FEB. 28-MARCH 6, 2011
This week, read the latest installment of IBJ's occasional "Testing Reform" series. Also, find out the latest in the city's efforts to redevelop a former Bank One parking garage downtown and see what e-mails in the Fair Finance bankruptcy case say about when insiders knew it was in trouble. And in Focus, read about what Johnny Unitas, Vince Lombardi and Babe Ruth have in common.
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Hulman board overhaul may signal strategy shift, even IPO
The Feb. 17 announcement that Terre Haute-based Hulman & Co. was expanding its board of directors from four to eight members could simply mean the company is looking for guidance from a broadened brain trust, or it could be a signal the company is at a significant crossroads.
Read MoreTies to Durham haven’t hurt McKain
For the past decade, Indianapolis-based professional speaker Scott McKain has used his experience at Obsidian Enterprise Inc. as the centerpiece of his marketing pitch, but Obsidian is not the success his bio advertises it to be.
Read MoreE-mails suggest Fair Finance was on life support for years
Emails filed as exhibits in the Chapter 7 bankruptcy case of Fair Finance Co. this month strongly suggest company insiders knew years before Fair collapsed that it was in dire straits.
Read MorePartisan divide could threaten long-term education reform
Indiana’s Republican-controlled Legislature will likely pass the bulk of education-reform measures being pushed this year by party heavyweights, but partisan rancor could threaten the long-term prospects for a sweeping overhaul of the state’s public schools.
Read MoreDual roles give Bess unusual view into schools
As a Danville school board member and superintendent of Indianapolis Metropolitan High, Scott Bess is straddling the increasingly contentious chasm between traditional public schools and privately operated charters.
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Cuts may spark mergers among public broadcasters
Indianapolis public broadcaster WFYI is bracing for an era of budget cuts that could prompt consolidation among Indiana stations.
Read MoreDeal to redevelop Bank One garage full of twists, turns
The city of Indianapolis is finally poised to close, after three years of twists, a complex redevelopment deal on the 1,600-space former Bank One parking garage.
Read MoreCity seeks replacement for GM plant
Indianapolis will spend $115,000 on a study to explore redevelopment opportunities for the 102-acre GM Stamping Plant property west of downtown that will close this summer.
Read MoreIndianapolis airport plan plays up money-making logistics
Growing cargo and logistics business overshadows such titillating concepts as solar farm, recreation campus.
Read MoreExperts: 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.
Read MoreFocusBack to Top
Local lawyer’s connection to the greats runs deep
What do Johnny Unitas, Vince Lombardi and Babe Ruth have in common? Indianapolis intellectual property attorney Jonathan Faber.
Read MoreIntellectual property theft rising quickly
Filching ranges from crude to highly sophisticated, experts say.
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EDITORIAL: Don’t put reins on horse industry
The current draft of the state budget calls for redirecting most of the money that has gone to horse racing to the general fund instead. The industry would receive $27 million in the next fiscal year, down from $60 million this year.
Read MoreMORRIS: Don’t have a job? Work anyway
If recent graduates can’t find a job, they should do something while they continue to search. Take any kind of job you can get. Volunteer at church or at a not-for-profit organization. Take a wait-staff job. Take a part-time job. Do something.
Read MoreMARCUS: Debt and taxes are not the devil’s doing
This national debt business is being overplayed. Critics characterize the debt as a giant burden, our most important national issue. Borrowing for the future, however, makes good sense when the debt contributes to economic growth.
Read MoreSLAUGHTER: When bosses behave like bullies
Many supervisors seem to have the same demeaning, demoralizing attitudes we encountered as children at recess. What do you do when your boss is a bully?
Read MoreFEIGENBAUM: Freshmen legislators’ green is showing
The “new kids in the bloc” failed to heed their elders, and got a bit greedy too quickly, goading Democrats into the only recourse open to them.
Read MoreALTOM: Are iPods in the workplace music to an employer’s ears?
It’s rare to visit a workplace nowadays without seeing at least a few employees with tiny little earbuds trailing thread-sized wires down to a music player the size of an infant’s thumb.
Read MoreHAUKE: Unrest around the world has roots in one thing
Just about every country in the world, with the exception of Australia, is strapped for cash.
Read MoreHICKS: Uncertainty always leads to oil-price fluctuations
Being a commodity, changes to oil prices are frequent and instantaneous. Changes to supply or demand of petroleum in the Middle East affect the price at the pump in the Midwest within hours.
Read MoreIn BriefBack to Top
Broad Ripple raising money to preserve historic buildings
A movement to protect historic buildings in Broad Ripple could target as many as 60 properties.
Read MoreIndianapolis halts work on blighted historic building
The owner of the 1880 building located at 42 E. Washington St. was cited for doing unapproved work to the facade.
Read MoreAllison to sponsor Sarah Fisher Racing
The Speedway-based transmission company will be an associate sponsor of the team’s entry in the 100th-anniversary Indy 500.
Read MoreGlobal logistics firm to sponsor Andretti Autosport
Florida-based DHL Express signed a multi-year deal with the IndyCar team owned by Michael Andretti.
Read MoreIndy Chamber rolls out app
The MyChamberApp works with the usual suspects, such as the iPhone, iPod, Android and Blackberry.
Read MoreTechPoint adds two categories to Mira Awards
The group plans to honor young professionals and clean technology/energy innovation endeavors.
Read MoreNFP of NOTE: Joy’s House
Joy’s House is committed to supporting families by providing exceptional adult day service.
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