Business

By: Chad Mertz— Muncie, IN and Monroe, MI— First Merchants Corporation (NASDAQ: FRME) and MBT Financial Corporation (NASDAQ: MBTF) today announced they have executed a definitive agreement whereby MBT Financial Corporation will merge with and into First Merchants Corporation in a 100% stock transaction valued at approximately $290.9 million.  Upon completion of the merger, Monroe Bank & Trust, will merge with and into First Merchants Bank. Headquartered in Monroe, Michigan, MBTF operates 20 banking center locations in the southeastern Michigan…

Announcement marks the fifth consecutive year Indy airport awarded with top title INDIANAPOLIS  – Using feedback from nearly half a million travelers, Condé Nast Traveler has named the Indianapolis International Airport (IND) as the Best Airport in the United States for the fifth consecutive year. Condé Nast awarded the title to the Indy airport as part of its 31st Annual Readers’ Choice Awards survey. The survey collected millions of ratings and more than 100,000 comments to help Condé Nast develop…

By: Stephen Mortland— Muncie, IN— On October 27, from 8 a.m.–Noon The Orchard Shop at Minnetrista will be selling decorative glass pumpkins crafted by the experts at the Ball State Glass Guild. These unique seasonal pumpkins are great for friends and family, promising to add a festive fall atmosphere to any home! The pumpkins are for sale at The Orchard Shop throughout the autumn season, but on the morning of October 27 there will be a wide variety available for…

By: Richard Crist— Muncie, Indiana—Longstanding public accounting and advisory firms, Whitinger & Company LLC, and Haney CPA Group PC have announced they have executed a definitive agreement whereby Haney CPA Group PC will merge into Whitinger & Company LLC to expand and enhance the professional services the two firms provide. The merged firm will operate as Whitinger & Company LLC effective October 1, 2018.  Founded in 1930 with offices in Muncie and Fishers, Whitinger & Company is recognized as one of…

By: Karen Lloyd, Entrepreneurship Center, Ball State University— Muncie, Indiana— On October 5th, 6th and 7th, 2018  Techstars will be hosting the first ever Startup Weekend in Muncie, IN. Do you have an idea you would like to pursue or a problem you would like to solve but don’t know where to start?  Then Startup Weekend Muncie is just the event for you. Startup Weekend is a global organization powered by Techstars and Google where participants get together on a Friday…

By: Benjamin J. Freeman, Attorney at Law— Muncie, Indiana—When considering estate planning, the planning often begins and ends with the last will and testament. Certainly, the will is the cornerstone of any estate plan but proper planning shouldn’t end there. A proper estate plan should consider the practical questions. What happens if you become physically or mentally incapacitated? Who will help you manage your finances, your property and your day-to-day life? What happens if you cannot make important medical decisions for…

By: Mike Rhodes— Muncie, Indiana—Last week I had the opportunity to sit down with Ted Baker, executive director of the Innovation Connector, to discuss the upcoming Excellence in Innovation Awards banquet to be held at the Horizon Convention Center on November 14th. My interview with Ted is below. Question: Ted, You seem very excited and animated about these awards. I see all sorts of printed materials about the event spread around your office. What is the Excellence in Innovation Awards banquet all…

By: Vickie Copley— Muncie, Indiana– PrimeTrust Federal Credit Union has announced the 8thannual Soup Crawl, slated for Thursday, October 4 from 5:00 to 8:00p.m. at sites throughout downtown Muncie. Soup Crawl features nearly 30 soup and beverage entries for attendees to enjoy while strolling through downtown.  Tickets are $20 and limited to a quantity of 500 to ensure that every attendee is able to sample as many soups as possible. Tickets are available while supplies last at all three Muncie-area PrimeTrust FCU…

By: Joseph Anderson, President, Muncie NAACP Branch— Muncie, Indiana—The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People will hold their 2018 State Convention, October 25 thru 28, 2018, at the Horizon Convention Center, 401 S. High Street, Muncie, IN 47305. The State Convention provides a vehicle to train and empower our membership and to make policy on state and national levels. Over the three days during the convention, we will renew our commitment to changing and improving the landscape of education…