MAY 12-18, 2014
This week, A&E Editor Lou Harry provides a sneak peek at the Indianapolis Zoo's $26 million orangutan center, which opens May 24, and Scott Olson uncovers a criminal inquiry of local developer HDC Mansur. In Focus, J.K. Wall gauges the progress of Indiana's life-sciences thrust. And see what IBJ thought of much-ballyhooed Tex-Mex newcomer Chuy's.
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Feds probe whether HDG Mansur took millions from client
HDG Mansur has divulged in court documents that it’s the target of a federal criminal probe for allegedly skimming millions of dollars from a client.
Read MoreZoo expecting huge boost from $26M orangutan center
The Simon Skjodt International Orangutan Center opens at the Indianapolis Zoo May 24 (members get a look beginning May 21). And it’s hard to imagine a bigger zoological box-office draw than an octet of expressive, engaged, personality-overflowing primates
Read MoreUp-and-comer molds city’s justice center deal
David Rosenberg, 28, leads Mayor Greg Ballard’s effort to build a new jail and criminal courts for Marion County, which could cost as much as $400 million, all with no new revenue.
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Cricket-association turmoil imperils local event
Turmoil within the USA Cricket Association could jeopardize the organization’s national championship set for Indianapolis’ new World Sports Park in August, though local officials remain confident the event will happen.
Read MoreNot-for-profit focused on exercise adopts novel funding model
When Tom Hanley couldn’t get large charitable foundations to support a wellness program he developed for central Indiana youth, he switched gears and adopted a fee-for-service model underwritten largely by sponsorships.
Read MoreWith heat on company, ITT’s CEO Modany swings back
But in an interview with IBJ, ITT Educational Services CEO Kevin Modany asserted that for-profit colleges are a good deal, that they produce better results than community colleges, and that they are critical for the state and nation to close the skills gap among workers.
Read MoreBattery Ventures reaping rewards from big bet on Indy
The tech VC firm recently invested $7 million in Smarter Remarketer. It previously bet on Made2Manage Systems, Angie’s List and ExactTarget.
Read MoreUSA Track & Field clears big hurdle with NBC deal
USA Track & Field is on the cusp of signing a multiyear deal with NBC, fulfilling its longtime wish of pulling all its programming onto one network while strengthening its finances.
Read MoreBaker’s Edge founders to test ‘Shark Tank’ waters
Carmel residents Matt and Emily Griffin can expect to see a big burst in sales of their innovative brownie pan after they appear in front of celebrity entrepreneurs on ABC-TV’s hit show later this month.
Read MoreFocusBack to Top
Life sciences critical mass elusive in Indiana after years of effort
Attempts to build the sector are making headway, but Indiana still lags leading states.
Read MoreZimmer-Biomet deal could stanch their bleeding at hospitals
Hospitals, which have forced orthopedic implant makers to lower their prices in recent years, may have a harder time doing so when the combined Zimmer-Biomet controls nearly 40 percent of the market.
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EDITORIAL: Fadness agenda should advance
Fishers voters made their second forward-thinking choice in as many years on May 6 when they picked Town Manager Scott Fadness in the primary election to run as the Republican nominee for mayor.
Read MoreSenators to sausage—Mickey’s Camp has it all
Spaces fill up fast in the annual men’s and women’s camps that send money to favorite charities.
Read MoreRUSTHOVEN: The union vote proved toothless
Two races on my 2014 watch list were challenges to GOP state representatives Bob Behning of Indianapolis and Jerry Torr of Carmel. The issues differed, but each race showed continued erosion of union political power.
Read MoreKEY: End the end-runs around public business
Technology that makes a vast amount of public records available with a few keystrokes can also make monitoring government actions more difficult for Hoosiers.
Read MoreHicks: Many women sacrifice careers for their children
Mother’s Day is a splendid opportunity to think about the evolving economic effects of women as parents, how this influences their economic lives, and how women value motherhood in economic terms.
Read MoreKim: Graduating from college entitles you to nothing
Despite your newly obtained degree, you don’t know anything. You have no skills. If you are really lucky, you will soon land your first job. You are not entitled to that job. If you get it, you should be grateful for your good fortune and make the most of it.
Read MoreCitizens deal is working
Recently, Citizens Energy Group received regulatory approval to raise rates [April 23 IBJ] to continue updating the community’s aging water and wastewater systems.
Read MoreIn BriefBack to Top
Electric-car charging station to open by May 19
A kiosk and charging stations for Bollore Group’s car-sharing service were installed this month at 14 E. Washington St., in time for the Electric Drive Transportation Association’s annual conference that begins May 19.
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Super Bowl hopeful cities make their 2018 bids
Minnesota and New Orleans are keeping fairly quiet for competitive reasons. Indianapolis said it would expand the Super Bowl Village, which originated with Indy’s first Super Bowl, and will have another legacy project in the community.
Read MoreCircle Centre reports higher occupancy, lower revenue
New tenants including Granite City Food and Brewery and Firehouse Subs helped boost Circle Centre mall’s occupancy to nearly 90 percent in 2013, but sales per square foot and revenue slipped.
Read MoreWhole Foods confirmed as Market Square anchor
The specialty grocery chain will occupy 40,000 square feet on the ground level of the $81 million development slated to be built on a portion of the former Market Square Arena site.
Read MoreTown Manager Fadness wins mayoral primary in Fishers
Scott Fadness won Fishers’ first mayoral primary Tuesday, edging out five Republican candidates—including longtime Town Council President Walt Kelly and current council member Renee Cox.
Read MorePROXY CORNER: Zimmer Holdings Inc.
Warsaw-based Zimmer Holdings Inc. owns subsidiaries that design, develop and manufacture orthopedic devices, spinal and trauma devices, biologics, dental implants and related surgical products.
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