Federal stimulus funds and greenhouse-gas legislation have the potential to spark a green version of the Gold Rush. Many Indiana
firms are retooling to sell products or services that are or might soon be in demand.
The Hamilton County Alliance economic development group has spun off its Entrepreneurship Advancement Center, which serves
fast-growing startup businesses in Carmel, Fishers, Noblesville, Westfield and the rest of Hamilton County.
Quest Information Systems does the kind of contracting where any screw-ups—even those not necessarily of its own
doing—can bring an unflattering public spotlight. The Indianapolis custom software developer works for politicians
and bureaucrats, a group many businesses seek to avoid.
More emerging life science companies have found life in the form of federal
Small Business Innovation Research grants.
The federal “Cash for Clunkers” program has opened a floodgate of car sales that President Obama
says is a much-needed boost for the economy. But retailers may feel the negative effects of America’s collective investment
in new cars, predicts a Purdue Retail Institute researcher.
EnerDel, an Indianapolis-based producer of automotive lithium-ion batteries, will receive $118.5 million in a matching grant
from the federal government.
Gov. Mitch Daniels expected his unprecedented $3.8 billion Indiana Toll Road lease to last 75 years. It may be tested after
just three.
Carmel-based Dormir LLC’s announcement July 29 of $12 million in venture financing was the second local life sciences
deal announced in July. It could suggest a turnaround from a woeful second-quarter performance, when Indiana life
sciences firms announced zero venture capital deals.
Gov. Mitch Daniels failed to get the legislature to bite on his plan to lease out the Hoosier
Lottery in order to pay for two-year college scholarships. So he’s now he’s using $31 million in federal stimulus funds
to create a similar program for about 9,000 Hoosiers.
Destinations throughout Indiana no longer can count on a state marketing campaign to help drive summer crowds. Lawmakers who
passed a budget during the special session at the end of June sliced the state’s annual contribution
to the Indiana Office of Tourism Management in half—from $4.8 million to $2.4 million.
Cost management was the operative phrase in the introduction this month of a highway executive to manage the Interstate
69 extension to Evansville.
Hotel sales and marketing executive Michelle Travis is joining the Indianapolis Convention & Visitors Association
as vice president of sales.
A growing number of Indianapolis residents are making the most of their public library system. The Indianapolis-Marion
County Public Library system says it’s on pace for a record year in terms of use by patrons and items circulated.
Economic development officials like the stability of the food business, though wages typically are mediocre.
A municipality has filed the first formal complaint against a cable television operator since state telecommunications reform
three years ago unplugged local government oversight of operators.
Indiana has made billions on gambling in nearly two decades, funding key programs, cutting excise and property taxes, and
avoiding tax hikes. The state has seen more than $2 billion in investment without any government incentives,
and more dollars committed in our history than by any industry outside of steel, power and autos.
Mayor Greg Ballard’s
administration is requesting proposals to manage all but one of Indianapolis’
13 municipal courses.
A new business plan is in the works for the high-end Monon Center in Carmel.
City to unleash $3.8 million for improvements in United North West Area.
A state budget was passed June 30, but it’s balanced on the backs of poor children. Legislators
deserve praise for at least slightly increasing overall education funding, but because of a flawed funding
formula, urban districts such as Indianapolis Public Schools actually will lose money in the next two
years.
