Business

By: Sheena Peters— Muncie, IN – Muncie Innovation Connector recently hosted the third annual Excellence in Innovation Awards at the Horizon Convention Center. This celebration recognized leaders in business innovation including those who are well established and others who are emerging. Mr. Gerry Dick, President and Managing Editor of Grow INdiana Media Ventures, LLC, and InsideINdianaBusiness.com served as the Master of Ceremonies. In addition, Karen E Laine and Mina Starsiak Hawk, better known as Two Chicks and Hammer and stars…

Muncie, IN—MutualBank is thrilled to provide bankwithmutual.com visitors the option to translate the site into Spanish! On desktops and laptops, visitors can click an “Español” button in the bottom right corner of the screen to initiate the translation. On mobile and tablet devices, the translate button is located at the top left of the screen. Visitors should note that services such as online banking, mobile banking, online product enrollment applications, and any other online service requiring a user login are…

By: Mike Rhodes— Carmel, IN—The Indiana Broadcasters Association presented their 30th Annual Spectrum Awards on Friday, November 3, 2017 in ceremonies held in Carmel, IN. The Indiana Broadcasters Association is an alliance of more than 300 member radio and television broadcasters, united to serve their audiences throughout the Hoosier state.  The IBA advocates for member stations, offers FCC inspection programs, provides scholarships to college students, hosts career fairs throughout the state for members to recruit new employees, and represents the…

By: Mike Rhodes— Muncie, IN— At the October 5, 2017 regular meeting of the Muncie Redevelopment Commission, status updates on a number of economic development projects were given. Todd Donati reported that the highly anticipated Fresh Thyme Farmer’s Market is on-track to open in the spring of 2018. Walls of the new market can now be seen being erected.  Due to the new construction and heavy trucks moving in and out, Milton Street will be rebuilt in sections. The commission…

By: Mike Rhodes— Muncie, IN—The Horizon Convention Center hosted the Special Olympics Indiana State Conference on October 27-28 in downtown Muncie. Over 300 people from all over Indiana attended the conference. The annual conference is primarily for Special Olympics Indiana volunteers, leaders, staff, board members and county/management teams from across the state. In addition to numerous break-out sessions, an important component of the conference was the “Spirit of Special Olympics” luncheon held on Saturday. Awards in five categories were presented. Carl…

Muncie, IN—First Merchants Corporation (NASDAQ – FRME) reported record third quarter 2017 net income of $24.4 million, compared to $21.1 million during the third quarter of 2016. Earnings per share for the period totaled $.50 per share, which included $.11 per share of acquisition expenses, compared to $.51 during the same period in 2016. The acquisition expenses in the quarter totaled $7.9 million and were primarily related to the July 14, 2017 acquisition of Independent Alliance Banks, Inc. Year-to-date net…

By: Mike Rhodes— Muncie, IN—Do you, or your company or organization have an idea, program or business you’d really like to try, but you just aren’t certain whether your idea will be successful? Wouldn’t it be great if you had a chance to pitch an idea or concept to business leaders who can help advise you and help you ascertain whether or not your idea will be successful? In the spirit of ”getting connected”, the Innovation Connector is bringing a…

By: Guy Johnson— Indianapolis, IN—Christopher Caldwell of MutualBank in Muncie is joining the Central Loan Committee of small-business lender Indiana Statewide Certified Development Corporation. Indiana Statewide CDC works with local Indiana lenders to issue loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration 504 loan program. The loans help owners of expanding or startup small businesses buy real estate, buildings and equipment. Small companies gain favorable financing terms with SBA 504 loans similar to those available to large companies. Caldwell says, “Indiana…