Innovation Connector and East Central ISBDC to Host Affordable Care Act Event for Small Businesses

December 2, 2013, Muncie, IN – The Innovation Connector is partnering with East Central ISBDC to host an event for small businesses with 50 or fewer employees to learn more about the Affordable Care Act, and its effects on their businesses. This event is free and will be held on December 10th, 2013 at 2:00pm at the Innovation Connector.

To attend this program, organizations must register online at http://isbdc.ecenterdirect.com/ Conferences.action?centerID=11 or call Jennifer Greene at 765-282-9950. The event sponsored by U.S. Small Business Administration will be presented by Gregg McAllister from the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services- Health and Human Services and Deborah Hester from Indiana ACA Health Navigator- Plus One Enterprises. Topics will cover the ACA insurance program basics, discussion of the Small Business Health Options program, decision-making tips, and health insurance registration guidance.

Ted Baker, Executive Director of the Innovation Connector notes, “There is so much information out there about the Affordable Care Act. As a business incubator, we are pleased to host a program that offers better understanding to small business owners and how they can best prepare for these changes.”

Ontario Place Certified Technology Park Receives Recertification

September 16, 2013, Muncie, IN – The Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) has informed the city of Muncie that the Ontario Place Certified Technology Park (CTP) has received Certified Technology Park recertification for another four years. According to a document prepared by Mr. Eric P. Shields, Policy Director for the IEDC, “The IEDC has completed its review of the application submitted. In consideration of the efforts and achievements with the CTP, the IEDC hereby extends the Certified Technology Park status for an additional four year period.”

Ontario Place Certified Technology Park is located in the area near the intersections of White River Blvd. and Jackson Street in Muncie. The Park is home to Ontario Systems Inc., Whitinger & Company LLC, and an office location for IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital. In the heart of the Tech Park is the Muncie Innovation Connector, the area’s premier business incubator that is home to over twenty businesses and organizations. In 2012, the businesses located in the Tech Park accounted for over 450 local jobs.

According to Ted Baker, Executive Director of the Innovation Connector, “Recertification of the CTP is instrumental to the continued growth and development of new and existing businesses in the Muncie area. The Innovation Connector serves as the “Gateway to Entrepreneurship” assisting many with business formation.”

Innovation Connector to Host Event with Naval Service Warfare Center

August 29, 2013, Muncie, IN  – The Muncie Innovation Connector will host a unique event for area businesses to learn more about the opportunities available from the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division, on Thursday, October 31, 2013. This event will be held at the Innovation Connector from 11:00am-2:30pm and lunch will be served.

To attend this event, reservations are required due to limited seating, but there will be no cost. This workshop will be presented by three representatives from Crane: Brooke Pyne, Reggie Joslin, and John Dement. It will include an overview of the Crane Division, a federal laboratory of the U.S. Department of the Navy in Crane, Indiana. Topics will cover accessing technical assistance and equipment, collaborating with Crane, licensing Navy-developed technology for commercial use, and how a business or educational institution would do any of these.

 Ted Baker, Executive Director of the Innovation Connector comments, “This is a great opportunity to learn about one of the true gems located within our state—Crane Naval Base. The three presenters from Crane will share how area businesses and organizations can utilize highly sophisticated Intellectual Property and technologies that have been developed by the U.S. Navy. They will also review how to do business with Crane. This event is an open door for area businesses to access Crane technology. It is an opportunity you do not want to miss.”

 

Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane holds 140 patents on technology developments, and has filed for some 150 more. Its main technology areas are testing, manufacturing methods, first responder, physical security, small arms and accessories, optics and lasers, pyrotechnics and demolition areas, antennas, sensors, and communication devices, and software.

Innovation Connector Launches New Website

August 26, 2013 – Muncie, IN – Muncie, Indiana based business incubator, The Innovation Connector, is excited to announce the official launch of its new website (innovationconnector.com). The site introduces a clean, professional look consistent with the IC brand, details the facilities and services it offers, showcases a portfolio of existing clientele, and is built on a content management system to allow for the easy updating of content.

The Innovation Connector website reflects how the organization is a beneficial resource for growing businesses in East Central Indiana. It features an innovative design, subtle attention grabbing page animations, and photography of the facilities and office spaces. The responsive design was incorporated to allow audiences to view content from all platforms – desktops, laptops, tablets, or mobile devices.

