MUNCIE, Ind. — On Monday, Innovation Connector hosted the inaugural Entrepreneurship Showcase which recognizes and educates small business owners in the Muncie community.
Muncie Mayor Dan Ridenour helped kick off the weeklong event by making a mayoral proclamation to recognize entrepreneurs and small businesses in the city. The Entrepreneurship Showcase hosts twenty workshops, discussion groups and networking events for the public to take part in.
Five Entrepreneur of the Year awards were also presented at the kickoff event. Mayor Ridenour hopes this showcase gives business owners a chance to network and share ideas.
“Entrepreneurs want to know what resources are available, who they can lean on for various information, where they can go for funds to expand, and it’s good then for the city as those additional jobs become available,” Ridenour said. “It’s all good for the city long-term.”
Ridenour has been an advocate of local businesses, which he demonstrated in his plan which distributed federal American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds to small business owners in the community.
“We understand that entrepreneurs and small businesses are a key to Muncie. A key to our growth and we look forward to supporting that in any way we can,” Ridenour said.
CEO and Executive Director of Muncie Innovation Connector, Ted Baker, says he hopes the community joins together to gain valuable resources and knowledge to help with their business journeys.
“First of all, it shows [entrepreneurs] that they’re valued. There is not a better place that I know of anywhere that celebrates and supports entrepreneurs and start-up businesses and business owners like the Muncie community,” Baker said. “We are so fortunate and blessed to have other resources other than Innovation Connector, but Innovation Connector included to be part of that process of helping businesses grow.”
Almost every event during the showcase week is free to attend and open to the public. More information can be found here.
Contact Alex Almanza with comments at aalmanza@bsu.edu
