Search Results for Innovation connector

Children play at Red-tail Land Conservancy’s Dutro-Ernst Woods’ Nature Area. Photo by Maggie Manor

Non-Profit April 8, 2024

George and Frances Ball Foundation Awards More than $500,000 to Local Organizations

By Kelsey Harrington— MUNCIE—In the first quarter, George and Frances Ball Foundation awarded nearly $550,000 to support a variety of community organizations and initiatives across Muncie and Delaware County. The Foundation’s board, which meets four times per year, reviewed eleven grant applications for consideration of funding. In addition to serving as a grantmaker in the greater Muncie-Delaware County area, George and Frances Ball Foundation also serves in a convening role as the backbone organization for the collective impact initiative Cradle…

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Matt Ruddick, photographer and videographer, with over two decades of experience in East Central Indiana, will share tips and best practices for businesses to produce great photography. Photo by Barrett Photography

Business March 20, 2024

‘Intersessions’ Hosted in Muncie to Help Local Professionals Grow Their Marketing Skills

By Melissa Narlock— MUNCIE, IN — Intersessions, a series of interactive marketing workshops powered by Intersection, are continuing in Muncie to empower local professionals and business owners in growing their marketing expertise. The next session, featuring guest speaker Matt Ruddick, is scheduled for Tuesday, March 26 from 8-10 am at the Innovation Connector, generously sponsored by Destination: Muncie. These sessions are free, open to the public, and are designed to provide attendees with valuable industry insights and strategies they can…

Local employers and other key stakeholders gather for presentation by Todd Hurst of the Indiana Chamber. Photo by Maggie Manor

Non-Profit February 29, 2024

Indiana Chamber’s Todd Hurst Connects State Initiative’s to Local ‘Cradle to Career’ Muncie Efforts

By Kelsey Harrington— MUNCIE, IN— Earlier this month, a group of area stakeholders from industry, higher education, K-12, and more gathered at the Innovation Connector to hear an update about the Indiana Chamber and its talent development initiatives. Todd Hurst, Executive Director of the state chamber’s Institute for Workforce Excellence, shared a glimpse into the Indiana Prosperity 2035 plan and its goals, connecting the state’s vision for economic acceleration to the local efforts of Cradle to Career Muncie. Cradle to…

Pair of riders on the Cardinal Greenway. Photo provided

Non-Profit November 23, 2023

Funding for Expansion of Trails in East Central Indiana Part of $5 Million Awarded by Ball Brothers Foundation

By Melissa Narlock— MUNCIE, IN — Ball Brothers Foundation approved 36 grants totaling $5 million in its second and final round of grants for 2023. The grants remain aligned with the foundation’s dedication to place-based grantmaking. Two significant grants have been awarded to advance vital trail projects that are set to transform East Central Indiana (ECI) and foster regional connectivity—Cardinal Greenways and Healthy Communities of Henry County. A $100,000 grant has been awarded to Cardinal Greenways, supporting their efforts to…

Pictured L-R: Travis Street, Mike Martin, Jennifer and Tom Sheridan, Frank Scott II, Debra and Jeff Williams, Chad Massoth, Brad Bookout, and Bill Walters. Photo provided

Business November 17, 2023

Entrepreneur Showcase Week: Kick-Off Celebration and Awards

By Ted Baker, CEO, Muncie Innovation Connector, Inc.— MUNCIE, IN.— The 2023 Entrepreneur Showcase Week commenced with a vibrant Kick-Off Celebration held at the Innovation Connector on Monday, November 13, 2023. The event featured notable speakers such as Executive Director and CEO, Ted Baker; Program and Events Coordinator, Natalie Smith; Jeff Parsons, Market President of First Merchants Bank; Morgan Allen from the Indiana Economic Development Corporation; Muncie Mayor Dan Ridenour; Ron Fauquher, Board Chairperson of the Innovation Connector; and Bernisa…

Historical photo courtesy of The Delaware County Veterans Affairs Office.

Business November 10, 2023

Military Veterans and Business Startups

By Ted Baker, CEO, Muncie Innovation Connector, Inc.— MUNCIE, IN—While we pause this time of year to honor and celebrate the brave women and men who have served our great nation as part of the military, it is important to understand that securing employment or other revenue-generating opportunities becomes an important part of their reentry into civilian life.  We are thankful for the many employers who make it part of their business’s mission to hire and employ veterans.  During their…

Pictured L-R top: Martina Bonomi, Piercarlo Bonomi. Pictured L-R: bottom: Shannon Henry, Nadia Bianchi, James King. Photo provided

Business November 2, 2023

Delaware County Officials Sign Three Memorandums of Understanding With Italian Companies

By Keith Roysdon— DELAWARE COUNTY, IN—As Delaware County officials conclude a trip to northern Italy they are happy to announce new investment and business opportunities are coming to the community. Commissioner President, Shannon Henry and Commissioner Vice President, James King announced Monday the success of their latest economic development efforts. Henry and King spent the week visiting with twenty-five firms with interest in establishing operations in the United States. In addition, the duo made a case for doing business in…

Pictured L-R: Ryan Hunter and Jud Fisher

Non-Profit October 28, 2023

Boys & Girls Clubs’ Ryan Hunter Recognized With 2023 Fisher Governance Award

By Eliza Guion— MUNCIE, IN— Ball Brothers Foundation presented its annual Fisher Governance Award to Ryan Hunter, board president of Boys & Girls Clubs of Muncie. Hunter was recognized with the award at the Greater Muncie Chamber of Commerce’s annual dinner on October 26.   The John W. and Janice B. Fisher Governance Award annually honors a nonprofit board member in Delaware County whose strategic planning and oversight skills have contributed to the achievement of the organization’s mission, financial stability, and…

Education October 24, 2023

TechWise Academy Named Region 7 Out-of-School Time STEM Leader

By Ryan Hunter— MUNCIE, IN—TechWise Academy powered by the Innovation Connector, is excited to announce that they have been chosen as the Region 7 leader for the 2023-2024 Indiana Afterschool Network Regional Leadership Project. The project is a partnership with Million Girls Moonshot, to identify out-of-school time STEM programs to operate as Regional Leaders, setting an example of high-quality STEM programming across Indiana and supporting other STEM programs in their efforts to begin, strengthen, and/or deepen their STEM practices. The…

Suzanne Smith, CEO and founder of Social Impact Architects will be the featured speaker. Photo provided

Non-Profit September 26, 2023

Nonprofit Support Network Announces Inaugural Nonprofit Summit and Community Luncheon

By Carly Acree King— MUNCIE, IN – Nonprofit Support Network is thrilled to announce that tickets are now available for its inaugural Nonprofit Summit presented by Northwest Bank. The summit is scheduled for Wednesday, October 25, from 7:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Horizon Convention Center. This groundbreaking event aims to raise awareness about the Nonprofit Support Network’s invaluable work while providing access to education and professional development opportunities within the local community. The Nonprofit Summit offers a day…