JANUARY 14-20, 2013
This week, read about a local group's plans to develop the nation's largest rugby complex and find out how much more money Indianapolis' symphony needs to raise by a February deadline. In Focus, see how liberal arts colleges are responding to challenges. And in A&E, Lou Harry shares his take on a National Geographic photo show at the Eiteljorg.
Front PageBack to Top
Analysts: ITT’s woes are likely to worsen
Investors have dumped the already-depressed shares of ITT Educational Services Inc. after the operator of for-profit colleges shelled out $46 million for bad private student loans it had backed to help students pay the portion of its pricey tuition that federal loans won’t cover. With fewer ITT graduates able to find jobs, the default rates on these loans has spiked.
Read MorePlans afoot to redevelop Payton Wells properties
A local developer hopes to build a $20 million apartment and retail project on one of several Old Northside lots once used by the defunct car dealership Payton Wells.
Read MoreNew ChaCha unit to pair celebrities, advertisers
The ever-evolving information/answers service ChaCha Search has launched a startup within the 7-year-old company. Social Reactor will match advertisers with participating celebrities and other “social influencers,” who will use social media tools such as Twitter to drive fans to advertisers. Verge founder Matt Hunckler was tapped to get it rolling.
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Group aims to create nation’s largest rugby complex
A long-vacant drive-in theater just east of Fountain Square soon could be home to the nation’s largest rugby facility. The Indiana Youth Rugby Foundation has raised $1.2 million for the ambitious project and is seeking another $500,000 to break ground this spring.
Read MoreISO far from $5M goal as deadline nears
The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra has raised barely half the $5 million the organization says it needs by Feb. 3 to live up to the terms of a contract it negotiated with musicians last fall.
Read MoreVectren digs in to fight gas plant
A synthetic natural gas plant proposed downstate need only tweak its contract with would-be gas purchaser Indiana Finance Authority to comply with an October court ruling and to proceed with the project, Indiana Gasification said in a recent filing with the Indiana Court of Appeals. But opponents of the plant, led by Evansville-based gas and electric utility Vectren, immediately objected.
Read MoreEmmis’ well-paid CEO signs on for 3 more years
CEO Jeff Smulyan's supporters praise him for repositioning Emmis during a harrowing stretch for the media industry. Detractors complain about his hefty compensation.
Read MoreFarmers seek rescue from unexpected property tax hit
New soil-productivity factors issued by the Department of Local Government Finance last year would have raised tax collections an average 18.5 percent this year.
Read More$30M Keystone mixed-use project seeks city approval
Hendricks Commercial Properties wants to build a five-story, L-shaped building with more than 36,000 square feet of ground-level retail space and 130 high-end apartments on the upper floors.
Read MoreFocusBack to Top
Indiana liberal arts colleges strategize to survive perfect storm
Colleges are experimenting with business models at a time when the ability of students and their families to pay are dropping dramatically, and endowments and scholarship funds remain depressed.
Read MoreBen Davis school boasts impressive graduation rates
Seniors are earning their diploma while receiving a associate’s degree.
Read MoreOpinionBack to Top
EDITORIAL: City government’s good vibrations
The Indianapolis budget accord announced Jan. 7 by Mayor Greg Ballard and City-County Council leaders is worth at least some polite applause.
Read MoreMORRIS: To trim debt, hike taxes and cut … ?
As Brent Musburger said when he spotted Miss Alabama in the crowd at the BCS National Championship game— “Whoa!”
Read MoreKENNEDY: Privatization expands government
The ugly mud-wrestling match that was the fiscal cliff negotiation is over for the time being. Congress has done what Congress has been doing with some regularity the past few years—it has kicked the can down the road a few months.
Read MoreHENDERSON: Treat temp workers better
One of the highest costs to businesses is labor. Direct wages, benefits, vacation pay, pension vesting, health care and employment legal costs—they all add up.
Read MoreSKARBECK: Value investors tempted by HHGregg valuations
A fascinating case study can be found in the divergent fortunes of locally based HHGregg and Texas-based Conn’s Inc.
Read MoreFEIGENBAUM: Budget issues will drive almost every legislative debate
Now that you are no longer distracted by an Indianapolis Colts playoff drive (sigh), it’s time to get up to speed on the key issues the Indiana General Assembly will confront over the next four months.
Read MoreALTOM: Being present at work doesn’t have to mean being there
Employers have to contend with a new generation of workers who expect to work from home at least part of the time, and entirely from home when feasible.
Read MoreHICKS: Why is the unemployment rate still so high?
The Great Recession wasn’t caused by a housing market collapse; it was more than that. Our economic unwinding required lots of failures.
Read MoreIn favor of shrinking not-for-profit boards
As a frequent consultant to not-for-profit boards, I couldn’t agree more [Dec. 24 Libman Viewpoint].
Read MoreBenner was ‘uplifting’
Thanks so very much for pointing out the many triumphs and great moments Indianapolis and Indiana had in 2012 [Dec. 31 Benner column].
Read MoreChange before it’s broken
The dying service clubs mentioned in John Guy’s [Dec. 31 column] “How to revive dying service clubs” could benefit from following the lead of Toastmasters International which, even though it was growing, evaluated where it was and how it could best serve its membership.
Read MoreIn BriefBack to Top
Indians continue trend of higher profit
The city’s professional baseball team has thrived financially since 2009, bucking the woes of the economy.
Read MoreDemocrats alter City-County Council posts, GOP member steps down
John Barth replaces Brian Mahern, a fierce opponent of some of Mayor Ballard’s policies, as council vice president.
Read MoreExactTarget stock finishes year in positive territory
The marketing software maker that went public in March is ahead of its offering price even as it suffers because of some competitors’ woes.
Read MoreIndianapolis government workers in line for raises
The merit raises for non-union employees come as the city tries to trim expenses by 5 percent.
Read MoreArea homebuilding hits highest mark since 2008
The number of home construction permits in the Indianapolis area jumped 16 percent last year, marking just the second year-over-year increase in filings since 2005.
Read MoreDuke Realty sells six-building local office complex
Two Illinois companies have acquired a six-building, 446,000-square-foot Indianapolis office portfolio from locally based Duke Realty Corp. Industry sources say the buildings sold for more than $20 million.
Read MoreNFP of NOTE: Heritage Place of Indianapolis Inc.
Heritage Place of Indianapolis Inc. provides older adults with comprehensive and coordinated human services to encourage and promote healthy lifestyles, independence, well-being and quality of life.
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