JAN. 12-18, 2024
A cavalcade of Black celebrities will be on hand next month as Indianapolis becomes a magnet for African-American culture during the NBA's All-Star Weekend. IBJ's Dave Lindquist explains how the event has become a celebration of how the league embraces the realms of Black music, fashion, cuisine, acting and art. Also in this week's issue, Daniel Bradley explores the growing housing trend toward active-adult communities for boomers and Gen Xers. And Peter Blanchard profiles Brad Chambers as he tries to leverage his experience in business and economic development into a term as Indiana's governor.
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Why Black culture takes center stage during NBA All-Star Weekend
Over the years, All-Star Weekend has become a cultural magnet for entertainment and fashion. It’s known as a vibrant destination among Black residents coast-to-coast.
Read MoreOnce red hot, job market has cooled; unemployment still low
Employers are doing a lot less hiring than they were a year ago—a sign that the job market in Indianapolis, and nationwide, has cooled considerably.
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Brad Chambers brings business acumen to GOP bid for governor
But in a race that has five competitive candidates for the Republican nomination for governor, being a recognizable figure can be just as important as financial prowess, and Chambers has some ground to make up in the recognition category.
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Over-55 crowd fuels growing active-adult housing trend
Active-adult communities are rental properties that can include apartments, cottages or villas targeted toward seniors who do not require medical care and want recreational activities and chances to socialize with people in their peer group.
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Derek Schultz: Foundation over finish
Even if “foundation” wasn’t the f-word you were yelling after Gardner Minshew missed Tyler Goodson on the fateful fourth-down play that ended Indy’s hopes.
Read MoreIndiana 250: Rafael Sanchez
As Old National Bank’s chief impact officer, Rafael Sanchez is charged with leading initiatives focused on the financial advancement of underrepresented communities. As market president, Sanchez is responsible for developing growth, talent, community engagement, and public and governmental relations in central Indiana. He is co-chair of the Indianapolis 2024 NBA All-Star Game, president of the […]
Read MoreMade in Indiana: Nutrition and energy bars by Clif Bar & Co.
History: Millions of Clif Bar products—including the company’s signature protein and nutrition bars, as well as Luna Bars and Z Bars—are produced at the company’s Indianapolis facility, which opened after Clif Bar began manufacturing its own products in 2014. The company, based in northern California, was started by Gary Erickson and Lisa Thomas in 1992; […]
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Section of downtown’s Jail II building slated for demolition in revision of $120M redevelopment plan
The structural issues have thrown a curve at the rest of 1820 Ventures’ development plan for housing, retail and entertainment uses, requiring it to move a planned concert venue to another location.
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Lilly Endowment awards $100M to Purdue University
Indianapolis-based Lilly Endowment Inc. is awarding $100 million to the Purdue Research Foundation, with half the money going toward construction of the Mitchell E. Daniels Jr. School of Business building on the West Lafayette campus and the rest to support the Purdue Computes initiative.
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New Carmel City Council hits pause on pair of major projects
Councilors decided to withdraw two ordinances authorizing a total of $76 million in bonds for the projects from the agenda to give Mayor Sue Finkam’s administration more time to study plans, consider feedback from residents and negotiate with developers.
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Cook Group to sell West Lafayette-based biotech subsidiary to Florida company
Cook Biotech employs 275 people, all of whom will transition to RTI Surgical once the deal closes.
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Holcomb’s 2024 agenda aims to ease state’s workforce development issues
Gov. Eric Holcomb on Monday unveiled the final legislative agenda of his two-term tenure, focusing on improving the state’s child care system, addressing falling early literacy levels and raising awareness of the state’s myriad of job-related training programs and tools.
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Indiana teacher salaries on rise, but averages still fall short of governor’s goal
New data shows Indiana’s teacher pay is ticking up—but still trails averages in neighboring states—as the debate over Hoosier educator salaries continues.
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Trying on a future career: Lawmakers look to refine apprenticeship program
Lawmakers are already looking to make changes in a law they passed a year ago meant to boost apprenticeships and work-based learning opportunities.
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Editorial: A public hearing on downtown tax is too little and much too late
While it’s true that the tax deserved a public airing, the time to account for the behind-closed-doors shenanigans was last year when the movement was afoot to slip the taxing mechanism into the state budget.
Read MoreNate Feltman: Feeling grateful early in the new year
Indy has big-city attractions (e.g., museums), amenities (e.g., world-class airport) and entertainment options (e.g., sporting events and concerts), without the big-city costs, aggravations and headaches.
Read MoreStephen Goldsmith: Mall project is opportunity for downtown’s new start
The recent announcement by the city of Indianapolis and the equity owners of Circle Centre Mall that Hendricks Commercial Properties LLC, the developer of the successful Bottleworks District and Ironworks projects, will acquire and invest in the downtown mall is unequivocally good news.
Read MoreRobert Shegog: Sustained investment needed for equity programs
The Recorder Media Group and the Minority Business Review’s Champions of Diversity Awards is an opportunity to celebrate those who go beyond rhetoric, taking measurable steps toward creating an inclusive business environment.
Read MoreGot a business idea? Do not go it alone! Help is an easy reach away.
Reflecting on my journey from inspiration to product launch, I am deeply grateful for our innovation community and think others need to know more about it.
Read MoreMickey Kim and Roger Lee: Fed’s ‘pivot’ rescues investors from brutal ‘winter’ of 2022
After fears that the Federal Reserve’s slamming on the monetary brakes to combat soaring inflation would crush economic activity, optimism abounds that the Fed has pulled off a miraculous “soft landing.”
Read MoreCecil Bohanon and John Horowitz: Exposing corruption and its influence drains its power
The costs of being corrupt are higher when a person is more likely to be caught, and the penalties for corruption are more severe.
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World of Beer Bar & Kitchen closes on Mass Ave
World of Beer Bar & Kitchen opened in 2018 in a 7,500-square-foot spot previously occupied by Mass Ave Toys. The chain has lost nearly half of its locations since that time.
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Rep. Greg Pence will not seek fourth term in U.S. House
Greg Pence, the older brother of former Vice President and Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, is currently serving his third term representing Indiana’s 6th Congressional District.
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Westfield’s Rail Cafe & Market, Cone + Crumb to close this month
Melanie and Toby Miles opened Rail Epicurean Market in 2014, closed it in 2020 due to the pandemic and reopened it as Rail Cafe + Market in 2022.
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Novartis gets green light for production of cancer drug in Indy
The 70,000-square-foot facility near Indianapolis International Airport will be used to make Pluvicto, which is used to treat advanced-stage prostate cancer who have run out of treatment options.
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