Articles by Mike Rhodes

Jeffrey D. Scott Chancellor Muncie-Henry County. Photo provided

Education October 7, 2021

Report Reveals Ivy Tech Community College’s Economic Impact in Muncie

By Jennifer Gasiorek— College produces $3.9 billion cumulative annual impact throughout state. MUNCIE, IN—An in-depth study, conducted by Emsi, reveals the significant positive economic impact Ivy Tech Community College makes on the state of Indiana, including the local impact in Delaware and Henry County. The report outlines the return on investment the Community College makes to its major stakeholder groups – students, taxpayers and the communities it serves. Results of the analysis reflect a $3.9 billion cumulative annual impact. The…

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Farmhouse Creative owners, Angie and Matt Howell. Photo by Matt Howell

Business October 6, 2021

Farmhouse Creative Announces the Acquisition of Williams Printing

By Amy Leffingwell— MUNCIE, Ind. –Local marketing and branding firm Farmhouse Creative has acquired the client base of Williams Printing of Farmland, IN. Established in 2012, Farmhouse Creative is owned by the husband/wife team of Matt Howell and Angie Rogers-Howell. Angie, president and CEO, brings over 15 years of experience in the design and print industry. In 2014, Matt Howell joined the Farmhouse team as vice president. He brings over 20 years of experience in website design, development, and digital…

Photo provided by Indiana & Michigan Power

Business October 6, 2021

I&M’s Electric Vehicle Program Helps Hoosiers Install Charging Equipment, Enjoy Lower Overnight Rates

By Tracy Warner— New partnership supports charger installations for customers $500 incentive for installation costs; lower rate available for overnight charging National Drive Electric Week helps highlight electric vehicle advantages FORT WAYNE, Ind. – Indiana Michigan Power (I&M) has announced details of its IM Plugged In program that offers incentives to Indiana residential customers for installing charging equipment for electric vehicles. Participating customers also receive discounted rates for charging their electric vehicles overnight. IM Plugged In makes charging electric vehicles…

Jericho, cast metal figures and wood, by Ned Griner, Mayor's Arts Awards Lifetime Achievement recipient, 2015

Entertainment October 6, 2021

‘Mayor’s Arts Awards’ Past Recipients To Be At ArtsWalk

By Carl Schafer— MUNCIE, Ind.—The Muncie Mayor’s Arts Awards recognize the contributions to the cultural community by artists of all kinds, and organizations working in the arts to benefit the residents of Muncie.  Gordy Fine Art and Framing is promoting the 2021 Mayor’s Arts Awards program by presenting a show of visual art made by award recipients from previous years.  Since 2015, awards have been given to 24 individuals and organizations—13 of these are visual artists and we are proud…

Photo provided by Meridian Health Services.

Health October 5, 2021

Meridian Health Services To Host ‘Flu-Lapalooza’ On October 6th

By Meridian—  MUNCIE, Ind. – Meridian Health Services is excited to bring back Flu-Lapalooza, a One-Day FREE Flu Shot Clinic, on October 6, 2021, from 11a-7p at Meridian locations throughout Indiana. Flu-Lapalooza will take place at Meridian locations in Anderson, Bluffton, Connersville, Dunkirk, Indianapolis, Muncie, New Castle, Portland, Richmond, and Rushville. Participants can enter to win a $50 grocery gift card to be given away at each location! The flu shot is a vaccine is effective in reducing the number…

Photo provided.

Non-Profit October 5, 2021

Celebrate the Fall Season With DWNTWN ArtsWalk, Pumpkin Trail & Glow

By Melissa Jones— MUNCIE, Ind. — Follow the Pumpkin Trail and welcome the fall season to Muncie during the October ArtsWalk from 5–8 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 7. The annual, free event celebrates art, music and culture in the community. The October ArtsWalk will feature: Pumpkin Trail and Glow, sponsored by Muncie–Delaware County Visitors Bureau YART (yard sale for art) Art exhibits and galleries featuring local artisans and various media at Madjax and galleries across DWNTWN Live music at Canan…

Ontario Systems, now FINVI, at 1150 W Kilgore in Muncie. Photo by: Mike Rhodes

Business October 4, 2021

Ontario Systems Announces Rebrand and Name Change to FINVI

By Finvi— BURLINGTON, Mass.– Ontario Systems, a leading provider of enterprise workflow automation software built to accelerate revenue recovery and remove friction from the payments process for clients in the accounts receivable management (ARM), healthcare, and government markets announced the company will change its name to Finvi (pronounced fin · vī) and update its corporate logo. “We believe that our name change reflects a unique opportunity to build brand awareness around our solutions and competitive offerings,” said Tim O’Brien, CEO…

Pivotal Physical Therapy Ribbon Cutting, Photo courtesy of Muncie-Delaware Chamber of Commerce

Health October 4, 2021

Pivotal Physical Therapy Promotes Pelvic Health

By Erin Pinkerton— MUNCIE, Ind. — It’s no secret that having a baby permanently changes a woman’s body. The secret might be that, even after having a baby, a woman’s body should still function well. Women are often told that incontinence, pelvic pain and other pelvic health issues are the price they pay for having carried or delivered a baby. Women believe these issues are normal, so they wait to seek treatment or don’t seek treatment at all. “If you…

Ball State's new Health Professionals Building. Photo provided by Ball State University.

We Fly October 4, 2021

Parkinson Voice Project Awards 2021 ‘SPEAK OUT! & LOUD Crowd’ Grant to Ball State University

By Ball State Marketing & Communications— MUNCIE, Indiana – Parkinson Voice Project, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, has named the Ball State University Speech-Language Clinic as a recipient of its 2021 SPEAK OUT! & LOUD Crowd Grant Program. A full listing of the 2021 grant recipients can be found here. Grant recipients include hospitals, university speech therapy clinics, private practices, and non-profit organizations. Each clinic receives therapy supplies and free training for their speech-language pathologists and graduate students.  The Ball State…

Leslie Kidwell of the Indiana Youth Institute is pictured. Photo by Indiana Youth Institute

Non-Profit October 3, 2021

Ball Brothers Foundation Deadline Approaching for Youth-Serving Nonprofit Consultation Grant

By Melissa Jones— EAST CENTRAL INDIANA — Nonprofit leaders often wear many hats, reflects Laura Williamson—who wears both the executive director and artistic director hats at Muncie Civic Theatre. This can make it difficult to find the time and resources to take a step back from the day-to-day and address larger organizational capacity needs. To solve this issue, Ball Brothers Foundation has, since 2004, partnered with Indiana Youth Institute to provide grant-funded consulting for youth-serving nonprofits in East Central Indiana. “We…