SEPTEMBER 10-16, 2012
This week, read about how plans for an Indian casino in northern Indiana could affect state tax revenue and find out what's taking Conner Prairie to the frontier of science education. In Focus, see what tax breaks you could be missing if you commute. And in A&E, join Lou Harry high above Eagle Creek Park.
Front PageBack to Top
Airport may carve up ex-terminal property
Indianapolis International Airport managers say they haven’t given up hope that a single, mega-sized tenant could create an economic development boon at the site abandoned nearly four years ago when the midfield terminal opened. But the latest listing of redevelopment sites shows the former terminal complex being marketed in pieces.
Read More‘Knock on Wood’ campaign boosts Farm Bureau brand
The torrent of competitors’ humorous TV commercials forced Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance to roll out its own campaign. So far, its “Knock on Wood” shtick is said to have boosted brand awareness in urban markets by 12 percent, as measured by social media chatter.
Read MoreTop StoriesBack to Top
Tribal casino could squeeze state coffers
A tribal casino planned for northern Indiana could deal a serious blow to established competitors, as well as to an important source of state tax revenue.
Read MoreReal estate firm’s niche is commercial Hispanic clients
Real estate entrepreneur Kelli Membreno, a bilingual native of northern Indiana, has built a business on helping Hispanic entrepreneurs navigate the barriers of language and American business customs.
Read MoreGrant takes Conner Prairie to frontier of science education
Conner Prairie Interactive History Park has been awarded a $2.3 million grant from the National Science Foundation, to find ways to encourage history museums to incorporate the often unpopular and intimidating fields of science, technology, engineering and math into their offerings.
Read More’80s anti-takeover law helped sow Emmis win
The Indiana Business Corporation Law—enacted to help Hoosier companies fight off a wave of attacks by corporate raiders—gives boards of directors unusually broad authority to exercise judgment as they see fit.
Read MoreEli Lilly aims to ramp up social media presence
The drugmaker recently drafted social media guidelines it hopes can help it expand its use of social media to more of its employees—without running afoul of regulators.
Read MoreTwo more clinical trials go against Lilly
In the midst of Eli Lilly and Co.’s surprisingly positive news about its experimental Alzheimer’s drug, the company suffered two other setbacks with former stars of its pipeline.
Read MoreFocusBack to Top
BARNARD: Courts hand business big victory over insurers
If your Indiana business has purchased liability insurance over the years and now faces an issue of environmental contamination, you might have valuable insurance coverage you don’t know about.
Read MoreCommuter subsidies often go unnoticed
In a dark little corner of the tax code known as Section 132(f), the IRS lets employers provide tax-free benefits—typically, payroll deductions and/or subsidies—to employees for commuting costs. That includes vans, buses, bikes, trains, and even parking. And both parties can save, since they’re not getting dinged for their respective taxes on the amount of the benefit.
Read MoreOpinionBack to Top
EDITORIAL: Rally to save the symphony
The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra is in a mess that will be hard to recover from, but it’s not too late for the symphony’s depleted management, the musicians and the community to rally and save one of the city’s top cultural attractions before it’s permanently crippled.
Read MoreMORRIS: Fox 59 is serious about local news
The announcement was made back in May and IBJ reported on it again in last week’s paper. However, I want to highlight WXIN-TV Channel 59’s expanded news coverage in the 6 p.m. hour, Monday-Friday, which starts airing this week. It’s the latest expansion of news at Fox 59 and the move is significant.
Read MoreKENNEDY: Music intrinsic to world-class cities
When I was in city hall in the late 1970s, the goal was to make Indianapolis a “world class” city. That wasn’t just rhetoric used by Mayor Hudnut. It was echoed by the City Committee (now long defunct) and by Lilly Endowment, which generously facilitated the goal.
Read MoreGUY: Let’s stop bashing government
In the following words, a friend implies that I love government: “I feel you believe in much more reliance on government, and I prefer free markets.” My reaction: Not really!
Read MoreALTOM: Who owns your data? The answer might surprise you
When you reveal information about yourself, do you still own or control it? And if you reveal something about someone else, who owns it then?
Read MoreHICKS: Global slowdown makes its way to Wyoming
Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke recently spoke of a slowing world economy at the annual fete of world economists in Jackson Hole, Wyo. His speech was the typical measured prose of someone whose choice of adverbs has the capacity to send markets diving. However, to an experienced listener, two interesting tidbits emerged.
Read MoreSKARBECK: Are equities really dead? Depends on whom you ask
References to the infamous 1979 Business Week article “The Death of Equities” have resurfaced in the media.
Read MoreDifferent conclusion
Studying the same subject, I came to a different conclusion, especially when the whole story is revealed [Kennedy column, Aug. 27].
Read MoreThe ‘USSR-ADA’
Thank you for [Benner’s Sept. 3] commentary on Lance Armstrong. I could not believe my ears when Travis Tygart of the United States Anti-Doping Agency announced something of the sort of “since Lance Armstrong will not prove himself innocent, we must find him guilty…”
Read MoreSymphony shrinking from greatness
The recent proposals [Sept. 3 IBJ] by the board of directors and the compliant management of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra to “save” it will only lead to its demise if implemented.
Read MoreAnother CDC fan
Thank you for running the [Sept. 3 Forefront] remarks from Sam Odle about the important role that community development corporations play in tackling the challenge of rebuilding our neighborhoods.
Read MoreToo many TIFs
“Carl” [Aug. 20 Taft column] most likely would have taken the job in another factory at lower wages and taken night classes to train for a better job. He needs the income to support his family.
Read MoreInformed beats hype
In the same [Aug. 27 Hetrick column] that tells the reader how “…citizens of third-world countries line up for miles, hours and even days to cast ballots…” he also tells the reader that votes in the United States are being suppressed because we close the polls at 6:00?
Read MoreKeep elections clean
Bruce Hetrick [Aug. 27 IBJ] thinks Republicans are trying to suppress votes of Democrats.
Read MoreIn BriefBack to Top
Banker takes stage as choir conductor
BMO Harris executive vice president will lead Indianapolis Symphonic Choir season debut.
Read MoreAirport touts generating more than $56M in tax revenue
Property tax isn’t part of the equation, which irritates some Decatur Township residents.
Read MoreRepublic asks FAA for more capacity on Washington, D.C., flights
The airline has asked to use a bigger plane on the route and expand service between Washington and Columbus, Ohio.
Read MoreCarbon Motors still part of plan to revive Connersville plant
The maker of high-tech police cars would occupy about a third of the plant if buyer of facility makes good on $4 million purchase offer.
Read MoreOld concrete plant to be razed for road, nature area
Project will serve new Interstate 65 exit, serve as gateway to Greenwood.
Read MoreSteak n Shake paying $3.8M for Ober Building
An affiliate of the Steak n Shake restaurant chain has agreed to pay $3.8 million to acquire downtown's Ober Building from the Capital Improvement Board of Marion County. The restaurant chain likely will move its headquarters to the 1910 building.
Read MoreNFP of NOTE: Storytelling Arts of Indiana
Storytelling Arts of Indiana promotes the art and use of storytelling in everyday life.
Read More