Business

By First Merchants— MUNCIE, Ind.—First Merchants Corporation (NASDAQ – FRME) has reported fourth quarter 2021 net income of $47.7 million compared to $45.1 million during the same period in 2020.  Earnings per share for the period totaled $.89 per share compared to the fourth quarter 2020 result of $.83 per share.  Net income for the year ended December 31, 2021 totaled $205.5 million, compared to $148.6 million during the same period in 2020.  Year-to-date earnings per share totaled $3.81 compared…

By Northwest— COLUMBUS, Ohio—Northwest Bancshares, Inc., (the “Company”), (NasdaqGS: NWBI) announced net income for the quarter ended December 31, 2021 of $30.1 million, or $0.24 per diluted share.  This represents a decrease of $5.0 million, or 14.3%, compared to the same quarter last year when net income was $35.1 million, or $0.28 per diluted share.  The annualized returns on average shareholders’ equity and average assets for the quarter ended December 31, 2021 were 7.65% and 0.82% compared to 9.00% and 1.01% for…

By James Mitchell— MUNCIE, Ind. – The East Central Indiana Human Resources Association (ECIHRA) activated new leadership during their January membership meeting. Elected at the group’s final meeting in 2021, a new slate of officers will support the organization’s efforts to prepare local HR leaders for the current and future realities of the world of work through professional development and networking. “ECIHRA is a great place to network with other professionals in HR, or who handle HR type responsibilities. We…

By The Muncie-Delaware County Indiana Chamber of Commerce— MUNCIE, Ind.—The Boards of Directors of the Muncie-Delaware County Chamber of Commerce and the Delaware Advancement Corporation have announced that Elizabeth Rowray has accepted the position as the next President and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce and the Chief Economic Development Officer of the Delaware Advancement Corporation. Rowray is currently the Executive Director of Ivy Tech’s Career Coaching and Connections program for the Delaware and Henry County locations. She is also the…

By Muncie-Delaware County Chamber of Commerce— MUNCIE, Ind.—The 2022 Muncie-Delaware County Chamber of Commerce Legacy Gala was held Thursday, January 20, at the Horizon Convention Center honoring Mr. Carl E. Kizer, Jr., owner of Kizer’s Carpet Care. Among those who paid tribute to the legacy of Mr. Kizer were Pat Bowen, Internet Sales Manager for Stoops Automotive; Cassandra Maxwell, Transfer Manager for Muncie Indiana Transfer System; local attorney Frank Brinkman; and Loretta Parsons, Executive Director of The Soup Kitchen of…

By Melissa Jones— MUNCIE, Ind. — Two of East Central Indiana’s premier marketing and branding agencies, Intersection and Whitinger Strategic Services, have merged, combining the talents of both teams and growing their services and portfolio. Intersection and Whitinger were two of the most awarded agencies in the region. Intersection took home six international Hermes Creative Awards in 2021, and Whitinger stole the show at the 2020 American Advertising Awards (ADDYs) of East Central Indiana. The merger, effective October 1, 2021, was…

By Corey Ohlenkamp— I&M crews traveled more than 2,000 miles to help restore power in Louisiana following Hurricane Ida FORT WAYNE. Ind.– Indiana Michigan Power (I&M) was announced as a recipient of an Edison Electric Institute (EEI) Emergency Response Award for assisting Entergy in restoring power to their customers in,and near, New Orleans following Hurricane Ida. Presented to EEI member companies, the Emergency Response Awards recognize recovery and assistance efforts of electric companies following service disruptionscaused by extreme weather or…

From Alliance Magazine— Editor’s Note: The following is an excerpt of an article that appears in the Winter 2022 Edition of Alliance Magazine, published by the Muncie-Delaware County Economic Development Alliance. A PDF of the entire article and full Winter 2022 Edition of the magazine can be viewed at the link at the very bottom of this article.  MUNCIE, Ind.—The Muncie-Delaware County Visitors Bureau’s move to South Walnut Street joins an eminent recreational facility at Accutech, and Patterson Block Muncie, a new…