Business

By: Chad Mertz— Muncie, IN – First Merchants Bank has promoted Carrie Valek to senior vice president and director of consumer banking. In this role she will be responsible for the leadership, performance and strategic direction of the consumer bank. She most previously served as director of retail sales. Valek’s areas of concentration include talent management, strategic sales management, executive leadership and financial management. She has been effectively shaping First Merchants Consumer Banking direction and results for many years.  She has…

By: Rob Keisling— Muncie, IN—Indiana Michigan Power is nearing the completion of its project to enhance the reliability of service to the Muncie area by building a new substation at Tillotson and University Avenues. While there is more work to be done to complete the project, the substation has already begun to serve the Muncie area. To help make the new facility compatible with the neighborhood, the new Kenmore substation encloses key equipment inside buildings, and has a decorative wall…

By: Mike Rhodes— Muncie, IN—Many entrepreneurial start-ups have called the Innovation Connector their first home. One of the earliest start-ups to call the Innovation Connector “home” is Travis Street’s  Complete Technology Solutions (CTS.) Street graduated from Ball State with a bachelor’s degree in psychology, but entered into the business of IT almost by accident. He bought his first computer in 1996 and began learning about computers and all they could do. Like most people have experienced at one time or…

By: Mike Rhodes— Muncie, IN—The Horizon Convention Center was host to Delta Tau Delta’s Northern Division Conference on February 14-17. Delta Tau Delta chapters are divided into five geographic divisions. Every winter, members gather in a place chosen within their division to celebrate the Fraternity, brotherhood, and learn skills to help lead their chapters. The northern division consists of 38 chapters. Some of the schools represented included: Eastern Michigan University, Marietta College, University of Illinois, Kent State University, Marquette University,…

By: Mike Rhodes— Muncie, IN—Warmer weather will be here soon. (We hope.) So it’s time to begin planning to be included in Muncie Journal’s 3rd Annual Virtual Home Show. You might be thinking, “What is a Virtual Home Show?” I’ll explain. For many years, ECI Builders Incorporated held an annual home show in the spring. It was held in the Horizon Convention Center in downtown Muncie. Unfortunately, the last physical home show exhibit at the Horizon Convention Center took place in…

By: Benjamin J. Freeman, Attorney— Muncie, IN—Dealing with a personal injury is never easy. Beyond the injury itself, personal injury sufferers can expect medical bills from the healthcare providers. Many people who suffer a personal injury focus on the possibility of a personal injury settlement. However, this process can take many months and possibly years. Nonetheless, many medical providers won’t wait for the personal injury settlement process to conclude before demanding payment. This dichotomy often results in several common misconceptions…

By: Tracy Warner— Fort Wayne, IN—Indiana Michigan Power (I&M) plans to enhance energy reliability for customers in east-central Indiana by upgrading a key transmission line using innovative, unique towers. The Muncie-Marion Transmission Line Rebuild Project includes rebuilding about 20 miles of 138-kilovolt (kV) transmission line in Delaware and Grant counties. The company plans to conduct most of the construction in the existing right-of-way, although it might need to acquire supplemental easements. The improvements help reduce the likelihood of power outages…

By: Alexis Dishman— Muncie, IN—In October of 2018, Lindsey and Andy Markelz pitched in front of a panel of judges in the BIG Idea Pitch Competition. Out of 40 participants, Lindsey and Andy Markelz were in the top five winners who moved on to the Excellence in Innovation Awards where they presented once more. But this time in front of over 350 people! The Markelz pitched their invention; the Collar Keeper. The Collar Keeper (patent pending) is a pure invention…

By: Indiana and Michigan Electric Power— Update: 8pm, 2/24/19 As more than 400 Indiana Michigan Power employees and contractors restore power across I&M’s service territory, incessant winds that have blown since early this morning continue to disrupt service to additional customers. Though I&M has restored power to more than 7,000 customers in a timely manner throughout the day, heavy afternoon wind gusts accelerated the number of outages. As of 8 p.m., more than 10,000 customers were without power. While crews continue…