MARCH 8-14, 2010
This week, see why tongues are wagging about the possibility of software firm Aprimo attempting an IPO and find out what happened to the six job seekers IBJ profiled a year ago. In Focus, check out a transcript of our Going Green power breakfast--and watch video exerpts of the panel discussion. And in A&E, see what shook columnist Bruce Hetrick's world five years ago.
Front PageBack to Top
Market surge doesn’t lift Lilly Endowment
Lilly Endowment’s resistance to diversify its holdings reached a new height last year, as it failed to sell a single share
of the underperforming Eli Lilly and Co. stock while the broader market surged.
Low-profile CIB leader embraces tough financial task
Ann
Lathrop's interactions with the Indiana Pacers and Indianapolis Colts aren't what she might have envisioned as a young
college student pursuing a career in sports medicine. Now president of the city's Capital Improvement Board, her relations
with the teams are tied to their financial conditions rather than the health of their players.
Simon Property CEO uses hard-nosed style to excel at acquisitions
David Simon, the shrewd and blunt deal-maker—an acquisitive former Wall Street wunderkind who transformed Simon Property
Group Inc. into the nation’s largest mall owner—is trying to land his biggest deal yet.
Top StoriesBack to Top
Rapid growth makes Aprimo candidate for another try at IPO
Robust growth at marketing software maker Aprimo is fueling speculation it is about to make another run at going public, and
co-founder Bill Godfrey said he won’t rule out the possibility of an IPO.
Legal battle over Simon estate plan puts big gifts in limbo
Billionaire mall developer Melvin Simon wanted to leave the Jewish Federation of Greater Indianapolis $10 million, but it
could be up to his widow, Bren Simon, whether to fulfill that wish.
Job searches dragging on a year later
Out of six professionals IBJ profiled a year ago, three have found jobs, although all have accepted lower pay than
they were getting before. One could not be reached, but she still lists herself as looking for work on LinkedIn.com. Two tried
to start their own businesses, with one giving up and one, Bruce Flanagan, still trying.
Fair Finance trustee to make life tough for people on loan list
Borrowers from Tim Durham's bankrupt finance company will face heavy-handed collection tactics.
Read MoreBottled-water company ramps up production in Plainfield
Niagara Bottling LLC recently hired 55 for its plant on Whitaker Road, which will make half-liter bottles of purified municipal
tap water.
Indians ready to score with Comcast, Brighthouse TV deal
A full season of televised games will give franchise a platform to promote attendance at Victory Field.
Read MoreFocusBack to Top
Timber industry seeks respect, profit from ‘green’ standards
Why should bamboo imported from Asia or steel made through intensive use of energy be consider greener than locally grown
trees? timber interests ask.
PANEL: Progress is being made on environmental issues in state
Experts
say Indianapolis is moving forward on recycling, that environmental research is discovering promising technologies, and that
manufacturers are finding new things to make. Local cognoscenti from the green community testify to these developments in
five included videos.
OpinionBack to Top
EDITORIAL: Run for president, Gov. Daniels
Gov. Mitch Daniels should step through the door he cracked open last month and throw
his hat in the ring. Voters would benefit from a new voice.
MAURER: WellPoint’s Braly bravely takes on fuss
Wellpoint CEO Angela Braly was criticized by President Obama on national television. She incurred the wrath of health insurance
policyholders in California and Indiana. She reignited debate on the moribund national health care reform bill. A woman hasn’t
caused this much turmoil since all those ships were launched by Helen of Troy.
MARCUS: Hoosiers hear gospel of gambling
Gamblers wagered nearly $30 billion in 13 Indiana
casinos last year. Now, fellow taxpayers, if I understand these numbers, 91 percent of these dollars were returned as winnings and an additional $876 million (3 percent) went to our state and local
governments for our benefit.
SHOBERT: Who’s your in-house entrepreneur?
Times like this are ripe for pioneering activities. Now that your business knows it can operate profitably even in a down
economy—no small thing—the next question is what you need to be doing to grow.
FEIGENBAUM: Session heads toward early, quiet completion
The buzz as the days ran out suggested that nothing on the agenda was “must-pass” legislation, leaving Democrats
and Republicans, the House and the Senate, and the governor and the General Assembly with little leverage to exert.
HICKS: Courage will be necessary to curb inflation
Inflation causes lenders to raise interest rates. Businesses slow their borrowing, produce less and require fewer workers. Within a year or so, inflation becomes everyoneâ??s problem.
Read MoreSKARBECK: Financial reform should start with derivatives
At the very least, regulators need to get control of derivative trading—transactions need to be more transparent and carried
out on an exchange.
United Way contrast didn’t work
It is unfair to contrast the $1.32 that the townships spend to give away a dollar, with the United
Way spending 16 cents. As I understand it, the townships are giving poor relief directly to individuals and families. United
Way gives their money to agencies.
Katterjohn will be missed
As the kid said to Shoeless Joe Jackson, “Say it ain’t so, Joe!” But I know it is so since I read Chris
Katterjohn’s [March 1] column stating that he is leaving IBJ.
Uncertain tax climate could hurt business
Each day, it seems, something new is said by the Obama administration on how best to curb greenhouse gases, whether that
be through a harmful “cap and trade” program or, even worse, stifling Environmental Protection Agency regulation.
In BriefBack to Top
Developers line up for Westfield sports complex
Westfield’s Sports Commission is evaluating proposals from three firms interested in helping the town become “The
Family Sports Capital of America.”
Barron’s magazine names state’s best financial advisers
The majority
of the top advisers work for Merrill Lynch, and all but two live in Indianapolis.
Motorsports park proposed for southwest side of Indy
Plans call for a Motocross track, one-fifth-mile dirt track and ATV trails on
36 acres near Interstate 465 and Mann Road.
USA Football touring city, considering moving HQ here
USA Football officials toured Indianapolis and met major sports brass on Feb. 26 and are considering several local sites,
including the former Citizens Gas facility on the southeast side, to be its new home. The organization, part-owned by the
NFL, is set to move from its Virginia home later this year.
Consumer group touts financial benefits of energy efficiency
Opponents of energy/climate change legislation—which has predominantly been in the form of so-called cap-and-trade
legislation—aren’t convinced.
PROXY CORNER: Hurco Cos. Inc.
Hurco Cos. Inc. designs and produces interactive computer controls, software and computerized machine systems for the worldwide metal-cutting and metal-forming industry.
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