Regional News

Fortville firm’s helmet pads protect U.S. troops

January 8, 2007

Fortville-based Genesis Manufacturing makes helmet pads for U.S. troops through Colorado-based Skydex Technologies, which
won a contract this fall with the U.S. Air Force for 120,000 helmet pad kits. Most of the helmets have wound up in Iraq, where
the military has discovered soldiers need something more than Kevlar-lined helmets to survive roadside mines and exploding
Toyotas.

Verizon amphitheater might be redeveloped

December 25, 2006

The potential redevelopment of Verizon Wireless Music Center in Noblesville could open the door for a new concert venue in
Indianapolis, but industry veterans don’t expect it would look anything like the popular Hamilton County amphitheater.

Randy’s Toy Shop breathes life into ailing play things

December 18, 2006

Randy Ibey, owner of Randy’s Toy Shop in Noblesville, is legendary among antique toy collectors and dealers worldwide. Ibey
can fix more kinds of toys than an elf in Santa's workshop–from a German tin soldier created in the 1850s to a remote-control
Pluto made a century later.

Biz park plan west of Plainfield counting on cheaper land

November 27, 2006

Plans are in place for a 400-acre mixed-use development off Interstate 70 just west of Plainfield–an area quickly becoming the next big thing in industrial real estate.

Ex-Lilly execs take on diabetes with Carmel startup

November 6, 2006

Four former top scientists at Eli Lilly and Co. have formed a Carmel-based company to develop diabetes therapies–a venture observers say has the potential to become the kind of blockbuster success BioCrossroads was built to stimulate.

Newspaper war erupting in northern suburbs

September 18, 2006

Two new Carmel newspapers will soon join eight others in Boone and Hamilton counties. While the region is one of the fastest growing in Indiana, journalism experts said having 10 newspapers serving a population of just under 300,000 is astounding.

Clarian North’s slow launch doesn’t bother bond analysts

September 18, 2006

Clarian North Medical Center has stumbled out of the gate, with the Carmel hospital reporting losses in its first six months of operation that “well exceed” expectations, a new report says.

156-year-old Clabber Girl rolls out new products

September 4, 2006

The 156-year-old Terre Haute company that quietly churned out nothing but its trademark baking powder for more than a century is now serving notice to General Mills’ Bisquick and other well-known brands that the status quo is dead.

Lauth plans huge business park

August 28, 2006

Lauth Property Group is working to complete the purchase of 550 acres it has under contract at the northeast corner of Interstate 70 and State Road 39, one interchange west of Plainfield. Lauth plans to build 7.5-million-square-foot industrial park, dubbed Westpoint Business Park.

Franklin manufacturer benefits from high petroleum costs

August 14, 2006

Increased oil and natural gas prices are hammering many manufacturers, but Franklin-based Grimmer Industries Inc. is flying high. Grimmer specializes in making Hurricane brand air compressors and compressor boosters used in oil and natural gas well drilling and aggregate mining.

With ‘dark days’ behind it, Conner Prairie gets back to business

July 31, 2006

In the 2-1/2 years following a 2003 overhaul of Conner Prairie management orchestrated by Earlham College, the Hamilton County attraction was mired in uncertainty over its future and an increasingly bleak financial outlook. Now the skies are brightening.

Ball State downtown outpost to offer classes, master’s degrees

July 24, 2006

Ball State University is preparing to stake a big claim in downtown Indianapolis, where it will offer classes and graduate degree programs at a new satellite facility.

Mass transit’s catch? Paying for it

July 17, 2006

The idea of rapid transit is popular locally, but there’s no consensus on how to finance it. For construction alone, it would cost at least $546 million for suburban express bus service up to $1.4 billion for an "automated guideway" system similar to a monorail. And that's for only one corridor.

Rapid-transit plans gain speed, but drivers might not give up keys

July 10, 2006

Just 5,900 Marion and Hamilton County commuters would park their cars in favor of rapid transit if that were an option, according to data from a late-2001 report for Indianapolis’ Metropolitan Planning Organization by New York firm Parsons Brinckerhoff.

Kipps Brothers still evolving after 125 years

October 24, 2005

Walk through the Kipp Brothers showroom and you’ll find the makings of one heck of a birthday celebration: gag gifts galore, endless sugary treats and headgear that puts the traditional party hat to shame.

Advantis Medical Inc. finds niche making orthopedic supplies

March 14, 2005

Advantis Medical Inc. manufactures custom trays and cases for orthopedic surgical devices. That core product line brought Advantis some $5.2 million in revenue in 2004, double the amount of the previous year, said Advantis President Jim Spencer.

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Articles

Fortville firm’s helmet pads protect U.S. troops

Verizon amphitheater might be redeveloped

Randy’s Toy Shop breathes life into ailing play things

Biz park plan west of Plainfield counting on cheaper land

Ex-Lilly execs take on diabetes with Carmel startup

Newspaper war erupting in northern suburbs

Clarian North’s slow launch doesn’t bother bond analysts

156-year-old Clabber Girl rolls out new products

Lauth plans huge business park

Franklin manufacturer benefits from high petroleum costs

With ‘dark days’ behind it, Conner Prairie gets back to business

Ball State downtown outpost to offer classes, master’s degrees

Mass transit’s catch? Paying for it

Rapid-transit plans gain speed, but drivers might not give up keys

Kipps Brothers still evolving after 125 years

Advantis Medical Inc. finds niche making orthopedic supplies