MARCH 23-29, 2018
The Pacers should have little problem securing a new naming-rights sponsor for its downtown home that will pay at least double the current rate of $2 million a year, experts say. And the field of companies willing to pony up that kind of dough is bigger than you might think, Scott Olson reports. Also in this week’s issue, Hayleigh Colombo reports that Indiana businesses and individual taxpayers might have double the work (and double the cost) to calculate their taxes next year. And in Focus, Anthony Schoettle conducts a deep dive into the innovative venture studio High Alpha and the fledgling companies it has helped birth.
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Naming-rights deal could boost Pacers’ income
Pacers Sports & Entertainment should have little problem securing a new naming-rights sponsor for the fieldhouse that will pay at least double the current rate of $2 million a year, experts say.
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Indiana life sciences firms raise record $111M in venture capital in 2017
A $44 million VC infusion in 2017 for biosciences firm On Target Laboratories was one indication that Indiana’s life sciences sector is finally starting to pull down some serious venture funding.
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Without state fix, federal tax change could cost Indiana firms $100M
Indiana businesses and individual taxpayers might have double the work (and double the cost) to calculate their taxes next year if May’s special session fails to address the problem.
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3-year grant brought playwright to IRT; 20 years later, he’s still around
Kansas-native James Still first came to Indianapolis in 1991, to take part in a playwriting symposium. He later landed the role of playwright-in-residence and has had 20 plays produced here.
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Soup maker answers call for locally made goods
Lisa Sprunger founded frozen-soup company Urban Ladle in the kitchen of her north-side home, nurturing it into a line of seven frozen soups sold at various, mostly Indiana, retailers.
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Q&A: Kroger manager ‘came with the building’
When Marsh moved Larry Schultz out of its Mass Ave store years ago, customers threw a fit. Kroger was smart enough to make him manager of its new downtown store.
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Neighbors of proposed Carmel hospital gear up to fight project
More than 100 people gathered Tuesday to plan how to oppose the project, which calls for nine buildings, two helipads and four parking garages.
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Tow Yard equipment, recipes set to hit auction block
Indianapolis-based Key Auctioneers said it will consider offers for the microbrewery’s assets before the April 9 auction.
Read MoreOne of central Indiana’s oldest web developers acquired
New England-based SilverTech Inc. plans to expand to its second market by buying local stalwart Bitwise Solutions, which was founded in 1991.
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UPDATE: IndyCar inks three-year media rights deal with NBC Sports
The deal with NBC Sports Group will dramatically increase IndyCar’s exposure next season and move the Indianapolis 500 to a different network for the first time since 1965. It won’t end the live local blackout of the Indy 500.
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Former Lilly CFO Rice to lead CVS Caremark, report says
Derica Rice, 53, one of the nation’s most powerful black executives, retired from Indianapolis-based drugmaker Eli Lilly and Co. in December, after the company passed him over when naming a new CEO.
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Meridian Plaza buildings in Carmel fetch more than $30M
Zeller Realty Group has sold the two spacious buildings along the North Meridian Street office corridor after undertaking extensive renovations.
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Venture studio High Alpha offers its firms mentoring, money, marketing and more
Since its takeoff three years ago, investor High Alpha has grown its stable of studio companies from three to nine.
Read MorePELLETIER: Watch out! Cyber criminals love to hit in springtime
Cyberattacks can take many forms, but whether malware is the main method or a hacker gains command and control by initiating a phishing campaign, the adversary is always the same: a human.
Read MoreDriverless car company partners with Indy 500 winner
Dario Franchitti, winner of three Indianapolis 500 races, including this one in 2012, is helping Coast Autonomous understand how cars respond to drivers. (Photo courtesy of Indianapolis Motor Speedway) Coast Autonomous, a Pasadena, California-based self-driving-vehicle technology company, has hired three-time Indianapolis 500 winner Dario Franchitti as a consultant as it continues to develop its autonomous-vehicle […]
Read MoreClearScholar signs two new clients
Indianapolis-based ClearScholar, which provides app-based software to communicate with and engage students, recently announced deals with New Castle School of Trades in New Castle, Pennsylvania, and North American Trade Schools, a private vocational school in Baltimore. The two organizations are using ClearScholar’s platform “to attract new students and create deeper connections with prospective and current […]
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EDITORIAL: How can a supermajority fail? Ask Indiana Republicans
Voters should be frustrated with GOP leadership—or lack thereof—at the Legislature. But at least they can now dull their distress with beer they buy on Sundays.
Read MoreMORRIS: Much to talk about in bustling Fishers
While it takes a village to make something great, I am impressed with Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness—his leadership and vision for the city and as an individual who’s concerned about the well-being of people.
Read MoreCOOK and CULP: State moves needle (back and forth) on perception issues
The cost of doing business is supremely important to economic development. But so is promoting a social culture that appeals to the talent required to make these businesses operate.
Read MoreWHITE: What the ‘New Urban Agenda’ means for Indianapolis
The New Urban Agenda outlines 17 key commitments, among them providing basic services to all citizens; fair and equal access to housing; support for cleaner cities; improved connectivity and support for innovative and green initiatives; and safe, accessible and green public spaces.
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FEIGENBAUM: Retiring Rep. Charlie Brown paves way for next generation
Rep. Charlie Brown, D-Gary, first elected in 1982, is one of several lawmakers who will not run again. While he’s unfamiliar to most outside Lake County, he leaves a fascinating legacy and one of importance not just in Lake County and the Statehouse, but for people in Indianapolis.
Read MoreMALATESTINIC: Open work spaces: Does your company fit?
Distractions abound, and the good ideas the employer had hoped to engender through collaboration might never appear.
Read MoreKIM: Overconfidence plagues ‘bracketologists’ and investors
Never accept a wager offered by Warren Buffett and don’t sell when he’s buying (or vice versa).
Read MoreBOHANON & CUROTT: Muncie school-funding problem is about control
the district’s problems illustrate a larger issue: How should different levels of government work together to provide K-12 education?
Read MoreLETTER: IEDC shouldn’t play favorites
Take the Indiana Economic Development Corp. out of the business of deciding who will get favorable financial treatment.
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Discount grocer Aldi coming to former Marsh site in Nora
The Marsh closed in April 2017 as the grocer teetered toward bankruptcy. Meanwhile, Aldi is on a tear with its plans to modernize existing stores and open new ones.
Read MoreHolcomb traveling to Canada for three-day trade mission
The Indiana Economic Development Corp. announced Monday afternoon that Holcomb will spend Monday through Wednesday in Canada to promote investment in the state.
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Salvation Army moving Indiana headquarters to Castleton
The not-for-profit is spending $4.5 million to renovate its new building following an agreement to sell its current property to the neighboring Children’s Museum of Indianapolis.
Read MoreGovernor makes utility regulatory leadership moves
Gov. Eric Holcomb on Monday appointed former state representative David Ober to an open spot on the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission and promoted interim IURC chairman Jim Huston to chairman.
Read MoreArea home builders have busiest February since 2006
Builders filed 481 single-family construction permits in the nine-county area in February, a 37 percent increase over the 351 permits they filed in 2017.
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LOPRESTI: Hey, Indy. It’s time to play Name That Stadium
Seems the Bankers Life folks have turned in their notice at the fieldhouse. But naming stadiums can be tricky business.
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Experiencing the Sports Legends Experience
The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis’ new Sports Legends Experience is ready for action. Are you ready to play? Here are 10 things you should know:
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