Search Results for Innovation connector

TechWise Academy Launches Spring 2021 Computer Science Classes for Youth

By Brandon Coppernoll— Muncie, IN—TechWise Academy is announcing its Spring 2021 computer science classes with a focus on robotics and coding for K-12 students. Classes are held in the Coding Connector at the Innovation Connector building on White River Boulevard. The computer science curriculum gives students the tools to find ways to problem solve and explore curiosity and creativity. Students are encouraged to embrace mistakes to learn quickly and grow in confidence in classes. Instructors facilitate an environment where students…

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Muncie Sports Commission Announces 2021 Board Members and Officers, Updates Branding 

 By Richard Crist, Board President— Muncie, IN – The Muncie Sports Commission has announced the Board of Directors and Officers for 2021 who will each help to support the non-profit’s work to increase economic vitality, improve quality of life, promote healthy lifestyles and brand Delaware County as a great sports community.  “Our Board of Directors is comprised of a dedicated team of individuals all committed to Muncie Sports Commission’s purpose of attracting, creating, hosting, and supporting sporting events and recreational…


George and Frances Ball Foundation Awards Over $5.4 Million in Grants to Local Organizations

Amount Represents Record  for the 83-year-old, Muncie-Based Family Foundation… By Kelsey Harrington— Muncie, IN—The year 2020 will go down in history books as a time marked by a global pandemic, civil unrest and racial tension, and a resulting economic crisis. In the midst of these trials, community members and non-profit organizations stood to the challenge and supported fellow neighbors in innovative and timely ways. The George and Frances Ball Foundation proudly invested more than $5.4 million in East Central Indiana…


The BIG Idea Pitch: Becoming an Entrepreneur at Six Years Old

By Alexis Dishman— Muncie, IN—Six-year-old Muncie resident Kai Markelz is launching his first business this holiday season after pitching his idea at the Innovation Connector’s annual BIG Idea Pitch Competition and earning 1st place. When Lindsey and Andy Markelz pitched their business in the 2018 BIG Idea Pitch Competition, they were very passionate about making this a family event and included their children, Kai (then 4) and Tiana (2), in the ideation and planning process. Kai observed his parents’ excitement…


Ball Brothers Foundation Awards Over $6 Million in Grants to Support Education, Workforce Development, and More 

By Melissa Jones— Muncie, IN— In its final round of grants for the year, Ball Brothers Foundation awarded more than $6 million to local nonprofits, schools, workforce development organizations and other entities, demonstrating the foundation’s commitment to helping local organizations adapt to new circumstances during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as preserving and improving the community’s quality of life well into the future.  While Ball Brothers Foundation has awarded numerous COVID-19 emergency/crisis grants—totaling nearly $500,000 to date—throughout the year, this…


Xtern Program Expands to Muncie, Additional Expansion Expected

By Cheryl Reed— Indianapolis, IN—For seven years now, the TechPoint Xtern program has become increasingly popular with college students across the U.S. Applicants have far out-paced the number of positions available from Indianapolis tech companies each year, even as companies outside the capital city wanted and needed young talent. More than 2,000 students from 222 universities and 43 home states applied to be in the summer 2021 Xtern class, a high-engagement, 10-week, summer internship program that provides participants housing, access…


Local Photographer Joins Nationwide Effort to Create Complimentary Professional Headshots for Unemployed

By: JR Krupa Imaging— Muncie, IN—Nothing says “I’m ready to work” more than a freshly pressed suit, an updated resume, and of course, a professional headshot. Regardless of profession, COVID-19 sent millions of Americans to the unemployment line without warning. That is why local photographer Joe Krupa, J.R. Krupa Imaging, is participating with Headshot Booker, Brookfield Properties and the Innovation Connector in the largest, single-day photo initiative that will provide 10,000 unemployed Americans nationwide with a complimentary, professional headshot to…


Restart and Grow Your Business with a Restart Loan

By: Ted Baker— Muncie, IN—The Muncie Innovation Connector is pleased to announce the launch of the Delaware County Micro-Business Restart Loan Fund.  Independently-owned for-profit businesses located in Delaware County, Indiana with a maximum of five full-time employees may be eligible for a loan up to $2,500 through the Delaware County Micro-Business Restart Loan Fund. This program is presented by the Muncie Innovation Connector and the East Central Indiana Small Business Development Center. Businesses must have been actively in operation with…


George and Frances Ball Foundation Awards 2nd Round of Quarterly Grants

By: Thomas Kinghorn— Muncie, IN—On May 14, 2020 the Board of Directors for the George and Frances Ball Foundation met virtually to award a number of grants received through the Foundation’s second quarterly grant application process. The Foundation awarded $570,209 to a variety of organizations across Muncie, Delaware County, and East Central Indiana. Grants were awarded as follows: Ball State University Muncie Community Schools Partnership – Awarded $335,000 as the second stint of a $1 million pledge, will be used…


Muncie Community Organization Statements on Coronavirus, Part 1

Editor’s Note: We are no longer adding updated items to THIS particular page, as it is getting very lengthy. We are adding updates to the following page now:   http://www.munciejournal.com/2020/03/muncie-community-organization-statements-on-coronavirus-page-2/ Soup Kitchen of Muncie March 22, 2020, 9:01 am—The Soup Kitchen of Muncie is closing. We will not be open until the crisis with the coronavirus is over. Please stay safe. Loretta Parsons   Second Case of COVID-19 Identified in Delaware County and First Death March 21, 2020, 3:34 pm—In an…