“Innovation Connector is a valuable resource for business owners. With this new site, we can promote ourselves while guiding entrepreneurs to success,” stated Ted Baker, Innovation Connector Executive Director.

This site was built by Whitinger Strategic Services, a Muncie-based business development firm which has served as a strategic partner since 2008.

The Innovation Connector is a full service business incubator which exists to help entrepreneurs and new and existing business owners succeed by fostering partnerships of small business owners to resources with the tools and support to address the ever-changing needs of an entrepreneur. The services offered at IC include networking, financial packaging, technical transfer and commercialization, business consulting and coaching services, and patent, trademark, and copyright assistance.

Innovation Connector Welcomes New Business

August 19, 2013, Muncie, IN – State Collection Service, Inc. has now located a satellite office in Muncie, IN at the Innovation Connector.

 State Collection Service was established in the State of Wisconsin in 1949 by Hilding Haag and has served the collection needs of various sectors since that time. Established as a family business on the foundation of quality client relationships and ethical account collection methods, State Collection Service has developed a reputation for reliability and integrity in the debt collection industry.

 Six decades later, State Collection Service is still a family held business and has grown to nearly 300 employees, with branches in Madison, Beloit, Chicago, and Minneapolis. Over the past six decades, State Collection Service has emerged as a leader and innovator in the industry, and has received national recognition for their quality assurance practices, customer service capabilities, and performance standards. They are compliant and authorized to collect in all fifty states, with capabilities to provide exceptional service and performance to clients across every sector of industry.

“We are excited to welcome a family held business like State Collection Service to our offices,” states Ted Baker, Executive Director of the Innovation Connector. “The expertise of the Innovation Connector will assist in the continued growth and development of State Collection Services throughout East Central Indiana.”

ECI Regional Planning District propose $300k solution for defunct manufacturing sites in Muncie, New Castle, and Anderson

Muncie – The ECI Regional Planning District has submitted a joint grant application for $150,000 in financing from the Economic Development Administration (EDA) to assist in developing a plan to address the redevelopment and marketing of defunct automotive manufacturing sites located in Anderson, Muncie, and New Castle. If awarded, each city has promised to pledge an additional $50,000 grant match to assist in addition to providing the necessary resources to see the project through to completion. Several of the sites being targeted by this project are the former BorgWarner, Chevrolet, and Delco Battery plants of Muncie, the Guide Lamp and Delco-Remy plants of Anderson, and the Chrysler related plants in New Castle. The final decision from the EDA on the approval of this grant is expected in early September. More details will be forthcoming.

State Reports Strong Start to 2013 Economic Development Efforts

The Indiana Economic Development Corporation announced that it has worked with 148 companies that have made decisions to expand or establish new business operations in Indiana for a total of more than 11,700 projected new jobs. The new positions, which companies anticipate hiring over the next five years, pay an expected average hourly wage of $21.73, above the state’s current hourly wage of $19.82. Under the IEDC, state incentives are activated only when Hoosiers are hired.   Victor Smith, Secretary of Commerce said, “More good news is on the horizon for companies. Following this year’s legislative session, the largest state tax cut in Indiana history was enacted, further distinguishing Indiana as a state that works for business.”

Source:
http://www.laportecountylife.com/business/business-development/32748-state-reports-strong-start-to-2013-economic-development-efforts

Author:
Economic Development Corporation

Muncie Hotel Plan Clears Hurdle

The Arc of Indiana, a statewide advocacy organization for the people with disabilities, has been working for several months with the City of Muncie and the Horizon Convention Center to build a 125 room hotel and hospitality training center in downtown Muncie. The $20 million project is an Arc of Indiana initiative and calls for around 200 Hoosiers with disabilities to be trained at the hotel each year. The Muncie City Council voted unanimously on August 5 to close High Street between Victor and Seymour streets, as well as a north-south alley between the same streets east of High, where construction of the facilities is planned.

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Entrepreneurship: Indiana to Help Small Businesses

Governor Mike Pence, joined by Lt. Governor Sue Ellspermann, announced the realignment of state efforts to serve entrepreneurs and small business owners with the establishment of the Office of Small Business and Entrepreneurship (OSBE).

The office will house the Small Business Development Center (ISBDC), the Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTAC) and specialty programs, providing integrated resources and consulting services to Hoosier businesses with fewer than 500 employees.

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