Business

Editor’s note: A number of local utilities have sent MuncieJournal.com updates and advice on how to handle the upcoming winter storm. We have combined them all into this one article. Indiana and Michigan Power As a blast of extreme winter cold and snow is expected this weekend, Indiana Michigan Power (I&M) wants to help customers stay safe and warm while keeping costs as low as possible. There When You Need Us If there are power outages, I&M employees will respond…

By Erin Moore— MUNCIE, IN—Open Door Health Services’ president and CEO, Bryan Ayars, has announced his intention to retire in mid-2026. Ayars has served as Open Door’s CEO for nearly a decade, guiding the organization through significant growth and the COVID-19 pandemic. He will continue to serve as CEO while the Open Door Board of Directors completes a national search and identifies his replacement. “Professionally, I’ve long held the belief that a decade leading an organization is about the right…

By John Anderson, EdD— MUNCIE, IN — The Family Life Institute of Indiana, LLC (FLII), a newly established Muncie-based organization, has officially launched with a mission to strengthen families, improve relational health, and support community well-being through education, prevention, and systems-informed services. Founded by John Anderson EdD, an educator and family-life professional with extensive experience in higher education leadership, community engagement, and adult learning, the Institute is designed to serve families, professionals, and organizations seeking proactive, evidence-informed approaches to family…

By Brea Cunningham— MUNCIE, IN—Minnetrista Museum & Gardens, has announced the adoption of a dual leadership model, effective January 2026, designed to enhance strategic capacity and support the organization’s continued growth and community impact. Under this structure, Brian Statz will continue serving as Chief Executive Officer, and Lindsey Horan has been named President. The new leadership structure was initiated by Statz and developed in collaboration with Minnetrista’s Board leadership and Executive Committee, reflecting a forward-thinking approach to governance and long-term…

By Michael Thomas and Gary Thomas, Owners of Leap Managed IT— MUNCIE, IN—As 2025 draws to a close, Leap Managed IT is proud to reflect on a year defined by innovation, technical achievement, and meaningful partnerships. In a rapidly evolving landscape—where artificial intelligence and automation are reshaping the way organizations operate—our commitment to delivering world-class IT Support and Managed IT Services has never been stronger. This dedication is why Leap Managed IT continues to be recognized among the Top Indianapolis…

By Victoria Meldrum, Ball State CBER— MUNCIE, IN — Registration is now open for the Indiana Economic Outlook, Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026, at the Horizon Convention Center. In its 30th year, this popular event for the Muncie business community will offer breakfast, an economic forecast for the state and nation by Ball State University professor Michael Hicks, and a panel discussion on the challenges facing Indiana manufacturing firms with keynote panelists Steven Smith and Scott Buehrer. The Center for Business…

By  Schnee M. Doyle, I&M Communications— MUNCIE, IN—Indiana Michigan Power (I&M) is gearing up ahead of this weekend’s forecasted snow, single-digit temperatures and below-zero wind chills. I&M knows that our customers rely on us for safe, reliable power and an outage is not convenient at any time, but especially not during cold and snowy conditions. I&M crews and trucks will be ready to safely and quickly respond amid the frigid temperatures if outages occur. I&M works year-round to prevent outages…

By Stacey A. Shannon— MUNCIE, IN—For nearly 80 years, Tom Cherry Muffler has been a Muncie institution for auto repairs. But, it also has a deep-seated history in racing. The shop itself came out of Tom Cherry’s racing career. An avid racer himself, Cherry participated in one of the first races on the beach at Daytona and was involved in the early days of NASCAR racing. When he wasn’t racing, Cherry ran a speed shop out of his garage for…