MAY 18-24, 2018
Kroger is seeking to sublease four former Marsh stores in central Indiana—a move fueling speculation that Kroger acquired control of at least some of the locations with no intent of operating stores. Scott Olson checks in on what has happened with the 18 Indianapolis-area Marsh locations that went up for auction. Also in this week’s issue, John Russell delves into why Anthem’s plans to set up a pharmacy-benefits unit have gotten off to such a rocky start. And in Explore, Lou Harry profiles some of the best places to dine al fresco this summer.
Front PageBack to Top
Anthem’s pharmacy-benefits-management unit off to bumpy start
Brian Griffin, the leader of Anthem’s new PBM, IngenioRx, quit on May 8 with no warning to become CEO of Michigan-based Diplomat Pharmacy. Now Anthem is scrambling to adjust.
Read More
Mike Delph won primary despite opposition from business leaders, Republican elite
The incumbent state senator took nearly 58 percent of the vote in his contest with Corrie Meyer, a business owner and former executive director of the Carmel Redevelopment Commission.
Read MoreNew tax break may bolster neglected neighborhoods
Neglected neighborhoods in Indianapolis that have been targeted for development will soon have another way to attract investors.
Read MoreTop StoriesBack to Top
Kroger’s strategy leaves some Marsh sites in limbo
Since the grocer bought seven former Indianapolis-area Marsh stores last July, it has reopened only a three.
Read More
LISC facade grants aim to boost small businesses through beautification efforts
The program has awarded more than $3.1 million to Marion County businesses since 2004—which has leveraged more than $10.6 million in property owners’ investment.
Read More
With Kite shares stuck in discount bin, dividend investors can hit jackpot
Kite Realty Group Trust now sports a whopping 8.5 percent annual dividend yield—by far the highest of any publicly traded firm in Indiana—a reflection of the cold shoulder investors are giving retail real estate companies as internet sales soar higher.
Read MoreQ&A with Curt Vander Meer, Endangered Species Chocolate CEO
Curt Vander Meer traveled to Washington, D.C., in April to talk to Indiana lawmakers about supporting a “strong and fully funded” Endangered Species Act.
Read More
Indiana casinos want to offer sports betting but need state lawmakers’ OK
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Monday that states can legalize sports betting. Indiana lawmakers will likely study the issue before their 2019 session.
Read More
High-end auto shop buys north-side building for restoration, storage services
A car-care staple in Meridian-Kessler is expanding to the Keystone Avenue corridor to open up space for rejuvenating classic models and giving their owners a white-glove option for storage.
Read MoreFocusBack to Top
New studies show women less confident, less knowledgeable about money matters
Just more than half of married women leave long-term financial decisions, including those about investing, to their spouses, even though the wives often are handling the daily household budget.
Read MoreUnemployment hits a low. Then comes the recession.
Whatever one might think about the U.S. political situation, it’s hard to deny that the economy is doing just fine. In April, the unemployment rate dropped to 3.9 percent, a 17-year low. At this point, there’s a job opening for every unemployed person in the country. Not bad. In the spirit of seeing the glass as […]
Read MoreHuntington bests other large banks in satisfaction survey
Huntington scored 847 out of a possible 1,000 points in the J.D. Power survey; the regional average was 821 points. (IBJ photo/Lesley Weidenbener) Among large banks with an Indianapolis presence, The Huntington National Bank scored highest in J.D. Power’s 13 annual U.S. Retail Banking Satisfaction Study. Huntington scored 847 out of a possible 1,000 points, […]
Read MoreBack-office costs not too high, not that low
It costs $10.9 million a year to run a financial services back office in Indianapolis—a mid-pack figure among 40 top U.S. and foreign cities, a new study says. The study by New Jersey-based site selection firm The Boyd Co. Inc. lists San Francisco as the most expensive; a corporate back office there would cost $13.6 million annually. […]
Read MoreBank names market leader
Pipes Bank of America has appointed Karen Pipes as its Indianapolis market manager. Pipes will handle community partnerships and be responsible for developing and executing a market plan. She began her financial-services career with JPMorgan Chase in 2005, where she held a variety of roles. Before that, she worked in the business, government and not-for-profit […]
Read MoreOld National expands no-fee ATM access
Old National Bank customers can now use Allpoint Network ATM machines without paying a surcharge, the Evansville-based bank announced this month. Allpoint has more than 55,000 ATMs within retail locations across the United States, Mexico, United Kingdom and Australia. Allpoint is a subsidiary of Houston-based CardTronics LLC.•
Read MoreOpinionBack to Top
EDITORIAL: Indy must tackle growing gap between haves and have-nots
Census data shows that 35 of the 36 ZIP codes in Indianapolis had higher poverty rates in 2016 than they did 16 years earlier.
Read MoreGREG MORRIS: Honoring a life cut short by needless gun violence
CJ Joseph was at the wrong place at the wrong time. His family keeps his memory alive by helping others.
Read MoreSANTIAGO JARAMILLO: Why employee engagement matters more than satisfaction
People don’t leave a company because it doesn’t offer free snacks—and they don’t stay and give their best just because it does.
Read MoreGARY PITTSFORD: Small business impact is not ‘snake oil’
The nation’s 28 million closely held businesses account for more than 50 percent of our national gross domestic product.
Read MoreHUBER & RODRIGUEZ: IND helps Indy’s economy prepare for takeoff
As a passenger-friendly airport eagerly pursuing new routes, Indianapolis International helps our business community connect to the world and compete for the talent that’s building one of the nation’s fastest-growing tech sectors.
Read MoreURBAN DESIGN: Congestion concerns shouldn’t drive Inner Loop fix
Expanded freeways typically don’t solve the problem they are meant to address.
Read MoreINVESTING: Stocks typically struggle during midterm election years
There is a “presidential cycle” for stocks, a pattern coinciding with various years of a presidency.
Read MoreBOHANON & CUROTT: Currency failure kills hope—and people—in Venezuela
The collapse of the currency is staggering. The yearly inflation rate is now over 18,000 percent.
Read MoreLETTER: Debate commission puts neutrality first
There is no way other TV stations would broadcast a debate in which a competitor would appear on their air as the moderator, even worse on a competitor’s set. And the commission wants each debate to reach as many Hoosiers as possible via many radio and TV stations and web streams.
Read MoreIn BriefBack to Top
Pacers Bikeshare system plans $1.2M expansion, thanks to federal grant
The Indiana Pacers Bikeshare system plans to almost double the number of bicycles and stations across the city of Indianapolis next year.
Read More
Ambrosia-inspired restaurant, ice cream shop slated for Fountain Square landmark
One of the city’s best-known Italian restaurateurs and a Fort Wayne-based purveyor of quirky frozen treats will be neighbors in the 90-year-old building that anchored Fountain Square’s revival.
Read More
Family seeks to rezone 321 acres of farmland for massive residential, commercial development
A family that has owned land in Westfield since the mid-1800s has requested a rezoning for a multi-use development project that would almost rival Grand Park Sports Campus in size.
Read MoreMartinsville’s Rodric Bray to succeed David Long as leader of Indiana Senate
It took less than an hour for Republicans to elevate Bray from his position as Senate majority floor leader, although he won’t be officially elected president pro tem until November.
Read MoreExploreBack to Top
Satisfy your appetite for outdoor dining at these curbside eateries
With temperatures (we hope) finally stabilizing, the covers have come off the patio tables and the chairs have been righted. Yes, outdoor dining season has begun.
Read More
MIKE LOPRESTI: Danville’s Tony Maners remembers ballgame that wouldn’t end
First-base umpire suffered through 32 frigid innings in professional baseball’s longest game.
Read More