June 29, 2009
Peter SchnitzlerIn this deep recession, many local small-business owners suffer a harsh dilemma: Heavily tied to a single supplier,
customer or industry, they must diversify or die.
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June 29, 2009
Scott OlsonOnly North and South Dakota, Tennessee and Wisconsin have smaller proportions of lawyers within their working populations.
Experts point to the state's shrinking base of corporate HQs, the exodus of law school graduates, and a less litigious climate
overall.
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June 29, 2009
Rebecca BerfangerWhile most people consider their family members and funeral costs in estate planning, many overlook their babies who happen
to have four legs, a tail, feathers or even scales. A pet trust is a good solution.
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June 22, 2009
Peter SchnitzlerFor investors, 2008 was the worst year since the Great Depression. Even so, more than half of the state's public-company executives
saw the value of their pay packages rise from 2007despite the fact that only 10 of the companies posted a positive total
return in 2008, and 46 companies shed more than one-third of their stock market value.
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June 22, 2009
Kim PuckettGrowing by leaps and bounds, smallerindiana.com will host its first-ever "Bigger Ideas" conference for the high-tech and Internet-savvy
crowd.
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June 22, 2009
Anthony SchoettleDespite a ticket price increase, the terrible economy, and an uncertain season ahead, the Indianapolis Colts have sold out
of season tickets, assuring the team will extend its sell-out streak to 97 regular-season home games.
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June 22, 2009
Cory SchoutenThe Capital Improvement Board could be forced to give up one of its most profitable assets so the city can pull off a $65-million
public-private downtown development deal. The city has agreed to help a developer revitalize the vacant former Bank One operations
center in part by acquiring an adjacent
parking garage for $18.5 million.
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June 22, 2009
Cory SchoutenThe largest outside investor in embattled developer Lauth Group Inc. is asking a federal judge to dismiss the company's bankruptcy
cases.
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June 22, 2009
Kathleen McLaughlinJobs created by the new manufacturing plant have been offset by losses elsewhere in the community, and related development
remains scarce. But local officials remain optimistic about Honda's long-term impact.
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June 22, 2009
J.K. WallBusinesses all want to see reform of the health care system, but they diverge on how much the U.S. government's entrance into
the insurance market would help or hurt them.
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June 22, 2009
Scott OlsonThe city's third-largest law firm is poised to tie the knot with Kentucky's Greenebaum Doll & McDonald. But differences in
the way the firms compensate partners are taking longer than expected to sort out.
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June 22, 2009
J.K. WallStudents going into and out of Indiana's teacher education programs tend to score below average on standardized test scores.
And national data indicate the gap is entirely attributable to those headed into elementary education.
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June 22, 2009
Scott OlsonEducators widely support a new state law that gives teachers immunity from civil lawsuits for trying to discipline students.
But opponents of corporal punishment are giving it a frosty reception, fearing Indiana students could be subjected to more
paddling without legal recourse.
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June 15, 2009
Cory SchoutenA $65 million public-private plan for the redevelopment of a vacant downtown office building is raising eyebrows for its unusual
approach and potential risk to taxpayers. The plan calls for a private developer to acquire the former Bank One operations
center, surface parking lots and an adjacent
parking garage from a private owner for $18.5 million, then sell the 1,680-space garage to the city for $18.5 million.
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June 15, 2009
Chris O'MalleyIndianapolis International Airport, already suffering from a 10-percent drop in passenger traffic and a projected $15 million
revenue shortfall this year, is also feeling financial drag from its single most important tenant. FedEx Express cargo shipments,
which amount to about half of the $25 million in airfield fees generated at the airport, fell
16 percent in the first three months of this year vs. the same period last year.
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June 15, 2009
Kathleen McLaughlinThe city of Anderson soon will tap a new well to help accommodate demand from Nestle USA, which opened a Madison County plant
in May 2008 producing bottled, flavored Nesquik and liquid Coffee-mate, a water-based creamer. The
company already has launched an expansion slated for completion in 2011.
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June 15, 2009
Anthony SchoettleThe Circle City Classic has hired Marc Williams, an East Coast marketing consultant, as its executive director, a post vacated
in March when Tony Mason left to become senior vice president for the 2012 Super Bowl Host Committee.
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June 15, 2009
Kathleen McLaughlinMost fund-raisers stumble into the profession, but within a decade the field could be populated by recent college graduates
who hold degrees in philanthropic studies.The Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University soon will roll out a bachelor's
degree that would be among the first of its kind. If all goes as planned, IUPUI would begin marketing the degree, granted
by the School of Liberal Arts, for the fall of 2010.
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June 15, 2009
Kathleen McLaughlinJeremy Efroymson recently agreed to return to the financially flailing Indianapolis Museum of Contemporary Art as its executive
director and work for free. Efroymson, one of the museum's early leaders, has a strategy for seeing IMOCA through a financial
rough spot, but what remains unclear is how the museum will wean itself off his support.
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June 15, 2009
Cory SchoutenDeveloper Brown Investments has reached terms with the owners of 43 of 49 homes in the North Meridian Heights neighborhood
in Carmel. Browning plans to demolish the homes to make way for a $100 million commercial development over 17 acres.
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June 15, 2009
Anthony SchoettleEven with the NBA draft approaching, Pacers coach Jim O'Brien makes time for his duties as a board member and on-the-ground
volunteer for the Coalition for Homelessness Intervention and Prevention. A strong commitment to community service runs in
the coach's family.
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June 15, 2009
Kathleen McLaughlinA little-known federal program provides support for retraining to workers whose employers were hurt by foreign trade. The
Trade Adjustment Assistance Act also offers income replacement and health insurance benefits.
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June 8, 2009
J.K. WallFolks from all sorts of professions are trying on teaching, to survive the recession or to give back to the community. Or
both.
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June 8, 2009
Cory SchoutenA local architecture firm hopes to challenge hip Mass Ave with an arts-themed development in Fletcher Place. The $9 million
project would include apartments, retail and office space.
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June 8, 2009
Kathleen McLaughlinFund raising via video e-mailing gets attention, but the jury is still out on its return on cost.
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If a television station wants to improve viewership, get rid of the local blackout. I was born by the brickyard, and have attended 15 or more races. I have children now, I won't attend unless circumstances are perfect. As those with growing families know, they never are. I'm always impressed that upwards of 250,000 people attend the 500. However, as a growing, or, more apt, sprawling city, Indianapolis and its immediate suburbs count almost 2.2 million. Show the race live, let the venue get a kick-back on revenues, and open-wheel racing might have a fighting chance to be relevant again. Just in time for those tax-payer lights to make sense.
John Moore, I too have had the same issue recently. A property next to my house was on the Land Bank and I was interested in purchasing. When I tried to contact Reggie, I got back emails that had nothing to do with what I asked about. Actually my latest response from him was on this past Friday. I had asked about how to buy the property and if it was still available. His response to me was to contact the mayor's office to get the schedule of his appearances. (???) Hopefully the city is able to do something to fix what this guy has done, it would be nice if they would take the properties back and sell them properly so land owners like me and you mother would have a fair chance.
I too work in the industry, with over 25 years of experience and your political spin has probably nothing to do with any rebranding. "Let's dress it up" would have nothing to do with the government "telling us how and what to eat." Give it a political rest. And being a producer for a radio show doesn't mean you've been involved in advertising and branding for 30 years.
Ms. Morris did not understand the ways of the business world, otherwise, like the IMS, she could have petitioned the State Legislature for a handout of State Funds for her charity work. Ms. Morris should consider becoming a state lobbyist for Lemonade Stand Operators.
David Copperfield!