Business

By Kristen McConnell— Muncie, IN—The YMCA of Muncie is excited to announce the reopening of its aquatics center at the downtown YMCA. Made possible by the federal COVID Relief funding, the organization plans to offer more programming, including aquatics classes, safety around water programs and additional active older adult programs, at the location as well. “The YMCA of Muncie has served the community for more than 144 years, during which we have made it through many challenging times together, none…

By Kate Elliott— Editor’s note: Shafer Leadership Academy and the Muncie Downtown Development Partnership are partnering on this series to highlight innovative leaders who are redefining typical during these extraordinary times. This is the final article in the series.  Muncie, IN — Not too many businesses opened up months into a global pandemic. But Allison Robbins, owner of Aspect 6 Creative isn’t “most businesses.” In June 2020, the longtime media and marketing professional opened a full-service advertising agency at 122 N. Walnut St. in downtown Muncie….

By Northwest Bank— Warren, Pennsylvania —Northwest Bancshares, Inc., (the “Company”), (NasdaqGS: NWBI) announced net income for the quarter ended December 31, 2020 of $35.1 million, or $0.28 per diluted share.  This represents an increase of $9.5 million, or 37.0%, compared to the same quarter last year when net income was $25.6 million, or $0.24 per diluted share.  The annualized returns on average shareholders’ equity and average assets for the quarter ended December 31, 2020 were 9.00% and 1.01% compared to 7.52% and…

By First Merchants— Muncie, IN—First Merchants Corporation (NASDAQ – FRME) has reported fourth quarter 2020 net income of $45.1 million compared to $47.8 million during the same period in 2019. Earnings per share for the period totaled $.83 per share compared to fourth quarter 2019 result of $.87 per share. Net income for the year ended December 31, 2020 totaled $148.6 million, compared to $164.5 million during the same period in 2019. Year-to-date earnings per share totaled $2.74 compared to…

By Kate Elliott— Editor’s note: Shafer Leadership Academy and the Muncie Downtown Development Partnership are partnering on this six part series to highlight innovative leaders who are redefining typical during these extraordinary times.   Muncie, IN — Scroll through the Facebook page for Gordy Fine Art & Framing Company. You’ll see 93-year-old Bob Shears, grinning at a custom map of his WWII tour of duty that Gordy framed and shipped to his Las Vegas home. You’ll watch a black frame transform into a silver one. You’ll see…

By Kate Elliott— Editor’s note: Shafer Leadership Academy and the Muncie Downtown Development Partnership are partnering on this six part series to highlight innovative leaders who are redefining typical during these extraordinary times.   Muncie, IN — George Insurance Group’s promise is to “overwhelm families and businesses with customer service, responsiveness and a personal touch that you have never seen.” “Our new tagline is ‘where relationships are built …,’ and we live out that model every day by working hard with our clients to be more…

By Amanda Price— Muncie, IN—Muncie Indiana Transit System (MITS) will begin a new route to the Delaware County Justice & Rehabilitation Center on Monday February 1st, 2021. The new route will run Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  The new route closely resembles the current Route 12: Ivy Tech.  Route 17 will pull in on the West side of the transfer station and take High to Adams to Liberty to Hoyt to 26th to Tillotson.  It will…

By First Merchants— Muncie, IN– First Merchants Corporation (NASDAQ – FRME) has announced Jeff Parsons as its new president for the company’s Muncie market. Parsons will oversee all market operations and build upon the company’s recent growth and success in the city it has called home for more than 125 years. Parsons joined First Merchants Bank in 1989 and has served in various operational and customer relationship roles. He currently leads a team of commercial banking professionals focused on providing financial…

By Kate Elliott— Editor’s note: Shafer Leadership Academy and the Muncie Downtown Development Partnership are partnering on this six part series to highlight innovative leaders who are redefining typical during these extraordinary times.   Muncie, IN — Hundreds of comic junkies join Christina Blanch on Facebook Live a few times each week as the store owner walks through Muncie’s Aw Yeah Comics — juggling her phone as she calls out titles and various toys for sale. She pauses to write down names when followers “claim” the…