NOVEMBER 15-21, 2010
This week, find out why the November TV ratings period is so important for Channel 13 and read about a family feud heating up in court over the Mike's Express Carwash chain. In Focus, see why leaders of the Unite Here union are targeting Indianapolis hotels—and take a peek inside the new Indiana Convention Center space in our photo gallery. And in A&E, Style columnist Gabrielle Poshadlo talks to the jewelry artist behind Studio AMF.
Front PageBack to Top
Spurned bidder: IURC program may cost consumers $65M
An Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission-mandated initiative to help electric customers cut consumption and save money may wind up costing them $65 million more than necessary. At least that’s the claim of a consulting firm that lost its bid to administer the program.
Read MoreSmall-business lending rises 30 percent in Indiana
The amount of money banks loaned through U.S. Small Business Administration programs shot up close to 30 percent in Indiana this year, a sign that the state’s small businesses—including Pat Wolfred’s CCA Inc.—have started coming back to life.
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Mike’s Express Carwash sued in family feud
Mike’s Express Carwash and its principals, Bill and Mike Dahm, sons of founder Joe Dahm, are facing a lawsuit in Hamilton Superior Court brought by Jerry Dahm, a cousin who owned 35 percent of the company until May.
Read MoreExpanding tax breaks could be a tough sell in Marion County
Republicans who now control the Indiana House are poised to push reforms next year that would strengthen local governments’ ability to offer businesses tax abatements. But the changes might be met with caution in Marion County.
Read MoreMotor maker Remy plans expansion driven by electric vehicles
Motor maker Remy International will embark on a major expansion next spring to satisfy growing demand from makers of hybrid and electric vehicles—and Madison County officials think they’re well positioned to land the jobs.
Read MoreIrwin Financial trustee poised to sue insiders
Court papers reveal officers and directors of the holding company for the failed Columbus-based bank will soon be defendants in a $40 million suit.
Read MoreWTHR’s status as TV news leader starting to erode
Ad buyers are watching the November sweeps period to see if the NBC affiliate bounces back from recent periods when it lost ground in the ratings.
Read MoreMost not-for-profit execs modestly paid, survey says
Local consultants Bryan Orander and Jim Morris conducted the survey this summer to fulfill what they see as a lack of hard data on executive pay in the local not-for-profit sector.
Read MoreFocusBack to Top
Unions target Indianapolis hotels
Unite Here has high hopes, but the industry fears its cost advantage would erode.
Read MoreRetail sales at Indianapolis International Airport edge up
Revenue is uneven between the two concourses in the new midfield terminal, but overall sales nevertheless are outpacing growth in passenger traffic.
Read MoreQuick Hits: Indianapolis dwarfs Milwaukee in convention, tourism business
Indianapolis and Milwaukee are about the same size, with 1.7 million and 1.6 million people in their respective metro areas, but Indianapolis’ convention trade is better developed.
Read MoreOpinionBack to Top
EDITORIAL: Legislators should let public decide on transit plan
A more robust public transportation system might be just what the region needs to connect people with jobs, spark development near transit stops, elevate the city’s stature, and reduce the need to regularly pour millions into widening our roads. Or it might be a big, unnecessary waste of money.
Read MoreMAURER: A defense of Carl Brizzi
Marion County Prosecutor Carl Brizzi’s transgressions and judgment lapses have been dutifully noted and thoroughly discussed.
Read MoreMARCUS: Best Hoosier jobs are out-of-state
In 30 years, the percentage of income derived by Hoosiers from work outside Indiana has doubled.
Read MoreKENNEDY: Let’s find ways to sustain visitor business
Our city’s economic prosperity has been bolstered for many years by our strong convention and visitor business. We need to do what we can as a city to propel this important driver of our economy.
Read MoreHICKS: Educators must acknowledge need for reform
Fixing schools won’t be easy, but it begins with an honest realization of the problem—not mendacious malarkey.
Read MoreSKARBECK: Benchmarks helpful, but have their problems
Benchmarking has exploded with the industry’s propensity to slice and dice and categorize every segment of the overall investment pie.
Read MoreWhat happened to Di Rimini architect?
Where was the architect when the developer made 35 departures from the approved plans? Where was the architect when the city cited the developer for multiple code violations?
Read MoreIn BriefBack to Top
Acquisition big step for Lilly Diagnostics
Eli Lilly and Co.’s $800 million acquisition of Avid Radiopharmaceuticals Inc. is the biggest step yet in the drugmaker’s attempt to add diagnostics to its product portfolio.
Read MoreIndianapolis named among recession-proof cities
Newsweek magazine listed the city among 10 it says are best situated for economic recovery.
Read MoreBarnes & Thornburg maintains top-100 ranking
The firm ranked 85th in The National Law Journal’s annual listing of the nation’s 250 largest firms, up two spots from its previous position.
Read MoreHabitat for Humanity executive stepping down
Dean Illingworth will step down as executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Indianapolis at the end of the year, the organization announced Monday morning. An architect and former partner at Schmidt & Associates, he has led the organization since 2005.
Read MoreChaCha approaches web-traffic milestone
Traffic to the site hit a record high of 18.5 million unique visitors in October, making it the fastest-growing in Quantcast’s top 100 websites.
Read MorePurdue website calculates asteroid damage
The site is “scientifically accurate enough” to be used by the Department of Homeland Security and NASA, but friendly enough for elementary school students.
Read MorePROXY CORNER: Bell Industries Inc.
Bell Industries Inc., 8888 Keystone Crossing, Suite 1700 (www.BellInd.com), is a holding company for Bell Techlogix and the Recreational Products Group.
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