Business

Muncie’s Innovation Moment: Why Supporting Entrepreneurs Strengthens Us All

By Ted A. Baker, CEO/Executive Director, Muncie Innovation Connector, Inc.— MUNCIE, IN—Muncie is a city rooted in resilience, creativity, and community pride. As we look ahead to our future, it’s clear that innovation and entrepreneurship must play a leading role in shaping what’s next. That’s why having a full-service Entrepreneur Support Organization (ESO) like the Muncie Innovation Connector is not just a benefit to our city — it’s a catalyst for long-term growth and opportunity. The Innovation Connector is Muncie and East Central Indiana’s central hub for innovation-driven startups, growing businesses, and nonprofits alike. It offers a wide range of…

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Lasso Communities to Host Open House of Available New Homes on Saturday, June 21

By Shayna Nevermann— MUNCIE, IN—Lasso Communities invites the public to an open house on Saturday, June 21, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at its  Delaware Acres community located at 9901 State Road 3 North, Muncie, IN 47303. The event, part of Lasso’s “Sizzling Summer Savings Event,” will showcase newly available homes for sale and lease, and includes limited-time offers, giveaways, and a chance to connect with the local Lasso team. Visitors who attend the event and sign a lease by June 30 will receive two months of free rent on select homes. The promotion applies to qualifying 14-month leases…


Water Quality Reports Available Online for Indiana American Water Customers in Muncie

Reports show drinking water in all service areas meets quality standards By Joel Reuter, External Affairs Manager, IAW— MUNCIE, IN—Indiana American Water’s most recent 2024 Water Quality Reports are now available for all service areas on its website at www.indianaamwater.com > Water Quality tab. The company’s Muncie Operations Water Quality Report and separate Winchester Operations Water Quality Report have recently been posted for customers to view. The company is proud to report that once again, the drinking water provided to the 1.5 million customers across Indiana meets or surpasses both state and federal water quality standards for all regulated substances,…


East Central Indiana Regional Partnership Rebrands as Forge ECI

By Caitlin Hancock, Interim President/CEO— MUNCIE, IN — The East Central Indiana Regional Partnership is proud to announce its official rebrand as Forge ECI, marking a bold new chapter in the organization’s mission to drive economic development and regional collaboration. Created in partnership with IronGate Creative, this transformation includes a new name, logo, and website—ForgeECI.com. This announcement comes as the organization celebrates its 20th anniversary—two decades of championing regional unity, investment, and growth across East Central Indiana. From its early roots in building collaboration among counties to leading multimillion-dollar regional initiatives, the organization has played a vital role in shaping…


LEAP Managed I.T. Celebrates 95 Years

By Gary Thomas and Michael Thomas, Owners of LEAP Managed I.T.— MUNCIE, IN—One of the first questions new clients ask us is, “How long have you been in business?” And every time, we pause because the answer tends to surprise people. It’s been 95 years since our grandparents, C.F. and Wilma, founded what has grown into LEAP Managed IT. What began as a humble family venture is now one of the Midwest’s largest Managed IT providers, with three of our technical support facilities here in Central Indiana. Over the past decade alone, we’ve grown nearly 700%. The story of our…


Indiana & Michigan Power to Begin Additional Work and Lane Restrictions on Tillotson Ave

By I&M— MUNCIE, IN— Indiana Michigan Power (I&M) crews will resume construction activities on Tillotson Avenue beginning early June with work concluding in late October. Construction will include weeks of underground wire work, which may not be immediatey visible, but will require lane restrictions for the safety of crews and the public. Drivers should expect the following traffic control changes and delays on Tillotson Avenue between University Avenue and York Prairie Creek: Shifting northbound lane closures between West University Avenue and West Euclid Occasional southbound lane restrictions between West Riverside Avenue and West University Avenue. Shifting single and double-lane restrictions…


Innovation Connector Launches Two Signature Programs to Support the Greater Muncie Business Community

By Ted Baker, CEO/Executive Director, Muncie Innovation Connector, Inc.— MUNCIE, IN—At the Innovation Connector, innovation isn’t just part of our name—it’s at the heart of everything we do. For more than two decades, we’ve remained committed to one guiding question: “What creative solutions can we discover to make real and meaningful differences in our local and regional entrepreneurial ecosystem?” By engaging with hundreds of local businesses and entrepreneurs each year, we stay attuned to current needs and identify critical gaps within the small business landscape. In response to these insights, we are excited to announce the launch of two new…


YMCA of Muncie Welcomes Wade Hampton as Interim CEO

By  Kristen McConnell, YMCA VP of Mission Advancement— MUNCIE, IN —The YMCA of Muncie is pleased to announce that Wade Hampton will serve as Interim Chief Executive Officer beginning June 1, 2025 as the organization conducts a national search for its next CEO. Wade brings more than 43 years of YMCA leadership experience, with a well-earned reputation for guiding organizations through times of transition with stability, mission-focus, and results-driven support. He is widely respected in the Y movement for his practical leadership style, strategic insights, and unwavering commitment to community impact. “Wade is well known in the YMCA network for…


Initial Look at Indiana’s First Wawa Convenience Store in Daleville, IN

By Mike Rhodes, Editor-in-Chief— DALEVILLE, IN— I had an opportunity to get a firsthand look at the new Wawa store in Daleville last week after receiving an invitation to attend media day, one day before the store opened to the general public. Having never heard of the brand before I wondered, “What’s a Wawa?” I left the store still not knowing what a Wawa was. Mostly because I forgot to ask the super helpful and friendly Wawa PR people in attendance. I did, however, leave the store knowing what a hoagie is. Not that I didn’t before, because I did….


Destination: Muncie Announces New Partnership

By The Board of Directors, Visit Muncie, Inc.— MUNCIE, IN— The Board of Directors of Visit Muncie, Inc, announced today a new strategic partnership with Intersection Marketing and Branding Agency. In continuing efforts to maximize the impact and results of Innkeepers Tax dollars, the Board has tasked Intersection with the Chief Marketing Officer role for the destination marketing organization. “We want to continue the momentum the team has built over the last year,” said Jarod Walls, Chair of the Visit Muncie Board. “Our team has been more productive than ever during our tenure with Intersection as our agency of record,…