Articles by Mike Rhodes

Government June 10, 2020

Red Carpet Inn To Be Demolished

By: City of Muncie Communications Office— Muncie, IN- The blighted building which was once known as the “Red Carpet Inn” on South Madison is set for demolition. The current owner is out of state, and has been unresponsive to the unsafe building authority. Community Development, the Building Commissioners Office and Mayor Dan Ridenour have moved forward with plans for demolition. Complete Demolition Services out of Louisville Kentucky will complete demolition of the building, at a total cost of $289,400. One of the major obstacles Complete Demolition Services faces, is asbestos removal, estimated to cost $97,400; with $192,000 taking up the…

Business June 9, 2020

Virtual Home Show 2020: Knapp Supply

By: Knapp Supply— Muncie, IN—Knapp Supply’s long history goes back to just after the Civil War. After being honorably discharged from the Union Army in March 1864 for injuries that he suffered at the Battle of Chickamauga, Captain Alexander A. Knapp moved to Union City, Indiana. In 1871, Capt. Knapp was elected to the Union City Council, where he oversaw the construction of the Union City Waterworks. With the completion of the Union City Waterworks, demand for plumbing supplies was great. So, in 1874, Capt. Knapp started a “plumber, steam, and gas fitter” supply company in Union City. With a…

Non-Profit June 8, 2020

Next Muncie Initiatives Help Advance Muncie Development, Quality of Life

By: Geoff Mearns, Co-Chair & Jeff Bird, Co-Chair, Next Muncie— MUNCIE, IN—For the past two years, Next Muncie has been meeting to champion projects that have transformative potential for downtown Muncie and its adjacent neighborhoods. The group is already seeing a number of big wins for the community. Next Muncie—a team of leaders representing Muncie’s largest employers, city officials, economic and downtown development representatives, and members of the private philanthropic sector—regularly consults with economic development groups from across the city and region to identify projects that could benefit from additional public, private and philanthropic partnerships. The group then works to…

Non-Profit June 7, 2020

8Twelve Coalition Receives National Recognition for Neighborhood Initiatives

By: Eileen Oaks— MUNCIE, IN—Muncie Habitat for Humanity serves as the convener of the 8twelve Coalition, a neighborhood revitalization initiative serving South Central and a portion of Thomas Park/Avondale neighborhoods on Muncie’s south side. Recently, this coalition received two national awards from Neighborhoods USA (NUSA) for its work. The Coalition received 3rd overall place in the Multi-Neighborhood Partnerships category, which features projects that are jointly produced by at least two neighborhoods or community organizations in a partnership effort, addressing either physical or social concerns. Special accolades were also given to the 8Twelve Newsletter, which earned 2nd place in the Non-Profit…

Government June 5, 2020

City of Muncie Launches Educational Program Before Attacking Blight

By: Mike Rhodes— Muncie, IN—It was an attractive home, nestled between two expansive oak trees. Tiny wind chimes tinkled every so often from the front porch, announcing their presence. The grass was freshly cut, yet the sidewalk and street showed no evidence of trimmings. It was a home someone loved—a home to be proud of. The home next door was quite a different story. Grass and weeds stood over a foot tall. Cigarette butts covered the sidewalk. Trash dumpsters were laid haphazardly on their sides with unbagged trash spilling out onto the ground. A few automobiles, once repairable, now sat…

Carlson June 5, 2020

John Carlson: Wishin’ and Hopin’…

By: John Carlson— This being spring, it is a time of renewal and hope for almost everyone but Nancy and me. For us, it brings only bitterness and shame. This is because we are losing the neighborhood bird races. For example, word got around our neighborhood that some folks were attracting Baltimore orioles using oranges and jelly. Never having seen a Baltimore oriole except on Major League Baseball telecasts, Nancy and I got excited and tried to attract one, too. In the end, though, all we got for our trouble was gumming a bunch of plain peanut-butter sandwiches for lunch,…

Government June 4, 2020

Delaware County, Local Communities Eligible for Pandemic Relief Funds

By: Lydia Kirschner, Indiana House Republicans Press Secretary— STATEHOUSE– Delaware County and local communities are eligible for more than $6.5 million to cover COVID-19-related expenses through the federal stimulus package, according to local lawmakers. “Communities across our state are incurring unexpected expenses to fight this virus,” said State Rep. Tony Cook (R-Cicero). “This funding provides an opportunity to recoup some money spent on resources that are needed to slow the spread of COVID-19 and protect Hoosiers’ health.” Cook said Indiana allocated $300 million in federal funding from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economics Security Act to counties and communities for…

Business June 4, 2020

Chamber Names Naylor 2020 Legacy Award Recipient

By: Muncie-Delaware County Chamber— Muncie, IN— The Muncie-Delaware County Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that Rev. Dr. Ronald Naylor will be recognized as the 2020 recipient of the Chamber’s Legacy Award. This year’s Legacy Gala is scheduled for Saturday, August 22, at the Horizon Convention Center in Muncie. The Muncie-Delaware County Chamber of Commerce’s Legacy Award is presented annually to an individual who has made extraordinary, sustained, and positive contributions to the Muncie-Delaware County community, and who has provided leadership in the development of programs, events, and/or new traditions that promote goodwill and community pride. “Ron Naylor has been…

Non-Profit June 3, 2020

BY5’s Annual ‘Nature Play Days’ Event Moved to At-Home Activities

By: Melissa Jones— MUNCIE, IN — Every summer, Muncie & Delaware County BY5 Early Childhood Initiative hosts a series of community events as part of Nature Play Days, a state-wide event put together by Indiana Children and Nature Network. However, due to health and safety concerns, BY5 has announced that this year’s Nature Play Days—which run from June 6 through June 14—will consist of daily activities families can complete at home. “Due to COVID-19, Nature Play Days look a little different this year,” said Missy Modesitt, executive director of BY5. “Instead of several community activities, we’ve put together a list…

Business June 2, 2020

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 sales in January 2020 to apply. Businesses that received funds from either the Paycheck Protection Plan (PPP), Emergency Injury Disaster…

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