Indianapolis Business Journal

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.

Like everything else related to the Indiana Fever, corporate sponsorship for the team was one thing in the B.C.C. era (Before Caitlin Clark) and something much bigger after her arrival. Dave Lindquist crunches the latest numbers on Fever sponsors and how the team deploys their messages. Also in this week’s paper, Daniel Lee digs into the development of a first-of-its-kind blood test to diagnose Alzheimer’s disease, made possible in part by the work of an IU School of Medicine researcher. And Dave Lindquist details plans to create the Crooked Creek Cultural Campus on the northwest side of Indianapolis.

Purdue University’s long-term master plan for its downtown Indianapolis extension calls for 28 acres of campus that can serve 15,000 students. IBJ’s Mickey Shuey shares the vision for high-density development that will rely on tall buildings to meet its big aspirations. Also in this week’s issue, Daniel Lee reports on the startup Syndeio Biosciences that’s bringing $90 million in venture backing to its mission to treat mental health and cognitive conditions. And IBJ unveils this year’s Corporate 100, our authoritative list of the largest public and private companies in the state.

Mickey Shuey explains how Pacers Sports & Entertainment is trying to take advantage of the team’s trip to the NBA Finals. Also in this week’s paper, Daniel Lee investigates the blockbuster potential for Eli Lilly and Co.’s new weight-loss drug in pill form. And Daniel Bradley reports on efforts among local governments across central Indiana to meet a deadline for streaming all of their public meetings live.

Mickey Shuey explains how the three Irsay sisters have carved out key roles within the Colts, how the NFL typically handles succession issues and what financial concerns the daughters likely will have following the death of Jim Irsay. Also in this week’s issue, Daniel Bradley explains how residents of the Home Place neighborhood have come to grips with their annexation by Carmel and hope to create out a distinctive identity for their community’s business district. And Taylor Wooten has the unlikely and inspiring story about how the Wild Geese Bookshop in Franklin has developed a national reputation with authors.

Washington Square Mall was one of Indy’s premier shopping centers in the 1990s. Taylor Wooten reports that competing visions—from the mall’s current majority owner and a local politician—aim to revamp the entire 1.1-million-square-foot property. Also in this week’s issue, Dave Lindquist takes us behind the scenes as Fox Sports pulls out the stops to broadcast its first Indy 500. And Daniel Bradley explains how businesses in Westfield are preparing to combat the effects of construction on State Road 32.

IndyCar drivers love to be on the track, but securing a deep bench of sponsors is also a full-time job that’s just as important as climbing the podium. IBJ’s Mickey Shuey digs into the business of attracting corporate support. Also in this week’s issue, Cate Charron explains how Gov. Mike Braun’s scrutiny of the Indiana Economic Development Corp. raises questions about the future of a planned $100 million investment fund to be managed by Elevate Ventures and intended to help young companies scale up their businesses. And Daniel Bradley explores how the explosion in popularity for the WNBA could lead to significantly higher player salaries.

The focus of our annual Innovation Issue is startups, including lndiana firms seeking to disrupt the health care, defense, agriculture and wearable device industries using AI, quantum computing and other emerging technologies. We also unveil the top 25 fastest-growing Indianapolis-area firms, as well as the winner of the Mickey Maurer Entrepreneur of the Year Award. And the lead debate in this week’s Forefront magazine stems from the question, “Are tariffs an effective way to bring manufacturing back to the U.S.?”

More IndyCar teams are choosing to locate headquarters in the Indianapolis area, and some of their young drivers have followed suit. Does that give them a home-field advantage in the Indy 500? IBJ’s Taylor Wooten has more on where the drivers on the grid are coming from. Also in this week’s issue, Daniel Lee reports on the efforts to reignite interest in scouting in central Indiana. And Daniel Bradley explains why fire departments are paying more for fire trucks that taking years to deliver.

Retailers across the Midwest and the nation are bracing for the full impact of tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump. IBJ’s Taylor Wooten asks local retailers how they’re preparing. Also in this week’s issue, Dave Lindquist explains how entertainment producers are working bring prominent artists to Indiana this summer while keeping costs affordable for fans. And Daniel Lee unravels the politically charged process that produced a complex piece of Indiana legislation pertaining to hospital systems that lawmakers hope will  lower health care costs for consumers.

Carmel-based Republic Airways Holdings Inc. is on its way to accomplishing something that’s been on its to-do list for several years: go public. Susan Orr explains the unconventional route Republic plans to take. Also in this week’s issue, cate Charron explores the potential repercussions of the property-tax relief plan signed into law by Gov. Mike Braun. And Dave Lindquist explains how chef Collin Hilton of Cunningham Restaurant Group whipped up the dish of a lifetime to win this year’s World Food Championships.

This week's issue features IBJ's Forty Under 40 class of 2025, with profiles of some of the region's up-and-coming leaders and a catch-up interview with Maureen Weber, a Forty Under 40 honoree in 2020 whom IBJ named Alumni of the Year for 2025. Reporter Susan Orr takes a look at how upheaval at the federal Food and Drug Administration is creating uncertainty for some Indiana companies, and Mickey Shuey writes about how the Caitlin Clark and off-season moves by the Indiana Fever are driving up ticket demand—and prices.

Old National Bank is working on a first-of-its-kind effort: the launch of an Indianapolis-based bank whose target customers are minorities and those underserved by traditional banks. Susan Orr reports on its progress so far. Also in this week’s issue, Daniel Bradley follows up on the still-unrealized plans by grocery chain Hy-Vee to open stores in Zionsville and Fishers, more than three years after they were announced. And Derek Schultz runs us through the $60.5 million overhaul of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum.

There’s a method to the madness that is the NCAA Division I men’s basketball tournament, and it relies on the collective efforts of thousands of NCAA and university staffers, contractors, local organizers, venue workers and volunteers. Mickey Shuey takes us step by step through the process, including Indianapolis’ hosting gig for the Midwest Regional. Also in this week’s issue, Susan Orr explains how companies are quietly changing the way they talk about diversity—if not outright cutting back on DEI efforts. And Taylor Wooten details how local housing providers are preparing for potential cuts to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Indianapolis-based Prolific—a marketing, strategy and investment firm with many connections to Israel—has set its sights on attracting mor Israeli companies to Indiana. Susan Orr examines the ways that Indiana and Israel are closer than their geographic distance would suggest. Also in this week’s issue, Taylor Wooten has the results of a report that investigated how well township trustees in Marion County were dispersing financial aid designated to help vulnerable residents. And Mickey Shuey explicates the latest question related to Mayor Joe Hogsett’s drive to establish a Major League Soccer team in Indianapolis: Would it be a brand new team, or a team that moves from another city?