Indianapolis Business Journal

Steve Hilbert is back in the insurance business. The controversial co-founder and former CEO of Conseco Inc. has joined other investors to acquire a life insurance firm. J.K. Wall has the scoop from leader Hilbert on his intentions for growing the firm. Also in this issue, Hayleigh Colombo explains how property tax bills in Marion County could rise, if big-box retailers successfully appeal assessed valuations for their buildings. And in A&E Etc., sports columnist Mike Lopresti catches up with Tamika Catchings as she puts the final touches on her legacy.

USA Funds’ business is dying. But the Fishers-based not-for-profit with nearly $600 million in annual revenue is determined to find new life doing what it’s always done—helping students pay for college degrees. J.K. Wall has the story. Also in this issue, Scott Olson reports that a Missouri developer wants to build a $10 million senior living center on one of 86th Street’s most trafficked intersections. And Lou Harry presents his annual Arts & Entertainment Season Preview, with more than 125 critic’s picks.

After much political wrangling, the electric-car service BlueIndy is ready to hit the read. Hayleigh Colombo examines its prospects for success. Also, Scott Olson looks at a snag with the Midtown TIF that has put in peril high-profile projects in the corridor. In addition, Anthony Schoettle looks at a unique partnership that the Indianapolis Monumental Marathon has cut with the media company Gannett.

Coming out of the Great Recession, the counties surrounding Indianapolis have sprinted ahead in their numbers of high-tech jobs and highly educated workers. Meanwhile, Marion County is sucking wind. J.K. Wall reports on recent data on jobs growth that point to a problem for the whole region. Also in this issue, Scott Olson has the latest on the $50 million apartment and retail project planned for Mass Ave, and Mike Lopresti catches up with former IU slugger Kyle Schwarber, now having a huge impact on the Cubs.

The mammoth Grand Park sports complex is widely known as a city property, but Westfield actually owns less than half of the land. That has resulted in an unusual arrangement in which the city has paid hundreds of thousands of dollars in rent and even property taxes for the land, Lindey Erdody reports. Also in this week’s issue, Anthony Schoettle reveals that several IndyCar teams are struggling financially, bringing into question the viability of the series itself. And in A&E Etc., Mike Lopresti has a preview of the upcoming football season, from local high schools to the NFL.<

It’s perhaps the most appealing redevelopment opportunity in downtown Indianapolis: the 1931 art-deco Coca-Cola bottling plant on Massachusetts Ave. Scott Olson examines the chances that it would be torn down or incorporated into a new scheme. Also in this issue, Hayleigh Colombo asks how Jim Schellinger, the new head of the state’s economic development arm, can improve wages for Hoosiers. And in A&E Etc., Lou Harry features great new games from Gen Con.

Angie’s List is at a crossroads. It’s searching for a new CEO and adding layers to its original business model while investor lose patience with persistent losses. Jared Council examines the issues making shareholders antsy. Also in this week’s issue, Scott Olson reports on disputes over the assessments of several downtown skyscrapers. And in A&E Etc., Mike Lopresti runs the numbers of most importance to Colts fans this season.

The annual Gen Con convention in Indianapolis has become a powerhouse in the growing $880 million international hobby game business. Lou Harry takes you behind the scenes. Also in this week’s issue, Anthony Schoettle examines how area golf courses are dealing with persistent rains and flooding. And in A&E Etc., Mike Lopresti visits Victory Field to meet an all-star groundskeeper annually voted as the best in the business.

In this week's issue, we present two big features dedicated to up-and-comers. Jared Council holds a summit for eight of the city’s youngest business leaders as they discuss skipping the corporate ladder and jumping head-first into entrepreneurism. And the Focus section is devoted to IBJ’s exclusive ranking of the city’s 25 fastest growing companies, with profiles of the firms you’ll be hearing from again in the future.

