Business

Forbes Ranks First Merchants as Top Bank in Indiana for Fourth Consecutive Year

By First Merchants— Citing growth and lending ability, Muncie-based financial institution ranks 15th in U.S. Muncie, IN— Forbes has released its 2021 list of “America’s Best Banks,” and once again, one of the Midwest’s legacy financial institutions sits at the top of banks based in Indiana and one of the best in the nation. First Merchants Bank – Indiana’s second largest financial services holding company – is rated by Forbes as the country’s 15th best bank for 2021. “My colleagues…

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Study Ranks Muncie’s Housing Market #1 Most Affordable in the USA

By Mike Rhodes, Editor-in-chief— Muncie, IN—A recent study published by Insurify.com using data gathered from Realtor.com lists Muncie, Indiana as the #1 city in the USA for affordable housing. Here are some of Muncie’s stand-out findings according to the report: Median home listing price: $85,217, which is 75.4% below the national average Median price per foot: $62.37, which is 55.9% below the national average Median days on the market: 63, which is 17.11% below the national average The study also…


 I&M, AEP Foundation Donate $4.1 Million to Help Indiana, Michigan Communities 

 By Tracy Warner— 2020 Grants Include $750,000+ for Pandemic Relief   Fort Wayne, IN – Indiana Michigan Power (I&M) demonstrated its commitment to the people and communities it serves by donating $1.4 million in support of charitable non-profits and economic development initiatives in 2020. In addition, the American Electric Power Foundation awarded more than $2.7 million to area non-profits on behalf of I&M.  “Indiana Michigan Power, along with the AEP Foundation, is proud to have donated more than $4 million in…


Ivy Tech Community College Confirms Plans for August Classes

By Kelsey Batten— Indianapolis, IN – Ivy Tech Community College has announced that it will offer its fall semester courses starting in August in-person across its statewide campuses, based on the current trends with the coronavirus throughout Indiana. It will also continue to provide students with multiple course options such as online and flexible delivery modes, including Learn Anywhere, a course delivery method the College further expanded during the COVID-19 pandemic. The state’s community college is slowly starting to increase the…


Whitinger & Company Accountants Pass CPA Exam

By Richard Crist—  Muncie, IN—Whitinger & Company LLC is proud to announce that staff accountants, Alison Wallpe and Lauren Dickson, recently completed all required Indiana exams and certifications to achieve their CPA license. Wallpe, a native of Greensburg, Indiana, attended Ball State University where she received both a Bachelor’s Degree and a Master’s Degree in Accounting. She earned distinction on the Dean’s List each semester. While at Ball State, she was a member of both the Beta Alpha Psi and…


Free ‘Business Foundations Toolkit Workshop’ Begins March 2nd

By Alexis Dishman— Muncie, IN—The Innovation Connector and the Muncie – Delaware County Black Chamber of Commerce have partnered together to bring you a free three-part workshop titled, Business Foundations Toolkit. For most, starting a business is a dream or a mere thought, but taking the necessary steps to start the business goes beyond just a dream. The first question for many entrepreneurs is, “where do I start?” and while most resources are out there, finding, securing, and trusting those…


Ryan Vaughn Joins eKeeper Systems as Business Development Director

By Arrick Garringer— Yorktown, IN— eKeeper Systems Incorporated, a local computer, network, and system support services company, welcomes Ryan Vaughn to the position of Business Development Director. Ryan brings crucial skills to the firm and will primarily serve as the first point of contact between eKeeper and potential new clients across Central Indiana. He will be responsible for the growth of the eKeeper client base in Central Indiana with a focus on Delaware County and the directly surrounding counties. In…


Where to Get Your March Madness Mask in Muncie

By Josh Rattray, Ball State Athletics— Muncie, IN—With all three NCAA divisions conducting their men’s basketball championships in the State of Indiana in 2021, March Madness is taking on a unique look and feel. To help promote COVID-19 safety measures, Ball State Athletics and the Muncie Sports Commission are teaming up to distribute masks as part of the NCAA’s #MaskMadness initiative. As part of this important program, the NCAA is donating 100,000 masks to Hoosiers from across the state who are in…


Meridian Health Services Moves Rialzo Event to 2022, Replaces 2021 Event With Something New

By Meridian Health Services—  Muncie, IN— In an effort to promote and ensure healthy communities, Meridian Health Services has rescheduled its Charity Gala, Rialzo, from April 10, 2021 to April 9, 2022. This is the event’s second rescheduling due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “Our mission in promoting healthier communities is our focus,” said Hank Milius, President/CEO of Meridian. “It’s unfortunate that our friends of Meridian cannot gather for Rialzo this year. We have always appreciated their support for our programs…


First Merchants Corporation Elects Susan Brooks, Mark Hardwick to Its Board of Directors

By First Merchants— Muncie, IN—First Merchants Corporation, a $14.1 billion financial holding company, has elected Susan Brooks and Mark Hardwick to the Board of Directors of First Merchants Corporation and First Merchants Bank. Brooks represented Indiana’s 5th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives, and Hardwick is Chief Executive Officer of First Merchants Corporation and First Merchants Bank. Both Ms. Brooks and Mr. Hardwick will be on the ballot for continuing terms at the Corporation’s Annual Shareholder Meeting in…