APRIL 26-MAY 2, 2010
This week, see what former Indianapolis Motor Speedway chief Tony George was doing at a Formula One race in China this month and find out why area hog farmers are hoping for a turnaround. In Focus, check out the momentum the Carmel City Center is picking up. And in A&E, get Lou Harry's take on the new photography exhibit at the Indianapolis Museum of Art.
Front PageBack to Top
Politically connected broker’s deals raise conflict questions
John Bales' firm earned $2.9M in commissions on leases for state agencies and $270,000 in commissions
on the sale of surplus state properties. He also acted as a developer for public-sector
tenants—putting them into buildings owned by him or his associates.
With five new acquisitions, Skillman builds car-lot dynasty
Ray Skillman bought five car lots in the last 12 months from other dealers who have struggled during the recession. Skillman now ranks among the five largest dealers in the area, and his chain is poised
for even more growth.
Medical device startup FlowCo enlists Guidant alums
The upstart developer of a device to help doctors choose the right-sized stent to prop open clog-prone arteries has brought
aboard former Guidant Corp. executives, including Bill McConnell. Their regulatory and marketing expertise could help FlowCo Inc. bring its artery-measurement
product to market as soon as 2011.
Top StoriesBack to Top
George courting F1 again, but maybe not for Indy
Tony George, who was Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Indy Racing League chairman until last June, was in China for several
days this month to
attend F1’s Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai April 18 at the invitation of F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone.
Rising prices could help pork producers bounce back
The prices hogs are fetching this year will help farmers begin to climb out of the crater of 2008 and 2009. Average pork prices
may approach record levels this year, Purdue University agricultural economist Chris Hurt predicted, up to $53.63 per hundred
pounds. The record is $55.44 per hundred pounds, set in 1982.
New tax credits may boost jobs at some small companies
Tasked with boosting Indiana’s economy following the Great Recession, the 2010 General Assembly tinkered at the edges
by passing a handful of incentives meant to spur small-business growth.
A new real estate crisis could wreck recovery
Borrowers may not be able to refinance many of the more than $1.4 trillion in commercial real estate mortgages coming due
by the end of 2014.
Anderson tech firm One Number files patent suit against Google
An Anderson firm that provides a “one number” service that rings all of a client’s phones has filed suit
against Web giant Google, alleging Google Voice infringes on two of its patents.
Clarian hospital system regains its appetite to build
Clarian is planning to spend $1.7 billion in the next five years on capital projects, half of that going to its downtown Indianapolis
campuses.
Shareholders fail to remove Lilly’s anti-takeover provision
The proposal to remove an 80-percent approval threshold for takeover bids against the wishes of Lilly’s board received
approval from shareholders holding 74 percent of Lilly’s shares.
FocusBack to Top
Carmel City Center gaining momentum
Thirteen years after Mayor Jim Brainard first described his vision for a new downtown along Range Line Road, Carmel City Center
is starting to look like a city.
Many retail locations plagued by vacancies
Vacancy rates unseen in 20 years are hampering efforts by developers.
Read MoreOpinionBack to Top
EDITORIAL: Simon could score for city library
Perhaps it’s time for Pacers owner Herb Simon—a billionaire
like his late brother—to burnish his credentials as a philanthropist who makes the city a better place to live and work.
HARTON: Our environment provides another path to better health
One recent study showed that medical
costs fall more than $3 for every $1 spent on wellness programs. But something doesn’t add up.
MARCUS: Privatization not the only answer
Privatization is a popular political parlor
game. Instead of providing thoughtful reasoning for consideration by an informed electorate, officials try to meet public
needs through artfulness.
COOK: Restoring buildings revitalizes communities
I got involved in restoration projects more than 30 years ago when a serious cardiac illness sidelined me from my medical-device
business.
ALTOM: Is your smartphone good for business use?
I love smartphones. No other form of biz-tech allows me so much opportunity to be so curmudgeonly
about something so popular.
HICKS: Unemployment situation brings up questions
Perhaps the biggest problem is in estimating who is in and not in the formal work force. Even in good times, a surprising number of workers labor in the shadow economy, invisible to government statisticians.
Read MoreHAUKE: Goldman effect creates buying opportunities
As much as I disagree with corporate welfare and insider back-room dealings, the fact is that Goldman Sachs is one of the most powerful institutions in the world.
Read MoreLet Citizens take over sports venues
There may be a solution to the Capital Improvement Board’s financial problems, described in [the April 19] IBJ,
that are further complicated by the Pacers wanting to renegotiate their Conseco agreement.
Citizens’ takeover of water will be a relief
Tom Henderson gets it wrong in his [April 12] view that “Part of the overall utility problem is that lack of government
oversight and public policy vision has made Indianapolis one of the highest-polluting and just plain ugliest cities in the
Midwest.”
Colleges should target learning, not time
The Morton Marcus [March 29] column on graduation rates hit home. I too do not like credentialism as an excuse to avoid evaluating
performance.
Educational quantity sacrifices quality
Morton Marcus is right to question postsecondary completion rates as the litmus test for evidence of learning (in the March
29 issue).
To grow economy, support small biz
Indianapolis, home to a higher convergence of chain restaurants per capita than most any U.S. city (44-percent higher than
the national average), retained its crown last week.
In BriefBack to Top
Indy anti-diabetes experiment takes off
UnitedHealthcare believes a program tested in the Indianapolis area will help it save money on claims.
Read MoreSchool project takes architect to Eastern Europe
Dan Schmidt of Indianapolis-based Schmidt Associates Inc. architecture firm has returned from a trip to Georgia helping to
evaluate school infrastructure there.
Scott Jones brings Lemonade Day to Indianapolis kids
Launched in Houston three years ago, Lemonade Day aims to educate children from pre-kindergarten through high school how to
start, own and operate their own small businesses.
Brightpoint, Comcast employees ramp up volunteer efforts
Brightpoint employees fanned out across Marion and Hendricks counties the week of April 17, donating more than 400 hours to
seven organizations. Comcast was expecting 1,000 volunteers to help organizations across the state on April 24.
Penske signs deal with Shell to sponsor three Indy Racing League drivers
The new deal includes associate sponsorship of Penske’s Indy Racing League drivers Helio Castroneves, Will Power and
Ryan Briscoe.
Television ratings jump for Indy Racing League’s Long Beach race
Ratings for the first three races of the 2010 season have grown 67 percent over last year.
Read MoreNFP of NOTE: Coburn Place Safe Haven
Coburn Place opens a door through which women and children fleeing domestic violence can find safe haven.
Read More