JAN. 28-FEB. 3, 2013
This week, learn about state legislation that would make it easier for utilities to boost their rates and find out why a local marketing firm wants clients to focus on employees instead of customers. In Focus, see how HIllenbrand Industries is diversifying its business. And A&E, etc. columnist Bruce Hetrick reflects on the common threads in recent speeches from President Obama and Gov. Mike Pence.
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Airport neighbors team up on ‘AeroVision’
Mayor Greg Ballard is expected on Jan. 30 to lay out plans for a cross-county economic development area anchored by Indianapolis International Airport that promises to quell political divisions and clear the way for investment.
Read MoreOnce-thriving drug lab in turnaround mode
Two years ago, executives at AIT Laboratories “took their eye off the ball,” and watched the company’s business plummet 29 percent in value. Now, after two years of turmoil, the drug-testing lab says it’s poised to return to the double-digit rates of growth that made it a local star.
Read MoreBales’ trial could turn on definition of ownership
The jury trial in South Bend for real estate developer John Bales and his general counsel, William E. Spencer, is scheduled to begin Jan. 28 and last up to two weeks. Bales and Spencer, both 45, are facing 13 counts, including wire and mail fraud.
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Bill eases path for utilities to boost rates
An 11-page utility bill in the Indiana Senate that a consumer group likens to “a money grab” would hasten and expand a utility’s ability to recover additional costs from customers.
Read MoreMarketer SmallBox helping clients improve their cultures
In mid-2011, the staff of local Web marketing firm SmallBox began a period of self-reflection that allowed the team to identify its “North Star,” the purpose, mission and vision that keeps a company headed in the right direction. It’s now spreading the word.
Read MoreReal estate developers’ exhilaration turns to pain in bankruptcy
Many Indianapolis developers know the feeling. In good times, few industries generate an adrenalin rush like real estate development. But it’s a highly leveraged business built upon certain assumptions that proved flimsy when the financial crisis hit.
Read MoreTool-maker Hurco makes headway after tough stretch
The company, which develops computer-controlled equipment for cutting and forming metal, made progress in fiscal 2012 toward restoring profitability to pre-recession levels.
Read MoreIBJ Editor Harton stepping down after 22-year run
Succeeding Tom Harton will be veteran business journalist Greg Andrews, who's been IBJ's managing editor since 2005.
Read MorePence wants $1.5M a year for life sciences institute
The Indiana Applied Research Enterprise already has received support from John Lechleiter, CEO of Indianapolis-based Eli Lilly and Co., as a place for collaboration between academic and industrial scientists.
Read MoreShepherd Insurance agency goes on buying spree
The Carmel insurance agency acquired three separate companies in a flurry of activity at the end of the year that will add 17 people to its staff.
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Hillenbrand diversifies by growing whole new business
Casket company turns heads with aggressive foray into equipment manufacturing.
Read MoreIndianapolis-area mergers and acquisitions in 2013
Lack of a disclosed price kept these deals off of Indianapolis Business Journal's list of deals.
Read MoreAPPEL: Mergers and acquisitions will accelerate by midyear
Savvy Indiana business owners rightly wonder about the merger-and-acquisition and capital market outlook for 2013. Unfortunately, it is likely mixed, with a sluggish outlook for the first half of the year. However, many hope that, by midyear, there will be a pickup to end the year strong.
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EDITORIAL: If it’s a priority, fund accordingly
Gov. Mike Pence insists Indiana can cut taxes, maintain its strong financial position, and fund its priorities, and that the tax cut will stimulate spending and put businesses in a position to add jobs. Whether that’s realistic depends to a great extent on how the state’s priorities are defined and how much should be spent on them.
Read MoreMORRIS: Finally, a new tax I can support
I wrote a column recently complaining about all the new taxes bestowed on us this new calendar year. It was a lengthy list. So, I don't want to sound contradictory when I tell you now that I want central Indiana residents to support a modest tax increase in the future to expand mass transit.
Read MoreKENNEDY: Watch out for shifting winds
Well, that certainly didn't take long. As a result of last November's elections, the General Assembly is firmly in the hands of the Republicans, who enjoy super-majorities in both the House and Senate.
Read MoreHINCKLEY: Fads undermine school reform
Would you launch four or five initiatives in your business in a year? And then introduce three or four more the following year? Of course not!
Read MoreFEIGENBAUM: Key issues not illuminated in Pence address
Many lawmakers and other observers had expected this year’s State of the State speech to add key details to Gov. Mike Pence’s roadmap—effectively serving as a GPS of sorts for lawmakers seeking to divine the route taken and the destinations visited on the journey promised on inauguration day.
Read MoreALTOM: Firms must think carefully about policies on devices
“BYOD” is tech-speak for “bring your own device,” and it refers to whether you want to allow employees to transact your business using their own laptops, notebooks or smartphones, or if you want to impose your own standards and supply what you think they should have so you keep control of the technology.
Read MoreHICKS: Middle class, education and income inequality
The United States has always had something like a middle class, but for most of our history it has been a distinction not necessarily dependent on income or wealth.
Read MoreSKARBECK: Now’s the time to reflect on investment results, costs
With 2012 now in the books, it is a great time to undertake an analysis of your financial results.
Read MoreClark complicates gay marriage debate
Why does Micah Clark [Jan. 7 Viewpoint] blow the subject up into one of these all-inclusive ideological tornados?
Read MoreGuns laws work
I thought it would be impossible to write about gun laws after the Newtown tragedy and not talk about the bulbous magazine clips that allow a sane or insane person to fire hundreds of rounds from an automatic weapon in seconds, but Peter Rusthoven [Jan. 7] managed to do the impossible.
Read MoreGun column hit mark
Thank you for Peter J. Rusthoven's column. What a well-written, well-thought-out editorial, with substantiating articles, to better support the fact that enacting gun laws doesn't disarm the criminals.
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Racinos ask permission to use mobile devices for gambling
The Indiana Gaming Commission might allow the use of casino issued iPads for gambling on casino premises.
Read MoreEx-councilor Bateman agrees to plead guilty to fraud charges
Paul C. Bateman Jr., a former Democrat city-county councilor, agreed to plead guilty Wednesday to 13 counts of money laundering and wire fraud for his part in defrauding an Indianapolis physician of $1.7 million.
Read MoreGreen BEAN Delivery keeps growing
Local deliverer of produce and groceries adds Lexington, Ky., and St. Louis to its territory.
Read MoreMaker of app that helps not-for-profits gets seed funding
Cause.it, founded by students from I.U. and Purdue, was awarded $500,000 by Innovate Indiana.
Read MoreNew restaurants: Upland in Carmel, Lincoln Square downtown
Old Carolina Barbecue also announces expansion to Indianapolis market.
Read MoreAirport refreshing art offerings
A new feature is being added to the controversial LED screen installed more than a year ago, and the concourses will get new non-video art.
Read MoreNFP of NOTE: Volunteers of America of Indiana Inc.
Volunteers of America of Indiana is a faith-based organization that provides life-changing services to enhance the physical, emotional, spiritual and intellectual needs of individuals.
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