New political website hopes to help small campaigns
A Republican and Democrat are coming together in an election year to help “the little guys” run for office.
Government & Economic Development
Articles
Gay-advocacy group gears up for civil rights campaign
Freedom Indiana named a campaign director on Wednesday and plans to start hiring workers for state outreach, hoping to spur political leaders to expand Indiana’s civil rights protections.
Local manufacturer Saran plans Kokomo plant
Saran Industries announced Tuesday that it would spend $4.4 million to lease and renovate a 250,000-square-foot facility, hiring up to 60 workers over the next four years.
Hamilton County moving ahead with judicial center expansion
The addition could cost as much as $22 million. Officials opted against constructing a new building east of State Road 37, thus keeping users and employees in downtown Noblesville.
Online music retailer Sweetwater adding 285 jobs
Sweetwater Sound Inc. says it will invest $8.8 million in expanding its Fort Wayne headquarters and creating up to 285 new jobs by the end of 2018.
Funding for fire tower in Hamilton County dies without a vote
Public safety officials expressed no interest in a compromise to fund the fire tower, leading the Hamilton County Council to not take a vote on the $568,000 proposal.
Indy Parks director leaving for position in Texas
Indy Parks Director John Williams has accepted the position of director of parks and recreation in Waco, Texas, the city of Indianapolis announced Wednesday morning.
Seven regional groups seek part of $84M from Pence-backed plan
Local officials submitted plans to create vibrant “regional cities” and increase their populations—but only two groups will get matching funds to put their proposals into action.
Agricultural lab planning $12M facility near airport
Sure-Tech Laboratories wants to relocate its Indianapolis operations from leased space at 2435 Kentucky Ave., south of Raymond Street, to a 5,832-acre site west of South Girls School Road and north of West Washington Street.
Business interests donate $2.1 million for Pence travel
Indiana Gov. Mike Pence's travels promoting Indiana as a business haven have been paid for by companies that donated more than $2.1 million to the state's economic development efforts.
Finish Line seeking tax break for local expansion
The Indianapolis-based retailer of athletic apparel plans to spend $1.3 million to add new equipment and create 100 jobs at its far-east side headquarters and distribution facility, the company disclosed.
County assessors may push for stricter big-box tax laws
County assessors say a new law didn’t go far enough to protect counties from losing out on tax revenue from retailers in search of lower tax bills.
Thousands in Indiana could lose food stamps under new rule
Food pantries and social service agencies across Indiana are bracing for the possibility that up to 50,000 people could lose food stamp benefits this fall unless they comply with a change in federal work and job training requirements.
UPDATE: Tech firm moving HQ from San Francisco to Indy
Technology consulting firm Appirio Inc. plans to move its corporate headquarters from San Francisco to Indianapolis and boost its local employment by more than 425 workers over the next five years, the company announced Friday.
Star launches ‘aggressive’ campaign to expand LGBT rights
The Indianapolis Star has been criticized this week for launching an initiative to convince state political leaders to expand Indiana’s civil rights law to include sexual orientation and gender identity.
ACLU of Indiana challenges state law banning ballot photos
The lawsuit filed Thursday in federal court in Indianapolis contends the law that took effect July 1 violates Indiana voters' First Amendment rights.
BlueIndy faces challenges in quest for wide adoption
BlueIndy plans to charge past its skeptics as its electric car-sharing program launches in Indianapolis Sept. 2, leaving behind the political consternation about whether Mayor Greg Ballard went rogue in green-lighting the program in the first place.
TIF glitch may imperil projects in Midtown
TWG Development LLC has agreed to pay $3 million to buy part of the AT&T property near the busy intersection of College Avenue and Kessler Boulevard to build a $39 million apartment project with an underground parking garage.
Pence headed to Japan on an economic development trip
Indiana Gov. Mike Pence plans to attend the Japan-U.S. Midwest Conference, meet with business executives and government leaders and host an economic development reception.
Lawmakers hear from advocates on police body camera rules
Lawmakers must take into account many considerations as they explore state restrictions on police body camera footage that is publicly released.