Business

By: Amanda Price— Muncie, IN— DANNAR announced today that Rick Busby has joined the company as Director of Innovation and Technology to support the future research and design of new technology initiatives. Busby is an accomplished product developer, program manager and inventor with over 30 years of experience in the defense, consumer electronics and manufacturing industries. He joins DANNAR after nearly 11 years at Xtreme ADS in Anderson, IN, where he served as Chief Technology Officer and was the principal architect of XADS’ directed energy defense technology. Busby is a Madison County native and has enjoyed success working in electrical engineering…

By: Andrea Batchelor— Muncie, IN—U-Haul® will soon be showcasing a modern self-storage facility in northeast Muncie thanks to the recent acquisition of a former Kmart® store at 1501 E. McGalliard Road. U-Haul acquired the vacant 86,250-square-foot warehouse on Aug. 2. U-Haul Moving & Storage of Morningside has opened a temporary showroom and is currently offering truck and trailer sharing, towing equipment, moving supplies and U-Box portable moving and storage containers. “This deteriorating building had been sitting empty for three years,” said Anthony Jones, U-Haul Company of Central Indiana president. “People were using it as a dump site, so there were…

By: Tracy Dishman— Nick and Patrick Rieth, owners of Reith Brothers, is an Innovation Connector success story. The Rieth Brothers are two young entrepreneurs passionate about telling great stories through digital media. They operate their business out of the Innovation Connector in Muncie, Indiana, creating videos for local businesses and organizations, and producing films for themselves and other artists. Rieth Brothers is a digital media company that combines both brother’s skill sets. Nick is a 2015 graduate of Ball State University and has been doing commercial video work for the past four years. Patrick is a 2017 graduate of Ball…

Muncie, IN — Muncie Mall will welcome Redemption Alewerks in fall 2017 to its line-up of more than 70 retail, dining and entertainment options. The 650 square foot brew pub will be located in the common area outside of Macy’s. “Muncie Mall is excited to further diversify and expand our retail roster with Redemption Alewerks,” said Michele Meregaglia, General Manager at Muncie Mall. “We strive to meet shopper demand by providing dynamic national and local brands and retail concepts, as well as family-friendly dining and entertainment options all within our town center.” Redemption Alewerks was established in 2014 with the goal of bringing…

By: Muncie-Delaware County Economic Development Alliance— Muncie, IN—The City of Muncie, Cardinal Greenways, INDOT and KPEP—the Kitselman Pure Energy Park—continue in cooperation to revitalize the former Indiana Steel and Wire and King Indiana Forge  brownfield factory areas on the east side of Muncie. “People traveling along East Jackson Street have noticed the early beginnings of the reconstruction efforts with the installation of construction fencing around Indiana Steel and Wire”, says Mayor Dennis Tyler.  “Soon, INDOT will be installing temporary signals for the INDOT East Jackson Street Bridge reconstruction that is expected to take about 3 years to rebuild.  While INDOT…

Muncie, IN—First Merchants Corporation (NASDAQ – FRME) reported record second quarter 2017 net income of $24.1 million, compared to $20 million during the second quarter of 2016. Earnings per share for the period totaled a record $.57 per share, an increase of $.08 per share, or 16.3 percent, over the same period in 2016. Year-to-date net income totaled a record $47.3 million, compared to $37.7 million during the same period in 2016. Earnings per share for the six months ended June 30, 2017 totaled a record $1.13 per share, an increase of $.21 per share, or 22.8 percent, over the…

By: Emily Kibling— Muncie, IN – The Demolition Phase has successfully been completed on the former Indiana Steel & Wire property and the Kitselman Pure Energy Park (KPEP) has the green light to enter into the Construction Phase. The development is part of the larger Kitselman Gateway initiative, which also includes the State Highway 32 bridge replacement, the Kitselman Trailhead development and the redevelopment and installation of historic Bridge 85, or the Albany Bridge. “The work done to this point has been laying the groundwork for a successful construction phase and we are excited for the site to begin its transformation,”…

By: Mike Rhodes— Muncie, IN—The Indiana Sheriffs’ Association (ISA) held their 87th Annual Conference at the Horizon Convention Center, July 14th through the 16th. According to Delaware County Sheriff Ray Dudley, “The Indiana Sheriffs’ Association is represented by 92 sheriffs for all 92 counties in the State of Indiana.  I was proud to invite them here, particularly because of the way we’ve redone our downtown and the convention center and the hotel. I think everyone in the county, as a whole, has done a great job of trying to bring individuals to our county and show them what Delaware County…

By: Jeff Daniels— Muncie, IN—Local auto dealership, Toyota of Muncie, announced a new sponsorship agreement with Indianapolis Colts Tight End, Jack Doyle, for the 2017-18 NFL season. The partnership includes various appearances and marketing activities with Doyle and Toyota of Muncie. “We are thrilled to be working with Jack this coming season and have some exciting things planned as the season progresses,” said Muncie Auto Group’s Managing Partner, Jeff Daniels. “The combination of Jack’s local roots, Midwestern work ethic and on field performance made him a great fit to do this partnership with,” added Daniels. The dealership will be hosting…