Search – Indianapolis Business Journal

Home » Search

Articles

Federal grants are flying to Indiana airports: Record money a boon for capital improvements

January 3, 2005

Indiana airports landed record federal grants of $61.9 million in fiscal 2004 for everything from building taxiways to extending runways to transmitting weather data to pilots. The $17 million, or 38 percent, increase from 2003 could bode well for economic development in cities with growing airports, such as Columbus. “About 65 percent of our traffic here is business during the week. The more accessible we become, it’s bound to have an impact,” said Rod Blasdel, manager of Columbus Municipal Airport….

Parking protest: Spurned operator questions airport contracting methods

January 17, 2005

The nation’s largest parking operator is complaining that Indianapolis International Airport canceled its joint-venture contract and handed the business to the local half of the venture without seeking competing proposals. Nashville, Tenn.-based Central Parking Corp. said that, given the chance, it would have offered the airport more to manage the Premier Business Class parking lot than its now-former partner, Global Parking System of Carmel, did. A counteroffer from Central came after the Indianapolis Airport A u t h o r…

New plan, player for tower: Facing deadline, developer hopes design shift lures buyers

January 24, 2005

Developers struggling to meet the pre-sale threshold for high-rise condos on the Market Square Arena site have tapped a Chicago firm to formulate a more marketable mix for the first phase. Mesa Development LLC is working with the team on a fee basis, said Terry Parrott, manager of Market Square Partners, which was chosen nearly a year ago to build twin 29-story, 225-unit condominium towers and 175,000 square feet of retail space on the four-acre site formerly occupied by Market…

Head of IT firm ensures company primed for growth: She started business to offer customized training but altered her strategy as circumstances changed Strategic decisions “She almost vibrates” Female support

February 14, 2005

Kathy Carrier’s dad was angry when she left a lucrative job at a Fortune 500 company to start her own firm. But four years later, when she won an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award, he told his daughter: “Clearly your vision for yourself was greater than the one I had for you.” In less than seven years, Carrier, 46, has built her Fort Wayne-based information technology writing and training firm, Briljent LLC, into a business with annual…

Carpenter moving forward as independent brokerage: Execs confident of success without GMAC affiliation Name has value

February 21, 2005

Armed with a stack of market research chock full of industry sales figures, Tom Prall says he’s certain Carpenter Realtors will carry on just fine without any outside assistance. Prall has led the south-side residential real estate agency the past 30 years and recently guided its divestiture from national franchise GMAC, a division of Detroitbased General Motors Corp. With the contentious split behind him, the former Marine first lieutenant, who served in South Vietnam, is poised to navigate Carpenter through…

Software firm on the rebound: Move to private status, restructuring help Made2Manage move into profitability

March 7, 2005

Made2Manage Systems Inc. is beginning to make strides, both in profitability and perception, since completing its metamorphosis from a public to private enterprise 18 months ago. The software maker that staged its initial public offering in 1997 posted a peak loss of $4.7 million four years later amid a soft economy. Its health improved the following year in 2002, when losses totaled $690,000. But by then, Made2Manage executives had concluded an investor-led acquisition would be the best elixir to nurse…

SPORTS: Tournament committee ready to pick and defend

March 7, 2005

He describes the experience as gutwrenching, intense, agonizing and exhausting. But also, some kind of fun. “It’s like going off to basketball junkies camp for a week,” said Jon LeCrone, commissioner of the Indianapolis-based Horizon League. “Camp” convenes this Wednesday, when LeCrone joins nine other members of the NCAA’s Division I men’s basketball committee to select, seed and bracket the 65 invitees to the tournament, aka the Big Dance. To be sure, it’s not Camp Granada, with rustic cabins, bunk…

SPORTS: No more excuses for the fortunate Coach Davis

March 28, 2005

I find it semi-amusing that Mike Davis has to be publicly reminded that there are higher expectations for Indiana University basketball than seconddivision Big Ten finishes or NIT bids, that “We’re No. 4” is not an acceptable rallying cry, that the fans are demanding, that the boosters tend to be cranky and that, gee, a third mediocre season in a row might cost him his $800,000-a-year job. Well, yeah. So? Nonetheless, now the basketball literally is in Davis’ court. Which…

Chicago Express is not only asset ATA Holdings to jettison: More than $1.7 million for Boeing 727s won’t land in ATA’s pocket

March 28, 2005

As ATA Holdings Corp. prepares to ditch its Chicago Express commuter line after a tiresome series of low-ball bids, another batch of its aircraft about to be sold won’t fetch much attention-or even a dime-for the Indianapolis carrier. Up to seven of ATA’s former Boeing 727s and as many as 20 engines for the tri-engine aircraft are to be sold by early April for at least $1.7 million, according to documents filed by ATA earlier this month in U.S. District…

Smoking warriors expand battlefield: Health advocates accuse grocers, retailers of misleading public with smoke-free claims

April 11, 2005

Bars and restaurants aren’t the only firms that will soon feel the heat from health advocates pushing laws to ban smoking in public places. Some are broadening their gaze to drugstores and even supermarkets as potential health risks-and they’re naming names of offending businesses. It’s a radical approach in a mildmannered metro area, where few dare to poke fingers in the eyes of the business or political elite. And it’s in stark contrast to groups such as Smoke Free Indy,…

