Ending 50 Years of Population Decline | Dan Ridenour, Muncie Mayor

On today's show I sat down with Muncie Mayor Dan Ridenour to talk about the city's history, current momentum, and quality-of-life strategy.

Ridenour shares how Muncie's early economic development efforts attracted the Ball brothers in the late 1800s through access to natural gas, leading to major local institutions like Ball State University and Ball Memorial Hospital.

He details his path from banking to mayor, emphasizing transparency through publishing city council documents online and focusing on housing and neighborhood-driven improvements. After decades of population decline tied to automotive job losses, Muncie has grown for three straight years, adding about 1,000 residents and 922 households, supported by new subdivisions, apartments, and partnerships with Ball State for non-student housing.

Our conversation also highlights Muncie's trail systems, its endurance-sports legacy including a 45-year, 70.3-mile event and a 2021 full and half Ironman, plus weekend attractions like the David Owsley Museum, Minnetrista's Bob Ross connection, and plans tied to Close Encounters of the Third Kind.

If you like this episode and want to hear more Get IN. episodes where I interview Hoosiers making a difference, visit getindiana.com/podcast.

You are going to learn about: - The History of Muncie - The Ball Brothers' Impact on the Community - Muncie's Recent Growth and Top Attractions

Thank you to our partners: MakeMyMove

Check out these great clips from the show: 00:29 Meet the Mayor Series 02:10 Ball Family Origins 04:29 Why He Moved Here 06:49 Deciding to Run 08:13 Campaign Vision and Transparency 09:36 Population Growth Numbers 11:45 Housing Strategy That Worked 15:24 Listening to Residents 17:30 Parks Roads and Priorities 19:00 Muncie as Middletown USA 20:39 Trails and Endurance Culture 22:27 White River Trail Loops 22:50 Muncie Ironman Milestone 23:53 45 Years Of Endurance 25:30 Pitching Life In Muncie 27:58 Perfect Muncie Weekend 28:54 Bob Ross In Muncie 30:01 Movies And TV Ties 32:20 Why Muncie Matters 32:57 Rapid Fire Indiana 35:30 Misconceptions And Wins 37:18 Hidden Gems And Trails 38:45 Hoosier To Watch

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