Business

By Jaime Faulkner— MUNCIE, IN—First Merchants (Nasdaq: FRME) has once again earned national recognition for its outstanding workplace culture, standing out as the only bank headquartered in the Midwest to be honored by Comparably for excellence in leadership and career growth –based entirely on employee survey and ratings. Among companies headquartered in Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio, only four were recognized for best Leadership and Best Career Growth: Sweetwater – Fort Wayne, Indiana Service Express – Grand Rapids, Michigan Micro Center – Hillard, Ohio First Merchants Bank – Muncie, Indiana First Merchants has been consistently recognized by Comparably for: Best Career…

By Ben Polk— MUNCIE, IN—PrimeTrust Financial Federal Credit Union today announced plans for the grand opening of a new full-service branch located in the heart of Downtown Yorktown, Indiana, slated for later in 2026. This strategic expansion underscores PrimeTrust’s commitment to enhancing accessibility and serving the growing financial needs of the Yorktown community. We cannot wait to be able to be part of the Yorktown Community. The new branch will be situated in a prime location within Downtown Yorktown, designed to offer modern banking services in a welcoming and convenient environment. It will feature advanced banking technology and a dedicated…

By Vicki Veach, Executive Director. Muncie Downtown Development Partnership— MUNCIE, IN—DWNTWN business is buzzing, with new neighbors opening their doors. Book a hair appointment before your next special occasion, find a handcrafted gift, or stop in for a Friday night cocktail at one of the community’s newest spots. Meet the new DWNTWN destinations: Parlour Salon 109 E Main St This salon offers luxury haircare and skincare services to help clients look and feel their best. Housed in a beautifully restored building, Parlour provides expert haircuts, color services, and premium treatments. Since opening, Parlour has received rave reviews for its welcoming atmosphere and…

By Gary Thomas and Michael Thomas, Owners, LEAP Managed I.T.— MUNCIE, IN—Easter morning several years ago, we got the call first from our network operations team at LEAP Managed IT, where we provide managed IT services and cybersecurity solutions to businesses across the Midwest, then from the business owner themselves. Their servers had gone silent. Moments later, the owner stood in the parking lot, watching smoke pour from their building, surrounded by first responders. We arrived shortly after, pulling damaged computer equipment from the smoke-filled facility. Thankfully, their critical data had been backed up to the cloud. But recovery wasn’t…

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…

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…

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,…

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…

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…