Business

By Visit Muncie, Inc.— MUNCIE, IN—The Board of Directors of Visit Muncie, Incorporated, formerly and more widely known as The Muncie Visitors Bureau, proudly announces the hiring of LaShanta Vaughn as its Executive Director.  Vaughn stepped into the role April 22. For the last five years, she held positions of Sales Manager and then Director of Sales at the Horizon Convention Center in Muncie.  “We could not be happier to have LaShanta leading our county’s tourism efforts,” said Jarod Walls,…

Local Dealer Chris Hutton Recognized for Exceptional Customer Service and Sales Success  By John Weis— MUNCIE, IN — Chris Hutton and his dealership, Kia of Muncie, have been named by Kia America as one of only 50 dealerships in the United States to earn a spot in the brand’s prestigious 2023 President’s Club. Selected from the nationwide network of nearly 800 retailers, the Kia President’s Club recognizes dealers that have achieved the highest overall sales volume and provided outstanding customer…

Editor’s note: Trevor Friedeberg, CEO & President at the East Central Indiana Regional Partnership (ECIRP), has been instrumental in guiding the region’s journey through READI 1.0 and now into the promising era of READI 2.0. As we reflect on the culmination of efforts, this is his perspective on the greatest takeaway– In East Central Indiana, our greatest strength has always been each other.  By Trevor Friedeberg— MUNCIE, IN— East Central Indiana (ECI) hasn’t been immune to challenges mirroring broader statewide trends….

By the BSU MDIA344 Immersive Learning class— MUNCIE, IN—On April 13th, local car enthusiasts and supporters gathered at Walls Furniture, a local Muncie furniture store, for a thrilling showcase of automotive beauty and generosity. The fundraising event, organized by Walls Furniture, saw many classic and contemporary vehicles on display, all for a noble cause. From noon until 4 PM, the parking lot buzzed with excitement as visitors admired the cool, sleek designs and vibrant colors of the showcased cars. The…

By Megan Orbin— LAS VEGAS, NV —Muncie’s most listened-to radio station, 104.1 FM HD1 WLBC, has been selected as a winner of the 37th annual National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) Crystal Radio Award. The award recognizes radio stations nationwide for their exceptional year-round commitment to community service. “There was an established, impressive culture of service when I arrived at WLBC in the 90’s,”  said Kim Morris, WLBC Midday Show Host.  “Our radio family strives daily to build on that. We…

By Muncie-Delaware County Economic Development Alliance— MUNCIE, IN— The Muncie-Delaware County Economic Development Alliance is proud to have served as a partner in securing a $35 million grant for the East Central Indiana region from the Indiana Economic Development Corporation’s Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI). This eight-county collaborative effort, led by the East Central Indiana Regional Partnership, marks a transformative moment for the region, opening doors to unprecedented opportunities for economic revitalization and community enhancement. As a vital…

By Ted A. Baker, CEO/Executive Director— MUNCIE, IN—2023 was a remarkable year for the Innovation Connector, marked by unprecedented activity and events. Our team was privileged to assist over 450 Muncie area entrepreneurs and business owners on their business journeys. Notably, we housed the East Central Indiana Regional Office of the Indiana Small Business Development Center, collaborating to serve the eleven Indiana counties they cater to.  Last year, we extended our reach beyond national borders, partnering with the Delaware County…