Government

By Michele Owen— MUNCIE, IN—Muncie residents have been eagerly awaiting news on a proposed skatepark slated for Westside Park, which has been discussed since 2020. The design for the skatepark was bid out to Hunger Skateparks, who collected public input to finalize the design in 2022. The engineering and design work were ready to go in 2023, but permits from the Department of Natural Resources were required before construction could begin. Now, DNR permits have come back approved, and the 15,000 square foot project will go out to bid in March. The bidding process could take up to 6 weeks,…

By Braden Dunlap, Press Secretary— STATEHOUSE —Delaware County native Natalie Moulton is gaining experience as an intern with State Rep. Elizabeth Rowray (R-Yorktown) and her fellow members of the Indiana House of Representatives during the 2024 legislative session.Moulton, a Yorktown High School graduate, is the daughter of Ben and Amy Moulton. She is currently a junior at Ball State University, majoring in communication with minors in political science and social work.“Thanks to this internship, I’ve been able to learn so much about state government and make great connections with legislators and staff,” Moulton said. “This firsthand experience has brought me…

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…