Business

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…

By: Brenda Brumfield— Muncie, IN– The Muncie-Delaware County Chamber of Commerce held its 123rd Annual Meeting on October 19, 2017 with more than 300 business and community leaders in attendance.  The event, held at the Horizon Convention Center, is the Chamber’s annual meeting and awards event. Chamber Board Chair Margaret Kirkpatrick Sikora led the report to members on the accomplishments of the prior year. The Chamber presented the Spirit of Small Business Award to Elm Street Brewing Company.   Elm Street…

By: Sheena Peters— Muncie, In—The Innovation Connector of Muncie, Indiana is hosting the fourth annual BIG Idea Pitch competition for local entrepreneurs and innovators to “pitch” their business, business concepts, product or invention to a panel of judges from the business and investment community. There are many very creative and interesting concepts from people in our region, and this competition will showcase those ideas and offer what it takes to advance them. This event is for individuals in all phases…

By: Genet Soule, VP Development & Marketing— Muncie, IN – Hillcroft Industries, a division of Hillcroft Services, Inc., received its ISO 9001:2015 certificate of registration for its quality management system on July 19, 2017.  “ISO 9001 is not only a validation of our quality management system, but a validation of our commitment to quality and customer satisfaction,” said Mike Salmon, VP Business Development. Hillcroft Industries, formerly Cannon Industries, has performed parts assembly, packaging, kitting, collating, and sorting work for various…

By: Tara Whitehead— Meeting Brings Together Manufacturing Leaders from All Areas of the State and Highlights Continued Growth of Indiana Manufacturing Sector  Muncie, IN – On October 4, 2017, manufacturers, business leaders, and policymakers from across the state met in Indianapolis to honor those companies that have made outstanding contributions to the development of a healthy, dynamic environment in Indiana, and to the state’s overall economic well-being. Mid-West Metal Products is excited to be among the select group of companies acknowledged…

By: Dave Heeter, President and CEO of MutualFirst—  Combination Expands MutualFirst’s Presence into Central and Southern Indiana Creates Community Bank with $2 Billion of Assets  Muncie, IN – MutualFirst Financial, Inc. (Nasdaq: MFSF) (“MutualFirst”) and Universal Bancorp (“Universal”) have announced  that they have entered into a definitive agreement (the “Agreement”) pursuant to which Universal will be merged into MutualFirst, with MutualFirst being the surviving entity. Upon the closing of the transaction, BloomBank, the wholly owned bank subsidiary of Universal, will…

Muncie, IN—Announcing the acquisition of WKHL 106.7 FM, West Lafayette, Woof Boom Radio continues its mission to build out great locally managed and owned radio stations. Woof Boom Radio began with a vision of great radio that focuses on service to the local community. Woof Boom, with this newest addition, becomes a station group operating in three markets in Indiana and Ohio. Pending FCC approval, Educational Media Foundation (EMF) will sell WKHL FM, West Lafayette to Woof Boom Radio. The…

By: Tracy Dishman— Muncie, IN—A professional and beautiful building, and amenities such as plenty of free parking and back-office staff support,  adds to the credibility and professionalism of an organization. Align these attributes with matching values and missions and you find a resource partner that calls the Innovation Connector their home—The Shafer Leadership Academy. “Shafer Leadership Academy is a non-profit organization that helps people learn how to lead. Our mission is to grow local leaders for East Central Indiana,” said…

By: Mike Rhodes— Muncie, IN— The Horizon Convention Center hosted the 2017 Indiana Association of School Psychologists Fall Conference. The 3 day conference brought over 120 IASP members from across the state to Muncie. The members of IASP apply expertise in mental health, learning, and behavior to help children and youth succeed academically, socially, behaviorally, and emotionally. School psychologists partner with families, teachers, school administrators, and other professionals to create safe, healthy, and supportive learning environments that strengthen connections between home,…