JULY 12-18, 2010
This week, hear how a local agency plans to use Twitter to influence Hollywood and why six brand new friends are launching a brand new online business. In Focus, learn about the women who are the movers and shakers in the growing local-food movement. And in Arts & Entertainment, get Lou Harry's must-sees from the Indianapolis International Film Festival.
Front PageBack to Top
Trustee sues real estate exec for $115M
The founder of an Indianapolis real estate firm is accused of preying on longtime friends to help a Miami man perpetrate a
$900 million Ponzi scheme. Sydney “Jack” Williams persuaded more than a dozen Indiana investors to lend millions
of dollars at high interest rates to a food brokerage firm called Capitol Investments USA Inc.
Baseball complex could bring area near coke plant back to life
A plan to build a 28-acre sports complex on the southeast side is sparking hopes that a polluted parcel across the street
that formerly housed a Citizens coke plant can be revived as a retail and industrial center.
Diagnostics division to help Lilly tailor treatments
Eli Lilly and Co. is launching a diagnostics division to produce tests that can winnow out the patients most likely to benefit
from a Lilly drug.
Top StoriesBack to Top
Ad firm unit studies impact of social media on movie biz
At a time many local advertising agencies are struggling, one firm is growing with an unusual new division aimed at measuring
the effects of social media on movies and actors. Bradley and Montgomery late last summer launched Fizziology as a stand-alone
enterprise.
Home medical supply firm grows as industry boom approaches
David Hartley pulled $85,000 from his savings six years ago to buy Home Health Depot Inc. Nearly six years later, Hartley
has reinvented the Indianapolis-based home medical equipment supplier, growing from a single office in Greenwood to 12 locations
in Indiana and Illinois—and increasing annual revenue from $300,000 to more than $6.7 million.
Startup shoots for better Craigslist
Zankit, on online classified ad firm that thinks it has a better solution than Craigslist, was hatched only last month and
plans a late-July launch. It’s the product of six strangers who met at Indianapolis Startup Weekend just last month.
Hat World’s new strategy looks beyond the noggin
Here’s the business plan: Expand from hat retailing into two new segments—licensed sports apparel and team-sports
equipment—and benefit from the synergies among them.
Challenging job market trips up new attorneys
It’s a tough time to be starting in the profession when established lawyers struggle to keep up their practices and
client lists.
Hospitals see dip in charity care after 2008
Unemployment in Indiana has moderated slightly, but more than 313,000 Hoosiers remain out of work. And with attempts to extend
benefits for the jobless stalled in Congress, it’s likely more people will struggle to pay medical bills.
FocusBack to Top
Contract pharmaceutical research firm expands to New Jersey
Concentrics grows in spite of recession as drug companies look for help to handle patent expirations
Read MoreWomen leading local food movement
Women are leading the movement toward healthful, organic food grown close to home. Farmer’s markets, CSAs, food co-ops are
sign of growing trend.
OpinionBack to Top
EDITORIAL: Electric-car gang is ahead of pack
The drive to make central Indiana a leader in the use of electric vehicles is smart—regardless of where the money comes
from.
MAURER: First, choose the right people
Never in a single business class was I informed of the most important factor in making a sound business investment decision
— people.
MARCUS: Kokomo works to advance economy
What do you do when you have little discretionary money and enormous challenges? You might follow the example being set by
Mayor Greg Goodnight in Kokomo.
CHEN: Indiana needs to become Asia-savvy
Our state needs to learn how to effectively engage with the emerging economies of the 21st century in order to be successful.
Read MoreWorld Cup offers sports at its best
Soccer is pure sport, in the best and most meaningful sense of the word.
Read MoreSKARBECK: Short-term sizzle can’t beat consistency
To achieve outsized returns, whether in mutual funds or individual stocks, investors must avoid the hype and reliance on past outperformance.
Read MoreHICKS: A modest proposal: The SUN tax of 2010
The problem is that the tanning tax fails every single criterion of effective tax policy. It is narrow, easily avoided, suffers
high administrative costs, and distorts consumer and producer behavior.
In BriefBack to Top
Super Bowl Host Committee beefs up its staff
Three of the six additions are executives on loan from the Indiana Sports Corp. and the Indianapolis Convention & Visitors
Association.
Solar panel maker must prove low production cost
The company says it will hire 900 to 1,200 people in Indiana, but first, it must focus on successfully scaling up its existing
facility in Colorado.
Health reform rule could cost WellPoint
WellPoint Inc. has about $800 million riding on one arcane rule: how to calculate a medical loss ratio. The ratio quantifies
the percentage of customers’ premiums were spent on medical care, rather than overhead or profits.
CSO Architects plans new headquarters in former Bally’s gym
The 24,000-square-foot former fitness facility at 8831 Keystone Crossing is vacant and falling into disrepair.
Read MoreCivic Theatre gears up for capital campaign
Actress and former Indiana Repertory Theatre staff member Megan McKinney has been hired to prepare for the three-year fundraising
initiative.
New energy-efficiency grants available to Indiana commercial, industrial firms
Conserving Hoosier Industrial Power, or CHIP, grants will range from $50,000 to $400,000.
Read MoreMiniature-car maker signs distribution deal with Target
Locally based GreenLight Collectibles recently signed a deal to have the retailer sell its 1:64-scale replica cars.
Read MoreVan Rooy sweeps national maintenance ‘Olympics’
Three of the local firm’s employees beat 3,000 contestants nationwide at a competition in New Orleans.
Read MorePROXY CORNER: Baldwin & Lyons Inc.
Baldwin & Lyons Inc. provides property-and-casualty insurance for various industries, including trucking.
Read More