Battered manufacturing towns hungry for food processors
Economic development officials like the stability of the food business, though wages typically are mediocre.
Government & Economic Development
Articles
City files complaint against Bright House Networks over unpaid fees
A municipality has filed the first formal complaint against a cable television operator since state telecommunications reform
three years ago unplugged local government oversight of operators.
FEIGENBAUM: Historic milestone in gambling industry approaches
Indiana has made billions on gambling in nearly two decades, funding key programs, cutting excise and property taxes, and
avoiding tax hikes. The state has seen more than $2 billion in investment without any government incentives,
and more dollars committed in our history than by any industry outside of steel, power and autos.
Indianapolis golf course contracts up for bid
Mayor Greg Ballard’s
administration is requesting proposals to manage all but one of Indianapolis’
13 municipal courses.
Carmel grapples with rec center finances
A new business plan is in the works for the high-end Monon Center in Carmel.
Neighborhood taps cash languishing in account
City to unleash $3.8 million for improvements in United North West Area.
EDITORIAL: School funding has fatal flaws
A state budget was passed June 30, but it’s balanced on the backs of poor children. Legislators
deserve praise for at least slightly increasing overall education funding, but because of a flawed funding
formula, urban districts such as Indianapolis Public Schools actually will lose money in the next two
years.
Construction jobs trickling in from road stimulus
Federal stimulus money for Indiana highway projects so far has put to work 1,222 people with a payroll of $1.27 million,
according to state records of 42 projects under way in which contractors have reported job data. The work, ranging
from paving to replacing bridge decks, had a total contract value of $39.2 million.
City considering new parking meter plan
City officials are considering several proposals designed to wrestle more revenue out of
the city’s roughly 4,000 parking meters, including
the possibility of a long-term lease to a private firm, a move that netted Chicago more than $1 billion
last year.
Legislature snubs casinos, but forms study committee
Indiana’s struggling gambling industry didn’t get the relief it sought during the special session of the Indiana General Assembly. But embedded within the budget bill approved June 30 is a provision creating a gambling summer study committee. Its recommendations, due by Dec. 1, may make or break several of Indiana’s casinos.
FEIGENBAUM: Education money helped land key Democratic votes
As both House Speaker Pat Bauer, D-South Bend, and House Republican Leader Brian Bosma, R-Indianapolis, see it, this is definitely a "Republican-flavored" budget. Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels laid the framework, and legislators from both sides of the aisle largely abided by his bottom lines of spending, state agency cuts and surplus.
Carson vs. Chrysler, round one
U.S. Rep. Andre Carson, D-Indianapolis, is taking on General Motors Corp. and Chrysler Corp. in the name of crash victims.
Peterson has passion for health care and new Lilly position
A new communications post at Eli Lilly gives former mayor Bart Peterson an opportunity to meld his experiences in the public
and private sectors.
$65M development deal would cost Capital Improvement Board
The Capital Improvement Board could be forced to give up one of its most profitable assets so the city can pull off a $65-million
public-private downtown development deal. The city has agreed to help a developer revitalize the vacant former Bank One operations
center in part by acquiring an adjacent
parking garage for $18.5 million.
HICKS: Recessions end, with or without government help
The worst is likely behind us, but difficult times lie ahead, especially for the unemployed.
EnerDel poised to get jolt of stimulus juice
Within weeks, EnerDel expects to receive notification that it’s getting as much as $480 million in financing under a U.S.
Department of Energy program aimed at fostering advanced vehicle manufacturing.
EDITORIAL: Project near MSA may be worth the risk
The city has unveiled a dramatic plan for new housing and retail development to revitalize the old Market Square Arena site.
Despite some shortcomings, the project deserves a chance to give the stagnant area a boost.
$65M downtown development deal raises questions
A $65 million public-private plan for the redevelopment of a vacant downtown office building is raising eyebrows for its unusual
approach and potential risk to taxpayers. The plan calls for a private developer to acquire the former Bank One operations
center, surface parking lots and an adjacent
parking garage from a private owner for $18.5 million, then sell the 1,680-space garage to the city for $18.5 million.
MARCUS: Urban entryways deserve attention
We need not have an arch to rival St. Louis, but more communities could copy work done on the north side of Bloomington and
the west side of Columbus to welcome visitors and bolster the pride of residents.
State audit findings sting Westfield
Westfield’s mayor says the city’s rapid growth and small staff are to blame for accounting problems raised in a State Board
of Accounts audit.