Business

By Ball State Athletics— MUNCIE, IN—Once again expanding a broadcast relationship that spans decades in East Central Indiana, Ball State Athletics has announced a new radio agreement with Woof Boom Radio that will add Cardinals baseball to the WMUN Radio lineup. Beginning Friday when the Cardinals open their Mid-American Conference schedule with the first game of a home series against Central Michigan, WMUN (92.5 FM and 1340 AM) will carry 26 games on its air, reflecting over half of Ball…

By I&M— FORT WAYNE— At a time when many Hoosiers are worried about rising energy costs, Indiana Michigan Power (I&M), an American Electric Power (AEP) company, announced today that it will file to reduce base rates — the largest portion of most bills — as part of a comprehensive Customer Benefits Plan. This rate decrease is made possible by the load growth and increased revenue it is experiencing from large customers including data centers. The Customer Benefits Plan also includes…

By Nick Werner— MUNCIE, IN — A new design-build studio is launching to serve Hoosier homeowners who delight in details, who value high-end materials, and who expect more from contractor relationships. 1874 Design Studio offers customers full-service remodeling, specializing in kitchen, bath, and whole-home renovations, serving Central Indiana and beyond. The studio is a division of Knapp Supply Co., a 150-year-old kitchen and bath remodeling and plumbing supply provider. As a design-build business, 1874 Design Studio helps clients reimagine kitchens, bathrooms,…

By Northwest Bank— MUNCIE, IN—Northwest Bank has named Garrett Doan as Regional Commercial Banking Market Executive for Indiana, where he will lead the bank’s commercial banking strategy and teams across the state, with a focus on relationship‑driven growth and strong community presence. In this role, Doan is responsible for overseeing Northwest Bank’s Commercial Bank in Indiana, serving commercial and industrial businesses, and expanding the bank’s commercial banking footprint in key markets including Muncie, Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, and South Bend/Mishawaka. Doan…

By Tina Black— MUNCIE, IN— Mid-West Metal Products Company, Inc. has announced the promotion of two company executives. Effective January 1, 2026, the Board of Directors has approved the promotion of Chad Smith to President & Chief Executive Officer of Mid-West Metal Products Company, Inc., reflecting the scope of operations across four Muncie locations and international facilities. John W. Smith will assume the role of Chief Executive Officer of the Industrial Division. With this leadership team in place, Mid-West Metal…

By Gary Thomas and Michael Thomas, Owners of Leap Managed IT— MUNCE, IN—If you lead a business, a government agency, or a non-profit here in Indiana, you’ve likely felt the shift. Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) isn’t coming, it’s here. It’s writing emails, analyzing spreadsheets, and changing how work gets done. We also know A.I. isn’t perfect (and it may never be). We’ve all seen A.I.-generated graphics with an extra thumb or answers so far off-base you have to laugh. One of…

Editor’s note: A number of local utilities have sent MuncieJournal.com updates and advice on how to handle the upcoming winter storm. We have combined them all into this one article. Indiana and Michigan Power As a blast of extreme winter cold and snow is expected this weekend, Indiana Michigan Power (I&M) wants to help customers stay safe and warm while keeping costs as low as possible. There When You Need Us If there are power outages, I&M employees will respond…

By Erin Moore— MUNCIE, IN—Open Door Health Services’ president and CEO, Bryan Ayars, has announced his intention to retire in mid-2026. Ayars has served as Open Door’s CEO for nearly a decade, guiding the organization through significant growth and the COVID-19 pandemic. He will continue to serve as CEO while the Open Door Board of Directors completes a national search and identifies his replacement. “Professionally, I’ve long held the belief that a decade leading an organization is about the right…

By John Anderson, EdD— MUNCIE, IN — The Family Life Institute of Indiana, LLC (FLII), a newly established Muncie-based organization, has officially launched with a mission to strengthen families, improve relational health, and support community well-being through education, prevention, and systems-informed services. Founded by John Anderson EdD, an educator and family-life professional with extensive experience in higher education leadership, community engagement, and adult learning, the Institute is designed to serve families, professionals, and organizations seeking proactive, evidence-informed approaches to family…