie, the Tippecanoe County Soil and Water Conservation District, the Town of Clarksville Youth Council and the Student Conservation Association.  Established in 2005, the company’s Environmental Grant Program offers funds for innovative, community-based environmental projects that improve, restore or protect the watersheds, surface…


Ribbon Cutting to Celebrate ‘Gather and Grow’ Mural at Rosebud Coffee House

By Kate H. Elliott— MUNCIE, IN—Muncie residents are invited to a ribbon cutting at 11 a.m. on Friday, May 19, to celebrate completion of the “Gather and Grow” mural at Rosebud Coffee House, 1805 S. Hoyt Ave. The mural — completed by local artist Sarah Shaffer — is a campus & community collaboration between Rosebud and Ball State University’s School of Journalism and Strategic Communication. Lecturer of Journalism Kate Elliott helped guide the creative endeavor. “Students in my strategic writing class…


First Merchants Bank Named One of Forbes 2023 World’s Best Banks

By First Merchants— MUNCIE, IN – First Merchants Bank has been recognized as one of the World’s Best Banks for 2023. First Merchants Bank ranked 31 out of 75 banks headquartered in the United States receiving this distinction and is the only Indiana headquartered bank to be recognized. According to Forbes, they use a methodology where Statista surveys bank customers for their opinions on their current and former banking relationships across 32 countries. The ratings comprise general satisfaction and if…


Northwest Bank Ranked Among the World’s Best Banks in 2023 By Forbes

By Northwest— COLUMBUS, Ohio – Northwest Bank, a full-service financial institution offering a complete line of business and personal banking products, has been recognized by Forbes as one of the “World’s Best Banks” for 2023. Ranked 60th in the United States, this recognition marks the fourth consecutive year that Northwest has made the list. The Forbes’ World’s Best Banks listing is determined by a customer survey ranking financial institutions by key satisfaction factors including trust, digital services, customer services and…


Muncie’s Gillman Home Center To Celebrate Grand Opening Mothers Day Weekend

By Robert Bond, Gillman Home Center— MUNCIE, IN – Gillman Do it Best Home Centers will celebrate the grand opening of its newest location in Muncie with a weekend full of events, giveaways and savings opportunities for customers. Family-friendly festivities will kick off with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 11:30 am and a wood carving demonstration at noon on Friday, May 12th. On Saturday, May 13th, attendees can enjoy hearing from Bruce “Gatorman” Mitchell from The History Channel’s Swamp People…


Brandon Isler—Member of Pridemark Construction’s ‘Future Leaders of America’ Series

Editor’s note: The Future Leaders of America series profiles high school seniors who display leadership qualities in their school and the community. The series is brought to you by Pridemark Construction. By Stacey Shannon— MUNCIE, IN—When it comes to academics, Brandon Isler is focused. Not only is the Delta High School senior a successful student, but he’s also excelled on the school’s academic and spell bowl teams. In fact, this year, the spell bowl team placed second in regionals, which…