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Transportation, Distribution & Logistics
Jazz Fest loses pair of sponsors: This year's show will go on, but future events in danger
May 1, 2006
Peter SchnitzlerUntil late April, fund raising for the annual musical event was on track. But then a pair of major sponsors revealed they
would no longer underwrite the festival. Now its future may be in doubt. "We really need to have the festival fully funded
to sustain its business model," said Indy Jazz Fest Producer Helen Small, who also is president of the Indianapolis-based
American Pianists Association. "In no way is it guaranteed that the festival will be here forever for...
MoreNASCAR a big deal for IRST: Role as security products provider could be worth $100M
April 24, 2006
Anthony SchoettleIngersoll Rand Security Technologies has been named NASCAR's first official provider of security products, a deal that could
mean substantial growth for the company's Carmel headquarters and an Indianapolis manufacturing plant, which together already
employ 900. IRST is a division of Bermuda-based behemoth Ingersoll-Rand Co., which is better known for agricultural, construction
and transportation equipment sold under names such as Bobcat and Thermo King. The link with the racing circuit is expected
to drive home the point that Ingersoll-Rand is...
MoreIvy Tech to focus more on results, not just growth: Student success and broader ties with employers among goals of community
college system's five-year plan
April 24, 2006
Chris O\'malleyAfter growing its enrollment 75 percent the last decade, Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana is shifting its focus to student
retention. A top administrator also wants to expand the number of training courses offered at businesses, as a way to supplement
the system's $253 million annual budget. Some who've studied the state's educational system have recommended that Ivy Tech
spend more to hire additional full-time faculty to strengthen its effectiveness. The school's five-year student retention
plan calls for doubling...
MoreReal estate experts examine the market: Indianapolis in good shape overall, panelists say, but job growth, incentive issues,
among concerns
April 24, 2006
On April 14, as part of its Power Breakfast Series, the Indianapolis Business Journal gathered a panel of commercial real
estate and construction experts to discuss industry conditions in the local market. In a discussion moderated by IBJ Editor
Tom Harton, panelists took on a wide range of issues, including tax incentives and the status of downtown's residential and
retail markets. Power Breakfast guests were Mike Curless, executive vice president and principal with Lauth Property Group;
Mike Wells, president of...
MoreSuburban residents slow to jump on vanpool bandwagon: Neither cost nor environmental advantages stir the masses; advocate
says 'employers need to get smarter'
April 17, 2006
Chris O\'malleyThe federally funded Central Indiana Commuter Services has finally won over a dozen workers to share a van to and from work-somewhat
of a feat in a region where a vanpool might as well be a bathing option for a conversion van. Besides a vanpool program that
runs between Cloverdale and Indianapolis, CICS recently signed on a handful of Fishers residents to share a seven-passenger
van between the Hamilton County town and downtown Indianapolis. Lately, CICS has been trying to...
MoreState will grant parking perks for Prius, other hybrid vehicles:
April 17, 2006
The right car-not an early arrival or high rank-will soon get state workers the best parking spaces at the Indiana Government
Center. As an incentive for its workers to drive less-polluting cars, the state plans to give drivers of hybrid cars the coveted
spaces in the basement of the parking garage at West and Washington streets. Those would be the spaces right outside the tunnel
entrance to the government center. The hybrid parking signs should go up within a month,...
MoreIndyGo claims take their toll: Payout for injuries, damages hit 3-year high, a big financial hit for cash-strapped system
April 10, 2006
Chris O\'malley"If it had been a bigger bus, I'd have been dead," said Williams, who was injured and his car totaled. IndyGo settled his
case out of court for an undisclosed sum. Williams filed one of 20 tort claim notices with the Indianapolis Public Transportation
Corp. last year. Those, and 10 lawsuits, seek a total of more than $2.6 million in damages. IndyGo attorneys estimate the
company's total potential liability is more like $784,350, according to records obtained by IBJ. The...
MoreSPORTS: Final Four manager enjoys his shining moments
April 10, 2006
Bill BennerOn the day after the Men's Final Four Basketball Tournament concluded, the NCAA's Greg Shaheen said two national champions
had been crowned: The University of Florida in winning, and the city of Indianapolis in hosting. For the local organizers,
that was some sweet praise coming from an NCAA guy. Sure, one could question Shaheen's objectivity. As many know, the 38-year-old
is an Indianapolis/Carmel native who not that long ago was one of those local organizers. At the 1997 Indy Final...
MoreMexican truckers file lawsuit against Celadon: Trucking giant disputes discrimination, calls other claims 'a form of extortion'
April 10, 2006
Chris O\'malleyTo Celadon Group Inc., it's ambulance chasing, Tex-Mex style. Mucho absurdo. To a handful of Texas lawyers who filed suit
against the Indianapolis-based trucking company last month, it's an opportunity to haul home triple damages on allegations
of racketeering and wage discrimination against Mexican citizens who drove Celadon's trucks on this side of the border. At
the least, the allegations in a lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Laredo, Texas, reflect a complex relationship between
North American neighbors, said...
