FEB. 14-20, 2025
IBJ's front page is dedicated to the issue of tariffs this week. Reporter Daniel Lee focuses on how Indiana could be affected—which industries are most vulnerable, what business leaders are saying about the impacts and what companies are most likely to find opportunities in the changes. Reporters also talked with three Indiana companies—Konrady Plastics in Portage, Hard Truth Distilling in Nashville and StagUSA Services in Anderson—to get more specifics about the impacts of President Donald Trump's trade policies. IBJ also talked with entrepreneur Brian Schutt, a co-owner of Homesense Heating & Cooling, about tariffs. Also, in this week's issue are stories about the financial problems and lawsuits that mean the WonderRoad music festival won't be staged again this year and the city of Carmel's initial thoughts about remaking the U.S. 31 office corridor.
Front PageBack to Top
Tariffs could reach deep into manufacturing-heavy Indiana
While consumers across the country could pay higher prices on all sorts of goods, Indiana’s economy is especially vulnerable to the uncertainty from tariffs and retaliatory tariffs between nations, economists say.
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Portage plastics parts maker fears trade ‘chaos’
Konrady Plastics Inc. CEO Leah Konrady says President Trump’s trade proposals are creating uncertainty.
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Nashville distiller says Trump policies may present new opportunities
When the Trump administration announced tariffs on Feb. 1 for most Canadian, Mexican and Chinese goods, Hard Truth Distilling Co. co-owner Jeff McCabe was worried but said his Indiana whiskey producer will be fine.
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Uncertainty over impact of tariffs leaves aftermarket manufacturer anxious
Anderson-based StagUSA Services Inc. manufactures aftermarket products allow vehicles to run on alternative fuels like compressed natural gas and propane. The company imports propane tanks from Mexico and other components from Poland.
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Q&A with entrepreneur Brian Schutt on tariffs: ‘It’s just math’
“I don’t think there’s going to be a company immune to the rising tide of costs.”
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Lawsuits tell story behind WonderRoad music festival’s ‘pause’
The principals behind Cleveland-based Elevation Festivals LLC, which organized and financed the festival here and similar events in other cities, are now split into two camps that are suing each other.
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Carmel looks to revitalize aging U.S. 31 business corridor
Increasing vacancy rates fueled by both the pandemic and changing attitudes about what company executives and workers want in their office space have led Carmel leaders to look at how to give the corridor a second act.
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Motorsports transport company to build $39M headquarters in Noblesville
The company works with teams in NASCAR, IndyCar, IMSA and other racing circuits to create vehicular transports for competition vehicles.
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Indiana lawmakers consider public camping ban
Opponents of the bill testified that the legislation, which mirrors legislation introduced in other states and can be traced to a Texas-based think tank, criminalizes homelessness.
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Carvana announces 200-job expansion at Plainfield site
Arizona-based used-car retailer Carvana says it intends to add inspection and reconditioning services at its auto auction site in Plainfield to establish what it calls a Megasite.
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Lawmakers scrap proposal to increase Indy road funding through property taxes
Indiana lawmakers advanced road-funding legislation Monday morning without a provision that would have allowed Indianapolis to pose a referendum to its residents to pay for road improvements.
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Mark Montieth: Indy’s sports stars of yesteryear earned peanuts for endorsements
It’s safe to assume it’s a stratosphere or two beyond what the local stars of yesteryear received for their humble endorsements.
Read MoreFocusBack to Top
New rule aims to help consumers cancel subscriptions, memberships
The click-to-cancel rule went into effect Jan. 14, although sellers have until May 14 to comply.
Read MoreOpinionBack to Top
Todd Huston: Illinois counties should come back home to Indiana
Instead of forming a new state, the Illinois counties that voted to pursue secession should join us in a state that shares their values and economic interests.
Read MoreDavid Harris and George Srour: Global development efforts should fuel civic pride
While our efforts abroad strengthen Bangalore, Cape Town, Kampala and beyond, they also make our own community more connected, inspired and stronger.
Read MoreEditorial: Changes to property tax bill make legislation more balanced
Lawmakers must seek to balance the needs of local government with what it’s fair to ask the public to pay.
Read MorePeter Dunn: Can two hearts beat as one when managing finances?
The problem isn’t the difference in approach—it’s whether you can discuss and navigate these differences without causing financial (or emotional) ruin.
Read MoreNate Feltman: Government efficiency makes a comeback
The ballooning size of government and spiraling deficits are serious threats to our economic vitality and freedoms.
Read More Mark Montieth: Indy’s sports stars of yesteryear earned peanuts for endorsements
It’s safe to assume it’s a stratosphere or two beyond what the local stars of yesteryear received for their humble endorsements.
