MARCH 28-APRIL 2, 2020
Prior to March, Dr. Kristina Box was an almost anonymous public servant, despite her relatively high rank as state heath commissioner. Now she’s front-and-center every day as the state’s point person in batting the COVID-19 epidemic, which has claimed dozens of lives and threatens to overwhelm hospitals. John Russell profiles career-long obstetrician and gynecologist who now plays a key role in containing the spread of the disease and shaping the state’s recovery from a catastrophic event. Also in this week’s issue, Susan Orr explains how central Indiana banks are handling commercial customers who suddenly have found themselves unable to make loan payments because of pandemic-related business disruptions. And Greg Andrews examines how the coronavirus is thwarting years of hard-earned progress for Indianapolis-based Republic Airways.
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Career OB/GYN thrust into spotlight as state battles COVID-19 pandemic
As Indiana state health commissioner, Dr. Kristina Box finds herself in the spotlight as the highest-ranking public health official in the state during the pandemic, which threatens to overwhelm hospitals.
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Banks say they’ll give commercial borrowers extra time
But the bankers also say it’s unclear how the pandemic might affect commercial customers—and the banks themselves—in the longer term.
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Restrictions put social-service not-for-profits to the test
A big challenge has been that some fundamental assistance—like providing food to low-income or aging individuals and families—doesn’t easily transition to a work-from-home model.
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For Republic Airways, virus thwarts years of progress
The entire airline industry is in crisis as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and accompanying recommendations and mandates for social distancing.
Read MoreGlobal educational-technology firm puts key division in Indianapolis
London-based Learning Technologies Group has announced Indianapolis will be the headquarters of its new learning-management subsidiary, a boost to the city’s already growing educational technology sector.
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The strain of isolation: Shift to telecommuting amplifies stressors
Hoosier company leaders are now warding off increased feelings of isolation, anxiety, burnout and depression with virtual water coolers and doughnut deliveries.
Read MoreQ&A with Asia and Olivia White, Urban Contessa owners
The mother and daughter have temporarily shuttered their floral and gift shop in Salesforce Tower.
Read MoreINDY BEACONS: Alexander Ralston, creator of city’s original street grid
Ralston, whose name graces a downtown restaurant and a boutique hotel, was also involved in laying out Washington, D.C.
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Indianapolis airport says it’s confident in financial situation amid industry calls for relief
Indianapolis International Airport’s budget is bound to take a hit from a major decrease in passengers during the COVID-19 pandemic, but airport officials say they have made preparations for economic disruption.
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Herb and David Simon make $19M bet on Simon Property’s deflated stock
Since the start of 2020, Simon shares have lost 67.7% of their value—chopping $31 billion off the company’s market capitalization.
Read MoreStartup’s app gives kids way to earn screen time through physical activity
New Palestine entrepreneur Andrew Armour spent four years developing his app, Activate Fitness, and the launch of the innovative software this month comes as children are not in school and parents struggle to control how they use their extra free time.
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Hotel developments, including Pan Am Plaza, likely to see big delays
Several developments in recent days have been thrust into holding patterns, as banks and financial institutions have stopped approving new construction loans for hotels and other projects amid the economic plunge from COVID-19.
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Get off the couch! Setting up your home office well is key to success in remote working.
The rush to set up home offices has been traumatic for some. However, experts maintain that, with the right furnishings, equipment and software, it can be pulled off with minimal—or at least only a modicum—of frustration.
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Home profile: Old World style in a home built for today
Donald and Leslie Bolinger’s vaguely Old World-looking Carmel home seems like it belongs in one of Indianapolis’ historic neighborhoods.
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Stenz delays plans for Mass Ave condos over parking concerns
Designs for the project were approved in 2018 and included nine condos, 4,500 square feet of ground-floor retail space and a 17-space underground parking garage.
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EDITORIAL: Hoosiers must stay home now so economy can reopen sooner
Stay-at-home, as painful as it is for the economy, is meant to give health officials a chance to catch up and be ready for what’s to come.
Read MoreGREG MORRIS: Here to help our readers now and in the future
Subscribers and non-subscribers alike can find the latest news on the pandemic and resources for small business at ibj.com.
Read MoreVIEWPOINT: The economic solution to the coronavirus pandemic
With most Americans stuck at home working and taking care of their children, payments directly to them will mean rent and mortgages can be paid and groceries can be purchased during this economic crisis.
Read MoreVIEWPOINT: Public freedoms aren’t absolute in time of crisis
Government must have the means to react quickly and decisively to contain a catastrophic disease outbreak—actions that might infringe on individual freedoms.
Read MoreKristen Cooper: Could this be a boom time for B2C startups and small businesses?
Now might be a good time for some startups and small businesses to consider pivoting their marketing and sales dollars to the individual consumer.
Read MorePETE THE PLANNER: Hard financial times don’t have to be insurmountable
I’m not giving up on you or anyone else. Why? Because of the thousands of people who’ve rebuilt their financial lives right in front of my eyes over the last two decades.
Read MoreBOHANON & CUROTT: Trade will remain robust after pandemic ends
What we call globalization is nothing new. Long-distance trade is as old as humankind.
Read MoreLetter: Low interest rates are perpetual bailout
The March 20 Economic Analysis column [Action by Fed can have unintended consequences], which states in part that “low rates (by the Federal Reserve) encourage banks to be generous in lending …” appears to extoll the virtues of low interest rates as imposed by the Federal Reserve for the better part of the last 12 years.
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Musk restaurant group closes Indy locations, won’t reopen one after virus scare
Upscale restaurant Hedge Row and the more casual Next Door both opened in Indianapolis in 2018. Both are part of The Kitchen Restaurant Group founded by Kimbal Musk.
Read MoreIndiana hospitals to pool information on medical supplies as COVID-19 surge looms
The move comes as doctors, nurses and hospitals across the country plead with federal officials to provide more critical medical supplies.
Read MoreState to use $5M Lilly Endowment grant to create center for homeless with COVID-19
Indiana Family and Social Services Administration Secretary Jennifer Sullivan said during Tuesday’s press conference that organizers have secured a location to quarantine those experiencing the virus and homelessness.
Read MoreFast-growing local tech firm Lev acquired by New Jersey-based IT giant
Lev will retain its name and operations in Indianapolis after being acquired by Cognizant, a publicly-traded company making its third cloud-related acquisition this year.
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MIKE LOPRESTI: Let’s revisit the undefeated of high school hoops
The short list of unbeaten champions could have grown by one this year.
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