Indy launches tenant advocate program as eviction moratorium ends
Housing advocates, including pro bono attorneys and law students, will provide legal advice and mediation and negotiation services during an expected surge in evictions.
Government & Economic Development
Articles
Crane steps down as head of state’s Department of Administration
Lesley Crane is expected to join the private sector, ending a 14-year career in public service. Her work included serving as former Indiana House Speaker Brian Bosma’s chief of staff for five years.
Lawmakers, citizens groups gird for redistricting session
The usual gerrymandering is expected this year as the Legislature embarks on the once-a-decade process of redistricting, though public scrutiny is expected to be much greater than in previous years.
Purdue, INDOT team up to investigate next-generation vehicle charging
The project focuses on whether wireless charging could be adapted for highway use, allowing electric vehicles to refresh their batteries while they drive along specially equipped stretches of road.
Elanco’s $100M headquarters gets final funding approval from city
The project was given a final, and unanimous, approval by the city’s Metropolitan Development Commission—the last step necessary to allow the city to request the funds from the Indianapolis Bond Bank.
Emmis to take AM 1070 off the air, although The Fan remains on FM stations
Emmis Communications Corp. says the signal’s towers in Whitestown will be dismantled to make way for development.
Indiana restarts federal unemployment payments while court battle plays out
The Indiana Department of Workforce Development said those who have remained unemployed since federal payments were cut off last month will begin receiving back payments.
Indiana unemployment in holding pattern above pre-pandemic rate
Indiana’s unemployment rate has been hovering at or near 4% for the last sixth months. It was 3.3% in March 2020, just before the pandemic triggered wide-scale layoffs and job losses.
Indiana evictions could surge post-moratorium
A federal freeze on most evictions that was enacted last year is scheduled to expire July 31. Although no statewide data exists, Indiana housing experts estimated that roughly 13% of tenants—about 106,000 Indiana households—are at risk of eviction.
Hoosiers getting state tax refund after surprising revenue surplus
Overall tax collections came in about 14% higher than a year ago, giving Indiana a surplus of almost $3.9 billion and triggering a tax refund.
City wants building owners to track utility use
A city proposal to require tracking of municipal and commercial energy use could save millions of dollars, reduce emissions by thousands of tons and cut water usage by billions of gallons in less than a decade.
Regions form to apply for statewide economic grant program
More than 50 cities and counties across Indiana have partnered to form nine regions to apply for the state’s $500 million READI grant program.
Pressure grows on Biden to curb ransomware attacks
Although last week’s attack appears to have caused what Biden called “minimal damage” to U.S. businesses, it rattled national security officials, and personnel at key federal agencies worked through the July 4 holiday weekend to assess the damage.
Indiana’s parks and preserves land $57M in upgrades
Indiana’s state parks, forests and trails—long starving for cash and maintenance—will receive money for improvements at nearly 50 state properties and the first new state park inn in more than 80 years.
State Fair lands $50M to turn swine barn into multiuse facility
The pigs at the Indiana State Fair are officially getting a new place to stay after the state released $50 million to replace the almost century-old swine barn with a multiuse facility that will also be able to host large sporting events.
Governor to lead business development trip to Qatar
Indiana’s delegation is scheduled to leave Indianapolis on Monday, July 5, and return Friday, July 9.
House passes $700B transportation and water bill, making its pitch on infrastructure
The package provides $343 billion for roads, bridges and safety programs, $109 billion for transit agencies and $95 billion for rail. It also includes $117 billion for drinking water programs and $51 billion for wastewater infrastructure.
Noblesville approves $142M master plan for 274 acres near Hamilton Town Center
The conceptual design for Hyde Park lays the groundwork for mixed-used buildings, multifamily housing, neighborhood retail and office space, a senior living community and a park to be developed near Interstate 69 over the next 10 years.
Indy awards $400,000 to 40 community organizations for crime-prevention projects
Dozens of Indianapolis community organizations based in districts experiencing high levels of violent crime will receive grants aimed at addressing root causes of crime and violence.
Judge rules Indiana must continue extra federal unemployment benefits
Gov. Eric Holcomb and the state’s Workforce Development office “will discuss an immediate appeal of the judge’s order with the Attorney General,” the governor’s office said.