Indiana’s unemployment rate eases down to 3.2 percent
Private sector employment grew by 5,200 over the month and is up 28,200 over the past year, the state said.
Economic Development
Articles
Indy council member: Amazon bidding war is ‘race to the bottom’
An Indianapolis City-County Council member has signed onto a pact with two other council members from the cities of New York and Austin, Texas, to oppose the “tax-break bidding war that Amazon has begun” in pursuit of its second headquarters.
Three firms founded at Launch Fishers planning to add 82 jobs
Three fledgling businesses that trace their roots to co-working space Launch Fishers announced growth plans Tuesday that are expected to lead to $2 million in capital investments in Fishers.
Several issues unresolved as General Assembly nears ending point
Still left to address is legislation involving school safety programs, professional licensing for young immigrants referred to as “Dreamers,” sex education, school takeovers, handgun fees and workforce development leadership.
UPDATE: Manufacturer SMC planning $68M expansion in Noblesville
The largest private employer in Noblesville is planning a mammoth new facility and dozens of new jobs at its North American headquarters campus.
Lebanon manufacturer planning $5 million expansion
The company said it would spend $1.3 million to build a 19,000-square-foot addition and another $3.65 million to equip it.
Indiana city proposes tying arts donations to business tax breaks
The proposal would establish a public arts program and a Public Art Commission in the state’s second-largest city.
State lawmakers take pass on bills aimed at wooing Amazon HQ2
Indiana lawmakers didn’t propose any measures aimed specifically at attracting Amazon’s second headquarters, nor did they pass two bills that might have enhanced central Indiana’s bid.
State set to unleash new venture funding
The Hogsett administration and the City-County Council are weighing whether to kill a little-known organization that has quietly worked the past two decades on the redevelopment of key downtown projects.
Biotech firm plans expansion in Franklin, 23 new jobs
Its $1.5 million investment is expected to help B2S Life Sciences more than double its staff and grow its client base, which includes contract research groups, pharmaceutical firms and biotech startups.
Vroom hits brakes on ambitious plans for central Indiana
Online auto retailer Vroom, which planned to hire more than 200 workers in central Indiana, has closed the massive fulfillment center it opened in Whitestown just more than two years ago.
Construction tech-services firm expanding HQ, adding 56 workers
Indianapolis-based Earthwave Technologies Inc. is doubling the size of offices on the city’s northwest side.
New Conexus CEO wants Hoosier businesses to embrace cutting-edge technology
Former Angie’s List COO J. Mark Howell is looking for ways to help the state’s advanced-manufacturing and logistics industries navigate a changing technology landscape.
Governor sees international travel as crucial piece of eco-devo strategy
Holcomb and his top economic development official, Commerce Secretary Jim Schellinger, traveled to 11 countries and 31 cities in 2017.
House panel strips major parts of Senate workforce development bill
The House Ways and Means committee on Tuesday made big changes before unanimously passing Senate Bill 50.
Kitchen equipment maker plans $7M renovation, 75 jobs
The city’s Metropolitan Development Commission on Wednesday approved a personal property tax abatement to support CaptiveAire Systems Inc.’s expansion plan.
Lilly Endowment grants $5.2M to EmployIndy for youth programs
EmployIndy’s goal is to reach 6,000 young people with job-training and education programs during the next two years.
Powderkeg plans to add 37 jobs locally, expand nationally
The Indianapolis-based firm, which connects high-growth tech ventures with resources that help them scale up, is expanding into four cities this year and dozens more by 2022.
Energy firm proposes $2.5B plant in Indiana to convert coal to diesel
Riverview Energy officials say the plant would employ about 225 workers and create about 2,000 temporary construction jobs.
Local firms seek to advance social entrepreneurship in central Indiana
An Indianapolis law firm is hoping to boost what’s known as “social entrepreneurship” in central Indiana by bringing together people who want to both generate a profit and improve society with their business endeavors.