MARCH 26-APRIL 1, 2012
This week, read about N.K. Hurst's decidedly unsexy product, which nevertheless fills pantry shelves and company coffers, and see why state legislators will spend the summer looking into key parts of Tony Bennett's education reforms. And in At Home Quarterly, check out a photo gallery of Paul and Sarah Lushin's Carmel playhouse.
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Chamber merger stirs fears in regional economic development groups
Develop Indy, the economic development arm of Indianapolis, is working on a merger with the Greater Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce that has suburban economic development professionals concerned central Indiana will lose an independent voice in marketing the region to new business.
Read MoreMuch smaller project would fill former Venu site
A parcel of overgrown bank-owned property with a leaky roof at the southwest corner of East 86th Street and Keystone Avenue may finally be poised for redevelopment: A Wisconsin firm has the 6.4 acres under contract and is putting together plans for a retail strip, a couple of restaurants and possibly a hotel.
Read MoreHow do you turn a profit? Nimble ChaCha finds answer
After six hard years, the locally based Q&A service has positive earnings and expects revenue to more than double this year. Founder and entrepreneur Scott Jones reveals how the firm turned the corner.
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Education reform on legislators’ hot seat
Key parts of State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Bennett’s education reforms will be put under a miscroscope this summer by a special commission of state legislators.
Read MoreN.K. Hurst’s unsexy beans fill bottom shelf, bottom line
N.K. Hurst Co. Inc. sells roughly 20 million packages of dried beans and bean soup mixes a year, from the West McCarty Street packaging plant it has operated since 1938. It has only about 50 employees, but its products are ubiquitous in the grocery industry.
Read MoreIU contemplates new ‘campus’ for health schools
An idea being kicked around the halls of IUPUI would split off the schools of medicine, nursing, dentistry, optometry, health sciences and social work into a separate administrative unit, based in Indianapolis.
Read MoreClient seeks lost revenue from Oxford Financial
Reid Hospital & Health Care Services in Richmond alleges the financial adviser’s delay in selling investments cost the hospital more than $2.5 million.
Read MoreEntrepreneurs see early success with new liqueur
Blue MF is a vodka-and-rum-based liqueur concocted by three Indiana University fraternity brothers turned entrepreneurs. Their firm, Indianapolis-based More Fun Liqueur, launched its signature drink in October and now is seeking investors to help fund expansion.
Read MoreIrvington apartment, streetscape projects clear hurdles
Two significant construction projects are closer to starting in Irvington, where the district’s East Washington Street commercial corridor is bouncing back even as one of its key buildings faces demolition.
Read MoreOpinionBack to Top
EDITORIAL: Indianapolis’ new education deputy should work fast
If Eugene White leaves Indianapolis Public Schools—maybe not so coincidentally near Jason Kloth’s April 1 move into the City-County Building—the city has an even better opportunity to signal it’s a place where reform-minded educators can thrive.
Read MoreMORRIS: Second Amendment rights under attack
I’m worried that, if given a second term, our sitting president will launch a full-scale attack on our Second Amendment rights.
Read MoreKENNEDY: Legislature has own band of bullies
Indiana’s legislators couldn’t find it in their hearts to pass a law that would protect vulnerable children against bullying in our schools. But at least 20 of them found the time to do a little bullying of their own.
Read MoreWILLIAMS: It really is the right to work for less
In which category do the 23 right-to-work states lead the nation? In poverty.
Read MoreALTOM: Limbaugh controversy comes with social-media lesson
The pressure brought on Rush Limbaugh’s advertisers was through technology that wasn’t commonly used back when the talk radio host was building his successful brand.
Read MoreHICKS: State smoking ban recognizes value of life
The workplace smoking ban signed by Gov. Mitch Daniels this week was a much-needed law. Of course, my Libertarian friends will object to its intrusion on liberty, and my leftist friends will say it didn’t go far enough. To them I ask, “What are you smoking?”
Read MoreSKARBECK: Observers cry foul over pension fund proposal
The legislation would change the formula used to calculate pension costs and effectively allow companies to lower their annual contributions.
Read MoreSmoking ban is an accomplishment
Indiana will now protect 95 percent of people while at work and also allow citizens to eat at any restaurant in the state without having to encounter cigarette or cigar smoke.
Read MorePay for your own contraception
Bruce Hetrick [March 12 column] misses the most obvious point in his support of “Obama Care.”
Read MoreKennedy’s finger on pulse
Kudos to Sheila Suess Kennedy for her insightful op-ed about the essence of an educated and informed society.
Read MoreIn BriefBack to Top
Lilly gets good news on insulin
Decision by industry giant Pfizer Inc. to abandon its generic insulin project is good news for Eli Lilly and Co.
Read MoreConner Prairie freshens up Prairietown exhibit
Attraction not updated since 1974 will unveil new look in June.
Read MoreEast-side contract manufacturer plans to add 144 jobs
Mansfield-King LLC is asking the city for property tax abatements as part of its efforts to create the jobs by 2016 through a $3 million expansion. The company currently has 45 employees.
Read MoreEx-airport CEO getting lofty departure pay
Globetrotting John Clark, who stepped down from his job March 19, will receive $270,000, plus unearned vacation days, as part of his severance package from the Indianapolis Airport Authority.
Read MoreFishers hires former Duke exec to lead economic development
As the town’s first community development director, Tom Dickey will oversee economic development, planning and zoning.
Read MorePacers George Hill, Paul George launch fan zone, TV show
The duo partnered with Gatorade on the promotion, one of the benefits of which is the opportunity to buy a special five-game ticket package.
Read MoreIndyGo ridership climbs to 20-year high
The underfunded system accommodated 27 percent more passengers in January and February than in the same months last year.
Read MoreNFP of NOTE: Conner Prairie Interactive History Park
Conner Prairie Interactive History Park inspires curiosity and fosters learning about Indiana's past by providing engaging, individualized and unique experiences.
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