News

ISBDC Program: INTAP 2026 Indiana Technical Assistance Program

INTAP is an annual program that helps small Indiana businesses complete growth and improvement projects by providing up to $15,000 in services from a qualified professional and technical vendor. This helps businesses secure the necessary skill set, qualifications, or technical expertise needed to execute a project.

IHC Marion Pharmacy Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting, Feb. 19

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

Fire Dept. Taking Bids for New Pumper Truck

Fire Dept. Taking Bids for New Pumper TruckShareemailfacebooklinkedin Jan 22, 2026  |  Web Administrator Attached is an Invi­ta­tion for Bids for a new pumper truck for the Mar­i­on Fire Depart­ment. Bids will be accept­ed between now and Fri­day, Feb­ru­ary 13th, 2026 at 3pm. Please view the doc­u­ment for more information.Files Attached:  MFD Truck Invitation for Bids Jan 2026 MFD-Truck-Invitation-for-Bids-Jan-2026.f1769114032.pdf (146.77 KB)

BOGO Tix for Shining Star, January 31st

 All Shining Star tickets are buy one get one free! Promotional code: EWFBOGO TICKETS  THE AMAZING RE-CREATION OF THE BAND, THE LEGENDS, THE ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES EARTH, WIND AND FIRE. SHINING STAR IS THE CLOSEST AND ONLY PRODUCTION TO EMBODY THE AURA OF THE 1970'S SUPER GROUP EARTH, WIND AND FIRE. THE MAGIC, THE LOOK THE MUSIC, THE VERSATILITY, THE VOCALS, THE ESSENCE , THE SONGS, THE ENERGY, THE HORNS, AND THE SPIRIT.... WATCH AND LISTEN HERE!   100 Auditorium Drive * Gas City, IN

Art Alive with Alecia Ribbon-Cutting

Calling All Giants Fans: Limited-edition card set commemorates Giants basketball history

Calling all Giants fans: Limited-edition card set commemorates Giants basketball historyGet your set free at the Marion vs. Lebanon game on 2/20/26! Marion Community Schools is partnering with some of our outstanding alumni to provide a special opportunity to fans of Giants basketball.  On Feb. 20, 2026, at the Marion Giants vs. Lebanon game at the Bill Green Athletic Arena at MHS, there will be a very special giveaway to the first 2,500 Marion Giants fans who arrive, sponsored by Dr. Courtney Gorman, MHS

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

Indiana Wesleyan University to Open New Marion Welcome Center Feb. 19

Indiana Wesleyan University to Open New Marion Welcome Center Feb. 19 MARION, Ind. (Jan. 21, 2026) — Indiana Wesleyan University (IWU) will officially open its new campus Welcome Center on February 19, offering prospective students, families, and guests a dedicated place to learn what it is like to be an IWU student and to experience the university before enrolling. The Welcome Center will serve as the primary starting point for Marion campus visits, providing an introduction to programs, the

Students Gain Hands-On Work Experience with Disney Internships

 PRESS RELEASE Jacob Sala, left; Lexi Eisaman, and Reese Bruns are interns at Walt Disney World Resort. Students gain hands-on work experience with Disney internships KOKOMO, Ind. — A cast of thousands works behind the scenes every day to make the Walt Disney World Resort “the most magical place on earth.” Two Indiana University Kokomo students and one recent alumna are part of the team creating the magic for guests every day, through internship programs based in the Florida parks. Reese Bruns and

4 MJH Students Earn Top Awards at Regional Art Competition;

4 MJH students earn top awards at regional art competition; 10 other MCS students also honoredGold Key winner will continue on to national Scholastic Art Awards competition. Four McCulloch Junior High School students earned the highest regional honor for their artwork submitted to the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards and will continue on to national-level competition. Three other McCulloch students and seven Marion High School students were also recognized for their outstanding work.Tallulah Gibson, MJH

SBA Offers Disaster Relief to Indiana Small Businesses and Private Nonprofits Affected by Drought

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced the availability of low interest federal disaster loans to small businesses and private nonprofit (PNP) organizations in Indiana who sustained economic losses caused by the drought beginning Sept. 30, 2025. The disaster declaration covers the counties of Adams, Allen, Blackford, Carroll, Cass, Clinton, Dekalb, Delaware, Fulton, Grant, Hamilton, Henry, Howard, Huntington, Jay, Kosciusko, Madison, Miami, Noble, Pulaski, Randolph,

Marion Kindergarten Round Up Set for April 9

Marion Kindergarten Roundup set for April 9Mark your calendars! Marion Community Schools invites families of children who will be starting kindergarten next school year to attend our Kindergarten Roundup, 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday, April 9, at Bill Green Arena at Marion High School. Please bring your kindergartner-to-be with you! Children who will be 5 years old on or before Aug. 1, 2026, can attend kindergarten in the 2026-27 school year. (If you'd like to request early entry, we will have information

Minnetrista Announces Transition to Dual Leadership Model

Minnetrista Announces Transition to Dual Leadership Model Written By Brea Cunningham January 28, 2026 Media Contact: Brea Cunningham, Director of Marketing & CommunicationsE-mail: bcunningham@minnetrista.netTel: 765.287.3525 Muncie, IN—Minnetrista Museum & Gardens, has announced the adoption of a dual leadership model, effective January 2026, designed to enhance strategic capacity and support the organization’s continued growth and community impact. Under this structure, Brian Statz will continue serving

Radiant Health Announces Transition to Expand Crisis Services for Faster, Easier Access

Radiant Health Announces Leadership Transition

Minnetrista Announces ''Emmett Till & Mamie Till-Mobley: Let the World See'' January 24 through April 12, 2026

