JUNE 21-27, 2010
This week, read about growth plans at the bustling Mount Comfort Airport and find out the latest on Junior Achievement's changing real estate strategy. In Indiana 100, see how the state's 50 largest public companies and 50 biggest private firms fared in 2009. And check out our own Jersey boy Lou Harry's take on the touring Broadway musical "Jersey Boys."
Front PageBack to Top
Circle Centre vies to keep anchor stores
Deals for both Nordstrom and Carson Pirie Scott are up for renewal in the coming months.
Read MoreBraly’s political skirmishes hurting insurer, critics say
When WellPoint Inc. named Angela Braly its CEO three years ago, it touted her experience dealing with politicians and government
regulators. But WellPoint is now the poster child for health insurer bad behavior—credited in Washington with reviving a
dead health reform bill the company opposed.
City takes risk with debt-laden IT-overhaul pick
To spearhead a once-in-a-generation overhaul of local government’s antiquated back-office computer system, Mayor Greg Ballard
has chosen an unprofitable software firm that as recently as March 31 warned investors that debt-refinancing issues could
force it out of business.
Top StoriesBack to Top
IPL mulling hydroelectric power on Ohio River
Expecting to be burned by greenhouse gas legislation that will make electricity generated from coal costly, Indianapolis Power
& Light is studying whether to buy power from two hydroelectric projects proposed for the Ohio River, near Evansville.
Mount Comfort Airport revs up growth plans
For the six general aviation airports that ring Indianapolis, landing business jets is like finding silver dollars in a bucket
of pennies. Though relatively few compared with the number of piston-engine planes, jets consume three times as much fuel
at the area's small airports.
IU grads carve Greek-based niche in news
What started with a casual meeting between two Indiana University students in a business class in 2008 has grown into an operation
with projected revenue of $2 million this year. Despite long odds and little capital, Evan Burns and Adrian France launched
a weekly print newspaper at IU last September.
Home Loan Bank CEO dashes talk of impending merger
The recent chatter followed the bank board’s decision to award CEO Milton J. Miller II a severance agreement entitling him to extra pay in the event of a merger.
Read MoreJA working its way out of real estate troubles
If the debt refinancing is completed, Junior Achievement would be nothing more than a tenant at the Gene B. Glick Junior Achievement Education
Center.
Promising ethanol yeast nears market launch
A firm that may have developed a breakthrough yeast for ethanol production has landed new investment and high-octane board
members. Two-year-old Xylogenics Inc. also says it plans to license its first bioengineered yeast later this year.
Website aims to help grads with life after college
Partners Cate McLaughlin and Kyle Falk started the website askcateandkyle.com last July to help recent graduates deal with
the trials and tribulations of life
after college. Their potential audience is huge.
FocusBack to Top
INDIANA 100: Taking measure of state’s largest companies
Few companies eked out revenue gains last year, and profits were hard to come by. See which companies overcame the odds to
climb ahead, and which ones took a shellacking in our annual Indiana 100 section.
Recession hammered revenue of Indiana’s largest public companies
Few escaped the Great Recession unscathed, and unusual circumstances helped some appear as though they did.
Read MoreSlow economy bruises profits of Indiana’s largest public companies
One-time events influenced bottom lines of some of the few companies that made more money in 2009.
Read MoreIndiana’s biggest private companies majored in the basics in 2009
Health care, plastics, other fundamental consumer needs kept some companies on upswings.
Read MoreSome Indiana entrepreneurs hit the gas pedal in tough times
What recession? Some firms are enjoying explosive growth.
Read MoreOpinionBack to Top
EDITORIAL: Improvement needed, but value of statistics in education limited
Few Hoosiers have any concept of the scope of the information tsunami washing over state education policy, but they’re
beginning to find out.
MORRIS: Confessions of a symphony newbie
As a first-year subscriber to an Indianapolis Symphony series, I’ve been transformed. I’m now a raving fan.
Read MoreMARCUS: There is no ‘rural revival’ in Indiana
The now famous housing bubble has been blamed for many of our nation’s problems. In truth, it is the opposite. The
massive private debt, including mortgage debt, was made possible by lax lending practices.
OWEN: Why I rethought riding my bicycle to work
One day last spring, I put on a helmet, climbed on my bike, and rode to work with a
co-worker. For a guy who had only recently gotten on a bike
after more than 15 years away from two-wheelers, it was monumental.
HICKS: Four recommendations for your reading list
Though I am no slave to fashion, summertime is a long occasion for the reading of good books.
Read MoreALTOM: Beware of inciting online vendetta from clients
It started as a dispute over towing a car, and it’s now a cause célèbre, thanks to Facebook.
Read MoreHAUKE: Despite much bad news, market outlook OK for now
Another fact emerged during May. People became way too bearish. Surveys and market action both suggested a growing fear that
became almost everyone’s opinion.
Health care column got it wrong
As a practicing physician, I was disappointed by [Morton Marcus’] support of the recently passed health care legislation
[in his May 31 column].
Environmentalists contributed to spill
[In response to Bruce Hetrick’s June 14 column] Those that are calling for more government involvement in response
to the BP oil spill are not those who typically call for “less government.
City ‘investments’ often no such thing
Even if the new system does slow down property tax increases, actually capping one source of revenue will never
solve taxpayer problems.
Pre-race ceremony didn’t measure up
Good [Bill Benner column on June 7] on the recap of the 500. One area that I disagree with you was your praise for the pre-race
ceremony. It was plain awful this year.
John Wooden column was a favorite
John Wooden has been my idol and will
continue to be someone I strive to be for as long as I am breathing. I know that I am not the only one who feels this way.
In BriefBack to Top
Big Ten considering name change
With the addition of the University of Nebraska, the Big Ten logo is likely to change. Conference officials are seriously
considering a new name for the conference.
Jazz festival will move to OptiPark in Broad Ripple
The ever-evolving Indy Jazz Fest will return this year, Sept. 18, but at the Opti-Park in Broad Ripple.
Read MoreIndiana moves up in med tech rankings
Medical technology companies employed 19,950 Hoosiers in 2007 and supported another 35,000 jobs in supplier companies, according
to an analysis funded by an industry trade group.
New restaurant will front Fashion Mall at Keystone
A new fresh grill and wine bar called Seasons 52 is planning a 9,000-square-foot restaurant to replace El Torito Mexican
Grill in front of The Fashion Mall at Keystone, IBJ.com reported June 14.
Lemonade Day generates almost $812,000 in sales
The results of Scott Jones’ experiment in junior entrepreneurship are in. The “Lemonade Day” event he helped
bring to central Indiana May 2 raised $811,672 here via the sale of 545,207 glasses of lemonade.
NFP of NOTE: Fair Haven Foundation Inc.
Fair Haven Foundation brings our community together to serve seriously ill patients visiting our city for treatment in downtown
Indianapolis.