JANUARY 19-25, 2015

Infotech firm Scale Computing Inc. has been raising money at a clip similar to other prominent local tech companies in their early days and is gearing up to increase its workforce by a factor of five. Jared Council has more on its growth prospects. Also in this issue, Anthony Schoettle reports on the remarkable turnaround at Indy Lights engineered by the open-wheel racing series’ new CEO. And in A&E Etc., Lou Harry recommends IRT’s new comedy, “Good People.”

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Scale Computing preps to launch large expansion

January 15, 2015 |

Information technology firm Scale Computing Inc. has been raising money at a clip similar to other prominent local tech companies in their early days and is gearing up to increase its workforce by a factor of five.

Convenience chain going upscale as it plots new stores

January 15, 2015 |

Anderson-based Ricker’s new gas station and convenience store at 146th Street and Carey Road in Westfield offers made-to-order burritos and self-serve frozen yogurt. The Anderson-based company plans to use the Westfield site as a model for its next generation of stores.

Meijer tax ruling may reverberate statewide

January 15, 2015 |

The Indiana Board of Tax Review ruled in December that the East 96th Street Meijer store—one of the most successful in the state—should have been assessed in 2012 at the equivalent of $30 per square foot, not the $83 per square foot assigned by Marion County.

Menard accused of witness tampering

January 15, 2015 |

New court documents accuse attorneys for hardware store titan John Menard Jr. of offering to pay a $200,000 legal settlement to a former executive at a Menard-controlled company if he provided helpful testimony in their cases against Steve and Tomisue Hilbert and their friend Lisa Trudeau

Top feeder series for IndyCar is back from the brink

January 15, 2015 |

In the 19 months since Dan Andersen took over Indy Lights—he has a long-term lease with an option to buy—he has grown the series from 12 races to 16; doubled the field size with a goal of 25 cars by next year; and inked critical sponsorships.

Owners of popular Greek restaurant turning 1920s warehouse into event center

January 15, 2015 |

Taki and Jeanette Sawi of Santorini Greek Kitchen, in Fountain Square, are branching out to open a large banquet facility in a nearly century-old warehouse on the southwestern edge of downtown just across the White River and not far from Lucas Oil Stadium.

How a dogged Muncie bank broke into top 10 in Indy

January 15, 2015 |

As of June 30, First Merchants Bank had amassed $958 million in deposits at 27 Indianapolis-area offices, placing it 10th, Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. data shows.

Bill would create fund for teaching expelled students

January 15, 2015 |

A bill introduced in the Indiana General Assembly would divert $10 million or more in state education money into a new fund that would make grants to schools that focus on teaching expelled students.

Metropolis getting name change as part of potential $9M makeover

January 13, 2015 |

The new name should coincide with the completion later this year of a major makeover to the west-side mall, which the owner hopes to undertake with financial assistance from Plainfield.

New software lets many workers customize their tech, forcing change upon educators

January 14, 2015 |

Indianapolis-based Ke Labs is among a growing number of tech companies trying to develop software that allows users to create or tweak their own programs—without knowing any computer languages or code.

EDITORIAL: Mike Pence on track with career education

January 15, 2015 |

The governor is putting money behind his rhetoric, proposing a $40 million increase in funding for career and vocational programs. By 2020, he wants to see a fivefold increase in students graduating with industry-recognized credentials.

MAURER: Delph, Endocyte and the best of 2014

January 15, 2015 |

Catching up with last year’s columns reveals some hits–and a few misses.

FEIGENBAUM: Pence’s speech kept things simple, but expect detours

January 15, 2015 |

The governor took on the federal government for overreaching on health care and environmental regulations, and he reiterates his priorities on education.

RUSTHOVEN: The case for Mike Pence’s balanced budget amendment

January 15, 2015 |

Pence is right. Democratic opposition was reflexive and unfounded. Inaccurate media coverage, suggesting that Indiana already has such a constitutional requirement, was more surprising.

DWYER: Take technical training and education back to a polytechnic future

January 15, 2015 |

The polytechnic approach is gaining renewed interest among U.S. educators, policymakers and business leaders, and has been the subject of conversations among these same groups in Indiana.

HICKS: Minimum wage arguments make little sense

January 15, 2015 |

It is important to understand what is going on with the minimum wage, especially since a group of Hoosier lawmakers is proposing a 39-percent increase this year. I think both sides are talking past each other.

KIM: Enjoy our low oil prices; here’s why they tumbled

January 15, 2015 |

At a basic, Economics 101 level, an imbalance has developed between supply and demand.

Press should referee political donations

January 15, 2015 |

The first part of IBJ’s [Jan. 12] editorial makes the common sense case for transparency regarding campaign contributions.

Noblesville stands still compared to Carmel

January 15, 2015 |

As a 20-year Noblesville resident reading the [Jan. 5] “Long tenures distinguish mayors of Carmel, Noblesville” article, what stands out to me about mayors Brainard and Ditslear is the stark contrast between the two.

Ferebee slams ‘victim mentality’ at Indianapolis Public Schools

January 14, 2015 |

Indianapolis Public Schools Superintendent Lewis Ferebee said the most persistent challenge he has faced since taking the helm of central Indiana’s largest public school district has been low expectations among employees, students and community stakeholders.

Indianapolis Business Journal