SEPTEMBER 12-18, 2011
This week, see why Herff Jones is cheering about a new acquisition and meet the owner of a small landscape architecture firm that is doing big things. In Focus, find out why the Audubon Society is targeting downtown building owners. And in A&E, find out what we thought of the new Indianapolis Colts Grille.
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ChaCha broadens business strategy
Mobile-phone-answers service ChaCha Search has dialed up its largest expansion yet—entering the United Kingdom and contracting with New York City’s “311” municipal information service.
Read MoreAnderson’s GM culture, poor health blamed for high medical costs
Residents of the Anderson area—when they paid with health insurance provided by an employer—spent 76 percent more on health care in 2009 than the average American with employer health insurance, highest among all metropolitan areas in the nation.
Read MoreCritics: Wrecking ball won’t fix Indianapolis neighborhoods
Many neighborhood leaders have hailed Mayor Greg Ballard’s initiative to raze some 2,000 abandoned homes by the end of 2012 as a long-overdue means of tackling urban blight. But some residents and experts fear rampant demolition—without a clear plan for how to redevelop the properties—will fail to improve neighborhoods.
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Herff Jones jumps into cheerleading
Yearbook-and-class-ring maker Herff Jones on Aug. 1 bought Memphis-based Varsity Brands, the top supplier of cheerleader uniforms, as well as the force behind cheerleading’s evolution into a stand-alone sport. Varsity will bring Herff about $250 million in annual revenue through its uniform sales, training camps and competitions.
Read MoreNot-for-profit seeks purchase that would aid Easter Seals
Crossroads Industrial Services Chief Operating Officer Curtiss Quirin has a certain sense of urgency as he looks to buy a business to add revenue to the not-for-profit contract manufacturer, because Crossroads provides jobs for people with disabilities, and generates a surplus that feeds the revenue-starved parent organization, Easter Seals Crossroads.
Read MoreLandscape architect stays small by design
Landstory, Joann Green’s landscape architecture firm, is a snug four-person company that has designed exterior spaces for some major Indianapolis projects, such as the JW Marriott, Lucas Oil Stadium and Indiana University’s Melvin and Bren Simon Cancer Center.
Read MoreNew financing may give battered dry cleaner fresh start
US Dry Cleaning’s September 2008 purchase of Tuchman Cleaners was supposed to end years of financial strain for the 25-store Indianapolis chain, but it didn’t happen.
Read MoreClass in Hoosier hospitality launched for Super Bowl
The class is being launched Oct. 3 with the goal of getting tens of thousands of front-line hospitality workers—from hoteliers, caterers and restaurant servers to cab drivers and airport employees—prepared for the barrage of Super Bowl visitors coming in February.
Read MoreAbound Solar undeterred by rivals’ bankruptcies
Abound officials are quick to reassure that the company is on track with its original business plan, which calls for adding a huge amount of manufacturing capacity in Tipton in 2012 or 2013 and hiring 900 to 1,200 people.
Read MoreHot apartment market sees robust sales
Gene B. Glick Co.’s purchase of the 240-unit Thompson Village apartment complex on the south side is the most recent deal in a year full of apartment transactions.
Read MoreFocusBack to Top
Indianapolis building owners, managers pressed to protect birds
The Audubon Society has documented hundreds of birds killed downtown in the past two years as birds are attracted to the city lights and then fly into windows.
Read MoreOpinionBack to Top
EDITORIAL: City should plan for what comes after demolition
The city of Indianapolis is launching a $20 million war on abandoned houses without a plan for dealing with the properties after the wrecking-ball dust has settled.
Read MoreMORRIS: How 9/11 changed a radio station
As the events unfolded, I knew our country was at war on our own soil.
Read MoreKENNEDY: Tears at a wedding that should have been
Although it was otherwise indistinguishable from other Christian wedding ceremonies I’ve attended, my friend and his life partner walked out of church still strangers in the eyes of the law.
Read MoreWALTZ: It’s past time for Congress to kill Quill
It is important to remember that online sales taxes would not be a new tax. Sales taxes are currently owed on every retail purchase made over the Internet—they’re just not being paid.
Read MorePOULAKIDAS: Raise demands for city-county councilors
Why is not our expectation that councilors come up with original ideas and solutions to the daily problems our communities face so we know they are qualified?
Read MoreALTOM: Is your company’s website worth the money, effort?
Too many websites for small and medium-size businesses that don’t sell online are a waste of time and money.
Read MoreHICKS: A solemn reminder of the value of shared sacrifice
On this anniversary of 9/11, I think we would do well to acknowledge that we have relinquished too little of ourselves in the years since the attacks.
Read MoreSKARBECK: Money-market funds have big risk, little reward
In this environment of near-zero short-term interest rates, money-market fund operators have to work very hard just to earn a few bucks on the substantial sums of money entrusted to them.
Read MoreFacts favor Ballard
As a college student who places a high priority on doing my homework, I take exception to Jake Bonifield’s one-sided column “Ballard and Kennedy’s Striking Contrasts” [Aug. 22 Forefront].
Read MoreIn BriefBack to Top
Civic debuts to new but eager audience in Carmel
The not-for-profit musical theater company has grown its subscriber base and raised $2.6 million toward a $10 million goal, Executive Director Cheri Dick said.
Read MoreIndiana Live to get federal hearing on tax matter
Shelbyville racetrack and casino could save millions if it successfully contests the way Indiana interprets state tax law.
Read MoreIndyCar’s first Baltimore race outpaces crowd estimate
The three-day drew 150,000, about 50,000 more than organizers had hoped.
Read MoreIndians continue string of attendance increases
For the season, the city’s minor-league baseball team drew 580,082 fans to Victory Field over 71 home dates. The franchise has posted year-over-year attendance increases in four of the last five seasons.
Read MoreTechPoint adds to Indiana Entrepreneur Bootcamp
Annual program put on in conjunction with Ice Miller law firm will offer more workshops on business fundamentals.
Read MoreIndiana gives grants to convert fleets to alternative fuels
The Office of Energy Development is dispensing grants of up to $500,000 to help private- and public-sector organizations convert their vehicles.
Read MoreNFP of NOTE: Agape Therapeutic Riding Resources Inc.
Agapé Therapeutic Riding Resources Inc. is committed to providing a comprehensive, experiential equestrian program for those who have disabling conditions or are at risk.
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