Business

By First Merchants— Best Companies Group ranks Muncie-based bank 4th for superior work environment MUNCIE, Ind. – First Merchants Bank was ranked fourth in the list of the 2022 ‘Great Employers to Work For’ in Indiana by Best Companies Group, a BridgeTower Media Company. The honor considered a review of practices, programs and benefits, and anonymous employee surveys. BCG categorizes its winners in three separate groups: small, medium & large employer, which First Merchants Bank falls under the large Employer category (250 or more U.S. employees). “This recognition is another proof point of our commitment to a strong and welcoming…

By Mike Rhodes, Editor-in-Chief, MuncieJournal.com— MUNCIE, Ind.—What a difference a day makes. November 30, 2021 and earlier—Indiana Code of Judicial Conduct Rule 2.17 holds that, “(e)xcept with prior approval of the Indiana Supreme Court, a judge shall prohibit broadcasting, televising, recording, or taking photographs in the courtroom and areas immediately adjacent thereto during sessions of court or recession between sessions …,” with exceptions. December 1, 2021—Judges in five Indiana courtrooms allow news media to use cameras and recorders under a four month pilot project announced by the Indiana Supreme Court, the Hoosier State Press Association, and the Indiana Broadcasters Association. The…

By Shawn O. Walker— COLUMBUS, Ohio —Northwest Bancshares, Inc. and Northwest Bank are deeply saddened to announce the sudden passing of Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Ronald J. Seiffert. He died unexpectedly of natural causes on Tuesday. The Northwest Bancshares and Northwest Bank Boards of Directors held a meeting last night in accordance with the companies’ succession plan, appointing Chief Financial Officer William W. Harvey Jr. as interim President and Chief Executive Officer, and Lead Director Timothy B. Fannin as interim Chairman of the Board. Bank employees have been informed of the news and Northwest representatives are sharing the…

By Caitlin Hancock— With the help and support of the IEDC team, ECIRP and the READI Governing Body has finalized a list of prioritized projects that will be reviewed and considered for READI funding. MUNCIE, Ind.——On Friday, May 13, the East Central Indiana Regional Partnership entered into an official partnership with the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) to implement regional investment through the Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI). “As we continue to build on the READI momentum with the East Central Indiana Regional Partnership, the IEDC remains a trusted partner, dedicated to ensuring projects are prioritized,” said Mark Wasky,…

By Boyce Systems— Company appoints experienced technology finance executive, Dave Hahn, as CFO DALEVILLE, Ind. – Boyce Systems, a leading provider of software and forms that power efficient and compliant financial operations for over 1,200 municipalities, schools, libraries, and utilities, announces the appointment of Dave Hahn as chief financial officer (CFO). The news comes after Tom Hall, longtime company controller, announced his retirement. Mr. Hall will remain with Boyce for several months and assist with the transition. “Tom has been a valued asset to Boyce for more than twenty years and was instrumental as the business has prospered,” said Casey…

By Ted A. Baker, CEO/Executive Director, Muncie Innovation Connector, Inc.— MUNCIE, Ind.—For the remainder of 2022, the Innovation Connector will be focusing its outreach efforts on “Celebrating Entrepreneurs.”  What an exciting concept, “celebrating entrepreneurs!”  While it seems fitting to celebrate entrepreneurs, what are we celebrating? Heck, most of us have trouble saying “entrepreneur,” and more cannot spell it. Let’s unpack this unique word, “entrepreneur,” and discover why it may be one of the most essential words for our community. The word “entrepreneur” was coined by economic philosopher Jean-Baptiste Say; the word comes from French, “entrendre,” where it means “undertaker”—i.e., one…

Financial software company’s new leadership group looks to product innovation investments and upcoming launches By Boyce Systems— DALEVILLE, Ind. – Boyce, a leading provider of software and forms that power efficient and compliant financial operations for over 1,200 municipalities, schools, libraries, and utilities, announced additional investment in its products and people, adding substantial experience and capacity at a time Boyce is poised to accelerate its growth. The company has grown its schools onboarding and support teams, which has accelerated the adoption of its cloud-based school financial software, BSF. The company is set to convert its 100th customer to BSF later…

By Muncie-Delaware County Indiana Economic Development Alliance— MUNCIE, Ind.—The Delaware Advancement Corporation, City of Muncie and Muncie Sanitary District have awarded three individual contracts to E&B Paving, 3D Construction and DC Construction Services to install a pedestrian trail, repave Riverside Avenue, and reconstruct the Riverside-Jackson Street Intersection. Each project includes extensive stormwater infrastructure improvements and will begin soon.  Additionally, Indiana American Water has begun upgrades to the water infrastructure along Riverside Ave, between Brentwood Avenue and Timber Mill Way. “After careful planning, based primarily on the public input meetings in 2019, a broad community partnership has formed to address stormwater…