Business

By: John Carlson— Muncie, Indiana—If you’ve been waiting, the meat cleaver door handle to Ron Lahody’s Steak House (Motto: Trust Your Butcher) will be getting a workout starting today. The restaurant, located at 231 S. Walnut St., is opening this evening, Lahody said. Hours are 4:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. We snuck in with our buddy George Bennett for an early look the other day. Workers were scurrying to get it ready. Ron, owner of Lahody’s Meats, was manning a caulking gun in a utility closet. Two other hefty guys were straining to lift what looked to be a restaurant-sized…

By: Mike Rhodes— Muncie, Indiana—Approximately 127 people attended the 2018 Bureau of Developmental Disabilities Conference held at the Horizon Convention Center November 7-8. The Division of Disability and Rehabilitative Services (DDRS) Bureau of Developmental Disabilities Services (BDDS) provides services for individuals with developmental disabilities that enable them to live as independently as possible in their communities. BDDS assists individuals in receiving community support and residential services using a person-centered plan to help determine what services are needed and who can best provide them. BDDS also monitors the quality of care and the facilities of those who are approved to provide…

By: Jeff Swiatek— Muncie and Indianapolis Indiana— Indiana University Health will expand its statewide network of on-site employer clinics under a new contract with Progress Rail in Muncie. Under the new relationship with IU Health, Progress Rail employees will be offered a range of health services with a focus on occupational medicine and workplace safety. The onsite service will be offered starting in early 2019. “IU Health Business Solutions is honored to provide health care and partner with a company such as Progress Rail that is devoted to the well-being of their employees,” said Dr. Geraldine Darroca, medical director of…

By: Alex Nielsen— New York, NY—Mission Capital Advisors, a leading national real estate capital markets solutions firm, has announced that its Asset Sales Group is marketing two well known Muncie properties in an online auction to be held December 3-5. Both properties will be auctioned individually on the RealINSIGHT Marketplace platform, with the bidding window opening on December 3rd and closing on December 5th. The properties were previously occupied by the Marsh grocery chain – or its LoBill Foods brand – which filed for bankruptcy protection in 2017 and was subsequently liquidated. Both buildings are fully vacant. The retail centers are…

By: Marc Ransford— Muncie, Indiana — Young innovators from across Indiana may learn more about the entrepreneurial process through a pitch competition — and win up to $100,000 in prizes — co-sponsored by Ball State University in partnership with the Indiana Economic Development Corp. (IEDC) and the Indiana Department of Education (DOE). Innovate WithIN Pitch Competition, now in its second year, is designed for high school innovators who have an idea for a business, product, service, technology component, or other venture that helps identify Indiana as the place to start and grow a business or helps drive the state forward and sustain…

By: David Huhnke— Muncie, Indiana—On November 3, Old National Bank held its annual 100 Men Who Cook event for the Community Champions Fund, which raised over $90,000. The Community Champions Fund will consider support to not-for-profits, civic, business, and government organizations to fund the development and delivery of innovative solutions, otherwise unavailable in our community, designed to make our community a safer place to live, work, and play. Since 2015, the Community Champions Fund has awarded over $320,000 to 36 different organizations. Old National Bank extends it sincere appreciation to all sponsors, chefs, and those in attendance for making this…

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…