Articles by Mike Rhodes

Payton Baker, Wapahani High School. Photo by Stacey Shannon

Business, Education November 17, 2022

Payton Baker—Member of Pridemark Construction’s ‘Future Leaders of America’ Series

By Stacey A. Shannon— MUNCIE, IN—Editor’s note: The Future Leaders of America series profiles high school seniors who display leadership qualities in their school and the community. The series is brought to you by Pridemark Construction. With playing sports, collaborating with his sisters to care for goats and pigs for 4H and helping in various community organizations, Payton Baker has learned the importance of working alongside and listening to others. The Wapahani High School senior said he’s learned listening to…

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First Merchants headquarters in downtown Muncie. Photo by Mike Rhodes

Business November 16, 2022

First Merchants Bank Updates Its Community Benefits Agreement with Expanded Benefits

By First Merchants— Amendments help provide stronger positive impact across the communities it serves MUNCIE, IN – First Merchants Bank recently revised its Community Benefits Agreement to better expand and reflect its positive community impact goals as a corporation. The prior Community Benefits Agreement was unveiled in June of 2020, and this revision represents a significant advancement in the magnitude of the financial benefits across the communities served by First Merchants.  The commitments are extended to all regional markets in…

Pictured L-R: Ted Baker, Dan Ridenour, Ron Fauquher. Photo provided

Business, Government November 15, 2022

Small Businesses Thrive and Grow in Muncie

By Michele Owen— MUNCIE, IN—On Monday morning, Mayor Ridenour addressed a packed room of Muncie’s best and brightest entrepreneurs at the Innovation Connector to kick off Entrepreneur Showcase Week. The brainchild of Ted Baker, Executive Director of the Innovation Connector, the week is packed with 20 events for local businesses of all sizes. Ranging from workshops about Quickbooks and creative marketing to networking opportunities, many of the free events filled up with registrations weeks in advance. For Ridenour, investing in…

Photo provided

Non-Profit November 14, 2022

The Community Foundation to Relocate Effective December 5th

By Kallie Sulanke— MUNCIE, IN – The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County will have a new address beginning later this month. The Foundation offices will move from their home in the Muncie Power Products building to a building acquired earlier this year located at 302 E. Jackson St. “Our new building gives us space to welcome donors, volunteers, nonprofit partners, and others to the table,” said Marcy Minton, presidentand CEO of The Community Foundation. “We look forward to…

Photo provided by IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital

Health November 11, 2022

IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital Reaches 7,000 Open-Heart Cases

By Liz Yates—  MUNCIE, IN — Since its creation in 1977, the open-heart surgery program at IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital has reached a huge milestone: 7,000 open-heart cases. These cases include everything from Coronary Artery Bypass Grafts (CABG) to valve repairs and replacements, and all the specialty cases in between. This is a low volume, community-based program as our physicians and advanced practice providers see both scheduled and emergent cases. A lot has changed in the 45 years since…

A closeup of the $100 dollar bill picturing Benjamin Franklin. It's all about the Benjamins. Photo by storyblocks

Business November 10, 2022

Financial Planning for Your Future Self: How to Set Yourself Up for Financial Success in the New Year

By Michael Joyce, First Merchants Bank— MUNCIE, IN—Financial planning can be a stressful topic for many young adults and teenagers. It’s hard to find a starting place. How much money to put into savings? Where are safe places to save my money? How much money is needed to provide for my life? These are just a few of many questions that pop into the minds of people just starting their financial journey. It’s important to know everyone must start somewhere…

The Facing Project books have been produced in over 75 communities across the country. Photo by: J.R. Jamison

Non-Profit November 9, 2022

Facing Aging Will Unveil Latest Collection of Stories on November 12th

By Molly Flodder— MUNCIE, IN—In 2012, a Muncie woman who had shared a story about living in poverty sat in a darkened auditorium hearing the story written about her being read.  Although she was very familiar with the story, she realized how the storyteller had captured her emotion, frustration and desperation in a way that was mesmerizing members of the audience who were listening.  They were facing her poverty as she faced it every day and as the storyteller had…

Scene from the 2021 WIBU ATHENA Awards Ceremony. This year's event will be held at Horizon Convention Center on November 16. Photo provided

Non-Profit November 8, 2022

WIBU Announces Finalists for Leadership Awards

By Jessica Shrout, Board of Directors, WIBU— MUNCIE, IN—Women In Business Unlimited, WIBU, has announced finalists in three categories for the 2022 ATHENALeadership Awards. Nominees for the ATHENA Leadership Award include Allison Robbins, Brenda Williamson, Dr. Melissa Gentry, Jennifer Gibson, Katie Lehman, Kourtney McCauliff, Krista Wise, Dr. Lee AnnKwiatkowski, Ren’a Wagner, and Traci Lutton. Nominees for the ATHENA Young Professional include Dr. Jean Marie Place, Brittany Pickett, Dr. Dominyse Carey, Jessica Rosales, and Kylee Eller. Shafer Leadership Academy is the recipient for…

Learn about computer security best practices for this holiday season. Photo by graphicstock.

Business November 8, 2022

Northwest Bank Shares Best Practices for Fraud Protection and Cybersecurity During Holidays

By Northwest Bank—  MUNCIE, IN— The busy holiday shopping season is right around the corner and Northwest Bank is reminding consumers of best practices to consider for added protection in today’s digital age. According to the FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, cybercrimes increase each year during major holidays. And with consumers spending more than $200 billion dollars in online holiday shopping in 2021, cybersecurity remains a top concern heading into the upcoming holiday season. “At Northwest, our…

Entrepreneur Showcase Week banners greet visitors inside the lobby of the Innovation Connector. Photo provided

Business November 7, 2022

Announcing the Inaugural 2022 Entrepreneurs of the Year Award Winners

By Ted A. Baker, CEO/Executive Director, Muncie Innovation Connector, Inc.— MUNCIE, IN—Since May of this year, the Innovation Connector has been planning and preparing for Entrepreneur Showcase Week in Muncie.  As a reminder, this event is unique to the Muncie community, and no other community has attempted anything like this.  Entrepreneur Showcase Week comprises twenty workshops, panel discussions, discussion groups, and networking groups during one week – all at the Innovation Connector facility.  Because of our very supportive sponsors, all…