Toll-road lease tumbles in value
Gov. Mitch Daniels expected his unprecedented $3.8 billion Indiana Toll Road lease to last 75 years. It may be tested after
just three.
Distribution & Logistics
Articles
INDOT hires executive to manage Interstate 69 extension
Cost management was the operative phrase in the introduction this month of a highway executive to manage the Interstate
69 extension to Evansville.
House bill aims to restore GM, Chrysler dealers
Palmer Chrysler Jeep Dodge on the west side closed last month as part of Chrysler LLC’s bankruptcy reorganization. But
the dealership would sell the company’s cars once more given the chance.
Construction jobs trickling in from road stimulus
Federal stimulus money for Indiana highway projects so far has put to work 1,222 people with a payroll of $1.27 million,
according to state records of 42 projects under way in which contractors have reported job data. The work, ranging
from paving to replacing bridge decks, had a total contract value of $39.2 million.
Natural-gas car proposal could boost Greensburg Honda plant
Hoping to spur alternative vehicles, lawmakers want to double the size of tax breaks on cars that run on natural gas. That
could be good news for Indiana, where Honda Motor Corp. produces the natural-gas-powered Civic GX in Greensburg.
For sale: Pieces of old Indianapolis airport
Commercial Liquidators of America has landed the job of auctioning off furnishings and equipment from the old airport terminal at Indianapolis International Airport.
Republic growth strategy fraught with risk
By purchasing two struggling airlines for which it flies, Republic Airways Holdings is taking aboard substantial risks that
threaten its profitable niche, analysts say. Frontier Airlines and Midwest Airlines are not only leaking money, but fly at
an altitude where major carriers routinely dogfight
in a fare war Republic hasn’t had to fight as a contract carrier.
Expanded FedEx cargo hub not meeting expectations
Indianapolis International Airport, already suffering from a 10-percent drop in passenger traffic and a projected $15 million
revenue shortfall this year, is also feeling financial drag from its single most important tenant. FedEx Express cargo shipments,
which amount to about half of the $25 million in airfield fees generated at the airport, fell
16 percent in the first three months of this year vs. the same period last year.
Transit can be economic engine
We applaud the efforts of those who are laying the groundwork for viable mass transit in the Indianapolis area.
Transit, sustainable development likely to be themes in rescue of near-north neighborhood
Local leaders and, soon, a national team of experts, are quietly developing a strategy to revitalize Marion County’s biggest
concentration of brownfield sites and impoverished urban neighborhoods, centered at East 22nd Street and the Monon Trail.
Remove barriers to lower costs
By preserving residency as a condition to distribute booze, our Legislature is protecting Indiana’s existing liquor distributors, many of whom do business in neighboring states like Illinois and Michigan. This antiquated standard is anti-competitive and ultimately means higher prices and reduced selection for Indiana residents.
Project manager named for I-70 beautification
Cripe Architects and Engineers has been named lead consultant on a $2 million project to beautify five Interstate 70 interchanges.
Not shying away from private jet sales
Eagle Creek Aviation Services CEO Matt Hagans has taken delivery of the first of 17 Phenom 100 business jets from Brazilian
aircraft maker Embraer.
Top logistics execs draw road map for industry
On the menu of Indiana’s economic development initiatives, the logistics industry has had all the appeal of truck stop coffee.
Meanwhile, the information technology and life sciences sectors—and recently clean tech—have had everyone salivating. Logistics, however, is cooking up a new strategy.
Grad students dream up plans for mass transit
Architecture and urban design students from Ball State have created a vision for urban renewal that is arguably more compelling
than the Central Indiana Regional
Transit Authority’s principal, utilitarian goal of reducing northeast-side highway congestion and air pollution by running
a diesel commuter train atop the old Nickel Plate Railroad corridor.
Price tag for I-69 project growing
The environmental report shows that the extension for Interstate 69 will cost at least $3 billion.
Shuel-Walker builds HP Products into distribution giant
President of the company since 2000, Bridget Shuel-Walker, 42, oversees a distribution operation with $180 million in annual
sales and a work force of more than 400, making it the second-largest woman-owned business in Indianapolis.
Project aims to make electric plug-in cars a reality
A partnership of electric utilities and technology companies is intent on making Indianapolis the first city in the nation to test plug-in electrics on a mass scale, perhaps starting later this year.
Ballard trip to explore clean energy
Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard and other city officials will travel to Brazil in May to explore renewable-energy production,
in hopes of making the city a leader in the technology.
Auto sellers want refuge from industry fallout, but trio of bills have fallen flat at Statehouse
Car dealers fearful of losing their flagship brands if auto manufacturers crash and burn aren’t getting much help from the
Indiana General Assembly.