Read MoreMandy Haskett: The story you’re telling yourself might be the problem
When we can get above the line, we start to see that, while real events present real challenges, none of us is powerless and at the mercy of the world psychologically.
Read MoreDaniel Elliott: Indiana is leading way in toppling ESG dominos
Fiduciary responsibility is about securing strong financial returns for Indiana. That responsibility compels me to stand against woke corporations pushing political motives.
Read MoreCecil Bohanon and John Horowitz: The secret to better communication is agreeing on what you’re talking about
Conversations about our identities and relationships are about who we are, how we view others and how they see us.
Read MoreIn BriefBack to Top
Dinner theater planned as new attraction at Murat Shrine Center
The Downtown Dinner Theatre will occupy the Arabian Room in the northern part of the 115-year-old building that also houses the Murat Theatre and Egyptian Room.
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Doug Boles named president of IndyCar
The promotion was among a series of leadership updates announced Tuesday by Penske Entertainment Corp.
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Westfield City Council approves Grand Universe development plan
Plans call for the proposed $1.2 billion development east of Grand Park Sports Campus to include a full-dome planetarium, hotel, retail, offices and multifamily housing.
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Longtime Indianapolis news anchor Rafael Sánchez returns to TV
Sánchez, who previously spent nearly three decades at WRTV Channel 6, spent the last year behind the scenes at his new TV home due to a non-compete contract clause.
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Trump: Nippon Steel to invest in U.S. Steel instead of buying it
Nippon Steel in December 2023 made what was a nearly $15 billion bid to buy U.S. Steel, creating a sudden political issue in the 2024 presidential election.
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Carmel athlete among Ivy League women swimmers suing NCAA over transgender competitor
The Carmel High School standout is among three former University of Pennsylvania women swimmers suing Penn, Harvard University, the Ivy League and the Indianapolis-based NCAA.
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IU added to $2B suit over resort trade secrets
An Indianapolis partnership alleges one of the university’s professors and five former students interfered with contracts for a business development project in Puerto Rico.
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Indy doctor sues state health department over abortion reporting requirements
The lawsuit says federal law is in direct conflict with the state law that requires physicians who perform abortions to submit terminated pregnancy reports to the Indiana Department of Health.
Read MoreForefrontBack to Top
Sen. Jim Banks: Trump’s approach preserves the American Dream
The consequences of an open border are felt by every honest citizen, particularly working Americans.
Read MoreLisa Koop: Policies harm communities, endanger public safety
Our immigration laws have long been out of step with the needs of our country.
Read MoreJennifer Wagner Chartier: As service provider, government can’t freeze services
We can make changes, and those changes might require shifting financial support, but we must always be mindful of the consequences of our actions.
Read MoreGeorge Hornedo: A thriving economy for Indianapolis is in reach
We need a workforce strategy that meets people where they are and ensures that hard work actually pays off.
Read MorePierre Atlas: Canada as ‘the 51st state’ is a nonstarter. Here’s why.
Canadians are fiercely proud of their nationality.
Read MoreKaren Celestino-Horseman: The not-so-pretty ‘art of the deal’
The Palestinians have spent lifetimes fighting to stay in Gaza, and Hamas is not gone.
Read MoreBrad Rateike: Please just wave when someone allows you to merge
I think a lot about ‘I see you’ in my daily life and wonder if I do a good job at that.
Read MoreWhitley Yates: These 13 words raise questions about legal system
Though the Supreme Court has yet to formally respond to Rokita’s proposal, its actions speak volumes.
Read MoreDeborah Daniels: In terminations, Trump chills future investigations
This ‘Friday night massacre,’ seemingly contrary to Mr. Trump’s stated desire to ensure honest government, will have clear consequences.
Read MoreDr. Richard Feldman: Prior authorization reform would be good for patients
PA can even interfere with routine clinical decision-making.
Read MoreCurt Smith: Indiana should pass tax credit for charitable giving
This puts more resources toward the profound problems of fatherlessness and family dysfunction.
Read MoreAbdul-Hakim Shabazz: Here’s the hill Republicans are going to DEI on
Correct us if we’re wrong, but we always thought Republicans were for limited government.
Read MoreMarshawn Wolley: Let’s put a short moratorium on charter schools
I appreciate the desire to have high-quality school-choice options.
Read MoreClaire Fiddian-Green: Learning programs must align with labor-market needs
It is concerning that most certificate-earners are not earning a livable wage after completing their program.
Read MoreBrian Schutt: Ivy Tech should be bold in decision on next leader
In times of transition, it’s essential to revisit an organization’s ‘why’ for existence.
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