MoreExperts: Businesses should prep for bird flu: Vast majority of U.S. companies have not budgeted for possible pandemic, despite
warnings from health officials
April 10, 2006
Scott OlsonThe much-hyped Y2K computer bug came and went without so much as a whimper from a whirring hard drive. But unlike the threat
of malfunctioning computers, health experts warn that the potential danger of an avian flu pandemic is far greater. In the
event of a widespread outbreak in the United States, companies large and small need to be prepared in order to keep interruptions
to a minimum, they say. "I am an evangelist for having a contingency plan," said...
MoreBRIAN WILLIAMS Commentary: Legislators should address insurance costs
April 10, 2006
Members of the Indiana General Assembly resolved some contentious issues in 2006, including property tax relief, telecommunications
reform and the long-term leasing of public infrastructure. U n f o r t u n a t e l y, they did not have an opportunity to
debate Senate Bill 124, which, if measured on the basis of the value per page, would have exceeded the much-heralded "Major
Moves" transportation initiative. Introduced by Sen. Beverly Gard, a Greenfield Republican who has been...
MoreCity gives cultural trail green light: Long-anticipated project could cost $35M to $42M
April 3, 2006
Matthew KishThe long-discussed trail will loop through downtown and cost $35 million to $42 million. All the money will come from federal
transportation dollars and private contributions. "The trail has been officially approved," said Brian Payne, president of
the Central Indiana Community Foundation, the project's lead managing partner. "It's definitely a project that's going to
happen now." Tourism officials greeted the news with enthusiasm. It's a "huge win for White River State Park as well as the
city," said Bob Whitt,...
MoreEvent planner builds business on big-city experience: Award-winning firm grows into all-around performer
April 3, 2006
Scott OlsonIndianapolis might not be as glamorous as Los Angeles or New York City, but Midwestern life seems to be suiting Gene Huddleson
just fine. Nearly 10 years after returning to his Hoosier roots, the event planner has found a niche within the industry that
builds upon his past travels. He and his colleagues at Detail + Design, in the Stutz II building across the street from the
original Stutz building, accompany corporate clients who may be hosting activities throughout the...
MoreSTATEHOUSE DISPATCH: Short but historic session produces election plot lines
March 27, 2006
Ed FeigenbaumYou can go home now (unless you live in Perry Township) and rest somewhat assured that the governor and state lawmakers won't
do anything untoward to you until, at the soonest, November. Yes, the 2006 short session of the Indiana General Assembly has
run its course, and left the state with some key policy and economic legacies. Not the least of them, as we have discussed
at length in this column, and has been covered elsewhere in these pages, are...
MoreEYE ON THE PIE: Legislature wastes another session
March 27, 2006
Morton MarcusThe 150 men and women who make up the Indiana General Assembly have finished their annual freak show, folded their tents,
and departed from Indianapolis. In their wake, they left some truly terrible legislation and another record of neglect for
the interests of Indiana's too-long-suffering population. What was wrong with this session of the General Assembly? Your local
editor will not grant me the space to be either sufficiently complete or detailed. Let's start with the governor's Major Moves
program....
MoreVOICES FROM THE INDUSTRY: Mediocre planning efforts don't invite people to stay
March 27, 2006
Don AltemeyerAnalysts say the housing market is slowing in Indianapolis and across the nation. Perhaps that's why three significant, real
estate developments have attracted so much local media coverage recently. In one story, the City-County Council approved the
development of 28 condos in Broad Ripple, despite strong resistance from the neighborhood association. Meanwhile, local planning
councils easily approved two new developments-a subdivision on the far northeast side of town that will feature almost 2,000
homes and a large condominium complex in...
MoreE-commerce can level the playing field:
March 27, 2006
Nolan TaylorThe same point can be made for small businesses, which can reach wider audiences through electronic commerce-purchasing, selling
and exchanging goods and services over the Internet. So how can small-business owners take advantage of the e-commerce phenomenon?
First, it's important to understand that ecommerce isn't an end unto itself, but a tool to grow your business-as such, it
should be used only if it serves your business strategy. Ask yourself a few questions: Can you effectively promote your product
or...
MoreCHRIS KATTERJOHN Commentary: 'Dallas'-like TV hit in our future?
March 20, 2006
Just as the popular prime-time soap opera "Dallas" emerged from Texas oil-industry lore, "Indiana" someday could become a
mega-hit on television. After, that is, the state becomes the "Texas of biofuels" and the lurid, steamy tales of Big Biofuel
begin to play out. I'm not sure who came up with "Texas of biofuels," but the analogy surfaced after the recent announcement
that the world's largest soybean processing plant and biodiesel facility will be built in northern Indiana. With this project,...
MoreTechPoint names up-and-coming Mira nominees: Annual award celebrates excellence in innovation
March 20, 2006
Peter SchnitzlerTechPoint won't distribute its annual Mira awards until its banquet at the Indiana Roof Ballroom May 19. But the state's largest
high-tech trade association has completed the nomination process for its top awards, pulling together a list of 49 innovative
companies and educators in such categories as information technology, life sciences and advanced manufacturing. About 750
people usually attend the Mira banquet. But the awards are meant to reverberate among a far wider population all year long
as confirmation which...
