Articles by Mike Rhodes

By Vicki Veach, Executive Director. Muncie Downtown Development Partnership— MUNCIE, IN—DWNTWN business is buzzing, with new neighbors opening their doors. Book a hair appointment before your next special occasion, find a handcrafted gift, or stop in for a Friday night cocktail at one of the community’s newest spots. Meet the new DWNTWN destinations: Parlour Salon 109 E Main St This salon offers luxury haircare and skincare services to help clients look and feel their best. Housed in a beautifully restored building, Parlour provides expert haircuts, color services, and premium treatments. Since opening, Parlour has received rave reviews for its welcoming atmosphere and…

By Gary Thomas and Michael Thomas, Owners, LEAP Managed I.T.— MUNCIE, IN—Easter morning several years ago, we got the call first from our network operations team at LEAP Managed IT, where we provide managed IT services and cybersecurity solutions to businesses across the Midwest, then from the business owner themselves. Their servers had gone silent. Moments later, the owner stood in the parking lot, watching smoke pour from their building, surrounded by first responders. We arrived shortly after, pulling damaged computer equipment from the smoke-filled facility. Thankfully, their critical data had been backed up to the cloud. But recovery wasn’t…

By Ted A. Baker, CEO/Executive Director, Muncie Innovation Connector, Inc.— MUNCIE, IN—Muncie is a city rooted in resilience, creativity, and community pride. As we look ahead to our future, it’s clear that innovation and entrepreneurship must play a leading role in shaping what’s next. That’s why having a full-service Entrepreneur Support Organization (ESO) like the Muncie Innovation Connector is not just a benefit to our city — it’s a catalyst for long-term growth and opportunity. The Innovation Connector is Muncie and East Central Indiana’s central hub for innovation-driven startups, growing businesses, and nonprofits alike. It offers a wide range of…

By Shayna Nevermann— MUNCIE, IN—Lasso Communities invites the public to an open house on Saturday, June 21, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at its  Delaware Acres community located at 9901 State Road 3 North, Muncie, IN 47303. The event, part of Lasso’s “Sizzling Summer Savings Event,” will showcase newly available homes for sale and lease, and includes limited-time offers, giveaways, and a chance to connect with the local Lasso team. Visitors who attend the event and sign a lease by June 30 will receive two months of free rent on select homes. The promotion applies to qualifying 14-month leases…