Even for those with
a vested interest in the battle over a proposed landfill near Anderson, it’s hard to get too worked up over the latest twist
before the courts or government agencies. After all, the Mallard Lake Landfill battle is in its 29th year.
Two giants of local business are preparing to slug it out in court over a soured sublease deal. Marsh Supermarkets filed
suit in Hamilton County this month to enforce a deal with Swiss pharmaceutical and medical-equipment powerhouse
Roche to sublease the grocer’s entire 148,000-square-foot headquarters in Fishers. The deal, worth more
than $47 million over 18 years, is one of the largest of its kind in central Indiana in years.
Indiana University and the city of Bloomington are at odds over how best to commercialize the university’s discoveries–or,
more specifically, where to commercialize them.
The next few weeks will be critical for the state’s two new racinos, which need to open with a splash to meet their ambitious
projections of drawing more than 3 million visitors apiece annually. Hoosier Park in Anderson will open June 2, and Indiana
Downs in Shelbyville will follow a week later.
Tampa, Fla.-based DeBartolo Development has reached a preliminary agreement to buy Plainfield’s Metropolis mall out of foreclosure
and hopes to hook Macy’s and Bass Pro Shops to anchor a second phase.
Around Indiana, hospitals continue to grow and add workers, increasing their role as an economic driver to the state’s economy.
But health care reformers say hospital growth has a double edge, as higher health care costs dampen growth prospects for other
Indiana employers and their workers.
Since its founding 17 years ago, Indianapolis-based Harlan Bakeries LLC has built its reputation, and its fortune, on making
bagels. Untold millions of bagels. Considering the number of conventional treats Harlan turns out, it might be easy to overlook
its newest project: producing a non-medical “diet cookie” for Boca Raton, Fla.-based Smart For Life Weight Management Centers.
Among those who stake their livelihood on tourism there is a sense that Brown County is at a crossroads. That dilemma is evident
in decisions about whether to refurbish aging hotel rooms, update restaurant decor or close shop for the off-season.
A multi-court basketball fieldhouse is doing such brisk business in Fishers, its owners have decided to franchise the operation.
Scott Burton, CEO of The Fieldhouse, said deals have already been signed with franchisees in Merrillville and in Naperville,
Ill.
Clarian Health officials say the only way they can keep operating their medical centers downtown is to support them with profitable
suburban hospitals. So far, it seems Clarian is on the right track. As Clarian moves forward with a new, $180 million hospital
in Fishers, its two existing suburban hospitals are starting to make money.
Shelbyville leaders and residents are grumbling about restrictions the Indiana Economic Development Corp. just slapped on
Intelliplex, their $22.8 million certified technology park.
Plans abound to bring new health care facilities to Brownsburg, one of Hendricks County’s fast-growing towns. Some familiar
local names, such as OrthoIndy, St. Vincent Health and Clarian Health Partners, all have claims to land in the Brownsburg
area.
Riverside Manufacturing was a sleepy New Castle firm with $5 million in sales when Fred Merritt bought it to try his hand
at running a company. Five years later, Riverside’s sales have grown a whopping 800 percent, it dominates its industry, and
Merritt, 39, is ready to work his magic on an Indianapolis company.
In an effort to preserve Indiana woodlands , some property owners are transferring development rights to Central Indiana Land
Trust Inc., a not-for-profit environmental group. Owners can grant a so-called conservation easement in exchange for an impressive
array of tax benefits.
The high-stakes competition for control of Indiana Downs has entered the homestretch. And South Bend-based Oliver Racing LLC
is poised to win.
Aggressive expansion plans by Indianapolis’ three biggest hospital systems have pushed Greenfield-based Hancock Regional Hospital
to change up its plans to build an outpost of physician offices in northwest Hancock County, near the borders of Marion and
Hamilton counties. But Hancock Regional isn’t backing down.
Phil Ramsey, 65, knows what he’s doing in the fireworks business–he’s been working fireworks shows as a volunteer since 1968
and founded Frankfort-based Ramsey Pyrotechnics Inc. in 1982. When he’s not battling Mother Nature, Ramsey is a grain farmer.
After 47 years of relative anonymity, the Indiana Transportation
Museum is steaming ahead with an effort to increase its visibility, attract new riders and eventually grow the organization.
During their first half-decade in operation, the state's casino slots machines grew their total sales to $22 billion,
according to Indiana Gaming Commission records. But in the last five years, slot sales grew just 18 percent, reaching $25.9
billion in 2006. That's what business textbooks call a maturing market.
Indiana’s automotive manufacturing employment for the last decade peaked at 142,000 in 1999. Since then, the sector has shed
20,300 jobs-a staggering one-seventh of its total. Another 5,220 are slated to be cut soon. And there’s no end in sight.
