State to scope downtown block for new offices, parking
The Office of Management and Budget will study a state-owned parcel just north of the Statehouse, potentially to house the judiciary and provide more legislative office space.
Government & Economic Development
Articles
Unemployment applications drop to lowest level in 7 years
The numbers suggest a strengthening job market, especially since hiring is at its healthiest clip since the late 1990s, and the 6.1 percent unemployment rate is at a 5 1/2-year low.
State officials confident federal highway funds will come through
Indiana has not solidified contingency plans that would be needed if Congress fails to pass a deal to cover a shortfall in a federal highway fund.
Pence wraps up UK trade trip after blitz of meetings
The governor met Wednesday with a company considering Indiana for its U.S. operations, but his office would not identify the firm.
Report: Carmel panel may face TIF shortfall but can pay debts
New financial projections suggest the Carmel Redevelopment Commission will have enough annual revenue to pay its debts for the next 15 years before dipping into reserves. But property taxes from the city’s two-dozen TIF districts could fall more than $1 million short as soon as next year.
Competition soars at Indianapolis-area airports
An airport near Zionsville is upping the ante for Indianapolis International Airport reliever fields.
City marshals $400,000 for Monument Circle events, projects
The city, National Endowment for the Arts and Central Indiana Community Foundation have contributed to the plan for expanding amenities, activities and attractions on the Circle.
Convenience stores remount challenge to cold-beer laws
Convenience stores in Indiana are appealing a decision from a federal judge in June that continued to prohibit them from selling cold beer.
South Bend council rejects smoking ban for bars
By a 5-4 vote, South Bend failed to join major Indiana cities such as Indianapolis and Fort Wayne that go further than state law to prohibit smoking inside taverns.
Maplehurst plans expansion into Lebanon, 219 jobs
Maplehurst, which is based in Brownsburg, said it will renovate and equip a 180,000-square-foot facility in Lebanon that will house the warehouse, distribution and manufacturing operations for its cake and cupcake products.
UPDATE: Indiana surplus tops $2B after spending cuts
The cash reserves for Indiana's state government grew to more than $2 billion after spending cuts by most state agencies and a reduction in state funding for higher education.
Hogsett to resign this month as U.S. attorney
Joe Hogsett, 58, has long been the subject of rumored bids for both Indianapolis mayor and U.S. senator. His resignation letter on Monday made no mention of future plans.
Indiana county planning to start aquaculture park
A central Indiana county is working on plans for a 60-acre aquaculture park in hopes of attracting more business connected with fish production.
Hogsett to resign this month as U.S. attorney
Joe Hogsett, 58, has long been the subject of rumored bids for both Indianapolis mayor and U.S. senator. His resignation letter on Monday made no mention of future plans.
City focuses on streets in $30M natatorium plan
Mayor Greg Ballard on Monday morning unveiled details of the plan, in which IUPUI and Lilly Endowment each contribute $10 million for the IU Natatorium renovation. The city’s $10 million part of the plan involves nearby streets.
Excise police warn retirement home about social-hour alcohol
Indiana excise police told Meadowood Retirement Community that it could no longer serve its residents alcohol without a state liquor license from the Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Commission.
UPDATE: ACLU asks fed attorney to recognize Indiana gay marriages
Attorneys are asking U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder to step in on behalf of hundreds of same-sex couples who were wed before a federal appeals court stayed an order striking down Indiana’s gay marriage ban.
Owner of controversial Geist billboard sues city
The company is seeking nearly $1 million from the city after it was forced to remove the billboard, even though it conformed to zoning guidelines for the property.
City to barricade Broad Ripple street to help curb violence
Indianapolis officials plan to close a two-block portion of Broad Ripple Avenue to motor vehicles on Friday and Saturday nights for the rest of the summer.
Democratic city-county councilors want police to live inside county
IMPD officers are not required to live in the city, and about 240, or 16 percent of the force, choose to reside elsewhere. Many of the city’s highest-crime neighborhoods have the fewest police officers as residents.