Marijuana recommendation by U.S. health agency hailed as first step to easing weed restrictions
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommended that marijuana be moved from a Schedule I to a Schedule III controlled substance.
Government & Economic Development
Articles
Worker shortage leads firms to hire more ex-offenders
More than ever, Indianapolis-area companies are becoming so-called “second-chance employers” willing to hire people with arrest records and providing additional services to ex-offenders needing first jobs.
Hoosier companies contributing to NASA’s mission to Mars
The space agency’s Artemis program aims to build sustainable moon infrastructure that can serve as a launching pad for human missions to Mars. Indiana companies from all over the state are helping to make the huge endeavor a reality.
Experts carefully optimistic about state’s fiscal footing as lawmakers look to cut taxes
The Interim State and Local Tax Review Task Force, which began meeting Wednesday, will examine Indiana’s corporate tax, individual income tax, property tax, sales tax, and others.
Feds want more teeth to fight fake online reviews
The Federal Trade Commission has proposed a rule that would give it authority to fine businesses that write, buy or sell fake reviews, provide compensation for positive or negative reviews, or sell fake social media followers.
U.S eyes battle with drug giants over 10 costly medications for seniors
The list is expected to arrive within the next two weeks, and industry experts believe it will include some of the most widely prescribed treatments for arthritis, blood disorders, heart disease and diabetes.
Upcoming Rally conference sparking additional downtown gatherings
At least seven other events are taking place in and around downtown Indianapolis Aug. 28-30, all designed to capitalize on the momentum organizers hope Rally will generate.
Inaugural Rally conference aims to draw innovators
The Aug. 29-31 event at the Indiana Convention Center will have 220 speakers, five pitch competitions offering up to $5 million in total prize money, and hundreds of meetings between entrepreneurs and investors representing multiple industries.
Cicero needs new water source despite adjacent reservoir
Without more water, Cicero could be left out as development accelerates north along the U.S. 31 corridor.
New TIF renews hope for fading Irvington strip mall
The strip mall was built in 1952 and for years served as a primary retail hub for the neighborhood.
City to test state law in nuisance enforcement effort
Mayor Joe Hogsett’s administration is seeking a stronger approach to force property and business owners to discourage behavior that compromises public safety.
Federal grant helps IEDC expand minority services to small businesses
The agency last year received $1.6 million from the federal Minority Business Development Agency and added $400,000 in matching funds.
How Indiana’s data chief helps tackle policy issues
Josh Martin has been leading the Indiana Management Performance Hub since it opened in 2014. Since then, demands on the agency have grown as the state has come to depend more on data to tackle huge problems such as the pandemic.
Westfield Police Department planning new headquarters
The Westfield Police Department is basing the eventual size of the facility on the number of officers it expects to add and the city’s projected population by 2050.
Budget debacle leaves Lawrence city councilors, mayor at odds
The Lawrence Common Council approved a budget in September 2021, but the mayor’s administration did not submit it to the state by the deadline. That meant the city in 2022 had to operate under the previous year’s budget.
State considers adding LEAP districts beyond Lebanon
Officials are eyeing a few commercial and industrial parks they believe could benefit from the model that puts the state in charge of acquiring land and master-planning a site.
Drugmakers warn new law will deter discoveries
David Ricks, CEO of Indianapolis-based drugmaker Eli Lilly and Co., is turning up the volume on his concerns over a new law that would allow Medicare, for the first time, to negotiate drug prices.
Threatened by shortages, electric car makers race for supplies of lithium for batteries
A shortfall in lithium would be an obstacle for government and industry plans to ramp up sales to tens of millions of electric vehicles a year. It is fueling political conflict over resources and complaints about the environmental cost of extracting them.
State tool connects Hoosier entrepreneurs with resources
ConnectIND has a portal with information on everything from funding sources to coworking spaces to business incubators. It also has a network of 10 navigators being hired around the state to offer free guidance and support for the portal’s users.
City officials not yet embracing new downtown-tax-district option from state
The Republican-dominated Legislature has given the city a way to raise money for downtown’s post-pandemic revitalization, but there appears to be little chance that Democratic city leaders will pursue it before the November city election.