Indianapolis Business Journal

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.

Indiana’s economy is on the verge of a high-tech makeover as leaders focus on snagging players in the semiconductor industry and other microelectronics. Unfortunately, few Hoosier workers have much expertise in the field. Cate Charron explores efforts to meet the industry’s workforce needs. Also in this week’s issue, Daniel Bradley digs into a plan for a 260-acre development in Zionsville that could bring 700 new homes to once-rural property. And in IBJ’s Focus section, we have some tips for negotiating raises now that the economy has regained much of its strength.

Fishers is advancing a long-held plan to annex about 1,000 acres along its southeastern border. Daniel Bradley explains the benefits and the costs of adding the land and close to 3,000 residents to the city. Also in this week’s paper, John Russell explores the implications of Eli Lilly and Co. becoming one of a handful of companies worldwide worth at least $1 trillion. And Taylor Wooten has a progress report on the demolition of the crime-ridden Towne & Terrace community on the east side.

This week's issue is packaged with IBJ Media's Indiana 250, the third annual list of the state's most influential business and community leaders. Also in this issue, Susan Orr ha a story about the post-pandemic slump that has hit the trucking industry. One trucking expert called it "unprecedented." Plus, Daniel Bradley has the latest on how rookie Mayor Scott Willis intends to make headway on creating a downtown district in Westfield. Dave Lindquist details what's new and different at Nora Plaza, while John Russell has a Q&A with IU Health officials about the organization's $4.3 billion downtown hospital project. Plus, the latest issue of Forefront explores whether Indiana has the energy resources it needs to fuel a growing economy.

More than 50,000 Catholics from across the United States are set to arrive in Indianapolis next week for the church’s first national gathering in more than 80 years. Mickey Shuey delves into the logistics and purpose of the National Eucharistic Congress. Also in this week's issue: Indianapolis city leaders hope to have a new animal shelter up and running by 2026. Taylor Wooten explains the delays that occurred after Mayor Joe Hogsett announced the original plan two years ago. Also Dave Lindquist details plans for a contemporary art museum in Garfield Park.

A financial firm with central Indiana ties is under investigation by the FBI, which says it suspects the firm’s executives of using investor money to carry out a “long-standing fraud scheme.” Reporter Susan Orr has the details. Also in this week’s IBJ, Daniel Bradley reports on the friction in Sheridan between the Indy area’s suburban growth and the residents who want strict controls on development to preserve the area’s rural feel. And Cate Charron explains how Indiana is beginning to leverage federal funds at its three federally designated technology hubs to accelerate the state’s standing as a high-tech sector and build a stronger workforce.

The deal that will bring three major World Wrestling Entertainment events to Indianapolis over the next year years had its roots in the 2022 College Football Playoff National Championship, which the city hosted. Mickey Shuey has the behind-the-scenes story on the origins of the first-of-its-kind deal for WWE. Also in this week's issue, Susan Orr details a tech-powered initiative to boost Black-owned firms in the city. And IBJ's Focus section provides a primer for ensuring interns have valuable and engaging experiences.

Plans for a $335 million hospital in Westfield are raising questions about why Indianapolis-area health networks are concentrating so intently on Hamilton County. John Russell takes stock of the county’s hospital marketplace and what’s behind the boom. Also in this week’s issue, as technology and other factors transform the accounting industry, some firms are turning to private equity investments to help them keep up with the pace of change. Susan Orr has more on this emerging trend pairing accountants with private equity. And Daniel Bradley explains how Carmel’s Palladium is upgrading its sound system in hopes of luring new and bigger acts to the performance hall.