Indianapolis Business Journal

Indiana tourism officials are betting big on efforts to bring more visitors to the state, in part with a public campaign that they hope will spur a significant funding increase from the General Assembly next year. Mickey Shuey outlines the $5.6 million campaign they’re calling “IN Indiana.” Also in this week’s issue, John Russell reports that Eli Lilly and Co. is defending itself against a lawsuit charging that it mismanaged its $8.2 billion 401(k) plan, resulting in excessive fees for employees. And Daniel Bradley outlines Westfield’s plans for the $190 million Grand Millennium Center, which will include a library, event center, medical facility and hotel.

As the city of Indianapolis considers selling carbon credits to invest in carbon reducing forestry products, it might be able to turn some sizable local companies into customers. Leslie Bonilla Muñiz writes that corporate interest in carbon neutrality opens opportunities for city programs. Also in this week’s issue, Daniel Bradley explains how the not-for-profit Agape Therapeutic Riding Resources helps people with disabilities and mental health challenges by providing opportunities to bond with animals. And Mickey Shuey reports that the Indianapolis Airport Authority has updated its incentives plan to free up more fuel to chase nonstop flights.

In a flurry in late May, Indiana officials announced economic development deals with major manufacturers that would bring more than $4 billion in investment, but experts say the state can’t rest for a second. As Mickey Shuey reports, the competition for big projects remains tight, and the state still must address persistent weaknesses such as its undertrained workforce, the high cost of health care and rising energy costs. Also in this week’s issue, David Lindquist explores why multiday music festivals have trouble taking root in central Indiana—and whether the upcoming WonderRoad fest can succeed where others have failed. And Daniel Bradley details the fight between residents of a 60-year-old carnel neighborhood and a proposed $133 million redevelopment project that would extend up to their backyards.

The latest edition of IBJ’s annual Innovation Issue focuses on the future of energy in Indiana—coincidentally just a few days after the announcement of a planned, $2.5 billion electric vehicle battery plant in Kokomo. John Russell examines how power storage will be vital to allowing solar and wind energy to thrive. Susan Orr explains how Indiana’s auto industry will need to adjust to disruption as electric vehicles gain traction. And Leslie Bonilla Muñiz lays out how Indiana will need to establish networks of electric vehicle charging stations. Plus, the rise of NFTs in Indiana, how high-protein bugs could be more common on menus, and ways to keep employees feeling energetic and engaged.

Penske Entertainment, the owner of the IndyCar Series and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, announced in July 2020 that it planned to launch programs to diversify the series’ teams, hire more people of color as contractors and employees at the track and expand the sports fan base. Nearly two years in, experts and advocates say Penske has made significant progress but there’s still much to be done. IBJ’s Mickey Shuey has the story. Also in this week’s issue: As Indiana Republican lawmakers prepare to override Gov. Eric Holcomb’s veto of a law that would bar transgender girls from participating in girls’ K-12 sports, activist groups on both sides of the issue are ramping up their lobbying efforts. And Daniel Bradley reports that construction is starting on the first piece of a massive mixed-use redevelopment in downtown Noblesville that will add more than 200 apartments units by 2025.

The owners of the Willows Event Center, tucked into a White River oxbow just north of Broad Ripple, want to redevelop the site with more than 250 apartments and town houses. Mickey Shuey reports on the tidal wave of opposition to the project from prominent and well-heeled local residents who fear the project is too big and could exacerbate traffic hazards along a tricky portion of Westfield Boulevard. Also in this week’s issue, Dave Lindquist outlines a new program encouraging Indianapolis employers to pay workers at least $18 per hour, based on the theory that higher wages will result in lower staff turnover and higher productivity. And we honor the city’s top physicians, researchers, volunteers and community health providers in IBJ’s annual Health Care Heroes awards program.

A long-planned, $92 million mixed-use redevelopment project—the first of its kind in this city of 64,000—is taking shape on a 19-acre site in downtown Greenwood, starting with a city-owned sports fieldhouse. Susan Orr outlines the strategy behind The Madison and reinvigorating Greenwood’s core. Also in this week’s issue, John Russell has all the details about Eli Lilly and Co.’s new weight loss drug, tirzepatide, which has performed spectacularly well in clinical trials and could boost Lilly’s top line by $5 billion per year. And Leslie Bonilla Muñiz examines how a 13-member state task force plans to address Indiana’s affordable housing shortage, in large part by rethinking regulations that builders and critics say drive up construction costs.

Public comments by Eli Lilly and Co. CEO Dave Ricks examining the state’s shortcomings as a potential destination for new companies and investment have sparked conversation and debate across Indiana’s business community. Reporters John Russell, Susan Orr and Emily Ketterer asked business leaders to address the question of whether the state is doing enough to keep Indiana growing and what an effective strategy might look like. Also in this week’s issue, Dave Lindquist dives into one of the most ambitious and revealing exhibits in the history of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum: “Roadsters 2 Records: The Twelve Years That Revolutionized the Indianapolis 500.” And our political team has a preview of the most consequential races on Primary Election Day.

