Business

By: Marc Ransford— Muncie, IN—Ball State economist Michael Hicks said Friday’s national jobs report shows an economy in full expansion mode. With net growth of 157,000 jobs and revisions of the previous two months of 59,000, job growth continues to exceed growth in the labor force. This pushed the unemployment rate to 3.9 percent, well beneath historical estimates of full employment, he said. The composition of jobs was strong with continued growth across all sectors, Hicks noted. “Wage growth last month was beneath the level of inflation, although annual wage growth was a reasonably healthy 2.6 percent,” said Hicks, director…

By: Ben Freeman, Attorney at Law— Muncie, IN—Whether you are a property owner looking to rent out a home or an individual looking for your next place to live, it is important to understand the basics of the residential eviction process. An eviction is the legal process a landlord must take to remove an uncompliant tenant and regain possession of the property. Evictions are governed generally by the Indiana Code. However, each county has different local rules which govern how evictions are conducted in local courts. Under almost all circumstances, an eviction cannot take place without proper notice to the…

By: First Merchants Corporation— Muncie, IN—First Merchants Corporation (NASDAQ – FRME) has reported second quarter 2018 net income of $39.6 million, an increase of 64 percent, compared to $24.1 million during the same period in 2017. Earnings per share for the period totaled $.80 per share, an increase of 40 percent, compared to the second quarter of 2017 result of $.57 per share. Net income for the six months ended June 30, 2018 totaled $76.3 million, compared to $47.3 million during the same period in 2017. Year-to-date earnings per share totaled $1.54 per share, an increase of $.41 per share,…

By: Allison Robbins— Muncie, IN–Central City Leadership Team, a newly formed group of community members representing the private, public and philanthropic sectors of Muncie, is launching Next Muncie, a long-term redevelopment and revitalization initiative. The team announced this strategic effort under the name “Next Muncie” to emphasize its dedication toward continually propelling the city forward. “Next Muncie is an exciting opportunity to help accelerate and prioritize the economic development and neighborhood revitalization projects that will transform our city,” said Geoffrey S. Mearns, one of the co-chairs of the leadership team.  Next Muncie will be rooted in the central city area,…

By: Kris Blackmon— 11thAnnual MSP 501 Identifies World’s Most Forward-Thinking MSPs & Leading Trends in Managed Services Muncie, IN—Leap Managed IT ranks among the world’s 501 most strategic and innovative managed service providers (MSPs), according to Channel Futures 11th-annual MSP 501 Worldwide Company Rankings. The MSP 501 is the first, largest and most comprehensive ranking of managed service providers worldwide. This year Channel Futures received a record number of submissions. Applications poured in from Europe, Asia, South America and beyond. As it has for the last three years, Channel Futures teamed with Clarity Channel Advisors to evaluate these progressive and…

By: Stephanie Clawson— Muncie, IN—Eastern Indiana Works, a leader in data-driven workforce solutions, announces the appointment of Dan Borgenheimer, Derek Dodd and Shelley York to 3-year terms on its Board of Directors. Dan Borgenheimer serves as the Business Transformation MTD Plant Coach for 3M Industrial Business Group in Hartford City, IN and will serve as a private sector representative on the Eastern Indiana Works Board of Directors. Mr. Borgenheimer was nominated by the Blackford County Economic Development Corporation and appointed by the EGR6 Regional Chief Elected Official, City of Rushville Mayor Michael P. Pavey. Derek Dodd serves as the Business…

By: Sheena Peters— Orlando, FL– The International Business Innovation Association (InBIA), an international non-profit organization and global advocate for entrepreneur-driven economic ecosystems, recently completed its board elections and five board members were elected to three year terms. Ted Baker, Executive Director of the Muncie Innovation Connector, Inc. has been re-elected to serve a second term. An InBIA member since 2010, Ted Baker is in his eighth year with the Innovation Connector, a technology incubator and coworking space in Muncie, IN. Ted previously built, grew and sold several successful businesses and has remained involved with several community economic development projects.  InBIA’s…

By: Corey Sharp, Purdue Polytechnic— Muncie, IN—As Purdue Polytechnic prepares to expand its footprint by providing courses in Muncie’s Mad/Jax facility, initial efforts are underway to explore how shared space and programming in the facility could benefit K-12 students, college students, manufacturers, and non-profit organizations. With manufacturers concerned about the lack of skilled workers who possess the technical training needed to fill high-demand, high-wage jobs, interest in investing in the current and future workforce has never been stronger. Representatives of five major manufacturers, Ivy Tech Community College, Ball State University, Purdue Polytechnic, the Muncie-Delaware Chamber of Commerce, and several non-profits…

By: Mike Rhodes— Muncie, IN—As you know, the Innovation Connector has been the home to many startup businesses and organizations in the Muncie community. Mark Slusher’s company, Endpoint Creative, is one of them. The company specializes in digital video production, visual marketing,  and high-end live video streaming. Slusher was born and raised in Delaware County and attended Delta High School. “I like Delaware County,” he said. “There are a lot of great things happening here.” An avid community volunteer, Slusher received the 2010 VIVA award for his volunteer work in emergency management. Slusher has been affiliated with the American Red…