Indianapolis Business Journal

In this week’s issue, Mickey Shuey reveals the sweeping changes proposed for Indiana’s meagerly funded state tourism bureau, in hopes of boosting the dollars available for marketing and attracting new visitors. Greg Andrews explains how James Burkhart, the former CEO of nursing home giant American Senior Communities, is trying to get his felony conviction for fraud thrown out while he serves a nearly 10-year prison sentence. And Lindsey Erdody has IBJ’s annual accounting of the biggest philanthropic gifts across the state. The big winner for 2018: sleepy Wabash College.

Eastern Star Church on Indianapolis’ far-east side is building low-cost homes, apartments and retail space to serve the residents of Marion County’s most poverty-stricken zip codes and create a more stable sense of community. Hayleigh Colombo explains how Eastern Star is pulling it off. Also in this week’s issue, Samm Quinn details the explosive growth of downtown Fishers that has occurred seemingly overnight. And Susan Orr has the scoop on plans to transform part of Riverside Park in Indianapolis into a 650-seat amphitheater that will become home for the Indianapolis Shakespeare Company.

This is our annual Year in Review issue, which is combined with the IBJ Book of Lists. Look back at 2018's historic blitz of downtown development and a flurry of health care construction. Development got underway at The Yard at Fishers District, just one of many Hamilton County projects. Catch up on everything Amazon HQ2 and see a month-by-month list of other stories.

IndyReads, the adult literacy not-for-profit founded in 1988, has entered a new chapter after years of steeping in red ink. Finishing his second year as CEO, Ryan King has turned around its finances and significantly altered its teaching model, Lindsey Erdody reports. Also in this week’s issue, Samm Quinn reports that while Fishers officials are eager to make progress on the proposed Nickel Plate Trail, Noblesville isn’t showing anywhere near the same kind of enthusiasm for its portion of the trail. And John Russell explains how consumers can prepare for a new requirement that hospitals publicly list their prices for a wide variety of procedures—although the price they pay might be different.

The Indiana Pacers are keen to cut a deal for significant improvements to Bankers Life Fieldhouse. This week, IBJ’s Mickey Shuey gets a handle on what those might be by looking at the current state of the art in other NBA venues. Also in this week’s issue, John Russell reports that two-thirds of Indiana’s nursing homes will get lighter reimbursement checks from the federal government next year for having too many patients readmitted to hospitals within a month of discharge. And in Focus, Lindsey Erdody has a complete demographic breakdown of the 2019 General Assembly, which has 21 new members.

The driving force behind the explosive growth of Salesforce’s Indianapolis-based Marketing Cloud unit stays out of the local spotlight but is internationally renowned in tech circles. Anthony Schoettle buttonholes Bob Stutz, the elusive legend in the software industry. Also in this week’s edition, Hayleigh Colombo explores how the 2019 municipal elections are shaping up now that Mayor Joe Hogsett has officially announced his intention to run again. And Greg Andrews gets a read on why WTHR-TV Channel 13 has so far been immune to the rash of broadcast mergers and acquisitions.

City convention officials are gearing up for a big financial ask of the Indiana General Assembly next year as they set out on a $120 million expansion of the Indiana Convention Center at Pan Am Plaza—and think about future sports and tourism needs. Hayleigh Colombo and Lindsey Erdody explain how they’re getting the ball rolling. Also in this week’s issue, Mickey Shuey examines the repercussions of Indy’s apartment boom on rents. And Samm Quinn delves into how Boone County is addressing a dearth of workers for open jobs.

Amazon’s decision to split its HQ2 project between New York City and Washington, D.C., exposed just how far Indianapolis lags behind other major metropolitan areas in terms of tech talent. Anthony Schoettle reports that local leaders are busy assessing the area’s weaknesses and discussing the massive effort that will be required to make up ground. Also in this week’s issue, Hayleigh Colombo details the findings of a new report showing that, in otherwise similar circumstances, black children in Indianapolis grow up to earn significantly less than their white peers. And in this week’s Explore section, Lesley Weidenbener has the lowdown on the new twists and turns in the Eiteljorg’s Jingle Rails layout.

One of central Indiana’s oldest public companies—a trucking insurer long known as Baldwin & Lyons before its recent name change—has skidded into red ink and pursuing “potential strategic partnerships or transactions.” That’s often shorthand for a company putting itself up for sale, Susan Orr reports. Also in this issue, Anthony Schoettle examines how the city's most popular local radio stations tread the line between embracing deep-pocketed baby boomers while trying to entice a younger audience. And in the latest issue of IBJ’s Forefront magazine, our columnists weigh in on the toxicity of today’s political debate.

