Indianapolis Business Journal

Budget-writing season has been especially difficult this year in many Indiana cities, towns and counties as elected officials grapple with the effects of a new law that overhauled the tax systems that fund local governments. Marek Mazurek reports that they’re still trying to determine how the changes will play out. Also in this week’s issue, Taylor Wooten examines efforts to save historic churches in the Indianapolis area. And Mickey Shuey explains how a Fishers-based law firm has focused its work on helping clients navigate sweeping reforms in college sports.

As Elanco Animal Health moves into its new headquarters campus at the former GM stamping plant, officials in Hancock County are still working to fill the corporate and manufacturing campus they are leaving behind. Elanco had been the only tenant on the 20-acre campus at Interstate 70 and State Road 9, which has five connected buildings and 224,000 square feet of office and lab space. Now, IBJ reporter Daniel Bradley writes, business, community and health officials are working together to use the space to anchor what they hope will be an agriculture district. Also, reporter Marek Mazurek writes about the controversy over nondisclosure agreements that local officials across Indiana have signed as they negotiate with tech giants over data center deals. And reporter Mickey Shuey talks with Holladay Properties exec Jordan Corbin about the projects the South Bend-based developer has underway in Indianapolis.

Indiana’s hospital systems could face hundreds of millions of dollars in annual Medicaid reimbursement cuts if the rates they charge to employer-provided insurance plans are higher than thresholds set by Gov. Mike Braun. Dan Lee crunches the numbers on Braun’s plan. Also in this week’s issue, Taylor Wooten digs into efforts to rebrand Indianapolis’ land bank and exert more control over how vacant properties are redeveloped. And Mickey Shuey reports that construction has finally started on a long-delayed war memorial in Washington, D.C., designed by an Indiana firm.

Carmel High School this month will host the World Aquatics Swimming World Cup, showing off its $55 million natatorium and a local program that has produced several Olympians. Daniel Bradley details how the facility plans to make an international splash. Also in this week’s issue, Daniel Lee chews on the potential impact of Elanco Animal Health’s new global HQ on downtown’s west side. And Marek Mazurek combs through differences in opinion on the statewide effect of a new apprenticeship model for barbers and stylists.

The staffers at the Mayor’s Action Center—the city’s front line for fielding complaints and questions—feel they are underpaid and underappreciated for the vital and stressful work they perform. Taylor Wooten reports that the workers have unionized. Also in this week’s issue, Daniel Bradley details long-term planning in Noblesville to revitalize areas beyond its resurgent downtown. And Dave Lindquist throws a spotlight on a persistent problem with public art—funding maintenance when pieces fall into disrepair.

Just as Hoosier farmers are firing up their combines for the fall harvest, ag giant Corteva Agriscience is reportedly mulling a split of its seed and pesticide businesses. Daniel Lee reports that the move could alter the company’s presence in Indianapolis, as well as the state’s agriculture industry. Also in this week’s paper, Mickey Shuey has the latest on the fate of the planned redevelopment of downtown’s Gold Building. And Dave Lindquist turns up the volume on the latest concept from the family restaurant firm that launched Clancy’s and Grindstone Charley’s.

The gap between women and men attending college in Indiana continues to grow in favor of women, raising economic and social concerns. Daniel Lee explores the reasons for the exodus. Also in this week’s issue, Mickey Shuey reports on the push to make Indianapolis a hub for amateur and professional rugby. And Susan Orr explains why a 58-year-old firm that manufacturers metal parts for the aerospace, medical and racings industries is investing millions in 3D metal printing.

Local entrepreneurs tell IBJ they are worried about the impact a dispute between the Indiana Economic Development Corp. and nonprofit venture firm Elevate Ventures will have on the state's startup community, especially for companies in the earliest stages of development. Technology reporter Susan Orr writes that neither the state or Elevate are offering many answers about when—or if—the conflict will be resolved. Also, reporter Taylor Wooten checks in on the Monon 30 project announced four years ago for the Martindale-Brightwood neighborhood. One apartment building has opened, and the developers say more construction is on the way.

Columbus-based SIHO Insurance Services is a small health insurer tackling the huge challenge of growth in the employer-based benefits market in Indianapolis and across the state. Daniel Lee reports that it’s taking on national insurers and scoring early wins. Also in this week’s issue, Taylor Wooten has an update on the progress made by the Indy Health District in improving outcomes in five historic Indianapolis neighborhoods. And Dave Lindquist sits down with local musician Otis Gibbs, who’s enjoying a career renaissance through his music-history storytelling channel on YouTube.

