Articles by Mike Rhodes

By Ross Community Center Board of Directors— MUNCIE, IN—The Ross Community Center Board of Directors has announced that Jacqueline Hanoman will be stepping down from her role as Executive Director after 10 years of dedicated service. Hanoman will be relocating to Portugal with her family to pursue her next chapter. Hanoman joined Ross Community Center as executive director in December 2015. During her tenure, the Center experienced significant growth and transformation, strengthening its role as a vibrant hub for the surrounding neighborhood and beyond. Under her leadership, Ross Community Center built three baseball fields and launched its own Little League…

By JP Hall— MUNCIE, IN—As the Muncie Action Plan (MAP) looks back on a productive year, we are excited to reflect on our continued efforts to enhance the quality of life in Muncie and Delaware County. We invite the community to join us for our Annual Report to the Community, taking place Wednesday, January 28, at 6:00 p.m. in the Multi-Purpose Room at Ivy Tech. During this gathering, each of MAP’s four task forces will present their accomplishments and progress from 2025 and their goals and aspirations for 2026. This article marks the second in a series of updates from our dedicated task…

By Garrett Doan, Board President, MD— MUNCIE, IN — The Muncie Downtown Development Partnership (MDDP) announced today the appointment of Amanda Holmquist as its new Executive Director, effective January 19, 2026. Holmquist brings more than 20 years of experience in nonprofit leadership, strategic communications, fundraising, and community engagement, along with deep personal and professional ties to downtown Muncie. She previously served on the MDDP Board of Directors when longtime Executive Director Vicki Veach began her tenure more than 15 years ago, providing Holmquist with a unique perspective on the organization’s growth and impact over time. “Amanda is the right leader…

By Heather Williams— MUNCIE, IN — Muncie Action Plan (MAP), in collaboration with Shafer Leadership Academy, Ball State University’s Bowen Center for Public Affairs, 8twelve Coalition, Ball State University’s Office of Community Engagement, and Habitat for Humanity, would like to announce that applications are now open for the third cohort of CenterPoint Scholars. The year-long leadership academy is designed to cultivate a dedicated group of resident leaders who are passionate about improving their neighborhoods. This next session kicks off at the March 2026 I.D.E.A. Conference and includes monthly meetings held on the third Tuesday of every month through February 2027….

By Kylene Swackhamer— MUNCIE, IN—As the Muncie Action Plan (MAP) looks back on a productive year, we are excited to reflect on our continued efforts to enhance the quality of life in Muncie and Delaware County. We invite the community to join us for our Annual Report to the Community, taking place Wednesday, January 28, at 6:00 p.m. in the Multi-Purpose Room at Ivy Tech. During this gathering, each of MAP’s four task forces will present their accomplishments and progress from 2025 and their goals and aspirations for 2026. This article marks the first in a series of updates from…

By Jud Fisher— MUNCIE, IN – Muncie’s Old West End (OWE) is on the cusp of major redevelopment. Empty lots have plans attached to them, long-vacant properties–many that have cycled through the tax sale repeatedly over the past 10-15 years–have been mapped for future use, and the community has aligned around a vision for what’s next. Block by block, a historic neighborhood adjacent to downtown Muncie is gaining new life. This is the result of steady, community-led work that has been building for years, and it offers an important look at how communities across Indiana can take on the challenges…