Government

By Michele Owen— MUNCIE, IN—On Tuesday, Advantix Development closed on Southern Terrace, a scattered-site development that will bring 45 new residences to Muncie. The project was awarded $1.2 million in Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC), and the homes will only be available for residents earning 30-80% of the Area Mean Income. Rent for each resident will be calculated based on income and family size. The sites include former Muncie Redevelopment Commission properties, sites from the Land Bank, and a site formerly owned by a church on 26th street. 20 of the properties will be converted into single family homes,…

By Michele Owen— MUNCIE, IN—The Downtown YMCA has been a landmark in the heart of the city since 1975. In 2022, the City of Muncie Redevelopment Commission purchased the Y building to assist in the capital campaign for a new downtown facility, and to preserve the prime location of the building. “This area of downtown is the main gathering space of downtown events….[we] plan to seek out more uses that complement and enhance the area,” commented Mayor Ridenour at the time. Now, the Y has been purchased by True Development Solutions, who have big plans to repurpose the building. Current…

By Kimberly S. Dowling, Judge of Delaware Circuit Court 2— MUNCIE, IN—January is National Human Trafficking Awareness Month. As I reflect on the advances Indiana has made over the last nine years, I would like to highlight those accomplishments and share recent updates with the Muncie community. My work in human trafficking began in 2014 just after I was first elected to the bench.  It was a hot topic even then, but I learned quickly that we had a lot of work to do. Approximately 300,000 children are drawn into human trafficking each year.  Those trafficked by family members begin…

By Jud Fisher— MUNCIE, IN—Cybercrime is a growing problem across the world and right here at home. Local businesses, nonprofits, and school districts have all been victims of cyberattacks. Individuals often fall victim to scams, and digital devices are often used in crimes of all kinds. Ball Brothers Foundation provided early funding for fighting local cybercrime through an initiative the foundation launched in 2020 called “Project Sybertooth.” Funding was initially awarded to Ivy Tech to create three cybersecurity courses tailored for a cohort of officers from the Muncie Police Department, the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office, and the Ball State University…

By Bill Walters, Executive Director of the ECI Regional Planning District— DELAWARE COUNTY, IN— The ECI Regional Planning District was awarded $400,000, for Delaware, Grant, Blackford, and Jay Counties, with 47% of the funds being allocated toward disadvantaged communities, through the Safe Streets and Roads for All grant program. The Safe Streets and Roads for All grant program was instated through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in which $5 billion is being used from 2022-2026 to ensure regional, local, and Tribal road conditions are adjusted to protect drivers. From 2017-2021, these counties had a total of 166 traffic crash fatalities. Through…

By Michele Owen— MUNCIE, IN—On Tuesday morning, Mayor Dan Ridenour appointed Daniel Burford to the position of Chief of the Muncie Fire Department. Burford is a long time veteran of the Fire Department, and previously served as the Deputy Chief. The previous Fire Chief, Robert Mead, retired earlier this year after nearly two years in the position and more than a decade of service to the department. Mead attended the swearing in ceremony, and pinned the new Chief’s lapels. Firefighter Daniel Ninde, who had recently been promoted to Lieutenant, was appointed Deputy Fire Chief. The men will begin their new…

State representative to offer listening hours, provide resources and information By Emily Reuben, Press Secretary— INDIANAPOLIS –It’s no secret that navigating the government can be a daunting task. State Rep. Sue Errington (D-Muncie) wants to remind District 34 residents of available resources that ensure the state government is working for you. On December 4th from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., Errington will offer listening hours and state resources in Muncie in the atrium of the Maring-Hunt Public Library, 2005 S High St, Muncie, IN 47302. Resources include senior citizen resources, a consumer protection guide, veteran benefits information, local tourism guides…