News

Profitable Doesn't Mean Protected: Recession-Proofing Your Grant County Business

Recession-proofing your small business means building cash reserves, tightening collections, retaining key employees, and keeping customers close — all before economic pressure forces those decisions. Profitability alone doesn't guarantee survival: a 2025 peer-reviewed umbrella review in the Review of Managerial Science found that small businesses face steeper recession risk than large firms due to restricted capital access, limited managerial capacity, and dependence on a narrow customer base. For

Knowing When to Part Ways: A Practical Guide for Handling Employee or Contractor Terminations

Business leaders, HR managers, and founders eventually face one of the most difficult management decisions: letting someone go. Whether the person is an employee or a contractor, the decision affects morale, productivity, and the organization’s culture. Handling the situation thoughtfully protects the company while maintaining fairness and professionalism.Key Takeaways Performance patterns matter more than isolated mistakes. Clear expectations and documentation reduce legal and operational

IWU Receives Gift of The Center for Sports and Physical Therapy and The Wellness Center from Alumni

Contacts: Pam Downing, Director of Communications pam.downing@indwes.edu Indiana Wesleyan University Receives Gift of The Center for Sports and Physical Therapy and The Wellness Center from Alumni Lee and Lori Smith MARION, Ind. (March 17, 2026) — Indiana Wesleyan University (IWU) announced today a generous gift from alumni Lee and Lori Smith. The gift includes ownership of The Center for Sports and Physical Therapy, with locations in Wabash and Marion, as well as The Wellness Center in Marion. “We

How Huntington Business Owners Can Make Every Presentation Pay Off

Public speaking is one of the most underleveraged growth tools available to small business owners. A single well-delivered talk can generate leads, open doors with investors, and establish your credibility faster than any ad campaign. For owners connected to the Greater Grant County Chamber, that opportunity is closer than most realize — and the business owners who step up to speak are consistently ahead of those who don't.The Real Cost of Staying Quiet If you've decided public speaking "just isn't for

Why Financial Literacy Is a Core Skill for Small Business Owners

Small business owners operate at the center of every major decision their company makes. Financial knowledge—understanding cash flow, costs, pricing, and profitability—helps owners make decisions that keep the business stable and growing. Without a clear grasp of the numbers behind operations, even a strong product or service can struggle to sustain itself. When entrepreneurs understand how money moves through their company, they gain the ability to plan ahead, manage risk, and respond to unexpected

Marion Community School of the Arts Now Accepting Applications for 2026–2027 Board of Directors

​Brianna Coffing <bcoffing@chronicle-tribune.com>;​Haley Anderson <haley@showmegrantcounty.com>;​+17 others​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Marion Community School of the Arts Now Accepting Applications for 2026–2027 Board of Directors Marion, IN — The Marion Community School of the Arts (CSA) is pleased to announce that it is now accepting applications for individuals interested in serving on its Board of Directors for the 2026–2027 term. CSA invites community members who are passionate about

36th Minnetrista Annual Juried Art Show, on view through May 3, 2026, at Minnetrista Museum & Gardens.

Written By Brea Cunningham Muncie, IN—Experience the vibrant tapestry of Indiana’s artistic talent at the 36th Minnetrista Annual Juried Art Show, on view from February 28 through May 3, 2026, at Minnetrista Museum & Gardens. Celebrating creativity across the Hoosier State, this juried exhibition showcases a diverse array of artistic expressions and invites visitors to immerse themselves in the rich world of fine art.  This year’s exhibition was juried by Erika Kvam, Director and Head Curator of Purdue

2026 Senior Expo with The Marion-Grant County Senior Center May 1st

Upcoming Events at the Hostess House

Walk of Hope, May 1, 2026: Registration Open

Labor Market Review: Region 3 December 2025

Your Monthly Snapshot of the Region  Labor Market ReviewThe Labor Market Review contains a monthly snapshot of various labor market information in Economic Growth Region 3. This report consists of data for December 2025. Some of the data in this report includes:Labor force: employment and unemployment Consumer Price IndexUnemployment insurance claimsWARN NoticesIndiana Career Connect: applicants and job postingsIndustry employmentBureau of Labor Statistics commentaryView The ReportContact