Hamilton County officials have sketched out a public transportation system that could cost between $10 million and $25 million per year, depending on timing and configuration. Now comes the debate over whether it’s worth the public funding, Lindsey Erdody reports. Also in this week’s issue, Marc Allen examines whether downtown can handle two more high-end steakhouses, bringing the total to at least a dozen. And in Focus, Sam Stall goes spelunking in Indy’s $1.9 billion sewer overhaul.

Patients from around the country have filed 100 lawsuits against Bloomington-based Cook Group Inc., alleging serious problems with some of its blood-clot filters. In this week’s issue, J.K. Wall takes a closer look at the consolidated case and the bigger issue of how medical device firms handle the increasing burden of product litigation. Also this week, Scott Olson tees up a dispute developing near a northside golf course that could be replaced by an apartment community. And in A&E Etc., Mike Lopresti checks back in with Chris Holtmann, the latest in a long line of Butler University coaching phenoms.

It’s hard to play in Big Business without running into big egos. Anthem Inc.’s proposed $47 million buyout of Cigna Corp. is a strong example of a deal that makes financial sense getting hung up by issues of executive ego and turf, J.K. Wall reports. Also in this issue, Lindsey Erdody details a possible solution to the traffic nightmare at Keystone and 96^th Street. And in A&E Etc., Lou Harry reviews St. Joseph Brewery & Public House at 540 N. College Ave.

After years of pipeline failures, Eli Lilly and Co. is on a bit of a hot streak. J.K. Wall reports on some needed successes in clinical trials for experimental drugs, and how Lilly’s strategy has changed. Also in this week’s issue, Scott Olson has the latest on the fate of the former General Motors stamping plant site near downtown, dealt a blow by the cancelled deal for a criminal justice center. And the whole staff teams up for our annual “Indiana 100” publication, a look at the state’s top companies.

Add another worry for players in Indy's hyper-competitive TV broadcasting business: Nielsen is planning a big change to how it computes audience numbers. In this week's IBJ, Anthony Schoettle unpacks the potential pitfalls. Also this week, Lou Harry looks at the ambitious plans of arts group Big Car to transform a south-side neighborhood. And Sam Stall has a story you won't want to miss on a Shelby County fix-it man who keeps typewriters clacking.

HHGregg Inc. has tried for four years to reverse sliding sales. Now it’s ready to take drastic measures. In this week’s IBJ, Scott Olson reports that Gregg plans to cut costs by $50 million—and inventory by another $50 million. Also this week, Jared Council takes stock of the new services promising to deliver restaurant meals to your door. And in A&E Etc., Lou Harry has high praise for Nourish on the near-south side.

The pace of business has never been faster. A new product or service can lay waste to competitors in a matter of weeks or days. In this week’s special issue, IBJ embraces innovation. Mason King explains how local companies known for liquid thinking accelerate meaningful change. J.K. Wall digs into the days when Indianapolis was known as a hub for innovation, and shows how those early successes point the way forward. The issue also profiles little-known trailblazers at the forefront of their fields, and provides analysis from big thinkers like Scott Jones, Chris Baggott and Justin Christian. Click here to access the whole package online.
 

Even though it's only 7 years old, the Indiana University Simon Cancer Center already appears to be ill-suited for the future of cancer care. In this week’s issue, J.K. Wall reports that the future of the $150 million center is in question. Also this week, Anthony Schoettle has the story of how one member of the Indianapolis Indians’ sales department helped triple sponsorship revenue. And in A&E, Mike Lopresti checks in with the family of injured basketball player Josh Speidel.

Michael Andretti never seemed to show much interest in any aspect of racing beyond the driving part, which makes his quick ascension to the ranks of elite team owners even more surprising. In this week’s issue, Anthony Schoettle details Andretti’s burgeoning empire and his intense level of involvement in all facets. Also this week, Greg Andrews examines the latest changes at Angie’s List. And in A&E Etc., Lou Harry features Flix Brewhouse in Carmel.