Business

By Mike Rhodes, Editor-in-Chief— Muncie, IN –A draft of the Muncie-Delaware County comprehensive plan will be presented at a public hearing at 6pm December 9th in the commissioners courtroom at the Delaware County Building. You can view a copy of the very impressive 66 -page draft plan at www.togetherdm.com. The website, www.togetherdm.com., was launched last year to provide project information to the public and to serve as a platform for surveys and other forms of community engagement. The project was coordinated by the Delaware-Muncie Metropolitan Planning Commission (DMMPC)  and a steering committee of 18 local community leaders. DMMPC hired czbLLC and Ingalls Planning…

By First Merchants— Expanded commitment focuses on positive local impact as bank grows MUNCIE, Ind. – Today, First Merchants Bank emphasized its focus on local communities with the publication of its first corporate social responsibility report, “Elevating Communities.” The release emphasizes the bank’s commitment to making long-lasting change across all its communities and meaningful, positive difference in people’s lives. “Our success will be defined by the real and lasting impact we make in the communities we serve,” said First Merchants CEO Mark Hardwick. “This publication illustrates our corporate social responsibility program and our pledge to helping our communities prosper.” “Elevating…

By Keith Roysdon— DELAWARE COUNTY, Indiana – When life hands you an antique engine, make ice cream. That’s the philosophy behind Iceburg Ice Cream, a fast-growing seller of made on site, hand-dipped ice cream and other dessert treats as well as cheeseburgers, nachos and other hearty food. Iceburg is owned and run by a son-and-mother team, Cameron Thornburg and Denise Thornburg. Iceburg, located at 913 W. State Street in the northeastern Delaware County town of Albany, has been in business less than a year but has already developed a staff and a customer base that feels like family. “The customers…

By Corey Ohlenkamp—  FORT WAYNE, Ind.—Decorating for the holiday season is a great way to spread cheer, but it can make a costly and hazardous time of year even more expensive and dangerous. Indiana Michigan Power (I&M) is providing customers with energy efficient holiday decoration ideas and safety reminders to get into the holiday spirit. According to the Edison Electric Institute (EEI), in 1882, Thomas Edison, who invented the incandescent light bulb, showed off to reporters the strings of electric lights around his holiday tree at his New Jersey home. Since then, electric lights have helped customers celebrate the holidays. Fast…

By Mitch Isaacs, Executive Director— MUNCIE, Ind.—Shafer Leadership Academy is looking to help the Muncie community diversify its nonprofit boards, candidates for local office, and neighborhood associations. “This summer we surveyed community members across East Central Indiana,” explained SLA Executive Director Mitch Isaacs, “and the response is clear – these are the areas of community needs” Shafer Leadership Academy’s mission is to provide inclusive leadership development so that individuals, organizations, and communities can reach their full potential.  “Our community will never reach its full potential,” Isaacs offered “until our leadership reflects our diversity.” To fill this critical gap, Shafer Leadership…

By Victoria Meldrum, Ball State CBER— MUNCIE, Ind. —How will our national and regional economy perform in 2022? What is the long-term effect of COVID-19 on business and worker decisions? Get insight at the annual Indiana Economic Outlook luncheon, sponsored by First Merchants. The Indiana Economic Outlook annual luncheon includes the 2022 economic forecast and a panel discussion on the post COVID-19 work environment. Topics include the size and scope of remote work, changing compensation and supervisory concerns, changes to household location decisions, and the changing requirements for examining and adapting organizational culture. Registration ends Wednesday, Dec. 1 for the…

By Tracy Warner— FORT WAYNE, Ind. – Indiana Michigan Power (I&M), an American Electric Power (Nasdaq: AEP) company, has filed with the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) a rate settlement agreement that will reduce base rates for Hoosier residential customers while enhancing reliability. Under the settlement, I&M will reduce its base rates for Indiana residential customers by about 5% over two phases, with a slight decrease of about 1% in May 2022 and an additional, larger decrease in January 2023. At the same time, I&M will continue to increase its investments for enhancing reliability by upgrading aging infrastructure in Indiana….

By Katy Maggart— MUNCIE, Ind.—In an age of complex environmental challenges, why not look to the ingenuity of nature for solutions? The forms, patterns, and processes found in the natural world—refined by 3.8 billion years of evolution—can inspire our design of everything from clothing to skyscrapers. This approach to innovation, called biomimicry, is becoming increasingly popular. Nature’s Blueprints: Biomimicry in Art and Design opens Saturday, November 13 at Minnetrista. The exhibition Nature’s Blueprints: Biomimicry in Art and Design brings together art and design with environmental science using artifacts, artworks and photography, as well as interactive learning stations. Biomimicry is not a…

By Rachel Combs— YORKTOWN, Ind.— Fate Style Studio will hold a Holiday Open House and official ribbon cutting ceremony on Saturday, November 13th from 10 am to 6 pm. Located in downtown Yorktown, Fate Style Studio will have a unique array of women’s and junior’s fashions, accessories, gifts and holiday specials. The Yorktown Chamber of Commerce will be hosting the ribbon cutting ceremony at 10 am. Fate Style Studio is a locally owned clothing boutique that opened its doors on July 10th of this year. Founder and owner Amber Greene is an active supporter of the Yorktown community and is passionate…