Indianapolis Business Journal

This week, Kurt Christian takes a close look at the cost overruns for Carmel’s Hotel Carmichael project and whether they’re consistent with rising construction costs industrywide. Experts say material and labor costs have increased by 20 percent or more in recent years, but the 46 percent rise in the Carmichael project’s cost is definitely outside the norm. Also in this week’s issue, Lindsey Erdody reports that Indiana could have a significant role to play in the Democratic primary process. The heated battle for the nomination suggests the state could have a contested primary on May 5, and that could pack a punch for the state’s economy in terms of campaign events, advertisements and staffing. And Susan Orr reports that the city of Indianapolis is looking at whether it can secure $72 million in funding for a long-planned Decatur Township road project that supporters say would spark economic activity along one of the county’s least-developed corridors.