Business

By Stacey A. Shannon— MUNCIE, IN—First Merchants Bank is a familiar name for residents of Delaware County – as it should be since the bank recently celebrated its 130th anniversary. With locations in four states, First Merchants Bank has grown into a large corporation, yet is still headquartered right here in our backyard. However, its focus remains on being a community bank and enhancing the financial wellness of the diverse communities the bank serves. “Our focus is to stay true…

By Innovation Connector— MUNCIE, IN – Innovation Connector, Inc., a full-service entrepreneurial resource center and part of the Ontario Place Certified Technology Park, proudly announces its acquisition of TechWise Academy, LLC, a STEM education business known for its innovative approach to technology education.  This strategic merger represents a significant step forward in fulfilling the missions of both the Innovation Connector and TechWise Academy to bridge the digital divide and provide opportunities for individuals to acquire essential coding skills. By officially…

By Katy Maggart— MUNCIE, IN— Today, the Delaware Advancement Corporation (“DAC”) and the Greater Muncie Chamber of Commerce (the “Chamber”) announced their intended joint reorganization. Since the 1980s, DAC has been a 501(c)(3) organization governed by a single board. DAC has two distinct business divisions: (1) the Economic Development Alliance, the Local Economic Development Organization of Muncie and Delaware County, and  (2) the Horizon Convention Center. Since opening in 1988, the Horizon Convention Center has grown to include an attached…

By Ted Baker, CEO/Executive Director— MUNCIE, IN—The idea of starting a business is not new.  According to an article in Immerse Education 2023’s “A Brief History of Business and the Evolution of Business,”  “Business as we know it can be traced back 3,000 years to India and China, where companies – with structures resembling sole proprietorships, partnerships, and corporations. At this time, they began entering into contracts and owning property, essentially setting up the basic frameworks of business that we use today.”…

 By Michelle Kinsey— MUNCIE, IN – The office of Mayor Dan Ridenour and the Muncie Arts and Culture Council (MuncieArts) are excited to announce the nominees for the 2023 Mayor’s Arts Awards. This will be the 5th biennial celebration recognizing the exceptional contributions made to our cultural community by individuals and organizations.  The Mayor’s Arts Awards ceremony will be Saturday, Sept. 30, at 7:30 p.m. at Southside Middle School, followed by a community party – open to all – at…

By Melissa Narlock—  MUNCIE, IN — Marketing professionals, business owners, and students are invited to Intersessions, a series of interactive marketing sessions powered by Intersection. The inaugural session is set to make its debut on Tuesday, September 26. These free monthly sessions, hosted at the Innovation Connector, aim to provide attendees with industry insights, actionable strategies, and opportunities to build valuable connections.    In today’s rapidly evolving world of marketing, staying ahead of the curve is essential. Intersessions is designed to…

By Stacey A. Shannon— MUNCIE, IN—First Merchants Bank is a familiar name for residents of Delaware County – as it should be since the bank recently celebrated its 130th anniversary. With locations in four states, First Merchants Bank has grown into a large corporation, yet is still headquartered right here in our backyard. However, its focus remains on being a community bank and enhancing the financial wellness of the diverse communities the bank serves. “Our focus is to stay true…

By Katy Maggart— MUNCIE, IN— The 2023 Greater Muncie Chamber of Commerce Legacy Gala was held Thursday, August 31 at the Horizon Convention Center honoring Jon H. Moll, retired attorney. Among those who paid tribute to the legacy of Mr. Moll were Mr. Stefan Anderson, Retired CEO of First Merchants Bank; Rev. Dr. Ron Naylor, Retired Pastor, First Presbyterian Church; Dr. John Worthen, Retired President of Ball State University; and Mr. Jim Williams, Attorney at DeFur Voran LLP. Nicholas Tokar, attorney at…

  By Jaime Faulkner, Director of Corporate Communications— MUNCIE, IN— First Merchants Bank of Muncie, recently hailed by Forbes Magazine as one of The World’s Best Banks, announced a building purchase August 29, 2023, for the strategic relocation of its Indianapolis area regional headquarters.  Mark Hardwick, CEO of First Merchants Bank, had this to say about the purchase of the Indianapolis regional office building:  “The purchase of our new, state-of-the-art Indianapolis regional headquarters building is tangible proof of our commitment…