APRIL 26-MAY 2, 2024
Indiana’s strategy for economic development and job creation has emerged as a key issue in the Republican gubernatorial primary—and the future of the state’s still-developing LEAP district in Boone County could be at stake in the outcome. Mickey Shuey details the differing takes on LEAP’s development. Also in this week’s issue, Daniel Bradley reports on a proposal to allow adults to stroll downtown Noblesville with alcoholic drinks. And Dave Lindquist digs into the genesis of the I Made Rock ‘N’ Roll music festival, dedicated to the legacy of Black rock artists.
Front PageBack to Top
GOP gubernatorial candidates discuss IEDC, LEAP and how to create jobs
Indiana’s strategy for economic development and job creation has emerged as a key issue in the Republican gubernatorial primary—and the future of the state’s still-developing LEAP district in Boone County could be at stake in the outcome.
Read MoreNoblesville district would allow drinking and strolling
A proposed district in downtown Noblesville could make life easier for festival organizers, strengthen the bottom line for business owners, and help residents and visitors have a good time.
Read MoreTop StoriesBack to Top
Experience plays into 6th District GOP primary
Name recognition and political experience can be a double-edged sword when running for office.
Read MoreOverlooked history inspires festival focused on Black rock music
White musicians are synonymous with many eras—including rockabilly, British Invasion, psychedelic, singer-songwriter and punk—but Black artists have been there from the beginning.
Read MoreMark Montieth: Pickleball’s popularity spreading among pros, colleges and schools
Pickleball is now played as an intramural or club sport in schools, from junior highs to universities.
Read MoreIndiana 250: Cathy Langham
Cathy Langham launched Langham Logistics in 1998 with two siblings after owning franchises in the trucking industry. She has built the company into a $60 million global transportation and warehousing business with 200 employees and nearly 2 million square feet of temperature-controlled and ambient temperature storage across the country. Langham serves on the boards of Indiana University […]
Read MoreMade in Indiana: Custom golf carts by Classic Custom Carts
History: Company owner Merlin Knepp founded his business in 2017 and incorporated it as M&K Sales LLC in 2019. Earlier this year, the company began doing business as Classic Custom Carts. Changing course: Knepp was fixing and selling zero-turn lawn mowers when he decided to buy several golf carts to refurbish and resell. Demand for […]
Read MoreWestfield City Council approves NorthPoint II business park project
The proposed 180-acre business park, which has been a priority for Westfield Mayor Scott Willis, received final approval Monday night after about four years of debate and negotiations.
Read MoreThe GOAT tavern reopens in Carmel after three-year closure
A spokesperson for The GOAT, or Greatest of All Taverns, said the Midtown business reopened March 21 and will hold a grand reopening event May 4.
Read MoreIBJ names Justin Christian its first entrepreneur of the year honoree
IBJ has named the new award after Mickey Maurer, who launched, owned and invested in several impactful companies in Indiana, including IBJ Media.
Read MoreBrittney Spencer, Fastball lead roster of free Swim Trials concerts
Ten concerts are scheduled at “USA Swimming Live,” a fan destination planned downtown on Georgia Street and part of South Meridian Street.
Read MoreFirst Farmers Bank & Trust to open Carmel branch
Converse-based First Farmers Bank & Trust, which opened a loan production office in Carmel last year, now plans to operate a full-service branch in the city’s Arts & Design District.
Read MoreFocusBack to Top
Giving a ‘hand up’: Special purpose credit programs gain traction with local lenders
SPCS is a tool that a growing number of lenders are adopting to help improve credit access for underserved groups.
They have been around since the 1970s, but they’ve recently become a lot more popular.
Voices from the Industry: How to navigate the Corporate Transparency Act
Not only are the new BOI reporting requirements confusing for Hoosier business owners, but scams have also started appearing in our market. Fraudulent forms that mimic official documents are being sent out to unsuspecting business owners, asking them to submit information and sometimes a fee.
Read MoreOpinionBack to Top
Editorial: Region should consider allocating READI money to Circle Centre
We believe the mall project will be a huge boost of confidence for downtown and will encourage additional development.
Read MoreLesley Weidenbener: Sushi Boss among fun changes downtown
I’m most immediately excited that a Sushi Boss restaurant is moving into a vacant space on the Circle. (It’s true; the quickest way to a journalist’s heart is through food.)
Read MoreDavid Becker and Claire Fiddian-Green: Work-based learning promises better skilled grads
Indiana must take bold action to reform its education and workforce development system to deliver better outcomes for individuals, employers and the state’s economy.
Read MoreMark Nance: More diversity in golf means more diversity in business
It’s no secret that golf builds business connections unlike anything else.
Read MorePete the Planner: Understand your sequence of returns risk before retirement
And whether you care to acknowledge this or not, the order in which the ups and downs occur hasn’t previously mattered to you because you’ve been in the accumulation phase of your investing experience.
Read MoreJess Carter: Data-driven leadership starts with a fearless vision
I live in the weird and exciting gray area between the leaders who want answers and the people doing algorithm development and data cleansing—the stuff that makes your eyes glaze over.
Read MoreCecil Bohanon and John Horowitz: The ties that bind government and media
There is nothing new nor particularly improper about a publication or news organization having an ideological or political slant.
Read MoreIn BriefBack to Top
Sugar Factory faces eviction at Circle Centre after allegedly failing to pay $300,000-plus in rent
New York City-based Sugar Factory opened in April 2022, replacing the Palomino restaurant that had occupied the space for 23 years. An eviction hearing is set for May 1.
Read MoreRiley Children’s Foundation lands $8M gift from Lechleiters
The Indianapolis-based foundation, which announced the donation Friday, said the funds would help make mental health and behavioral health services more available to children and adolescents.
Read MoreOut on Mass bar planned as ‘meeting point’ for LGBTQ+ community
A Kinsey Institute researcher and an Indiana University School of Medicine faculty member are part of the Out on Mass ownership group.
Read MoreKroger, Albertsons—still hoping to merge—agree to sell more stores to satisfy regulators
It’s unclear if the new plan will satisfy regulators. In February, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission sued to block the $24.6 billion merger between the grocery giants.
Read More