Chinese wins converts IU embraces difficult language as China’s economic influence spreads The rise of China’s economic and cultural stars has ignited the popularity of Chinese language instruction at Indiana University, which is gaining national distinction as a leader in the field. The number of students taking Chinese language classes has grown 110 percent over […]
Emboldened by the deal he signed to put his company’s name on the Indianapolis Colts’ new home, Forrest Lucas has launched
an arsenal of creative-some would say unorthodox-initiatives to fortify his growing company. Many of them are designed to
help Lucas Oil Products Inc. go head to head with the oil industry’s biggest players.
Small businesses in Indiana stung by rising health care costs now can band together to broker better deals from insurance providers. The rule from the Indiana Department of Insurance took effect in late August and is the final piece of a 2007 health care expansion state lawmakers financed with a 44-cent increase in the cigarette tax. The pooling program is open to businesses with two to 50 employees and is meant to give them strength in numbers so, in essence,…
Stock markets are falling, jobs are disappearing, and the outlook for the economy seems grim. Banks, real estate developers,
retailers and manufacturers are taking the worst hits, but all types of businesses in central Indiana are hurting. From health
care to technology, education to philanthropy, every industry is trying to take the setbacks in stride.
Six current and former University of Indianapolis professors who in late 2006 alleged business school dean Mitch Shapiro
violated hiring practices and created a hostile work environment got what they wanted last month.
Cleaning crews are wiping construction dust from the 63,000 seats in Lucas Oil Stadium, prepping for the public’s first peek at the $720 million venue Aug. 16. But the hard work is only beginning for the city’s Capital Improvement Board, the entity charged with operating the stadium. The fumbling point: CIB is anticipating a $20 million operating deficit for Lucas Oil Stadium in 2009.
Wall Street often is nothing more than a game of three-card monte, with the majority of players losing because they were looking at the wrong card. It is challenging enough to make money during bull markets. But during bear markets, the distractions and traps are everywhere, and they are lethal. There is a big distraction right now that is masking what could be the falling domino that sends everything else toppling over. The disaster of the month is the near-collapse…
Everybody’s doing it. So Heaton and Eadie and Katz, Sapper & Miller decided to get together, too. Katz Sapper announced last week that it will acquire Heaton and Eadie because both Indianapolis-based accounting firms expect their main health care clients-physicians-to link up more and more with one another and with hospitals in the next five years. They want the heft and experience to win the right to handle finance and consulting on more of those transactions. Katz Sapper gets Heaton…
Construction of Pan Am Plaza in the mid-1980s was a major step in the evolution of Indianapolis into a sports town worthy
of hosting a Super Bowl. But the office building, parking garage, skating rinks and public gathering place came up short over
the years in other ways for both taxpayers and developer, the Indiana Sports Corp.
On June 15, the Indiana Chamber of Commerce, which represents more than 4,800 businesses around the state, filed a federal
lawsuit against the upstart Indiana Christian Chamber of Commerce. The complaint alleges trademark infringement, unfair competition,
counterfeiting and forgery.
Tax attorney Sandy Bickle looked forward this summer to taking her first two-week vacation since 1976. But the latest property reassessment and the tax bills to follow are expected to generate a slew of appeals, prompting Bickle to rethink her plans. “I’ll probably take one, but it won’t be two weeks,” lamented Bickle, who serves in an of-counsel capacity at Ice Miller LLP. “I expect to be very busy.” She’s not alone. Tax lawyers, consultants and appraisers all likely will…
The Shelbyville Redevelopment Commission has approved creating a tax increment financing district near the Indiana Downs racino, according to The Shelbyville News. About 80 residents showed up at a Monday night vote to voice opposition to the district, which would use taxes collected in the area to fund infrastructure improvements rather than going toward schools, […]
Shelby County residents who oppose a tax increment financing district near the Indiana Downs racino are expected to show up in large numbers this evening at the last public meeting scheduled before the Shelbyville Redevelopment Commission, according to The Shelbyville News. The Shelbyville plan commission and city council already have approved creating a fourth TIF […]
A federal bill intended to bail out student loan lenders like Sallie Mae, one of central Indiana’s top employers, has raced like a bullet through Congress-a remarkable feat for Washington lawmakers. But what the future holds for embattled student lenders remains murky. While the newly passed measure will increase liquidity by allowing the U.S. Department of Education to buy loans, it leaves responsibility for working out the details to bureaucrats. In effect, Congress said in the bill that the Department…
If you’re thinking about selling your company, you’ll get no further than typing your first Google search when the term “private equity” pops up and maybe to a fifth Google search when the term “strategic buyer” appears. Private equity firms seem to be everywhere these days. These funds are growing larger, going public and making (or failing to make) ever larger acquisitions. With the increased visibility, the reputations of private equity firms are still based largely on stereotypes. Think unfair…
In this curious primary season, Indiana finds itself the brief center of attention as Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama invest time and treasure in the crossroads of America. The strongest focus in both their campaigns is my favorite subject-the economy. Both candidates bemoan the poor Hoosier economy, its job losses and income inequality. This would be a superb campaign approach for both candidates, except that their claims are wholly, totally and embarrassingly devoid of facts. Indiana’s economy is doing…
Shelbyville officials want to create a fourth tax-increment finance district, this time at the Fairland exit on Interstate 74, where Indiana Downs is renovating its horse track and adding slot machines. In addition to the track, the 1,000-acre district would include a gas station, a warehouse and a former recycling center, among other properties. Although […]
The state of Indiana is satisfied with the results of Marion County’s property reassessment. This morning, the Indiana Department of Local Government Finance approved the new assessment of local residential, commercial and industrial property values via a letter to Marion County Assessor Greg Bowes. IBJ obtained a copy through a public records request. Gov. Mitch […]
For most of Indianapolis-based WellPoint Inc.’s six years as a public company, it’s been a Wall Street darling. Even with the company’s stock down by nearly half since January, it still boasts sterling long-term performance. Since their October 2001 debut, the shares have appreciated 120 percent, obliterating the 18-percent advance of the S&P 500. But that’s yesterday’s news. Management has been on the hot seat since March 10, when the company announced it was slashing its earnings forecast because medical…
Property tax reform is now Indiana law. Hoosier homeowners are thrilled. But many corporate leaders grumble the historic deal was brokered on the backs of business. Topping their concerns is the new 3-percent property tax cap for commercial and industrial properties, which they fear will slow business expansions and discourage companies from moving headquarters to the state.
