AUG. 31-SEPT. 6, 2009
This week's issue includes a story on a new Cash for Clunkers program, this one focusing on energy-efficient appliances. We also have a report on efforts to revitalize an iconic American magazine. Our Dining column reviews a Martinsville restaurant with memorable homemade pies.
Front PageBack to Top
Fitch strips Indianapolis of prized AAA bond rating
Fitch and other rating agencies are concerned that the phase-in of property tax caps will further strain the city’s finances.
Read MoreMainGate Inc. racks up revenue with NFL deals
When Brett Favre signed with the Minnesota Vikings Aug. 18, cheers could be heard at MainGate Inc.’s 7900 Rockville
Road headquarters. Predictably, Favre jerseys went flying off the shelves—about 6,000 in the first 72 hours—and
MainGate gets to keep a portion of those sales. The Vikings are one of six teams the Indianapolis-based merchandising
specialist has signed deals with in 2-1/2 years, making MainGate one of the biggest retail players in the goliath of professional
sports leagues.
HHGregg, other retailers await stimulus jolt
Appliance retailers are poised to take a page from the car dealership playbook in promoting a new government program offering
rebates on energy-efficient washers, refrigerators and air conditioners.
Top StoriesBack to Top
Bloomington’s Kilroy’s opening downtown Indianapolis outpost
Restaurateur Paul Murzyn has signed a lease for the 8,700-square-foot, first-floor
space at 201 S. Meridian St., a historic building with luxury condos upstairs.
Saturday Evening Post looks to its past in effort to spark revival
The Indianapolis-based magazine, which
publishes every other month, launched a redesign in July reminiscent of its glory days, with a retro masthead, narrative cover
art and fiction writing.
Noble Roman’s wins latest round in fight with franchisees
A group of former franchisees of Noble Roman’s Inc. has hired a new attorney to represent them in a case against
the chain after a Hamilton County judge tossed their old lawyer.
Exiting AgroSciences chief shook up strategy, culture
Jerome Peribere shifted Dow AgroScience’s focus toward what he calls “revolutionary solutions."
Read MoreICVA: Stadium’s retractable roof worth the cost
Three music events with direct visitor spending estimated at $28 million that were hosted at Lucas Oil Stadium offer proof,
city officials said, that the expense of the retractable roof and other features of the $720 million facility are paying off.
Shelbyville struggles to reach tech park goals
Despite recent investment by Major Health Partners, Shelbyville’s technology park is about as far from meeting state
standards as it was two years ago.
FocusBack to Top
State education officials urge greater emphasis on two-year degrees
Only one in 12 Hoosiers has an associate’s degree. That’s a big problem because nearly half of all jobs expected
to be offered in the next decade and beyond will be middle-skill jobs—which require at least some post-secondary credential,
like an associate’s degree, but not a four-year bachelor’s degree.
Firms hiring Twitter czars to push into social networks
Companies are beginning to hire Twitter experts to stay in touch with customers. But the positions require a light touch,
and their effectiveness is difficult to gauge.
OpinionBack to Top
EDITORIAL: Teacher certification proposal deserves OK
Indiana’s top education official, Tony Bennett, ruffled feathers last month when he proposed increasing teacher expertise
in math, science and other subjects, and stripping red tape from teacher certification and hiring of administrators.
KATTERJOHN: Role model leading College Mentors
Erin Slater might be considered an over-achiever. The 32-year-old CEO of College Mentors for Kids boasts
a laundry list of accomplishments in her relatively short life.
MARCUS: Some things must be repeated
Some things need to be repeated over and over again. Repetition is required when a concept is hard to grasp or when narrow
interests are allowed to override the public interest.
BARADA: What’s wrong with this picture?
There are some pretty basic things out of whack in our society. Not too long ago, a local newspaper reported that a union
member from an area General Motors Corp. plant, with a job title of something like “assistant tool room organizer,”
was being paid in the high $20-per-hour range, not counting benefits. The only requirement for the job—maybe a high
school diploma.
Health care system is a travesty
I just want to thank you for [Bruce Hetrick’s] insightful article in the Aug. 10 issue regarding health care reform.
You say it well.
Council faced unpleasant choice
[In the Aug. 17 editorial] IBJ accuses elected officials of making decisions based on partisanship rather than
good judgment. This superficial pronouncement of the reasons behind Proposal 285’s vote tally lacks thoughtful evaluation
of why councilors cast their votes the way they did at the August 10 council meeting.
Shredding paper beats burning it
After reading [Tim Altom’s Return on Technology column] in the Aug. 17 IBJ on whether shredding or burning
documents provided the greatest security, I felt compelled to send you a note.
Marcus wrote sanely about ‘insane’ issue
It was good to read Morton Marcus’ [Aug. 17] reasoned and sane synopsis of a subject that has become a lightning
rod: health care “reform.”
ALTOM: Want to experiment with ‘Vanishing’ e-mail?
I’m wary of the “send” button. I’ve sent thousands of e-mails, and a fair number of them proved
to be problems later on.
HAUKE: Some lessons to share as personal milestones approach
This September
will give me 15 years as a professional in the securities industry. My firm will celebrate 10 years this November.
HICKS: Clunkers popularity went beyond consumers
The Cash for
Clunkers program has seriously challenged my high-mindedness. It is time for a bit of soul searching.
In BriefBack to Top
Harrison Ford to consult on Indianapolis Prize
The $100,000 Indianapolis Prize, given every other year for achievement in animal conservation, said novelist and Miami
Herald columnist Carl Hiaasen and actor Harrison Ford will be co-chairs for the September 2010 award.
Venture firms recapitalize Advanced Physical Therapy LLC
Locally based venture capital firms Cardinal Equity Partners and Centerfield Capital Partners have joined with Chicago-based
bank Harris NA to recapitalize the state’s largest independent physical therapy provider.
Two businesses open at Flagship Enterprise Center
The Anderson-based Flagship Enterprise Center is on a roll. In the last two months, the small-business incubator
and growth-stage accelerator signed up two new clients: software developers Soveryn Inc. and Coeus Technology.
Not-for-profit wins $80K prize
College Mentors for Kids won $80,000 in products and services from a host of local companies in the Indy Business Makeover
Competition. The winner was selected from among 10 finalists through online voting.
MB2 Advertising opens office to serve Chicago region
Indianapolis-based Miles Brinson Brown, also known as MB2 Advertising, is opening an office in Chicago Sept. 1. MB2 will be
represented by Account Coordinator Victor Tinnish in the Chicago market area.
Indianapolis Monumental Marathon hires executive director
Julie Patterson, a former radio personality who’s been working for WISH-TV, will lead the marathon, which will be a qualifying
event for the Boston Marathon in 2010 and 2011.
Kahn’s wine emporium plans store on 86th Street
Kahn’s Fine Wine & Spirits plans to open a second location in a former O’Malia Food Market at the northeast
corner of 86th Street and Township Line Road.
MZD to market volleyball sponsorships
Locally based MZD Advertising has signed a contract to market sponsorships and a trade show for the Mizuno Volleyball Mid
East Qualifier, to be held in 2010 in Indianapolis and St. Louis.