Business

Business Showcase Week 2024: A Special Week for Muncie Community Business Leaders and Entrepreneurs

By Ted A. Baker, CEO/Executive Director, Muncie Innovation Connector, Inc.— MUNCIE, IN—The Muncie Innovation Connector, East Central Indiana’s only full-service Entrepreneurial Support Organization, is thrilled to present Business Showcase Week 2024, November 18 – 23.  All events and workshops will take place at the Innovation Connector, 1208 West White River Blvd, Muncie, and are FREE to attend, but registration is required due to limited space and high demand. Business Showcase Week 2024 will include nineteen separate events, including workshops, presentations,…

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Soup Crawl Makes More Than 93,000 Meals Possible for Students in East Central Indiana

By Ben Polk— MUNCIE, IN—On Wednesday afternoon, Tim Pierce and Ben Polk of PrimeTrust Federal Credit Union announced the winners of Soup Crawl and presented a donation check to Bekah Clawson, President of Second Harvest Food Bank. The event raised $23,278.05 for Second Harvest’s The Big Idea initiative, which will help provide over 93,000 meals to students and their families in East Central Indiana. “Soup Crawl has been a tremendous success in supporting The Big Idea initiative over the years….


First Merchants Bank: A Bank Interested in You

By Stacey A. Shannon— MUNCIE, IN—As the world becomes more and more digitally focused, First Merchants Bank is keeping up with digital product offerings but not neglecting the most important aspect of banking: customers. While the bank has 116 locations throughout four states in the Midwest, its headquarters remains in Muncie. Attentive banking “We often use the word attentive,” said Jeff Parsons, Market President. “In the environment where everything is digital now, that can easily mean impersonal. However, we believe…


Tax Credit Projects in Indiana Benefit Low-to Moderate-Income Households

By Ball State University Communications— MUNCIE, IN – A new report from Ball State University researchers reveals that more than half of the housing units created or rehabilitated using historic rehabilitation tax credits (HRTC) for income-producing properties in Indiana have been designated for low- to moderate-income households. This key finding underscores the role these tax credits play in addressing housing affordability and revitalizing distressed communities across the state. The study, conducted by experts from the Center for Business and Economic…


Indiana American Water Celebrates Source Water Protection Week

By Joel Reuter— GREENWOOD, IN – Indiana American Water is celebrating Source Water Protection Week (Sept. 29-Oct. 5, 2024) by creating awareness that safe, clean, and reliable water is supported by protecting water resources free from pollution, and by giving the public helpful resources and information, to encourage everyone to contribute. “Protecting water resources like lakes, reservoirs, rivers, and well fields are crucial for helping ensure clean, safe and reliable drinking water. These natural sources can be vulnerable to pollution…


I&M Sends Additional Crews to Hurricane Helene Restoration Efforts

By Schnee’ Doyle, Communications Consultant Sr.— FORT WAYNE – A second wave of power restoration crews from Indiana Michigan Power (I&M) are in numerous states after Hurricane Helene left a trail of destruction and millions of people without power. In total, 466 I&M employees and business partners are helping our sister companies, Kentucky Power and Appalachian Power Company, restore service to their customers. Among the team are line workers, damage assessors, tree trimming experts, meter technicians, fleet technicians, safety personnel…


Greater Muncie Chamber of Commerce’s Legacy Dinner Honored Mr. Thomas Kinghorn

By Katy Maggart— MUNCIE, IN— The 2024 Greater Muncie Chamber of Commerce Legacy Dinner was held Saturday, September 28 at the Horizon Convention Center honoring Mr. Thomas Kinghorn, President and CEO of the George and Frances Ball Foundation. Among those who paid tribute to the legacy of Mr. Kinghorn were Mr. Stefan Anderson, Retired CEO of First Merchants Bank, Dr. John Worthen, Retired President of Ball State University; Mr. Jim Lowe, Retired Associate Vice President for Ball State University’s Facilities…


First Merchants Bank: A Bank Interested in You

By Stacey A. Shannon— MUNCIE, IN—As the world becomes more and more digitally focused, First Merchants Bank is keeping up with digital product offerings but not neglecting the most important aspect of banking: customers. While the bank has 116 locations throughout four states in the Midwest, its headquarters remains in Muncie. Attentive banking “We often use the word attentive,” said Jeff Parsons, Market President. “In the environment where everything is digital now, that can easily mean impersonal. However, we believe…


Recipients Announced for 2024 Governor’s Awards for Environmental Excellence: MSD Recognized for New Recycling Program

By Jason Donati— INDIANAPOLIS – On Tuesday, the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) awarded the 2024 Governor’s Awards for Environmental Excellence to seven recipients during the Indiana Partners for Sustainability’s Annual Conference and Tradeshow in Indianapolis. The Governor’s Awards for Environmental Excellence are Indiana’s most prestigious environmental recognition awards. They are reserved for the most innovative, sustainable, and exemplary programs or projects that positively impact Indiana’s environment and demonstrate measurable environmental, economic, and social benefits. The selection process is…


‘Engage East Central Indiana’ Event: Business Leaders Say Economic Development-Wise, ‘Indiana is on Fire’

By Mike Rhodes, Editor-in-Chief, MuncieJournal.com— MUNCIE, IN—Tuesday’s Engage Indiana event in Muncie focused on the unique challenges and distinct opportunities for growth of Muncie and the entire East Central Indiana region. The event was created by the Indianapolis Business Journal, IBJ Media and Inside Indiana Business and was part of their Engage Indiana series, which began in 2016. Nathan Felton, CEO of IBJ Media said Tuesday’s event was the first to be held in East Central Indiana. He said the series…