By Katy Maggart—
MUNCIE, IN — The Greater Muncie Chamber of Commerce held their 130th Annual Meeting & Dinner on Tuesday, November 13. Six awards were presented, and a new chair of the board of directors was installed.
The Spirit of Small Business Award was presented to an individual(s) who own and/or operate a small business in the greater Muncie area. The award finalists included Kaleidoscope Kids, TLC Equities, and Walls Furniture & Mattress. This year’s award recipient was Walls Furniture & Mattress.
The Economic Impact Award was presented to an individual, organization, or company that has made significant contributions to the economic well-being of the greater Muncie area. This year’s finalists were East Central Indiana Regional Partnership, First Merchants Bank, and YMCA of Muncie. The award was presented to First Merchants Bank.
The Excellence in Public Service Award was presented to an individual, organization, or company that has made significant contributions to the well-being and/or quality of life in the greater Muncie area. The finalists for the award were Jammie Bane with the Delaware County Health Department, John Barlow with the Muncie Sanitary District, and Minnetrista Museum & Gardens. Jammie Bane was presented with the award.
The Excellence in Education Award was presented to a teacher, administrator, organization, or company that has made significant contributions to education or workforce development in the greater Muncie area. The finalists for the award were Muncie & Delaware County BY5 Early Childhood Initiative, Muncie Youth Build, and Whitely Community Council. The award was presented to Muncie & Delaware County BY5 Early Childhood Initiative.
The Young Professional of the Year Award was presented to an individual under the age of 35 who has made significant contributions to the well-being of the greater Muncie area. The finalists were Hannah Bender with Minnetrista Museum & Gardens, Luis Rivera with PrimeTrust Federal Credit Union, and Austin Weiland with Minnetrista Museum & Gardens. Luis Rivera was presented with the award.
The New Member of the Year Award was presented to a member who has joined the Chamber in the last 24 months and has shown great engagement and enthusiasm for Chamber events and activities. The finalists were Growing Remarkable Opportunities with Women, Senior Helpers of East Central Indiana, and 3Rivers Federal Credit Union. The Award was presented to 3Rivers Federal Credit Union.
The Chamber solicited nominations from their membership in October. Those nominations forms were then scored by an ad hoc committee of Chamber Board Members to determine the top three finalists and subsequently the winner of each award.
Additionally, Stephen Brand reflected on his year as Chairman of the Board. He shared that the past year has been a year of moving and improving. The Chamber moved into their new office space and completed a reorganization with their sister organization the Muncie-Delaware County Economic Development Alliance. He shared that over the past 12 months, the Chamber welcomed 42 new members. Brand then introduced Jeff Scott, Chancellor of Ivy Tech’s Muncie and Henry County campuses, as the 2025 Board Chair. Scott presented Brand with a plaque thanking him for his service over the past year.
This year’s event also included a special presentation of the Sagamore of the Wabash award. The Sagamore of the Wabash is the highest distinction in Indiana given by the state governor. The award is a personal tribute given to those who have rendered distinguished service to the state or to the governor. The Sagamore of the Wabash was presented to Kelly Stanley by Elizabeth Rowray on behalf of Indiana Governor Eric J. Holcomb.
Alexandra Hudson, author of The Soul of Civility, was a guest speaker, and attendees received a copy of her book.
First Merchants Bank was this year’s presenting sponsor. A list of all sponsors can be seen on the Chamber’s website, munciechamber.org.
About Greater Muncie Chamber of Commerce
Since 1894, the Chamber has been integral to Greater Muncie because of our strategic business-building plans and services. We strive to be a source of innovative business development for our community by engaging large, medium, and small businesses in countless industries. The Chamber builds an extensive Muncie business network through member connections and expansion. Building business. Building community.
