MUNCIE, Ind. — Muncie Mayor Dan Ridenour and Delaware County Commissioner Stephen Brand gave a “State of Our Community” address, previously called “State of the City,” that ran for just over 80 minutes on the morning of Mar. 5. Roughly 600 attendees came to see as the mayor told the audience “we collaborate on a lot more things than many people realize.”

Commissioner Brand told the crowd that in the last fourteen months there has been interest for data centers and energy generation to be brought to Delaware County. “We’ve have seven companies that represent data centers that are looking to do something in East-Central Indiana.” Brand also touted a local AI economy, suggesting that Delaware County should get involved in AI before it’s too late.

Mayor Ridenour spoke about the construction of a new YMCA building, 615 N. Walnut St., and said there would be 655 new housing units added in Muncie in 2026. Ridenour brought up the Make My Move program and invited beneficiaries in the audience to stand up. There were no audience members standing when Ridenour gave the invite.

Indiana State Senator R-Scott Alexander, joined by Indiana Representatives R-J.D Prescott and R-Elizabeth Rowray, gave a presentation on two resolutions honoring Muncie officer Gregg Winters, who died by gunshot wounds in 1990, and sheriff’s deputy Blake Reynolds, who died in an I-69 crash in 2025. State Representative Sue Errington, Democrat, was not invited by Alexander.

On bringing a drone economy to the county, Brand said that Indiana is one of two states, Oklahoma being another, that federal officials want to use as testing grounds for drone usage. Brand also said he would like to see drones manufactured in the county.