Indianapolis Business Journal

During the holiday shopping season, it’s all too easy to handle your gift list via Amazon and other giant e-commerce retailers. David Lindquist asks local independent retailers about the lengths they will go to make an in-person sale via face-to-face customer service. Also in this week’s issue, Mickey Shuey explores how Mayor Joe Hogsett’s office is trying to reorganize the city’s economic development apparatus to get a better shot at landing new companies and high-paying jobs. And Daniel Bradley outlines efforts to develop the now-quiet State Road 47 exit on Interstate 65 in Boone County.

The city of Indianapolis expects the $32 million Housing Hub—a low-barrier homeless shelter—to open in 2027. In the meantime, advocates for the homeless are debating whether the shelter will make a significant difference without permanent housing options to go along with it. Taylor Wooten has the story. Also in this week's issue, Dave Lindquist interviews Ted Gelov, the owner of Carmel-based Heartland Food Products Group, who is turning to IndyCar to build the brand of Java House, a cold brew coffee product that debuted in 2018. And Susan Orr explains why it's good to be a banker these days.

Carmel leaders are seeking answers about the finances and structure of the nonprofit Christkindlmarkt it helps fund. IBJ's Daniel Bradley dives into the details of what Mayor Sue Finkham is trying to achieve. Also, the Lilly Endowment sold some of its Eli Lilly and Co. stock holdings at or near a top price in the market, giving it millions to grant to organizations and programs. And IBJ's Susan Orr talks with entrepreneur John Thompson about what he looks for in the companies in which he invests.

The bid to bring one of the top 2025 events in the LIV men’s golf league was well served by the impression central Indiana left on its executives during the U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials in June. But, as Mickey Shuey reports, the way was paved months earlier. Also in this week’s issue, Cate Charron explains why recent comments from Donald Trump have raised suspicions in the tech industry that the CHIPS and Science Act—which has been central to several major economic development projects announced in Indiana—could be altered or abandoned. And Dave Lindquist profiles Brian McCutcheon, who has threaded the needle for creating sophisticated and accessible large-scale public art in Indianapolis.

For Indianapolis, staging the World Food Championships might sound like a bit of a lark after the NBA All-Star Game, the U.S. Olympic Swim Trials and Taylor Swift, but you could think of the food championships as the culinary Olympics. Dave Lindquist examines the potential local impact of hosting 1,200 chefs from more than 30 countries. Also in this week’s IBJ, Daniel Bradley explores how Fishers officials hope to revitalize the Allisonville Road commercial corridor. And we highlight the professional, civic and philanthropic achievements of attorney Melissa Proffitt, the recipient of this year’s Michael A. Carroll Award.

Rolling out a food truck might seem like a relatively easy way to get into the eatery business, but licensing in central Indiana can be as confusing as a nine-way intersection. As Daniel Bradley reports, food truck operators are required to make applications and fork over fees on a county-by county—and sometimes city-by-city—basis. Also in this week’s IBJ, John Russell investigates the extended delay in construction of a hospital announced for the Discovery Park District at Purdue University. And Susan Orr explains how local banks are competing for customers with cash offers.

The leaders of White River State Park are finalizing design plans for a $65 million extension of the park across Washington Street to the former General Motors stamping plant site where Elanco Animal Health is building a new headquarters. Mickey Shuey gets the proposed lay of the land. Also in this week’s issue, Susan Orr has the latest hiring outlook for Indy’s technology sector. And Taylor Wooten details the final stretch of the Nickel Plate Trail expansion through Indianapolis’ north side.

More than 150 employees of the city of Indianapolis make less per year than the amount of money that city recognizes as the benchmark for a living wage. That’s $18 per hour. Only recently did the city raise its minimum wage from $15 an hour. As Taylor Wooten reports, one city-county councilor is raising an alarm about adequately compensating some of the city workers who have the most interactions with residents. Also in this week’s issue, Cate Charron profiles the candidates for Indiana governor: U.S. Sen. Mike Braun and Jennifer McCormick, the state’s former superintendent of public instruction. And Daniel Bradley examines plans for a $110 million housing and retail development that Whitestown officials believe represents a big step toward improving the town’s amenity base and quality of life.

Don Tavel was an inventor who created a groundbreaking music synthesizer called the Resynator before dying in a 1988 car crash. Dave Lindquist explains how Tavel’s daughter, Alison, has used the Resynator as a focus point to learn more about the father she lost when she was just 10 weeks old. Also in this week’s issue, the founder and CEO of Wild Birds Unlimited discusses the decision to transfer ownership to employees. And the latest issue of IBJ’s Forefront is all about the upcoming election, the candidates and the big issues.