The global market for nuclear medicine is expected to quintuple in about a decade, and a large slice of that growth is expected to occur in the Indianapolis area. John Russell reports that Telix Pharmaceuticals, which has developed an imaging agent that makes cancer cells light up in scans, is having a breakout moment. Also in this week’s issue, Susan Orr unravels the story of a Fishers man facing a tangle of legal issues related to accusations he was involved in the nationwide sale of more than $230 million in questionable financial products. And Daniel Bradley reports that interest is accelerating in the slow-to-develop Zionsville’s Creekside Corporate Park now that construction of the new Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing team headquarters is well under way.

Indianapolis-based health insurer Anthem Inc. has been trying for several years to clamp down on what it considers unnecessary, expensive visits to emergency rooms, but its tactics have come back to bite it. John Russell reports that a federal arbitrator has ordered Anthem to pay $4.5 million to a group of 11 Indiana hospitals that complained Anthem’s policy was unlawful and breached their contracts. Also in this week’ issue, Mickey Shuey and Daniel Bradley examine the record prices paid for Indiana farmland, driven in part by demand from developers. And Dave Lindquist heralds what could be the busiest summer concert season in history—and raises the question of whether there are enough ticket buyers to make it profitable.

Indianapolis long has been low on public green space and the funds to add more. Leslie Bonilla Muñiz reports that local officials and not-for-profits now are exploring the potential sale of carbon credits to finance green space acquisition and preservation. Also in this week’s issue, Emily Ketterer profiles the five Democrats who are running for a newly draw seat in the Indiana Senate that runs through the heart of downtown Indianapolis. And Daniel Bradley reports that Hamilton County is finally ready to begin its $29 million reconstruction of the heavily traveled intersection at 146^th Street and Allisonville Road.

Construction will be happening all over Broad Ripple over the coming year as major new development projects either start or finish construction and the city invests some $7 million into drainage improvements, bridge updates and a new trail along the river. In separate stories—one focused on infrastructure and the other on residential and commercial projects—reporters Dave Lindquist and Mickey Shuey offer the details. Plus, John Russell explains why Eli Lilly and Co.'s surging stock price means the Lilly Endowment—which has no affiliation to the company but whose assets are mostly in Lilly stock—will soon need to give away more cash.

Get a good look at Indianapolis’ future with the latest edition of IBJ’s annual Forty Under 40 feature, spotlighting the young movers and shakers who are setting the tone for central Indiana and getting things done. Also in this week’s issue, John Russell reports that 14 of Indiana’s 54 rural hospitals are at immediate risk of closing due to continued financial losses and lack of financial reserves. And Mickey Shuey has details on the $80 million conversion of downtown’s 20-story AT&T building into luxury apartments.

It’s been nearly two years since COVID-19 led Delta Air Lines to stop flying its Indianapolis-to-Paris route, and airport officials still can’t say when the flight will return. Mickey Shuey unpacks how they hope to reestablish trans-Atlantic flights. Also in this week’s issue, Susan Orr explains how Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is having a direct impact on Indiana technology companies. And Leslie Bonilla Muñiz reports that two long-abandoned brownfields in Indianapolis could be revived with a $90 million overhaul for manufacturing and food processing.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has forced some of Indiana’s largest corporations to ponder difficult questions in recent weeks—how to protect their employees and their business interests in those countries while also condemning the Russian government’s actions. Susan Orr details how companies such as Cummins, Corteva, Elanco, Eli Lilly and Co. and Zimmer Biomet have tried to respond in ways that support Ukraine while limiting the harm to Russian employees and customers. Also in this week’s paper, Mickey Shuey examines how developers are approaching the recent gush of redevelopment opportunities for city-owned properties downtown. And Leslie Bonilla Muñiz reports how Indianapolis residents are taking street improvements into their own hands thanks to a new city policy that lets citizens install temporary, low-cost solutions to safety problems.

Restaurateurs are happy to see customers flooding back into their businesses, but the relief is leavened by skyrocketing labor and food costs. Dave Lindquist digs into the priciest items and how local restaurants are handling the effects of inflation. Also in this week’s issue, Emily Ketterer examines the move in the Statehouse to reduce taxes on vaping products. And Susan Orr reports that local companies that offer online meeting and collaboration platforms still see a lot of opportunity ahead, despite signs that the pandemic is waning and in-person activities are safer.

Three Black-owned businesses are planning moves downtown as part of a larger effort to help the city’s sore recover from the pandemic. Dave Lindquist reports that they’re getting help from a not-for-profit that has emerged as a local leader in diversity initiatives. Also in this week’s issue, John Russell explains how the sprawling case against Bloomington-based Cook Medical has ballooned into one of the largest and longest civil actions in Indiana history. And Mickey Shuey outlines how Indianapolis is embracing esports on the professional and academic level with hopes of become a national player.

Indianapolis has put more than $30 million into its Violent Crime Prevention Grants Program since 2009, but homicides have skyrocketed. Leslie Bonilla Muñiz reports that as the city plans to spend $45 million in federal pandemic money for programs aimed at quelling violent crime, some stakeholders want to see clear-cut results. Also in this week’s issue, Dave Lindquist explains why many Indy-area restaurant owners have unfinished business with the underfunded federal Restaurant Revitalization Fund. And Mickey Shuey explores the question of whether Indianapolis should try to nab hosting duties for another Super Bowl when warm-weather cities—and those with new NFL stadiums—are favored.