AUGUST 23-29, 2010
This week, read about how Indianapolis could score another $25 million from the sale of the city's water and sewer utilities and find out what changes to student-lending rules could mean for ITT Educational Services. In Focus, see how urban school districts are faring when it comes to improving students' performance. And check out the latest of Mickey Maurer's 10 lessons for entrepreneurs.
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Marsh taken off the market
The parent company of Marsh Supermarkets plans to continue investing in the local grocery chain after it failed to find a
buyer for the chain of roughly 100 stores. Half of those are in Indianapolis.
St. Vincent seeks growth in transplants
St. Vincent Health is moving aggressively to expand its transplant program in a direct challenge to Clarian Health’s dominance
in the field. The Indianapolis-based hospital system filed in July for permission to conduct pancreas transplants. And down
the road, it’s eyeing liver and maybe even lung transplants.
Strategy key as arts groups launch simultaneous campaigns
A wave of fundraising pitches is about to wash over Indianapolis arts supporters. Five organizations either have announced
or are working toward the launch of major campaigns.
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Smooth utility deal carries potential bonus for city
If Citizens Energy can successfully manage and mitigate over the next two years the city’s lingering legal and contractual
obligations involving the water and sewer utilities Citizens is negotiating to buy, the city can hang onto an extra $25 million
in the deal.
Lending overhaul could be trouble for ITT
New student-lending rules proposed by the Obama administration could wipe out as much as two-thirds of profits at Carmel-based
ITT Educational Services Inc., some analysts believe.
Popular toning shoes give big boost to The Finish Line
Despite controversy over whether they live up to their hype, so-called toning shoes—a category created from thin air
just a few years ago—are flying off store shelves nationwide and are on pace to ring up almost $1 billion in revenue
this year.
Is University Loft’s rival going on attack again?
The Greenfield furniture-maker has an acrimonious history with California-based Furniture by Thurston.
Read MorePearl IRB first firm in state to pre-screen clinical drug trials
Two former Eli Lilly and Co. employees launched the firm that promises to attract more clinical trial business to the state.
Read MoreCasino operator Centaur aims to exit bankruptcy much leaner
Centaur plans to sell a casino west of Denver and a stalled casino development near Pittsburgh.
Read MoreFocusBack to Top
Urban schools gather momentum in Indianapolis area
Resurgent Marion County districts are showing up affluent districts in improving student performance.
Read MoreOpinionBack to Top
EDITORIAL: GM dispute deserves vote
It’s puzzling to us that leaders of the United
Auto Workers Local 23 are against members even casting a vote on the proposed takeover of GM’s Indianapolis metal-stamping plant by Illinois-based J.D.
Norman Industries.
MAURER: If it feels right, take the leap
To create a disciplined investment philosophy, I evolved “The Ten Essential Principles of Entrepreneurship You Didn’t
Learn in School”—at least I didn’t learn them in school. Over the course of 10 columns, I will feature each
of these essential principles. This is the fourth installment.
MARCUS: Metrics no substitute for management
Most companies select from a work force that has a mixed quality of education. Instead of using this diversity as an asset, management today tries to impose ‘behavioral metrics’ on its workers independent of their individual strengths.
Read MoreLOUGHREY: Hoosier leaders can fight global poverty
Our world is quite different from the one President Truman
and George Marshall faced in 1947. But the strategy for recovery and broad-based development should be built on a similar
foundation of public- and private-sector collaboration.
HICKS: Good reads on America’s automobile industry
If you’d like to satiate your interest in the domestic automobile market, may I recommend three fine books?
Read MoreSKARBECK: Investors may miss mark by switching to bonds
It seems more likely that bond investors today are making the same mistake stock investors made back at the peak of the stock-market bubble.
Read MoreGM deal promising for local automaker
Now that Bright Automotive has announced a strategic partnership [with] General Motors, we think IBJ should reconsider
the title it gave a recent article about the company (Aug 2, “Losing power?”). We’d suggest “Powering
up!”
Attendance figures were inconsistent
I was disappointed in the lack of fair and accurate reporting in Kathleen McLaughlin’s article, “Missing the
action: Museums struggle to capture foot traffic from busy Central Canal,” which was published in the Aug. 16 edition.
Mentor knew how to keep his head
In reference to Mickey Maurer’s column in the Aug. 9 edition, Mickey and I, along with probably many others, had the
same mentor, Gene Glick.
Coaches, mentors often confused
[Mickey Maurer] really did a great job in [his Aug. 9 column,] “Even CEOs need mentors.” I agree that having
a mentor, or having someone to coach you, is valuable.
In BriefBack to Top
Martin University chosen to host a NASA science and math academy
The federal space agency opened an academy for science, engineering, mathematics and aeronautics at the small private college.
Read MoreColts see record crowds at training camp in Anderson
Anderson University officials said 85,300 fans turned out at the 18-day camp, almost four times the number that attended camp
last year in Terre Haute.
Closing of Loon Lake Lodge restaurant marks end of Laughner family era
Demise of Castleton eatery marks end of family’s 122-year run of owning restaurants here.
Read MoreSpay-Neuter Services of Indiana copes with funding shortfall
Juli Erhart-Graves, president of the volunteer-run organization, said demand has outstripped SNSI’s ability to raise
money and win grants during the economic downturn.
Kirr Marbach & Co. mutual fund among nation’s best performers
Among value funds that include companies of varying sizes, the performance of the Kirr Marbach Partners Value Fund ranks No.
2 out of 357 similar funds.
PROXY CORNER: HHGregg Inc.
Indianapolis-based HHGregg Inc.is a specialty retailer of consumer electronics and home appliances.
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