By Eliza Guion—
MUNCIE, IN– Next Muncie has added four new members to the coalition. Next Muncie’s members work collaboratively to advocate for projects and programs that benefit the people of Muncie. Marcy Minton, Elizabeth Rowray, Laura Hill, and Adam Unger have joined Next Muncie’s Central City Leadership Team, a group of community leaders dedicated to the mission of Next Muncie.
Marcy Minton, a fourth generation Munsonian and the President and CEO of The Community Foundation of Muncie & Delaware County, joined Next Muncie in November 2022. Through her professional and lived experience, Minton brings broad knowledge of the community and the nonprofit partners working to meet a shared vision within community plans. In addition to her work with The Community Foundation and Next Muncie, she serves on the board of Muncie Action Plan. “Muncie truly has a strong culture of collaboration. I am happy to support opportunities that move our community forward and benefit all our residents by serving as a connector between the collaborative coalitions of Muncie Action Plan and Next Muncie.”
Elizabeth Rowray also joined Next Muncie late last year. She is the Chief Economic Development Officer & President and CEO of the Muncie-Delaware County Chamber of Commerce & Muncie-Delaware County Economic Development Alliance. In addition, Rowray serves as an Indiana State Representative serving portions of Delaware and Madison Counties. A native resident of Muncie, Rowray has been an active volunteer in the community on many fronts. “Delaware County is a great example when it comes to Hoosier hospitality and as a part of Next Muncie, I look forward to helping encourage outsiders to look at the area as a destination where they want to live, work, and play” said Rowray.
With a background in investment and nonprofit leadership, Laura Hill brings a unique perspective to the Next Muncie leadership team. After her work in Chicago went remote during the global pandemic, Hill moved back to Muncie to be near family. “I bring the perspective of someone who was born and raised in Muncie, lived in other places, and then chose to come back here,” Hill said. Hill appreciates the coalition’s citywide objectives that bring a wide array of organizations together. “Next Muncie distills potential areas of focus and streamlines them so everybody can row in the same direction and accomplish something amazing.”
Next Muncie’s newest member, Adam Unger, is also a longtime Muncie resident. He has spent most of his life in the area and chose the heart of downtown as the location for his software company, Accutech Systems Corporation. His passion to help Muncie grow in a long-term, sustainable way was the driving factor in joining the coalition. “I’m excited to be part of a group of talented people that are all dedicated to helping advance positive initiatives for our city,” Unger said. “Muncie has made so many positive strides in the last decade and I’m excited to see the advancements we can continue to make so that we’re a destination where people want to visit, enjoy, and stay.”
The Next Muncie Central City Leadership Team meets each month to discuss and advocate for projects aimed at transforming the Central City opportunity area. The leadership team provides guidance and makes connections throughout the city to aid in building lively places, fostering healthy living, and creating new opportunities for learning and working. The leadership team additionally supports Project Management Teams that currently focus on the McKinley Live Learn Neighborhood, arts and culture, trails, hi-tech initiatives, and downtown Muncie.
One project that has been championed by Next Muncie recently was the rezoning of strategic areas in the McKinley Neighborhood to advance revitalization efforts. Approved by Muncie City Council in January, the rezone of the area will allow for structures to be built closer together, similar to buildings downtown. It is expected that both commercial and residential improvements will be made to the area. Next Muncie has supported the area as an opportune place for development and Christopher Smith, chairman of Next Muncie’s McKinley Live, Learn Neighborhood Project Management Team, has been working with the McKinley Neighborhood Association since 2018.
The members of Next Muncie work collaboratively to advocate for projects and programs that benefit the people of Muncie.
Visit www.nextmuncie.com.
