FEB. 23-29, 2024
With a new mayor and a completely new city council in Westfield, developers have resumed submitting projects to a city they say they’ve avoided for the past four years. Daniel Bradley explains how fresh faces have cleared the recent impediments to growth in Westfield. Also in this week’s issue, Taylor Wooten unpacks the challenges in Indianapolis of consolidating and relocating several city-county government departments to the same building in downtown’s core. And Mickey Shuey profiles Mel Raines, who in June will become CEO of Pacers Sports and Entertainment.
Front PageBack to Top
Developers come out of the shadows in Westfield
With a new mayor and a completely new city council in Westfield, developers have resumed submitting projects to a city they say they’ve avoided the past four years.
Read MoreIndianapolis company is one of nation’s largest regional alcoholic cider producers
Ash & Elm Cider Co.’s owners say the company is just getting started, with plans to expand its retail business to neighboring states and grow its online cider club into the nation’s biggest.
Read MoreTop StoriesBack to Top
Incoming Pacers CEO ready for role after overseeing $400M Gainbridge renovation
When Mel Raines takes over in June from retiring longtime Pacers executive Rick Fuson, she will be the first female chief executive in franchise history and only the third active female top executive for an NBA franchise.
Read MoreMoving city workers a heavy lift but a cost saver
A $7 million, three-phased relocation project will move more than 600 employees across several city agencies from various rented spaces to either the City-County Building or the new Community Justice Campus, on Southeastern Avenue.
Read MoreDerek Schultz: My love letter to basketball
My love of hoops ultimately led me to a nearly 20-year involvement in sports media, and while my passions have expanded beyond just the hardwood, basketball was the sport that made me love sports.
Read MoreIndiana 250: Alice Watson
Alice Watson became president and CEO of the Indiana Black Expo, which has 12 chapters throughout the state and hosts the Summer Celebration and Circle City Classic, at the start of 2023. She had served as senior vice president of operations—in which she oversaw all the organization’s departments—for 11 years. Before joining the expo, she […]
Read MoreMade in Indiana: Pickles by Sechler’s Pickles
History: The origins of Sechler’s Pickles dates to 1914 when Ralph Sechler operated a pickle station in St. Joe in northeastern Indiana for the D.M. Sears Co. After he spent time in college and the U.S. Army, Sechler returned to the DeKalb County town in 1919 and two years later established St. Joe Valley Brands. […]
Read MoreOwner of downtown’s Capital Center listing two-tower complex for sale
Zeller Property Group, which purchased the 648,000-square-foot property in 2018 for $63 million, has spent more than $18 million to revamp the property. But its occupancy rate is just 61%.
Read MoreIndiana environmentalists, manufacturers at odds over bill to protect toxic ‘forever’ chemicals
HB 1399 seeks to carve out more than 5,000 “forever chemicals” from being defined as such by the state and its environmental rules board. That means chemicals deemed harmful in other states would no longer carry the same designation in Indiana.
Read MoreAmended bill would retain taxing district but some could opt out
An Indiana Senate committee on Tuesday adopted an amendment to a bill originally aimed at disbanding the recently-created Mile Square economic enhancement district, essentially keeping the designation in place, but with several changes.
Read MoreFocusBack to Top
$868M project aims to bring broadband to all Hoosiers
That federal funding represents Indiana’s share of the $41.6 billion Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment program—called BEAD—which aims to extend broadband access to nearly 8.5 million U.S. addresses currently unserved or underserved by broadband infrastructure.
Read MoreOpinionBack to Top
Editorial: Indianapolis, not the Statehouse, should decide Blue Line’s fate
We do not think it’s appropriate for the Legislature to override local decisions about the Blue Line and restrict IndyGo and the city from moving forward in the way it determines is best. We urge the Legislature to resist doing so.
Read MoreLesley Weidenbener: Your Indiana 250 questions answered
We need your help. We’re accepting nominations through March 8. Go to Indiana250.com/nominations to submit names to be considered.
Read MoreChris W. Cotterill: We must develop a shared vision for our capital city
Today, Indy has problems that big cities have, but that does not mean we should accept them as ways of life. We must pursue large-scale solutions to large-scale problems and deliver world-class infrastructure, strong educational options, transformational redevelopment, mental health assistance for the homeless, more jobs for ex-offenders and more.
Read MoreEddie Melton: Indiana lawmakers, let Gary finally have its day in court
After the city of Gary successfully combatted the defendants’ delaying tactics by winning three legal appeals in this ongoing litigation—including one before the Indiana Supreme Court—the defendants now are turning to their friends in the Legislature to preempt our community’s pursuit of justice in the courts.
Read MoreEntrepreneurship: Tools to help you juggle work and parenting
Despite achieving my dreams of marriage, kids, a successful career and a home I loved, the constant challenges left me questioning why it all felt so difficult.
Read MoreJalene Hahn: What’s the big deal about the Roth 401(k) option?
The Roth 401(k) option is not widely used, but for the right situation can be extremely beneficial.
Read MoreCecil Bohanon and John Horowitz: Indiana Senate Bill 202 isn’t the devil some think it is
Some of our colleagues have expressed concern that SB 202 would end all efforts at promoting diversity.
Read MoreIn BriefBack to Top
Westfield planning $6.8M, 20-acre expansion of Simon Moon Park, adding lake and nature preserve
First-phase upgrades to the park will include a parking lot expansion, fishing piers, boardwalks, a bridge and a reengineered sledding hill. Plans for the second phase include a new playground, outdoor classroom and shelter.
Read MoreScooter’s Coffee to add distribution center in Whitestown
Scooter’s Coffee said Thursday the 183,000-square-foot facility in Whitestown will be the largest of its kind for the company’s supply chain affiliate, Harvest Roasting, and will add up to 114 jobs by the end of 2027.
Read MoreRafael Sánchez to join Fox59 and CBS4 news teams
Sanchez, who ended a 26-year run at WRTV-TV Channel 6 earlier this month, will take his new position in April, but he won’t be appearing on the air for a long time afterward because of non-compete agreement.
Read MoreKilwins confectionary and ice cream shop to open in Fishers
Kilwins, founded in 1947, is known for its menu of hand-crafted chocolates, hand-paddled fudge and ice cream. The shop will be its second in central Indiana.
Read MoreIndianapolis-based entrepreneur Katara McCarty wins pitch competition with mental health app focused on Black women
McCarty, an alumna of Indiana University Kokomo, told reporters that during her upbringing as a foster kid she never would have believed she would be able to successfully launch her own business.
Read More