Business

By Katie Byrd— MUNCIE, IN—A Norfolk Southern-served industrial site in Muncie, Indiana has earned Gold REDI Site certification, positioning the site to attract future investment and jobs to the region. Indiana has the highest concentration of manufacturing employment on a per capita basis, twice the U.S. average, underscoring the state’s industrial strength and importance of rail-served development. The certification reflects the site’s preparedness to support the region’s target industries, including advanced manufacturing, food processing, metals processing, logistics, and industrial operations, with direct rail access and connectivity to key transportation corridors. “Gold REDI certification demonstrates that this Muncie site is ready…

By Ryan Hunter, Technology & Education Director, Muncie Innovation Connector, Inc.— MUNCIE, IN — Innovation Connector, Inc. has formed a strategic partnership with LaunchReady.ai to expand access to practical, high-quality artificial intelligence learning opportunities for businesses, organizations, educators, and community leaders across East Central Indiana. The partnership builds on the momentum of Innovation Connector’s AI in Action series, which has helped local professionals better understand how to use artificial intelligence responsibly and effectively in real-world settings. Through this expanded collaboration, Innovation Connector will serve as a regional delivery and community anchor for AI learning, while LaunchReady.ai will provide its AI…

By Caitlin Hancock, ECIRP— YORKTOWN, IN— Since 2014, the Yorktown Redevelopment Commission has been diligently working to redevelop, revitalize and grow its downtown core. With a substantial portion of the work complete, the Town has now set its sights on completing the next phase of redevelopment, which includes the assembly and redevelopment of a half-square block located between Vine, Market, and adjacent to Canal. Before the READI planning process, the Town owned five of the six parcels that comprise the half-square block. Through a $238,250 READI investment, the ECIRP, IEDC, and Town of Yorktown Redevelopment Commission were successfully able to…

By Ted A. Baker, CEO, Muncie Innovation Connector, Inc.— MUNCIE, IN—The Muncie Innovation Connector, Inc. is a business incubator and the only full-service entrepreneurial support organization in East Central Indiana. Although its facility is at the corner of West White River Blvd and Jackson Streets in Muncie, the Innovation Connector (commonly called the IC) is much more than a building – it is a dynamic hub of possibility. It is a place where, if you have an idea, a business, or a vision, the IC team helps you gain clarity, connections, and growth. By intentionally connecting people, resources, and opportunities,…

By IEDC Staff— YORKTOWN, IN—Bradley (Brad) Bookout, earned the nationally recognized designation of Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC), denoting a mastery of skills in economic development and a dedication to personal and professional growth. The milestone marks a significant achievement and underscores Bookout’s experience and excellence in the field of economic development. “Certified Economic Developers possess deep technical knowledge and bring trust and credibility to stakeholders, investors, and peers. We are thrilled to celebrate Mr. Bookout on achieving this accomplishment and joining our network of professionals driving economic progress around the world,” said IEDC President and…

By Ben Polk— MUNCIE, IN — Del Met Federal Credit Union and PrimeTrust Financial Federal Credit Union are proud to announce the official merger of the two institutions, effective May 1, 2026. This strategic partnership follows a successful collaborative period between the two Muncie-based organizations and marks a significant milestone in providing enhanced financial services to the East-Central Indiana community. The merger, which received approval from the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) and a final vote from the Del Met membership on April 29, 2026, will bring Del Met members into the PrimeTrust family. The unified credit union will operate under…

By Justin Hardin, Lahody’s Culinary Group— MUNCIE, IN— Lahody’s Culinary Group, owner of Lahody’s Trust Your Butcher Steakhouse with locations in Muncie and Anderson, announced today that it has entered into an agreement to acquire Vera Mae’s restaurant, a longstanding staple of Downtown Muncie. The restaurant will continue operations under new ownership as Vera Mae’s, with Lahody’s leasing the space from Accutech Systems. Vera Mae’s has been a cornerstone of the downtown dining scene, known for its atmosphere, hospitality, and role in bringing people together. Lahody’s Culinary Group plans to build on that legacy while introducing its own operational expertise…

By A. Casey Stanley— MUNCIE, IN— Boyce Systems in Muncie has announced that the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation (EVSC), the second-largest public school district in Indiana, has selected Boyce Cloud for Schools, including Employee Hub, to modernize and streamline its financial, payroll, human resources, and employee-facing workflows. Serving more than 21,000 students across 37+ schools, EVSC operates one of the state’s largest and most complex public education systems. As expectations for real-time reporting, compliance, and transparency continue to rise, district leaders identified the need to move away from manual, paper-based processes and legacy systems that limited efficiency. “Our systems had…

By Lena Reid — MUNCIE, IN. — Destination: Muncie is proud to announce Aurilia Moulton as the newest Delaware County Ambassador through Ball State University’s County Ambassador Program. Moulton will join returning ambassador Adam Schuler in representing Delaware County on campus while helping connect Ball State students with the many opportunities, events, and experiences available throughout the community. At the same time, Destination: Muncie extends its sincere appreciation to outgoing ambassador Samuel Brumley, who graduates from Ball State University in June, after serving in the role for the past year and a half. The County Ambassador Program, coordinated through Ball…