When first revealed two years ago, the concept for The Yard in Fishers was pretty simple: a dining and entertainment complex with room for about a dozen restaurants and a hotel. As Samm Quinn reports, the project has evolved into something quite a bit bigger and more complex in its latter planning stages. Also in this week’s paper, Anthony Schoettle explores what the death of Mari Hulman George could mean for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and other holdings of Hulman & Co. And you can find 22 inspiring profiles for the local leaders honored by IBJ this year as Women of Influence.

Technology touches nearly every corner of business nowadays, but even the biggest firms can’t do it all. That’s one big reason why corporate venture capital is on the upswing. Companies like Eli Lilly and Co., Simon Property Group, Allegion and Salesforce have established firms to invest in tech startups and other newish ventures that can help the mothership. IBJ’s Anthony Schoettle reports on how this is playing out locally. Also in this week’s paper, North of 96th reporter Samm Quinn has dialed her focus down down to several blocks near the Monon Trail in Carmel that are in the midst of a dramatic transformation with new developments and construction projects. And in Focus, John Russell profiles academic researchers at Indiana-based universities who also have developed careers as serial entrepreneurs who commercialize their discoveries.

Indiana University Health Physicians has its sights on acquiring Goodman Campbell Brain and Spine, adding to its huge physician network. But the neurosurgical firm is fiercely independent and so far is holding out, John Russell reports. Also this week, politics reporter Lindsey Erdody examines whether the "blue wave" that Democrats are hoping for on Election Day is likely to become a reality in Indiana. In addition, Sam Stall profiles Frank Basile, winner of the 2018 Michael A. Carroll Award.

Monument Circle has needed a consistent sense of direction for years, but attempts to spruce it up, organize its programming and make it more pedestrian-friendly have stalled. Hayleigh Colombo reports on two new projects that could spur further upgrades. Also in this issue—and speaking of downtown transformations—Hayleigh has details on plans to create two hotels and an addition to the Indiana Convention Center on Pan Am Plaza. And Susan Orr tracks progress on the $1.5 billion expansion of FedEx’s package-handling hub at Indianapolis International Airport.

With about three weeks to go before decision time in one of the nation’s most closely watches U.S. Senate races, Lindsey Erdody presents dueling in-depth profiles of Joe Donnelly and Mike Braun, including a handy guide to where they stand on issues such as immigration, taxes and health care. Also in this week’s issue, Susan Orr reveals preliminary plans for the $1.3 billion project on the former site of the GM stamping plant west of downtown. And Sam Stall explores how Crazy Horse Hops became the state’s largest grower of the bitter buds for making beer.

Many hospitals in central Indiana are racking up penalties for failing to fix their patients the first time. John Russell reports that their Medicare payments next year will be docked as a result of having some patients readmitted within 30 days. Also in this week’s issue, Samm Quinn reports that cities in Hamilton County are finally making some progress creating new housing for low- and middle-income earners. And in Explore, Lou Harry has recommendations for hitting the Heartland Film Festival.

An ongoing effort to attract nonstop flights between Indianapolis and places like Asia, Mexico and Europe is in line for a big boost: $20 million in state incentives to lure new international flight service here. Susan Orr reveals what destinations are on the city’s wish list. Also in this issue, Lindsey Erdody charts the rise of the Patachou Foundation, founded several years ago by restaurateur Martha Hoover. And Hayleigh Colombo explores how the creation of the criminal justice center will change both the Twin-Aire neighborhood and downtown.

The Indianapolis hotel market is booming, with about 2,800 new rooms slated to come online in the next five years. That’s impressive—and perhaps too ambitious. Hayleigh Colombo reports on what current room prices and occupancy rates are telling us about the need for more hotels. Also in this week’s issue, Anthony Schoettle explains how Indianapolis became one of two proving grounds for both AT&T and Verizon’s new 5G service—and why it’s a big deal for a city aggressively pushing its status as a tech hub. And Samm Quinn previews the changes in store for Carmel’s second iteration of its splashy Christkindlmarkt.

Recycling advocates have been waiting more than two years for the Hogsett administration to propose a comprehensive, countywide recycling program. Hayleigh Colombo reports that city officials soon will suggest some options. Also in this week’s paper, Lindsey Erdody examines the state’s plan to help extend broadband into rural areas. And in Explore, Mike Lopresti profiles Mike Jansen, the at-home and in-stadium announcer for the Indianapolis Colts.