Business

By: Alexis Dishman— Muncie, IN – The Innovation Connector of Muncie, Indiana is hosting the sixth annual BIG Idea Pitch competition for local entrepreneurs and innovators to “pitch” their business, business concepts, product or invention to a panel of judges from the business and investment community. There are many very creative and interesting concepts from people in our region, and this competition will showcase those ideas and offer what it takes to advance them. This event is for individuals in all phases of business, including startup or pre-startup. Jr High and High School students, as well as college students, are also…

By: Ted Baker—[print-me] Muncie, IN—The Innovation Connector is pleased to announce the formation of the new Capstone Connector initiative. While serving as the start-up technology hub for the greater Muncie community, the Innovation Connector recognized the opportunity to connect college students to local businesses and organizations to match technology talent with existing business software technology needs. For most college majors, students must complete a final course that is a culmination of their course work called a capstone course. “There has been a disconnect with local university and college computer science talent and the Muncie community,” states Ted Baker, Executive Director…

By: Nancy Carlson— Muncie, IN—The business owners in the Village, the eight block commercial area due south of Ball State University, are organizing for the first time in decades. The Village Merchants Association is re-forming to address issues common to all merchants, such as trash, parking, outdoor seating, event promotion, and relationships with the city and university. After a successful event called “$2 Tour of the Village” in August, sponsored by the Riverside/Normal City Neighborhood Association, the merchants decided to join together to form a unified voice. They believe it is in the interest to both the city and the…

By: David Huhnke— Muncie, IN– The Community Champions Fund is pleased to announce that it has awarded funds to ten organizations totaling $32,895.00.  This is the final disbursement of the Community Champions Fund, which was subsidized by Old National Bank’s 100 Men Who Cook event, to support organizations within the community to provide programming, services, and activities that endeavor to reduce violence as well as provide security and care for victims of violence.  Since 2015, Community Champions Fund has awarded over $410,000 to 47 different organizations. The Community Champions Fund has made financial support to not-for-profits, civic, business, and government…

By: Chad Mertz— Companies execute legal close following regulatory approvals in August Muncie, IN— First Merchants Corporation (NASDAQ: FRME) and MBT Financial Corporation (NASDAQ: MBTF) have finalized a merger of the two companies. Following regulatory approvals last month, the companies consummated their legal closing through a 100% stock transaction effective September 1, 2019. As previously announced in late 2018, Monroe Bank & Trust will also merge with and into First Merchants Bank. Headquartered in Monroe, Michigan, MBTF operated 20 banking center locations in the southeastern Michigan area, all of which will remain part of First Merchants franchise. Since its founding in…

Provided By: Joseph DiBlasi, The Conference Board— New York—As Americans celebrate Labor Day, a nationwide survey reveals they’re feeling better about their jobs than they have in years. Conducted by The Conference Board, the survey shows that about 54 percent of U.S. workers are satisfied with their employment. Satisfaction climbed by almost three percent from the prior year, which marks a near-record increase in the survey’s history. Workers also report being much more at ease about their job security. And Millennials have experienced a surge in confidence regarding their wages. The results, however, include some cautionary signs for management. Amid…

Co-Founder Ron Fauquher to Retire After 39 Years with the Company  Muncie, IN – Ontario Systems, a leading provider of enterprise software that automates complex workflows and accelerates revenue recovery for clients in the healthcare, accounts receivable management (ARM), and government markets, today announced that effective immediately, Jason Harrington, President of Ontario Systems, will succeed retiring Co-Founder and CEO Ron Fauquher to become the fourth CEO in the company’s nearly 39-year history. A native of Muncie, Indiana, where Ontario Systems’ headquarters is located, Harrington has been with the company for 22 years and brings 24 years’ experience in finance, marketing, sales,…

By: The Muncie-Delaware County Chamber of Commerce— Muncie, IN—The 9th annual Muncie-Delaware County Chamber of Commerce’s Legacy Gala was held at the Horizon Convention Center on Saturday evening, August 24th. Among those who paid tribute to the legacy of the Ball family was Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb.  The event also included speaker James A. Fisher, CEO of the Ball Brothers Foundation Board of Directors; Geoffrey Mearns, Ball State University President; Dr. Jeffrey Bird, CEO of IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital; and, Stephanie Duckmann, great-granddaughter of Edmund B. Ball and a member of the Ball Brothers Foundation Board of Directors. Fisher said, “There…

Leading Investment Firm Poised to Help Software Provider Achieve Next Level of Growth— Muncie, IN–Ontario Systems (“Ontario”, or “the Company”), a leading provider of enterprise software that automates complex workflows and accelerates revenue recovery for clients in the healthcare, accounts receivable management (ARM), and government markets, has entered into a definitive agreement to partner with New York-based New Mountain Capital, a leading growth-oriented investment firm with over $20 billion in assets under management. With its purchase of a majority share in Ontario Systems, New Mountain Capital will replace Arlington Capital Partners as the Company’s largest investor. Terms of the transaction…