Indiana’s unemployment rate dips in July
At 3.4%, Indiana’s rate remained lower than those of all neighboring states and the country as a whole.
Government & Economic Development
Articles
Hogsett wants city street crews to operate more like police force—on beats
An $8 million DPW budget increase proposed Thursday would add street operators and a second shift of operations. Also on Thursday, the public works committee unanimously approved a proposal to appropriate $40 million in revenue bonds to fund road and bridge infrastructure.
Technology to make address canvassing easier for 2020 census
In Marion County, 20% of households still have to be verified during the address-canvassing process, but that’s the smallest amount in the central Indiana region.
Holcomb folding agency for growing defense sector under IEDC’s wing
The governor also has named a 41-year military veteran as the new point person for the Indiana Office of Defense Development as it becomes a business unit of the Indiana Economic Development Corp.
Fishers deputy mayor McGrath rules out run for U.S. Congress
Leah McGrath, a Republican, had been considered a possible candidate in Indiana’s 5th District, which is being vacated by Rep. Susan Brooks. Brooks has represented the district since 2013.
Popular Medicare Advantage plans come under fire
Regulators say the insurance industry has been annually overbilling the government by billions of dollars, and now the federal government is stepping up moves to recoup money.
New workforce initiative helping firms get smarter with hiring
Skillful Indiana teaches skills-based hiring practices and trains career coaches so they can better connect job seekers with open positions.
City to repurpose some public golf courses
Indy Parks is grappling with the future of its 13 courses based on declining revenue and interest, and millions of dollars in eventual facility upgrades.
Former Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard says he’s not running for Congress
Ballard had been one of several Republicans suspected of being interested in running for Indiana’s 5th District, which is being vacated by Rep. Susan Brooks next year.
Presidential candidates use Indy convention to talk about racial inequality
Five Democratic presidential candidates shared their vision for creating more equality on issues like jobs, wages, health care and voting rights Thursday morning at the annual National Urban League conference at the Indiana Convention Center.
City to tie incentives to $18-an-hour pay
Starting Jan. 1, Develop Indy will change the way it awards millions of dollars in tax abatements and training grants annually. Only businesses that pay workers at least $18 an hour, give them access to health care benefits and support other community programs will be eligible.
U.S. Sen. Todd Young, others fight for progress on smoking
Young is out front nationally on a key anti-smoking platform: Raising the minimum age for buying tobacco to 21.
Zionsville manufacturer plans to hire 39 as part of $7.5M expansion
GCI Slingers said it will add 10,000 square feet to its existing 20,000-square-foot facility at 5005 W. 106th St.
Council committee stalemate could stall plans for $66M apartment development
The Metropolitan and Economic Development Committee of the City-County Council could not reach a consensus Monday on a recommendation for a long-delayed 11-story downtown project at 421 N. Pennsylvania St.
Holcomb makes re-election bid official, says ‘we’re going to do even more’
The governor made his announcement in front of several hundred supporters at the Hoosier Gym in Knightstown.
Electric vehicle company puts Indiana factory plans on hold
An electric vehicle startup has halted plans to start production at a northern Indiana factory and hire more than 450 workers.
Labor Secretary Acosta resigning amid Epstein deal scrutiny
Labor Secretary Alexander Acosta said Friday he is resigning following renewed scrutiny of his handling of a 2008 secret plea deal with wealthy financier Jeffrey Esptein , who is accused of sexually abusing dozens of underage girls.
Teachers union sues DeVos over embattled loan relief program
The American Federation of Teachers filed a federal lawsuit, alleging that the Education Department has mismanaged the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program that was created in 2007. Just 1% of more than 86,000 applications had been approved for loan forgiveness as of March 31.
Trump kills key drug price proposal he once embraced
The drug rebate rule would have ended a widespread practice in which drugmakers give rebates to insurance middlemen in government programs such as Medicare. The idea was to channel that money to consumers instead.
Merritt calls Hogsett’s food insecurity plan ‘complete waste of money’
Republican mayoral candidate state Sen. Jim Merritt on Thursday criticized Mayor Joe Hogsett’s plan to spend about $580,000 on programs to combat food insecurity in Indianapolis and said it “will likely make the problem worse.”