DEC. 13-19, 2024
President-elect Donald Trump’s pledge to impose tariffs on goods from Canada and Mexico has caught the attention of Indiana companies, which stand to experience a significant impact if new or expanded tariffs are imposed. Susan Orr outlines their areas of concern, which include motor vehicle parts, other manufacturing materials and food products. Also in this week’s issue, Mickey Shuey digs into the backlash that greeted plans to redevelop a rundown east-side retail center into an apartment complex. And Daniel Bradley features the owners of Noblesville institution Adrienes Flowers & Gifts, which is closing after 46 years.
Front PageBack to Top
Manufacturers weigh potential impact of Trump tariffs promise
Incoming President Donald Trump’s pledge to impose tariffs on goods from Canada and Mexico has caught the attention of Indiana companies, which stand to experience a significant impact if new or expanded tariffs are imposed.
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Purposeful Design rebuilds lives as participants build furniture
The east-side company is about to finish 2024 with more than $2.7 million in sales—up from $1.35 million four years ago. By 2026, the business expects sales to reach $3 million.
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Q&A with Jessica Gendron on helping women achieve success
“I wanted to be able to show women that there were lots of stories of female success that were a lot more accessible and also laden with failures and lessons and mistakes.”
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Neighbors push back on east-side development proposal
An out-of-state investment firm with plans to redevelop a rundown east-side retail center intends to refine its approach to the project weeks after hearing objections from neighbors—some of whom have their own ideas for the property.
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Adrienes Flowers & Gifts owners brightened Noblesville
Moffett and Stephen Craig are retiring this month after 35 years of operating Adrienes in a 133-year-old house at 1249 Conner St. just east of the historic courthouse square.
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Mark Montieth: Rolling the dice
Last year at this time, nobody dreamed IU would have such a luxury, so Purdue fans deserve to be optimistic about Odom.
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Made in Indiana: Harpsicle Harps by Rees Harps Inc.
History: William Rees, a high school science teacher in California, began selling harps in 1972. He and his wife, Pamela, formed Wm. Rees Instruments in 1992 when he left teaching to build and sell instruments full time. In 1996, William’s 15-year-old son, Garen, started adding artwork to the harps. In 1999, the family decided the […]
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Westfield council OKs $184M deal for partnership to manage Grand Park
Grand Park Sports & Entertainment, a joint venture between Westfield-based Bullpen Ventures LLC and Indianapolis-based Indy Sports and Entertainment, will take over the 10-year-old sports campus under the 30-year agreement.
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IU’s Whitten touts Indy enrollment jump, microelectronics investment in annual address
Indiana University President Pamela Whitten commended enrollment numbers for school’s new Indianapolis campus and outlined how the university is increasing its presence in emerging industries during her annual State of the University address.
Read MoreHoliday Wish List: How you can help Indianapolis area nonprofits this holiday season
Wish List is our effort to help connect nonprofits with people who can help them. Anyone who wants to contribute should contact the organization directly.
Read MoreOpinionBack to Top
Editorial: Braun’s streamlined cabinet could lead to better coordination
The moves—if fully implemented—will strip some authority away from Indiana’s lieutenant governor.
Read MoreLesley Weidenbener: Letting execs tell their business stories
I want this Q&A to tell the stories of people who own companies or are executives in companies and are faced every day with challenges that affect profits and losses.
Read MoreTing Gootee: Productivity growth is a race we must win
It’s encouraging that Indiana companies are already embracing the need for technology adoption and workforce advancement.
Read MoreElise Nieshalla: Congress, president must restore America’s solvency
As hard as our states work to be fiscally responsible and pass balanced budgets, we are vulnerable to the rapidly dissolving financial position of our country.
Read MorePete the Planner: A case study: how much you’ll need for retirement
There are three distinct reasons you specifically should aim for at least a $400,000 nest egg.
Read MoreBarb Cutillo: Holding others accountable begins with you
As we reflect on another year, managers can radically change their environments by making one simple but challenging adjustment to their approach: consistently holding others accountable.
Read MoreCecil Bohanon and John Horowitz: Economic relationships can be quite surprising
Economists call goods that go together complementary goods.
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Mass Ave restaurant Nine Irish Brothers closes
The Irish pub opened in 2014 as the third Nine Irish Brothers location. After a decade of serving shepherd’s pie and bangers and mash, the downtown restaurant is permanently closed.
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Indy Partnership expands reach to Bartholomew County
The regional development arm of the Indy Chamber will expand its coverage area after an agreement with the Greater Columbus Economic Development Corp., the organizations announced Friday.
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Lilly to test obesity drugs for addiction treatment, CEO says
Lilly also approved a program to buy back as much as $15 billion of its own shares amid rapid growth fueled by Zepbound and Mounjaro.
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Rep. Bob Behning: Indiana’s bold vision for universal school choice
Families at every income level invest in our education system through taxes and should have equal access to its opportunities.
Read MoreKeith Gambill: We must prioritize public schools
Indiana’s public schools are the cornerstone of our communities, preparing students for success and fostering unity in a diverse society.
Read MoreRep. Ed DeLaney: Helping the greatest among us: Vouchers for all
This game hurts the very individuals and communities that most need help.
Read MoreBetsy Wiley: Indiana should pass universal school vouchers
The debate over school choice is not new but has never been more urgent.
Read MoreCurt Smith: New administration should listen to faith community
But a push by faith leaders and elected leaders is coming in 2025 that seeks to broaden the engagement of the faith community in meeting pressing Hoosier needs.
Read MoreJennifer Wagner Chartier: Officials, please just make things work
Regardless of party, we need our elected officials … to run things well.
Read MoreDana Black: It’s time to deal with the election consequences
We need to stand up, be visible and be ready to counter any anti-democratic policies proposed.
Read MoreAbdul-Hakim Shabazz: Good riddance to 2024
We literally went from the 24-hour news cycle to the 24-second news cycle.
Read MoreGeorge Hornedo and Austin Matheny-Kawesch: Clean energy could be economic engine for Indiana
Beyond cost savings, clean energy and electrification offer long-term stability.
Read MoreDr. Richard Feldman: Abortion law leaves doctors, patients in peril
In Texas, attempts to clarify vague exemptions with more detail resulted in only minimal improvements.
Read MorePierre Atlas: Security challenges require qualified cabinet picks
Trump will face many vexing foreign policy and national security challenges when he reenters office.
Read MoreDeborah Daniels: Here’s what to make of Trump’s cabinet picks
We will soon learn whether this nation still has constitutional checks and balances, when the Senate is called upon to execute its important advise-and-consent role.
Read MoreKaren Celestino-Horseman: Understanding a father’s pardon of his son
The bottom line is this: Americans elected Trump president with no apparent concern regarding his record of pardons.
Read MoreJim Shella: Biden’s legacy damaged by pardon flip-flop
Biden left no wiggle room in his statements, and whether Hunter deserves protection or not, we were misled.
Read MoreBrad Rateike: Want to be good at small talk? Find your icebreaker.
Asking where someone went to high school in Indiana begins a path to finding common ground and hopefully building trust.
Read MoreClaire Fiddian-Green: This holiday, let’s contribute to a happier Indiana
While you might not feel isolated or lonely, chances are someone you know does.
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