News on jobs and broadband
Indiana isn't doing as well as neighboring states in recovering from the recession, and adoption of high-speed Internet varies widely in the Indianapolis area, new studies show.
Norm Heikens
Articles
Who’s best for small biz, Ballard or Kennedy?
With the primary settled, small business could become an issue in the general election.
Wealthy local entrepreneurs hew to conservatism
Flashy displays of wealth seldom erupt in Indianapolis after an entrepreneur makes good, and they’re even more unusual now that the recession sobered even the most successful among them.
Is social media pushing up PR headcounts?
A boom in the number of local people identifying themselves as public relations managers is probably driven by the explosion of social media, says one long-time pro.
Where are the wildly successful women entrepreneurs?
Men dominate in ownership of the fastest-growing companies and smash hits like Aprimo and Suros.
Indiana recovery well underway; up next, the expansion
By at least one key measure, Indiana is almost back to where it left off before the recession.
Why job creation falters in Indiana
A Ball State prof says the media and politicians focus on the wrong things. As a result, entrepreneurship, and the Indiana economy, are suffering.
Entrepreneurship fallacies
You’re starting a business to set your own hours? You’re deluded, a blogger warns.
Bigger small-business definitions
The SBA wants to broaden the definition of a small business in 36 industries. Suddenly, 9,000 more businesses would be considered small.
Whatever became of the cool cop car?
The wheels of government turn slowly, a Carbon Motors exec explains. Meanwhile, the company has nearly stopped giving media interviews.
Startup activity sputtering in Indiana, report says
Kauffman Foundation’s latest index ranks Indiana among the lowest in the weakest region of the country.
Locate in the city or the suburbs?
A new study shows certain industries flock to one or the other.
Aprimo sale mints a slew of millionaires
Co-founder Bill Godfrey details the payout from the $525 million sale.
Experts: Economy too weak to fuel venture-capital investment
Activity won’t gain much steam until more entrepreneurs become optimistic, and optimism won’t materialize until the economy gets warmer, said John Barnard, managing director of Pearl Street Venture Funds.
More good news on the Indiana economy
An Indiana University index suggests the economy is still strengthening.
Bitwise reaching back to middle-schoolers
So many middle school students want to work at Ron Brumbarger’s Web development company that he’s starting a way for them to try out before they hit high school.
Is it hard to build a thriving company in Indianapolis?
Local entrepreneurs sometimes sell promising companies early because Indy is too small of a market, goes one explanation. But the market’s size might not be the real reason.
Chop the SBA?
Members of Congress are asking the SBA to look for efficiencies. How any fallout will affect lending is up in the air.
Lending felt tight last year? You were right
Yes, 2010 was tough, an NFIB study shows. But poor sales and uncertainty were even bigger problems than finding credit.
Less rust, more shine ahead for Indy, Midwest?
An academic has compiled a string of reasons the Midwest might be verging on a come back. That should be encouraging to small businesses.