Business

By: Mike Rhodes— Muncie, IN—Jake Sewell has always enjoyed listening to long-form audio podcasts. He likes them so much, he decided to create one of his own. So, in January of 2019, he released his first episode of  “The Jake Sewell Podcast.” In creating his podcast, Sewell had a few goals he wanted to achieve. “I wanted to help out the community,” he said. “I wanted to spotlight individuals, or business owners, or others who may have overcome significant life challenges— such as addiction, for example. I wanted to bring a positive long-form podcast to Muncie.” As of this writing, Sewell has…

By: Brenda Brumfield, Director, Community & Government Relations, Muncie-Delaware County Chamber of Commerce— Muncie, IN— The Muncie-Delaware County Chamber of Commerce honored fifteen of its members for their longevity in, and impact on, the Muncie –Delaware County community at the Chamber Champions Award Luncheon at the Horizon Convention Center on March 20.  Among those included, were six who were celebrating over 100 years of continuous existence. They were: Glad Tidings Church Muncie Community Schools Old National Bank The Knapp Supply Co. The Meeks Mortuary & Crematory Weber Office Equipment “We know that existing business is the backbone of our local…

By: The Muncie-Delaware County Economic Development Alliance— Yorktown, IN— The town of Yorktown, Indiana and the Muncie-Delaware County Economic Development Alliance have announced the certification of a 72.55-acre property by the Verisite Certification Program as a prime opportunity for industrial development. The McKibben site is located East of S. Marsh Ave. (S. Co. Rd. 600 W.) and South of CSX Transportation Incorporated railroad approximately 0.5 miles south of S.R. 32 (Smith St.). Yorktown, Indiana has emerged onto the development scene and grabbed attention through their progressive advancement in economic development activities. Taking the initiative to become a Verisite Certified site…

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 proven to attract and develop top talent to our organization and her influence has spanned beyond her direct reporting lines….

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 rather than chain-link fencing securing the property. I&M will add to the aesthetics of the area this summer with landscaping…

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 another, Street inadvertently downloaded something that totally messed up his computer. “I paid a guy who lived in my dorm…

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, Ohio State University, University of Wisconsin, and many more. Approximately 270 people from the Delta Tau Delta northern division attended…

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 2013. In order to fill this gap, the Muncie Journal came up with the idea of hosting an online Virtual…

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 about the personal injury process. Common Misconception: “I’m not at fault. I shouldn’t use my own medical insurance coverage.” When a…