If you think of an airport’s baggage-handling infrastructure as its circulatory system, then you’d say the Indianapolis International Airport is about to get open-heart surgery. Mickey Shuey reports on plans for a $140 million overhaul that will occur while the old system lives out its useful life. Also in this week’s issue, Daniel Bradley runs through the challenges of selling an eight-figure estate like the one occupied by late Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay. And Susan Orr reports on the rash of cargo thefts as savvy criminals level up to high-tech robbery.

Elanco Animal Health recently released one of its best quarterly earnings reports since the firm’s 2018 spinoff from Eli Lilly and Co. Susan Orr reports that some of Elanco’s latest animal medicines have had strong sales out of the gate. Also in this week’s issue, Mickey Shuey explains how the NCAA is collecting information for a massive database on college sports fans to help with marketing and to connect with potential audiences. And Taylor Wooten details plans from Butler University to launch an engineering program.

Daniel Bradley explains how the city of Westfield plans to take advantage of the international spotlight that’s coming with the LIV Golf tournament scheduled for Aug. 15-17. Also in this week’s issue, Dave Lindquist explores how this summer’s Indiana State Fair is turning up the volume on its theme, “Soundtrack of Summer.” And Taylor Wooten previews new technology that the city of Indianapolis is installing to better manage street traffic.

Development restrictions along the route of IndyGo’s future Blue Line intended to foster transit-oriented development have created difficulties for two projects along East Washington Street. Taylor Wooten has more. Also in this week’s issue, Sam Stall explains how restaurants are balancing rising costs with customer tastes. And Daniel Lee reports that the University of Indianapolis is launching a program this month to prepare nurse practitioners, long a fixture in primary care exam rooms, to care for complex and critically ill patients in hospitals

New Jersey-based drugmaker Bristol Myers Squibb this month dedicated its first production facility in Indiana—a clean-room manufacturing site for radiopharmaceutical cancer therapies. Daniel Lee reports that the firm is banking on the treatments as a more effective than chemotherapy. Also in this week’s issue, Susan Orr details the fight over a $2 million Geist mansion occupied by the managing partner of a financial firm now in receivership. And you can met the luminaries honored in IBJ’s fourth annual Indiana 250, which identifies the state's most influential executives, entrepreneurs, attorneys, sports figures and other leaders.

This week, we take a look at how city tourism leaders think the WNBA All-Star Weekend can be a catalyst for additional growth in women's sports in central Indiana. Plus, we've got the stories of five volunteers who are helping to make the WNBA events special, plus more the art and events the city planned for WNBA fans. Also, Dave Lindquist explains what makes the Post music festival different—and successful. And Dan Lee explores how Indiana University Health is rethinking hospital rooms as it builds a new downtown hospital.

Indianapolis leaders and event organizers are in a race against the clock to quell a recent spate of downtown violence before next weekend when the city hosts the WNBA All-Star Game and Indiana Black Expo Summer Celebration. Mickey Shuey and Dan Lee dig into the preparations. Also in this week’s issue, Daniel Bradley has the skinny on Slick City, the St. Louis-based family entertainment firm that recently slid into Indiana with an action park in Avon and now has plans for three more in the Indy area. And Dave Lindquist takes you inside a home in the Kennedy-King area owned by comedian Mike Epps, who has turned it into a shrine to the aesthetics of the 1970s.

Homes selling for $2 million. A median household income topping $104,000. A decreasing median age. That might sound like a description of a northern Indianapolis suburb. But this is Bargersville, a Johnson County town where officials are trying to manage rapid growth. IBJ's Daniel Bradley, who typically covers Boone and Hamilton counties, has the latest on plans for a revamped downtown and thousands of new single-family homes. Also this week, Susan Orr reports about the efforts by residents in several Indiana communities to stop data center projects. Dave Lindquist explains how the WNBA All-Star Game and Indiana Black Expo have been coordinating their plans for this summer's biggest weekend. And Taylor Wooten talks with Jeffrey Harrison, chair of Business Equity for Indy, about how the coalition is dealing with changes in attitudes about diversity.

It’s easy to assume that the goodies at doughnut shops are made in-house. New Castle-based Jack’s Donuts opened a production facility in 2023 to help shoulder baking for willing franchisees, but Susan Orr reports that some of them weren't happy with the results. Also in this week’s issue, Taylor Wooten explains how local hospitality and tourism officials are trying to create more green spaces downtown to make Indy more attractive to visitors. And Daniel Lee explores the shift toward narrow-network health plans that aim to help employers control costs.