Quarterly Reports from the IN Dept of Workforce Development

Quarterly Reports are Available Three different quarterly reports includes information on online job ads, industry sector employment and wages, and UI claimants in Economic Growth Region 6.  Real-Time Job Demand Online job postings summary of real-time data including skills, certifications, and education/experience from many different online job boards.View the Report Industry Sector Snapshot A quarterly count of employment and wages by industry from the Indiana Department of

Hoosiers By the Lumbers Labor Market Review

Your Monthly Snapshot of the Region  Labor Market ReviewThe Labor Market Review contains a monthly snapshot of various labor market information in Economic Growth Region 3. This report consists of data for November 2025. Some of the data in this report includes:Labor force: employment and unemployment Consumer Price IndexUnemployment insurance claimsWARN NoticesIndiana Career Connect: applicants and job postingsIndustry employmentBureau of Labor Statistics commentaryView The ReportContact

Purdue To Host Just In Time Career Fair on April 15th, 2026

Purdue is hosting the Just In Time Career Fair on April 15th, 2026! This is Purdue’s only career fair that welcomes all employers from all industries and provides a unique opportunity to connect with Boilermaker Talent across all majors.This is your chance to recruit and engage with top-notch Purdue Talent in hopes to fill those 'just in time' summer internships and full-time opportunities. Space is limited, so register today! For more details and information, use the registration link

Take Charge of Your Own Small Business Marketing in Greater Grant County

Small business owners in Greater Grant County often juggle operations, customer service, and community involvement—but marketing is the lever that multiplies all of those efforts. Owning your marketing doesn’t require big budgets; it requires clarity, consistency, and a willingness to test what works in your community. Learn below about: How small businesses can build simple, durable marketing habits Why understanding your audience shapes every message you put out Where local owners tend to get

An Evening with Rainn Wilson, April 12, at GCPAC

 Tickets for "An Evening with Rainn Wilson" will be available starting tomorrow morning at 5 a.m.!  Certain tickets come with a VIP Photo Experience, so make sure to order early to guarantee your meet-and-greet and photo opportunity. TICKETS  Rainn Wilson played Dwight Schrute on NBC's American version of The Office from 2005 to 2013, earning three consecutive Emmy nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for his performance.  In addition to his well-known acting career, Rainn

Thriving Through the Surge: Smart Ways to Handle Sudden Business Growth

When a small business experiences a sudden surge in demand, the initial excitement can quickly be tempered by the reality of stretched systems, overwhelmed staff, and precarious finances. Managing rapid growth isn’t just about keeping up — it’s about making intentional choices that preserve quality, protect cash flow, and prepare the company for sustainable scaling. Unplanned expansion can strain operations, hurt customer satisfaction, and create lasting financial instability if not managed carefully.

How Smart Accounting Keeps Small Businesses Confident and Compliant

When you’re running a small business, financial health is just as critical as customer growth. Owners often think of accounting only in terms of compliance — filing taxes or meeting state requirements — but in reality, disciplined accounting practices provide the visibility you need to make confident growth decisions. Whether you’re hiring your first employee, taking out a line of credit, or preparing for expansion, clarity in your books removes the guesswork.    Track Cash Flow Like a Daily Pulse Cash

How Smart Companies Build Bridges Across Departments

The challenge isn’t that departments don’t want to collaborate. It’s that they often don’t know how to do it meaningfully. Despite the best intentions, silos form easily and solidify over time, leaving once-fluid organizations rigid and reactive. The businesses that figure out how to breach those invisible walls—those are the ones that grow faster, solve problems quicker, and weather disruption with less drama. Interdepartmental communication isn’t just a buzzword anymore; it’s the backbone of companies

Adobe Acrobat AI Assistant: All You Have to Do Is Ask Acrobat’s Generative AI Document & PDF Tool

Adobe Acrobat has long been an invaluable tool for business owners, entrepreneurs, and employees all over the world thanks to its wide array of PDF generation and editing tools. Now, Acrobat AI Assistant offers new benefits for businesses of all sizes. Acrobat AI Assistant’s revolutionary software can transform your business with its incredible features:   Content Summarization and Insights: Long documents can be overwhelming to review, especially for busy entrepreneurs. The AI Assistant can