JANUARY 10-16, 2010
This week, find out why arts organizations brag about the quality of their acoustics—and whether patrons care. Also, read about how Donna Gadient made it to the top at engineering R.W. Armstrong without a college degree. In Focus, see why Gov. Mitch Daniels has shifted his focus to education reform. And see what Statehouse observer Ed Feigenbaum expects from this year's State of the State Address.
Front PageBack to Top
Aprimo sale may usher in ‘new wave’ of tech deals
Observers say conditions are ripening for more deals like the recent $525 million sale of Aprimo Inc. in the months ahead—not only among IT firms, but also among biotech companies here.
Read MoreConvention Center expansion is high-stakes gamble
With the $275 million Indiana Convention Center expansion built and set to open Jan. 20, one major question remains: Will enough conventions, trade shows and corporate meetings come here to make the big-dollar investment pay off?
Read MoreChamber props up graduation initiative
A cash crunch at its Common Goal education program forced the Greater Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce this month to start covering the program’s bills out of its coffers.
Read MoreTop StoriesBack to Top
Palladium not alone in playing up acoustics
The new Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel and other arts organizations are promoting the quality of their venues’ acoustics, but does the paying public really care?
Read MoreEngineering firm exec started at the bottom
Donna Gadient has risen to the top ranks of engineering firm R.W. Armstrong through hard work, and without a college education.
Read MoreReal estate brokers scrambling for national partnerships
Top commercial real estate firms have been playing a name game of late, picking up or dropping national affiliations in a broad realignment of the city’s brokerage business.
Read MoreDeveloper who drew friends into Ponzi reaches $1M deal
Sydney "Jack" Williams, founder of Williams Realty Group, recruited dozens of investors, many with Indiana ties, to invest in a Florida business that turned out to be a giant fraud.
Read MoreMarion, Ind., chain balloons to 620 mobile-phone stores
The chain’s growth got a boost last year when it landed a deal to operate 164 cellular shops inside HHGregg stores.
Read MoreCommercial real estate will continue its climb back in 2011
Medical office likely will be the strongest sector, followed by apartments.
Read MoreFocusBack to Top
Daniels shifts aim to education reform
Education reform is taking on greater priority after governor incomes misses an ambitious goal of raising Hoosier incomes.
Read MoreWGU Indiana provides more access to courses
Students now can use scholarships to pay Western Governors University tuition.
Read MoreOpinionBack to Top
EDITORIAL: City’s IT sector finding a groove
Indianapolis has spent more than a decade craving a robust information technology sector. Now there are signs that craving is being satisfied.
Read MoreEDITORIAL: Praise for Don Welsh
Don Welsh, the departing leader of the Indianapolis Convention and Visitors Association, is the embodiment of the risk and reward associated with bringing in outside talent to do important work on the city’s behalf.
Read MoreMAURER: Looking back at events in 2010
Each January, I reflect on a few of the prior year’s columns. I’m always curious about the topics and people I have written about over the course of the year. I hope you are, too.
Read MoreMARCUS: Our economic development is endangered
Thus far, the saddest bill proposed in the General Assembly allows Hoosier local governments to seek bankruptcy and management by a state-appointed agent. This bill is a back-door confession that the state’s 30-year war on local governments has succeeded.
Read MoreWILLIAMS: Indiana must overcome wage gap
Unfortunately, despite the governor’s pledge, the dollars spent by public-private entities and the recession, Indiana’s per-capita income has not risen.
Read MoreFEIGENBAUM: Here’s what to expect from State of the State Address
State of the State Address can help outline priorities for a given session, and governors have used them to dramatically draw a line in the proverbial sand, directly delivering a message to the individual members and leaders of the legislative branch—and over their heads to the voters—as to what they expect, will tolerate, and hope for.
Read MoreHICKS: Economist job more exciting than most think
Recently, my wife has stopped calling me an economist. It is too hard to explain what I do, so she calls me a professor (which has far more cool points to Harry Potter or Gilligan’s Island fans).
Read MoreSKARBECK: Deficits turn up pressure on unions, politicians
One sure bet this year is that Americans can expect to see a number of high-profile battles across the country between municipal or state governments and public-employee unions.
Read MoreLeave fund alone
In reading the editorial, “Let’s consider tapping bank fund,” in the Jan. 3 issue, several corrections are appropriate.
Read MorePDIF has served its purpose
The Public Deposit Insurance Fund, Indiana’s state-based backup to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp., has served its purpose for more than 70 years, and efforts by some Indiana lawmakers to raid this fund are misguided (“Daniels, bankers may spar,” Dec. 27).
Read MoreIn BriefBack to Top
Purdue professor says ethanol consumption has its limits
Current infrastructure for delivering the alternative fuel isn’t adequate to use all that the federal government says must be produced.
Read MoreTop museum honor goes to Conner Prairie
The living-history attraction is the second Indianapolis institution to win the prestigious National Medal for Museum Service.
Read MoreGreenwood contractor is minority small business person of the year
The winner of the Small Business Administration award has seen steady growth during its 10 years in business.
Read MoreIndyCar deal creates series-branded insurance plan
Open-wheel race series signs three-year sponsorship pact with Dallas-based Global Corporate Alliance.
Read MoreNew local restaurants open for business
The former owners of Arturo’s have opened another eatery, this time in Carmel’s Arts & Design District.
Read MoreGrant to help Gleaners distribute more perishables
Gleaners Food Bank plans to buy a refrigerated truck to supply more fresh produce, dairy and meat to central Indiana pantries, thanks to a $50,000 grant from Kraft Foods.
Read MorePROXY CORNER: Ameriana Bancorp
New Castle-based Ameriana Bancorp operates more than a dozen banking offices in north-central and central Indiana.
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