MoreShort session long on action: Led by Major Moves, telecom successes, biz interests fared well in 2006 General Assembly
March 20, 2006
In less than three months, the Indiana General Assembly approved a pair of blockbuster economic-development measures designed
to dramatically upgrade the state's infrastructure. With the passage of Gov. Mitch Daniels' Major Moves initiative, Indiana
will lease the Indiana Toll Road to an Australian-Spanish consortium for 75 years. It will use the upfront, $3.9 billion payment
to build roads. Meanwhile, the approval of telecom deregulation sets the stage for more local phone, cable and Internet competition.
Daniels, a Republican, argued that...
MoreSTATEHOUSE DISPATCH: Low poll numbers don't seem to slow Daniels' agenda
March 20, 2006
Ed FeigenbaumFor a guy whose approval level is about as low as-well-the president's, and who was pushing a program about as popular as
turning over supervision of vital national assets to a foreign entity (see the parallels yet?), Gov. Mitch Daniels sure enjoyed
some major success this legislative session. He just signed a wide-ranging telecommunications deregulation measure he had
strongly advocated, placing Indiana at the cusp of reform in the field, after several years of the Legislature's refusing
to move off...
MoreTime switch creating computer nightmare: Technology experts predict change to daylight-saving could be Y2K all over again
March 13, 2006
Chris O\'malleyIf you have an important meeting starting April 2, beware of relying on your computer for a reminder-there's a fair chance
you'll be late. The state's first-ever switch to daylight-saving time will leave thousands of computers confused about what
time it is, and their users not much better off. PC clocks have to be adjusted just like the cuckoo over the mantle, but if
you forget to switch the timezone setting from "Indiana (East)" to "Eastern Time"-or neglect to check...
MoreYou can take it to the bank: Financial experts say state's economy is rising, merger mania isn't over and regulatory laws
could take a toll
March 13, 2006
On Feb. 24, IBJ Publisher Chris Katterjohn, Managing Editor Greg Andrews and banking reporter Matt Kish sat down with four
leaders from Indianapolis' banking and finance sector: Judith Ripley, director of the Indiana Department of Financial Institutions;
Kit Stolen, CEO of Union Federal Bank of Indianapolis; Steve Beck, president and CEO of the Indiana Venture Center; and Keith
Slifer, senior vice president of LaSalle Bank. Among the topics of conversation: How's the state's economy doing? Are more
bank mergers on...
MoreBEHIND THE NEWS Auditor jabs Obsidian as it prepares to go private:
March 13, 2006
Greg AndrewsIf all goes as planned, a Tim Durham-led investment group will take publicly traded Obsidian Enterprises Inc. private by the
end of the month. The Indianapolis company's five-year run on Wall Street has been inglorious by any measure. Stock in the
transportation and manufacturing firm has tumbled, from a split-adjusted $12 in 2001 to $1.80 today. Over the last three years,
Obsidian has posted a combined $22 million in losses. As if that weren't enough, now the company's former outside...
MoreCHRIS KATTERJOHN Commentary: Partisanship: The nemesis of progress
March 6, 2006
Like Mayor Bart Peterson's Indianapolis Works legislation last year, Gov. Mitch Daniels' Major Moves bill has become the political
football of this legislative season. The rhetoric and posturing associated with the highway funding bill has been as partisan
and irrational as it comes. It's as if the Democrats who oppose Major Moves are trying to compensate for their party's inability
to produce a solution to our state's highways needs during the previous 16 years of Democratic leadership under governors
Bayh,...
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Cats out of the bag. The object of the game is to get acquired. That means the company has no idea how to grow beyond a certain point. Email is a 1990s technology. I have laughed at this company since day one. Such a small bit player. If it was anywhere but here, it wouldn't be newsworthy.
Esther, Indy has passed Chicago in the local government corruption arena. Don't downgrade us. We're No. 1 in the Midwest.
Does the buyer get to keep the recent Accu-Chek J.D. Power award? Be careful, those Swiss cannot be trusted. Last June they pimped Mayor Ballard and former Governor Daniels at a media op, announcing plans to invest "$300 million at its Indianapolis headquarters, creating up to 100 new jobs by 2017," only to turn around and close the Roche Nutley, NJ facility and eliminate 1000 jobs there later the same week. It seems that healthcare can be innovated only as long as money is to be made. Right now Roche seems to have big eyes for China: there are many Chinese in China and potential billions in Swiss francs! Since Roche is having difficulty with US insurance companies swallowing the bill for overpriced cancer drugs (with debatable efficacy) why not sell insurance to the Chinese and market the drugs to them there? There is a name for these sort of business practices however proper decorum precludes it use in this forum.
Same kind of Luddites who oppose I-69. Guessing their 501(c)(4) application probably sailed right through the IRS.