Business

Helping East Central Indiana Prosper: First Merchants Bank’s Enduring Community Commitment

By  Stacey A. Shannon— MUNCIE, IN—This past spring, 33 First Merchants Bank employees traded their desks for a day in the classroom at Anderson Preparatory Academy. Spread across every K–5 classroom, these volunteers brought Junior Achievement’s financial wellness lessons to life. They taught children about saving money and setting career goals. First Merchants employees made concepts like budgeting and entrepreneurship fun and relatable. Delaware County’s hometown bank knows that early education in budgeting and saving is vital to the success…

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Grace Beauty College Launches Indiana’s First Cosmetology and Barber Apprenticeship Program

20+ Salons Partnered Statewide, 80 Students Enrolled Beginning September 9th By Teresa Long— MUNCIE, IN — Grace Beauty College, led by founder and state sponsor Teresa Long, proudly announces the launch of Indiana’s first state-approved Cosmetology and Barber Apprenticeship Program. The program officially begins on September 9, 2025, with more than 80 students enrolled and over 20 salons and barbershops statewide serving as training sites. The apprenticeship program offers a groundbreaking pathway for aspiring cosmetologists and barbers to earn while…


Bridging the Gap: How Muncie’s New Mentorship Hub Will Transform Entrepreneurial Success

By Ted A. Baker, CEO, Muncie Innovation Connector, Inc.— MUNCIE, IN—In the world of entrepreneurship, the challenges are constant: managing cash flow, building customer relationships, hiring the right people, and adapting to market changes. For business owners in Muncie and the surrounding region, these pressures are compounded by a persistent challenge. Too many entrepreneurs are facing them alone. While Muncie has a rich base of talented and experienced business leaders, many new and growing entrepreneurs don’t have easy access to…


Ball State University and Woof Boom Radio Expand Listening Opportunities

Ball State Football Returns to WLBC Radio; Cardinals & Woof Boom Lineup to Include Weekly Podcast By Ball State Athletics— MUNCIE, IN—Renewing and expanding a broadcast relationship that spans decades in East Central Indiana, Ball State Athletics and Peak Sports Management have announced a new, three-year agreement with Woof Boom Radio that will keep Cardinals sports broadcasts on WLBC and WMUN Radio. The biggest and most immediate impact is the return of Ball State football games to WLBC Radio (104.1 HD1),…


First Choice for Women Names Maria French as New Executive Director

By Liz Gardner— MUNCIE, IN – Local nonprofit First Choice for Women has announced the hire of Maria French as Executive Director for the organization. As a lifetime East Central Indiana resident, Maria earned her Bachelor’s degree in English and Journalism from Ball State University. The majority of Maria’s career has been concentrated in English education at New Castle High School and Muncie Community Schools, while also holding supervisory and department chair positions. In Maria’s professional experience, she has also…


L&J Manufacturing Solutions Opens New Headquarters and Manufacturing Facility in Muncie

By Justin Clauson, CEO— MUNCIE, IN— L&J Manufacturing Solutions, a fast growing leader in custom machine design and manufacturing, has officially opened its new corporate headquarters and production facility at 1001 S. Council Street, just south of downtown Muncie. The company is investing over $1.5 million into the site, which will now serve as the central hub for engineering, design, assembly, and manufacturing operations. The newly renovated facility marks a major step forward for the company, which saw 2024 sales exceed…


Middle School Students Combine AI, Robotics, and App Design to Develop Business Ideas

By Ryan Hunter— MUNCIE, IN—Local middle school students spent one of the last weekends of summer vacation at the Innovation Connector in Muncie, working together to design and launch their own business ideas. The three day experience, held on July 25-27th, taught these young students the basics of tech entrepreneurship and foundational knowledge of robotics programming, app development, and artificial intelligence. Working in teams, they spent the weekend designing tech-driven businesses aimed at solving challenges both in their community and…


How Leap Managed IT Is Using A.I. and Automation to Drive Results

By Gary Thomas and Michael Thomas, Owners of Leap Managed IT— MUNCIE, IN—At Leap Managed IT, we’ve spent the last two years integrating intelligent tools into our daily operations and the results have been transformative. With the guidance of our in-house A.I. and automation consultants, we’ve identified practical ways to streamline workflows, reduce manual effort, and boost team performance. One of our standout wins? Using AI to summarize complex technician ticket notes into brief, actionable abstracts, resulting in a 27%-time…


Yes, Every Small Business Matters: 5 Reasons Why Supporting Local Means Building a Stronger Muncie

By Ted A. Baker, CEO, Muncie Innovation Connector, Inc.— MUNCIE, IN—Walk down Walnut Street on a sunny afternoon, and you’ll hear the buzz of Muncie’s entrepreneurial heartbeat: neighbors grabbing coffee at The Caffeinery, community members enjoying the food and games at the Clubhouse, and creatives discussing ideas over lunch at Twin Archer or Casa Del Sol. This isn’t just the charm of a Midwestern city—it’s the economic engine of Muncie and Delaware County. Small businesses don’t just add character to…


ECI Regional Planning District Releases Draft of Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy

By ECI Planning District— EAST CENTRAL IN—The ECI Regional Planning District, in partnership with Ball State University and the Purdue Center for Regional Development, has completed a draft of the 2025 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) Plan, which focuses on the region served by the district: Delaware, Grant, Jay, and Blackford counties. As required every five years, this plan outlines the region’s economic priorities and identifies key projects eligible for funding through the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA).  The draft…