Articles by Mike Rhodes

Construction To Begin on Kitselman Pure Energy Park in Muncie

By: Emily Kibling— Muncie, IN – The Demolition Phase has successfully been completed on the former Indiana Steel & Wire property and the Kitselman Pure Energy Park (KPEP) has the green light to enter into the Construction Phase. The development is part of the larger Kitselman Gateway initiative, which also includes the State Highway 32 bridge replacement, the Kitselman Trailhead development and the redevelopment and installation of historic Bridge 85, or the Albany Bridge. “The work done to this point has…

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John Carlson: It’s Out of This World

By: John Carlson— One thing you can say about outer space is there’s a helluva lot of it. This profound observation occurred to me over years of casual star gazing. But a recent visit to Ball State University’s super-cool Charles W. Brown Planetarium left me with lots more observations, not least of which is that movie star Morgan Freeman will never make it as a rapper. That’s fine, though, because rapping aside, he is his usual dignified, calming self in…


Muncie Resident Trevor Dillard Accepted to Erskine Green Training Institute

By: Jeanne Smith— Indianapolis, IN—Erskine Green Training Institute (EGTI), a program of The Arc of Indiana Foundation, is pleased to announce that Trevor Dillard of Muncie was recently accepted into its Heart of the House (hotel housekeeping) program to begin July 31 at the EGTI location in Muncie, IN. The Arc of Indiana Foundation exists to create postsecondary training opportunities for people with disabilities that empower and lead to meaningful employment through its program, Erskine Green Training Institute. After receiving training…


Youth Opportunity Center Hires Chief Financial Officer

By: Richard Crist, Whitinger Strategic Services— Muncie, IN—The Youth Opportunity Center recently hired Kimberly S. Burkholder, CPA as CFO for the Muncie, Indiana based youth treatment facility. Burkholder has 17 years of experience as a CPA for public accounting firms specializing in audits and financial statement preparation for nonprofit organizations and for-profit companies, consulting and tax return preparation for companies and individuals. Kim received her Masters of Accountancy from Manchester College (University). Kim began her career at Katz, Sapper &…


Horizon Convention Center Hosts Indiana Sheriffs’ Association 87th Annual Conference

By: Mike Rhodes— Muncie, IN—The Indiana Sheriffs’ Association (ISA) held their 87th Annual Conference at the Horizon Convention Center, July 14th through the 16th. According to Delaware County Sheriff Ray Dudley, “The Indiana Sheriffs’ Association is represented by 92 sheriffs for all 92 counties in the State of Indiana.  I was proud to invite them here, particularly because of the way we’ve redone our downtown and the convention center and the hotel. I think everyone in the county, as a…


Creating the Talent Development Pipeline for Delaware County, Adding Another Piece to the Wheel

By Carrie Bale – Executive Director, BY5 Early Childhood Initiative— Muncie, IN—Important legislation that will help with future economic development potential for the State of Indiana was passed in April 2017.  You may be thinking about another workforce initiative, or the funding for roads and bridges?  Yes, those will provide some return on investment about 3% on average (according to Dr. Tim Bartik’s from the W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research, recent presentation for the 2nd annual Indiana Summit for…


Ball State University Alumni Council Announces 2017-18 Executive Committee

By: BSU News— Muncie, IN, —The Ball State University Alumni Council recently elected new members of the executive committee, including four returning members and one newly ratified member. Returning members include: Sam DeWeese (chair), Kelli Lawrence (vice chair), Christy Swing Horn (past chair), and Jeff Kingsbury (treasurer). Mike Earley (secretary) represents the newest member to the committee, having formerly served as an Alumni Council At-Large member. Sam DeWeese serves as the vice chancellor of Student Affairs for Ivy Tech Community…


Toyota of Muncie Partners With Indianapolis Colts Standout Jack Doyle, Announces Autograph Meet and Greet in Muncie

By: Jeff Daniels— Muncie, IN—Local auto dealership, Toyota of Muncie, announced a new sponsorship agreement with Indianapolis Colts Tight End, Jack Doyle, for the 2017-18 NFL season. The partnership includes various appearances and marketing activities with Doyle and Toyota of Muncie. “We are thrilled to be working with Jack this coming season and have some exciting things planned as the season progresses,” said Muncie Auto Group’s Managing Partner, Jeff Daniels. “The combination of Jack’s local roots, Midwestern work ethic and…


Ball Brothers Foundation Grants Expand Opportunities for Children and Families

By: Jud Fisher— Muncie, IN—A summer concert series, children’s bicycle safety program, an art immersion experience, and two outdoors-oriented summer programs all received support through Ball Brothers Foundation Rapid Grants. Over $100,000 has been distributed to local organizations since February through the grantmaking program. “During their lifetimes, the five Ball brothers were committed to enhancing the community where they lived and worked. Today, as a private family foundation, we carry on their legacy by using our financial resources to improve…


Delaware County to Receive $67 Million in INDOT “Next Level Roads” Initiative

By: Stephanie Wilson— To view the construction plan for the first five years of Indiana’s Next Level Roads initiative by project, in Delaware County Click here. INDIANAPOLIS – Governor Eric J. Holcomb and Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) Commissioner Joe McGuinness yesterday kicked off Indiana’s Next Level Roads initiative and shared construction plans for the first five years of a new 20-year program to improve Indiana’s roads and bridges. They were joined by members of the Indiana General Assembly, who advanced legislation…