MAY 23-29, 2011
This week, find out what new Indianapolis Art Center CEO Carter Wolf is doing to grow enrollment and read about efforts to return professional tennis to downtown. In Focus, see why credit unions are girding for battle with traditional banks. And in Forefront, Indiana's candidates for Senate define conservatism.
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New TIF districts could spur urban development
Indianapolis leaders have targeted four core urban areas for renewal, taking steps to create new tax-increment-financing districts to seed economic development there.
Read MoreIndianapolis entrepreneurs rescue Choc-Ola from oblivion
The chocolate beverage Choc-Ola, launched in the 1940s and pitched to a generation of fans in the 1970s by Cowboy Bob on WTTV-4, is hitting store shelves again. South-side entrepreneurs Dan Iaria and Joe Wolfla are leading its comeback, landing an 18-state distribution deal.
Read MoreIs INDOT bypassing public on planning?
Groups that perennially press the Indiana Department of Transportation to broaden its vision of mobility beyond highways now accuse the agency of “significant ineptitude or willful disregard” in eliciting public input.
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Art Center shakeup raising concerns
Indianapolis Art Center CEO Carter Wolf is drawing fire from some quarters over a staff shakeup that he says is needed to grow enrollment at the Broad Ripple not-for-profit. But Wolf insists that won’t hinder progress.
Read MoreTennis group seeking $3.5M for new downtown venue
Tennis advocates have identified three near-downtown parcels for a new Indianapolis Tennis Center and expect to make a sponsorship announcement soon that could kick-start the development.
Read MoreFrozen yogurt hot item on local retail scene
Frozen yogurt businesses are sprouting up all over the Indianapolis area, with owners hoping to cash in on the public’s appetite for what they perceive as a healthy treat.
Read MoreExactTarget stays patient as riches from IPO await
CEO Scott Dorsey says remaining private in the short term allows the company to more easily exploit business opportunities on the horizon.
Read MoreHoosiers finally score one of Foot Locker’s House of Hoops
Finish Line’s main competitor had bypassed Indianapolis at it chose locations for its concept store that sells Nike-brand basketball shoes and apparel.
Read MoreGM winding down operations at local metal-stamping plant
More than half of hourly employees have already retired or accepted transfers to other GM facilities.
Read MoreFocusBack to Top
Credit unions gun for more traditional bank business
A push by credit unions for more leeway with small-business lending is fueling an old fight with their banking rivals.
Read MoreRegional banks targeting midsize companies in Indiana
Improved economy, loosening credit standards are driving increased lending.
Read MoreSHEPHERD: Credit cards hurting too many businesses
Expensive personal credit undermines credit scores and ultimately the odds of more traditional lending.
Read MoreOpinionBack to Top
EDITORIAL: Smart growth likely result of Zionsville battle
Zionsville’s family feud over commercial real estate development has stirred passions among people who seem to agree, at least outwardly, on one point: The town’s growth should be managed to preserve its quality of life.
Read MoreMORRIS: May is time for pride, patriotism and speed
As we head into the Memorial Day weekend, I’m taking time to pause from the day-to-day madness and allow myself the opportunity to reflect a bit and be thankful for life’s treasures.
Read MoreMARCUS: Lies told about people paying income tax
“Liars!” I want to shout. People who lie deliberately and those who lie innocently afflict our nation with falsehoods.
Read MoreDECKERS: What are customers tweeting about you?
Where were you when you first heard about Osama Bin Laden? Did you hear about it on Twitter and Facebook? On TV? Or did you see it on the front page of the morning paper, 10 hours after the rest of the world?
Read MoreHICKS: Slow recovery doesn’t favor intervention
Most disagreement over economic policy is not based on theory; rather it is based on the discordant views about the ability of government to quickly and efficiently spend a stimulus or target a tax cut.
Read MoreALTOM: Time digging into Excel ‘goodies’ will pay off
To me, when it comes to business power, it’s hard to find more of it in one relatively cheap package than Excel.
Read MoreSKARBECK: Simple investing strategies no match for ‘infrastructure’
What some call the ”institutional imperative” is deeply engrained, and returning to a simpler investment strategy would put a large part of the infrastructure out of business.
Read MoreIndy 500 needs a dose of speed
The fastest Indy 500 was run 21 years ago. Look at the pole sitters’ times, and note how far back you’d have to go (decades) to have a pole sitter’s time not make today’s field!
Read MoreIn BriefBack to Top
IMS centennial celebration boosts sales, revenue
IMS CEO Jeff Belskus tells IBJ that ticket sales for the race are the best they've been in five years.
Read MoreGrameen Bank to open Indianapolis branch
City would become third U.S. location for lender that makes small business microloans to the poor.
Read MoreEner1 stock takes beating after Think write-down
The battery maker has been hurt by slow sales of electric car manufactured in Elkhart.
Read MoreMZD signs agency deal with Lucas Oil Raceway
Firm will handle advertising, marketing and digital promotions for the track formerly known as Indianapolis Raceway Park.
Read MoreReport: Southwestern Indiana a broadband backwater
Federal data shows no more than 20 percent of residents in Gibson County have basic broadband Internet service.
Read MoreNFP of NOTE: IndyCar Ministry
The IndyCar Ministry is a nondenominational Christian organization, which was developed to pastor the racing community.
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