In 2018, India-based tech giant Infosys promised it would build a $245 million, multi-building campus on west-side property formerly owned by Indianapolis International Airport. As Susan Orr reports, the site currently has only one building, and the company isn’t talking about further plans. Also in this week’s issue, Daniel Bradley reports that Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation is headed for a fiscal cliff without plans for a long-term funding source. And Dave Lindquist previews the local events focused on Taylor Swift that are taking their cues from the pop star’s three Indianapolis concerts in November.

A pair of Hamilton County cities trying to cash in on their efforts in sports tourism are set to ask state lawmakers to change the rules that govern how and when cities can benefit from taxes generated by sports-related projects. Mickey Shuey explains what Noblesville and Westfield are seeking. Also in this issue, Susan Orr reports that Carmel-based Max Minds LLC, a software firm launched in 2019 by serial tech entrepreneur Brandon Fischer, is embroiled in a multimillion-dollar legal battle over the company’s core product—an online meeting platform called Alleo. And John Russell reports that insurer UnitedHealthcare has been dropping medical and hospital groups from its networks after failing to reach agreements on new contracts, leaving thousands of patients without access to their doctors.

More than five months after the Indiana Fever drafted Caitlin Clark at No. 1 overall in the WNBA Draft, central Indiana sports and tourism leaders are eager to further grow the women’s sports ecosystem. Mickey Shuey reports on two teams that will begin play next year—one a professional volleyball franchise and th other a semipro tackle football team. Also in this week’s issue, Dave Lindquist sheds light on the micro-museum aiming to preserve the cultural history of the Martindale-Brightwood neighborhood. And Susan Orr explores how tech companies are still grappling with the value of remote work versus in-office policies.

City leaders laud small, independent markets for helping fill the need for walkable food sources in urban neighborhoods, but grocery store owners face an array of challenges operating at that scale. Taylor Wooten has the story of two stores that sought to help solve Indy’s “food desert” problem but still need outside support to make ends meet. Also in this week’s issue, Daniel Bradley provides a preview of Noblesville’s Pleasant Street corridor after more than $100 million in renovations. And Susan Orr explains the steep rise in auto insurance costs.

Finding a water supply for an innovation and research park in Boone County has caused headaches for state economic development leaders, but the project’s growing pains have kickstarted conversations about statewide water management that main say are overdue. As Cate Charron reports, many stakeholders believe failing to act soon could threaten Indiana’s economic growth. Also in this issue, Daniel Bradley has an in-depth look at Republic Airways’ new corporate campus in Carmel and 105,000-square-foot training center. And Taylor Wooten examines how Indianapolis officials are now approaching the perennial challenge of funding street maintenance.

The Butter fine art fair has succeeded in drawing national attention to work by Black artists from Indiana, but it also has allowed some Black artists to grow their careers here instead of leaving for the coasts. Dave Lindquist has more on the way Butter’s benefits hav spread. Also in this week’s issue, Mickey Shuey and Cate Charron ask the candidates for governor how they will handle future development of the controversial LEAP Research and Innovation District in Boone County. And Susan Orr breaks down the legal battle between the co-founders of Carmel-based tech consultancy EnVista.

The 800-acre Petersburg Generating Station has been supplying power to Indianapolis for decades. As AES Indiana prepares to convert the station’s coal-burning units to natural gas, questions are surfacing about the ability to meet the state’s increasing power needs. IBJ’s John Russell has more. Also in this week’s issue, Susan Orr explores the possible impact of a national proposal to remove medical debt from consumer credit reports. And Daniel Bradley examines how Fortville businesses have been affected by more than a year of intense roadwork on Broadway Street.

Indianapolis officials have outlined a taxing district downtown that would help pay for the construction of a proposed soccer stadium. But many of the properties in the district that would be taxed are still on the drawing board. Ergo, the district’s revenue projections are partially based on properties that don’t exist yet. Mickey Shuey digs into the strategy that assumes future development. Also in this week’s issue, Daniel Bradley has a progress report on development of Andretti Global’s new, 400,000-square-foot headquarters in Fishers. And Dave Lindquist details the latest burst of creativity from local songwriter Richard Edwards of Margot & the Nuclear So and So’s, which includes two screenplays and a new album.

The long-awaited extension of Interstate 69 from Evansville to Indianapolis is finally complete. Susan Orr explores the expected impact of the route on development in Marion and Johnson counties. Also in this week’s issue, John Russell looks into the potential repercussions of a proposed 2.9% reduction in pay for physicians from Medicare. And Taylor Wooten explains how a new economic development tool could curb unwanted effects of gentrification in the Reagan Park neighborhood.