Business

By: Mike Rhodes— Carmel, IN—The Indiana Broadcasters Association (IBA) presented their 31st Annual Spectrum Awards on Thursday, November 1, 2018 in ceremonies held in Carmel, IN. The IBA’s Spectrum Awards recognizes the “Best in Broadcasting” over the past year, and Muncie’s Woof Boom Radio was well represented with multiple Spectrum Awards. Awards were given in two markets: Market #1 consists of Indianapolis, Evansville, Fort Wayne, and South Bend based broadcasters. Market #2 consists of broadcasters throughout the rest of the state. The Spectrum award for “Best Commercial in Market #2” went to Woof Boom Radio’s Simon Hoying for his “Muncie Children’s…

By: Mike Rhodes— Muncie, IN—A few items of classic rock history made their way into Gordy Art and Framing Co. in downtown Muncie last week. Mark Perretta works at Gordy’s and had the opportunity to frame a number of original pieces of memorabilia from the classic rock group Pink Floyd. Russ Castillo is a former Muncie resident who recently moved to Santa Monica, CA. Castillo worked in the recording industry during the creation of Pink Floyd’s “The Wall” album and before moving to California, he had an open house during the Old Washington Street Festival. Perretta attended the open house…

By: Mike Rhodes— Muncie, IN—After a 19 year hiatus, the NAACP held its 2018 State Convention in Muncie at the Horizon Convention Center, October 25-27. The last NAACP  State Convention to be held in Muncie was in 1999 at the Roberts Hotel. At a press conference at the Horizon Convention Center, Mayor Dennis Tyler said, “I’m very honored for the State NAACP convention to be here. I think what you’re seeing—with the type of sponsors we have—Muncie is a very proud, diverse community that cares about each other. I hope when you leave here, you’ll say, ‘We really need to…

By: Mike Rhodes— Muncie, Indiana— The 44thAnnual Indiana Society for Respiratory Care State Conference (ISRC) was held at the Horizon Convention Center, September 13-14. ISRC is a professional organization that represents Respiratory Therapists in Indiana. The conference offered continuing education opportunities for practitioners who work in the areas of homecare, acute care, neonatal, intensive care, diagnostics, sleep centers and more. The mission of the Indiana Society for Respiratory Care (ISRC) is to provide proactive leadership in the delivery of Respiratory Care and to promote professionalism among Respiratory Care Practitioners. Susan VonTobel was chair of the program committee for the ISRC…

By: Ben Freeman, Attorney at Law— Muncie, IN—When starting a business, the entrepreneur has several options for organizing a company. Choosing the right type of organization is important. Many small businesses operate as a sole proprietorship or a partnership. These types of organizations are easy to establish and at little or no cost to the entrepreneur. Corporations, on the other hand, can be very complex and require the dedication of time and money to manage properly. The limited liability company (LLC) offers a unique middle ground approach to organizing a business that includes the ease and flexibility of the sole…

By: First Merchants Corporation— Muncie, IN—First Merchants Corporation (NASDAQ – FRME) has reported third quarter 2018 net income of $41.1 million, an increase of 69 percent, compared to $24.4 million during the same period in 2017.  Earnings per share for the period totaled $.83, an increase of 66 percent, compared to the third quarter of 2017 result of $.50 per share.  Net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 totaled $117.4 million, compared to $71.7 million during the same period in 2017.  Year-to-date earnings per share totaled $2.37, an increase of $.74 per share, or 45 percent, over…

By: J Chapman, President, Woof Boom Radio, Inc.— Muncie, IN—In 2015, a number of community leaders and organizations came together to form the concept of the Muncie Journal. On July 1, 2015, MuncieJournal.com launched for the public. How we view ourselves and our community in large part determines the choices and decisions we make about our future. The Muncie Journal exists not only due to our founding partners, but the efforts of hundreds of community members and groups who continually submit important stories for consideration to be published in the Muncie Journal. We tell those stories today because they weren’t…

By: Brenda Brumfield— Muncie, IN – The Muncie-Delaware County Chamber of Commerce will hold their 124th Annual Meeting on October 25, 2018. The event, to be held at the Horizon Convention Center, is the Chamber’s annual meeting and awards event. Chamber Board Chair Chris Caldwell announced this year’s recipients. SPIRIT OF SMALL BUSINESS – DIY/GROUP, INC. COMMUNITY IMPACT AWARD – IVY TECH COMMUNITY COLLEGE OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTIONS TO EDUCATION – UNITED WAY OF DELAWARE COUNTY EXCELLENCE IN PUBLIC SERVICE – 8TWELVE COALITION The Ball Brothers Foundation will also present their eighth Fisher Governance Award.  The recipient will be announced at the…

By: Chad Mertz— Muncie, IN and Monroe, MI— First Merchants Corporation (NASDAQ: FRME) and MBT Financial Corporation (NASDAQ: MBTF) today announced they have executed a definitive agreement whereby MBT Financial Corporation will merge with and into First Merchants Corporation in a 100% stock transaction valued at approximately $290.9 million.  Upon completion of the merger, Monroe Bank & Trust, will merge with and into First Merchants Bank. Headquartered in Monroe, Michigan, MBTF operates 20 banking center locations in the southeastern Michigan area.  Since its founding in 1858, Monroe Bank & Trust has grown to one of the largest community banks in…