SPORTS: Age-defying Reggie bids a historic farewell

April 18, 2005

So much for the meat. Now all we have left is an uncertain supply of NBA playoff gravy. Lap it up while you can. Will we ever see another like No. 31? Will we ever see another who is such an inspiring combination of talent, loyalty, longevity and professionalism? Will we ever have another to represent us so nobly on the stage of professional sports, and to single-handedly carve so many memorable moments into our collective consciousness? We can only…

Building trades set for takeoff: Construction companies line up for first set of bids on $300M midfield terminal

May 9, 2005

The Indianapolis Airport Authority board on May 9 is expected to vote to approve the letting of the first six construction packages. They’re worth a total of $70 million, said Midfield Program Manager John Kish. That’s about a quarter of the $300 million terminal building’s price tag. The $974 million midfield project also includes a new airport entrance at I-70 and Six Points Road. But it’s the terminal building that has broad appeal to the trades. “I’d say this is…

‘Rat’ campaign targets projects: Union-hired protesters picket non-union contractors

May 23, 2005

Union supporters have no plans to exterminate the giant rats that have become a common sight downtown, as they continue to pressure certain contractors to pay what they consider fair wages. That is the message from the Indiana/Kentucky Regional Council of Carpenters, the labor organization that has adopted the rodent as its mascot for a campaign targeting various downtown construction projects. Organizers said the effort is twofold: to create public awareness that union contractors are losing work, and to better…

Phone-system expert answers entrepreneurial call: Via savvy marketing, she turned her knowledge of telecommunications into a thriving consulting business

June 13, 2005

When Barb Grothe said goodbye to her paycheck and job security 19 years ago, she was just a little scared and wondered, “Now what do I do?” She had office space for her new telecommunications consulting company, Telecom Resources, and 15 years of experience, but no clients. So she went about making herself known: she wrote articles for magazines, newspapers and journals (including IBJ) and scheduled speaking engagements. Almost each venture produced new clients, and Grothe was on her way….

Shrinkage a growing problem: Manufacturers seek ways to stem product losses

June 13, 2005

The U.S. manufacturing industry has begun rebounding from its economic swoon, but some industry experts think more manufacturers must become more efficient and eliminate waste if they are to compete in the current global climate. While the Manufacturers Alliance, an Arlington, Va.-based business and public policy research group, projected manufacturing growth of 3.4 percent this year and 3 percent in 2006, big challenges remain. One growing problem is the so-called shrinkage factor, defined in manufacturing as the percentage by which…

ATA captain bids bon voyage to Orion: Mikelsons unloads $4.95 million luxury vessel as company’s struggles take toll on his assets

July 4, 2005

ATA Holdings Corp. Chairman J. George Mikelsons has sold his $4.95 million yacht and has been handed a regal bill for its crew’s pay and benefits-the latest blow to the fortunes of the bankrupt airline’s founder. “When pilots get together, one of the things that always comes up is, ‘Why does George still have his boats?’ People still complain,” said Rusty Ayers of the Air Line Pilots Association, in Chicago. “We used to joke that if they ever got furloughed,…

Universities reach out to improve diversity: Purdue, IU use local offices to lure minority suppliers

July 4, 2005

Purdue University’s most recent step includes opening an office in Indianapolis that will serve as a contact point for minority-owned companies that are interested in doing business with the school. Purdue also is becoming one of the major sponsors of the annual Indiana Black Expo. These two projects are being headed by Jesse Moore, who became Purdue’s manager for supplier diversity development in February. Moore previously led the Indianapolis Black Chamber of Commerce for nine years. Officials say it’s important…

Builders pine for acreage: Earlham expects big bucks from land freed by deal

July 11, 2005

Like vultures circling a lone man in the desert, local developers and home builders are jockeying to swoop in and take 413 acres of prime Carmel land when owner Earlham College gives it up following its settlement with Conner Prairie. But Earlham, recognizing the prominence of the last large undeveloped tract in eastern Carmel, isn’t going gently. Interested parties-more than two dozen, at last count-will be required to undergo a formal proposal process before one can feast on the farmland….

Fly by security – for a price: ‘Registered traveler’ program to let passengers pay to avoid long lines

September 26, 2005

Business fliers accustomed to first-class seating will soon be eligible for privileged security screening at Indianapolis International Airport. Airport operator BAA Indianapolis is about to seek proposals from firms to operate a “registered traveler” program. It will entitle any frequent travelers who pass a government background check to use special security checkpoints-bypassing long lines and trouserloosening “secondary screening” passengers must sometimes endure. No more suffering in line behind bubble-gum-popping teens headed for Aruba. Show your registered traveler ID card and…

CHRIS KATTERJOHN Commentary: Public notice still critical in Indiana

October 31, 2005

I hate to get all philosophical on you, but a free press is critical to democracy. In the free world, newspapers have always played the dual roles of information provider and watchdog. Readers expect to learn what’s happening by reading newspapers. When it comes to publicly funded government entities, the role of watchdog is particularly critical. Newspapers throw the light of day on the workings of government so citizens can see how their money is spent and keep their elected…

1 2 3 … 61 Next »

Search Results

1,212 results for 'bids'