IBJ Staff

These are scary times for the Capital Improvement Board, the entity that owns the city’s major sports venues and the expanding, and increasingly vital, Indiana Convention Center. Saddled with the prospect of a $50 million shortfall in the next few years, CIB is scrambling for a plan to stay solvent. The temptation to lay blame […]

Two companies informed the state today that their closings collectively will leave 321 people out of work, while another, HHGregg Inc., said it will cut 51 jobs by outsourcing its delivery operations. Indianapolis-based telemarketer TeleServices Direct Inc. will slash 279 positions, including 247 sales representatives, and close its call center in Lafayette by April 4. […]

Eli Lilly and Co. CEO John C. Lechleiter saw his compensation spike nearly 28 percent in 2008 as he took over the top job at the Indianapolis-based drugmaker. Lechleiter received $10.8 million in salary, bonus, stock and perks during the year, according to a preliminary proxy statement filed today by Lilly with the U.S. Securities […]

Batesville hospital equipment manufacturer Hill-Rom Holdings Inc. saw revenue increase to $351.6 million in its first fiscal quarter, 3 percent better than the same period last year. Profit from continuing operations was up 15 percent, to $14.2 million. But the company doesn’t expect its good fortune to continue. Its hospital customers began slashing their capital […]

Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard this afternoon will announce the city’s plan for spending $29 million in federal money. Part of a Neighborhood Stabilization Plan, the funds originally were allocated to the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Fox 59 will have more at 10 p.m.

A judge could permanently freeze the financial assets of Marcus Schrenker’s estranged wife as early as today. Michelle Schrenker was the chief financial officer of his company. Investigators are trying to determine how much of a role she may have played in her husband’s alleged financial fraud. Marcus Schrenker also faces federal charges for bailing […]

A man is behind bars this morning after police say he reported a vacant house fire that he set himself. Firefighters were called to the 1200 block of North Sheffield Avenue about 12:30 a.m. by someone inside the house who said the walls were burning. Crews reported smelling gasoline in the home’s top floor after […]

Indianapolis retailer HHGregg Inc. overcame a decline in comparable-store sales and the difficult economic environment during its third fiscal quarter, reporting profit of $17.1 million – a 13-percent improvement from the prior year period. Sales during the quarter were up almost 7 percent, to $416 million. Profit margins increased primarily because the company was able […]

An Elkhart manufacturing plant slated for partial closure last year will be shuttered on a permanent basis due to “adverse business conditions,” according to a notice filed with the state late last week. Michigan-based Continental Automotive Systems US Inc. said it will close the 119-employee electrical systems plant beginning March 31; it will stagger the […]

After enjoying a bump in passenger counts last year, Indianapolis-based Republic Airways posted a decline in January compared with the same period a year ago. The regional carrier said yesterday that it transported 1.3 million passengers last month, down 2.4 percent from the previous January. In 2008, Republic flew 18.9 million passengers, up 16 percent […]

Investment losses overshadowed an increase in premiums written by Indianapolis insurer Baldwin & Lyons Inc. last quarter, dropping its profit to $100,000 despite operating income of $7.8 million. The company posted investment losses of $7.7 million, which it attributed to global market woes. Its 1-cent-per-share profit compares to $1.34 posted in the fourth quarter of […]

The state House’s Public Policy Committee will hear testimony today on a bill that would completely ban smoking in bars, restaurants, casinos and other public places throughout the state. Some local bar and restaurant owners have expressed concern about what a smoking ban would mean for business. Meanwhile, supporters of bill are pointing to a […]

A panel of government health experts yesterday said a highly anticipated Eli Lilly and Co. blood thinner marks a significant advance over older treatments and should be approved. The nine members of the Food and Drug Administration’s cardiology advisory group unanimously voted in favor of the company’s anti-clotting drug prasugrel, saying it should be approved […]

After enjoying a bump in passenger counts last year, Indianapolis-based Republic Airways posted a decline in January compared with the same period a year ago. The regional carrier said yesterday that it transported 1.3 million passengers last month, down 2.4 percent from the previous January. In 2008, Republic flew 18.9 million passengers, up 16 percent […]