Minnetrista Museum & Gardens is honored to announce the opening of Emmett Till & Mamie Till-Mobley: Let the World See, on view January 24 through April 12, 2026, in the Center Building, Gallery 3.This powerful exhibition examines the life and legacy of Emmett Till and his mother, Mamie Till-Mobley, whose courage helped galvanize the modern civil rights movement. Through compelling images and firsthand narratives, the exhibition invites visitors to reflect on the past, confront difficult truths, and consider

Free In-person Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) Gatekeeper Training Feb 9

A free in-person Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) Gatekeeper Training is being offered by Purdue Extension and Purdue Fort Wayne’s Behavioral Health and Family Studies Institute on Monday, February 9, 2:00 – 4:00 PM at the Marion Public Library (600 S. Washington St., Marion, IN 46953). Registration is required. To register visit, http://www.bit.ly/PurdueQPR Program Description QPR is an evidence-based suicide prevention training program created by the QPR Institute. In this training, participants

Resolve FLSA and FMLA Violations Quickly and Avoid Litigation

The Wage and Hour Division (WHD) offers the Payroll Audit Independent Determination (PAID) program to help employers resolve potential minimum wage and overtime violations under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), as well as certain potential violations under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Link: Payroll Audit Independent Determination (PAID) | U.S. Department of Labor

Criminal Justice Students’ Campus Experience Leads to Law Enforcement Careers

  PRESS RELEASE Criminal justice students’ campus experience leads to law enforcement careers KOKOMO, Ind. — Hands-on experience as Indiana University Kokomo campus police cadets led Lainey Armes and Trenton Rawls to employment at the Kokomo Police Department before they graduated. Armes, from Tipton, and Rawls, from Kokomo, completed criminal justice degrees in December, but were sworn in as KPD officers in September. “It’s the best job in the world,” Rawls said. “I truly believe the department we

Free Suicide Prevention Training

Sweet Tasting February 11th at Senior Center

SWEET TASTING DESSERTS & CANDY FEBRUARY 11, 2026 1-3 PM $5 @ THE SENIOR CENTER

Learn to Skate at Idyl Wyld

Idyl Wyld January Calendar

Business Talk: Business Tax Questions Free Event January 21

Free Pet Vaccines January 30

Part-time Students Honored for Academic Success (Grant County Students Listed)

Part-time students honored for academic success KOKOMO, Ind. — This week, Indiana University Kokomo recognized part-time students who earned a place on the dean’s list for 2025. To qualify for the dean’s list, each student must maintain a minimum 3.5 grade point average (GPA) on a 4.0 scale. Those honored, listed by hometown, are: Alexandria Clarissa Anne Kepner   Avilla Jacob Skinner   Bloomington Lazar Jankovic Vukasin Jankovic Tasnia Mahbub   Brookston Olivia Newcom   Bunker

Learn about NASA’s Return Mission to the Moon at IUK Observatory

  PRESS RELEASE Learn about NASA’s return mission to the moon at IUK Observatory   KOKOMO, Ind. — In early 2026, four astronauts could take a giant leap into history as part of the first crewed flight toward the moon in more than 50 years.   Patrick Motl, Indiana University Kokomo professor of physics, will give an update on the Artemis II mission, which will circumnavigate the moon but not include a landing, at the campus Observatory’s first free open house of 2026, starting at 7 p.m. Sunday,

Department of Labor Launches Project Firewall

Department of Labor Launches Project Firewall   The U.S. Department of Labor recently launched Project Firewall, an H-1B initiative that will protect America’s workers through enforcement and compliance assistance.   Project Firewall is an important part of the administration’s agenda to protect American workers. The department, including the Wage and Hour Division, will use all available tools to hold employers accountable when they abuse the H-1B visa process to hire foreign workers instead of

200 Tickets Released at 50% off to see Shining Star on January 31at The GCPAC

200 tickets released at 50% off to see Shining Star on January 31, 2026.Promotion code is:  MarionWhile they last at THEgascitypac.com Earth, Wind and Fire have never sounded so good!

DWD Technology Group Recognized as a Ramp Platinum Partner

DWD Technology Group Recognized as a Ramp Platinum Partner DWD Technology Group (DWD), a leader in accounting and business technology solutions, is proud to  announce its designation as a Ramp Platinum Partner, recognizing the firm’s expertise and success in  implementing Ramp’s powerful spend management and expense automation platform. The Platinum Partner status represents the highest level of partnership within Ramp’s partner  ecosystem. It honors firms that have demonstrated exceptional

IUK Nursing Grads Honored in Pinning Ceremony (Includes Grant County Residents)

PRESS RELEASE Nursing graduates honored in pinning ceremony KOKOMO, Ind. — Indiana University Kokomo’s School of Nursing and Allied Health Professions (SNAHP) honored its December 2025 graduates at its pinning ceremony on Thursday (December 18) in Havens Auditorium. Thirty students earned the traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), while 10 completed the second-degree BSN accelerated track. Dean Angela Opsahl welcomed the graduating class, family, friends, faculty, and staff to the

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.

Celtic Magic St. Patrick's Day, March 17th at The GCPAC

 Prepare for the best St. Patrick's Day Party EVER! The Magic of Daniel Greenwolf is a show that takes Highly Visual Magic, Theatrical Storytelling, Exhilarating Irish Music, Interactive Comedy, & Thrilling Danger and wraps it in a Celtic Theme that has been described as “A Witty, Modern-Day Celtic Viking. Like James Joyce with a Broad Sword.”  Tuesday, March 17, 2026  TICKETS GO ON SALE THIS THURSDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2025!   This ALL-AGES show will start at 6:00PM with all the glory of St. Patrick's Day

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