Headlines - Inside INdiana Business with Gerry Dick

Notre Dame Announces New Engineering and Computing Post

Mon, 6 Jul 2009 21:22:48 GMT

The University of Notre Dame has named Edward Bensman as its first director of engineering and science computing. The new post will oversee a team supporting technology systems and services for the Colleges of Engineering and Science. Bensman will also work to outline an operational strategy for technology systems and establish policies on computing system use and services.

DePauw Recognized as "Great College to Work For"

Mon, 6 Jul 2009 21:13:16 GMT

DePauw University is one of 150 institutions nationwide to be honored in a new survey by the Chronicle of Higher Education. "Great Colleges to Work For" recognized the Greencastle campus as a national leader for its "Tenure Clarity and Process." The results are based on responses from nearly 41,000 administrators, faculty members and staff members at more than 300 participating institutions.

Indiana Innovation Showcase Set For Tuesday

Mon, 6 Jul 2009 20:51:27 GMT

The state's entrepreneurial communities will have an opportunity to gather at the first Indiana Innovation Showcase on Tuesday. The invitation-only event will include 40 entrepreneurial Indiana companies of all stages, as well as 200 venture capitalists, angel investors, business executives and entrepreneurs. The Showcase is being held at the new Purdue Technology Center in the AmeriPlex-Indianapolis business park.

Indianapolis Company Acquired by BIC

Mon, 6 Jul 2009 20:05:46 GMT

Indianapolis-based Norwood Promotional Products has announced that it has acquired by BIC Graphic USA. The promotional product supplier will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of BIC USA Inc. BIC Graphic will pay $125 million, as well as assume approximately $37.5 million in liabilities.

GM Selects Fort Wayne For Multi-Million Dollar Investment

Mon, 6 Jul 2009 20:00:22 GMT

General Motors has announced it has selected its assembly plant in Allen County for a $46 million investment. Our partners at Indiana's NewsCenter report the company will expand its production lines to include 3/4 and 1 ton pick-up trucks, as well as the Silverado 2500 heavy duty extended cab truck. The announcement allows the plant to retain more than 2,000 jobs and keep a second shift operating.

Duke Energy Outlines $121 Million Carbon Storage Study

Mon, 6 Jul 2009 19:42:06 GMT

Duke Energy Corp. (NYSE: DUK) has filed plans with the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) for a proposed carbon dioxide storage project in southwest Indiana. The company wants to invest $121 million to study permanent underground storage of a portion of the carbon dioxide emissions from its Edwardsport coal gasification power plant under construction. The experiment will result in a 1 percent average customer rate increase between 2010 and 2013. If it's successful, Duke Energy will ask the IURC for permission to capture and store carbon dioxide on a permanent basis.

IU Announces Proposed Tuition Increase

Mon, 6 Jul 2009 19:31:29 GMT

Indiana University President Michael McRobbie is recommending in-state undergraduate tuition and fee increases of 4.6 percent this year and 4.8 percent next year for the Bloomington campus. Tuition at the university's five regional campuses would rise 4.4 and 4.6 percent under McRobbie's recommendations. University trustees have scheduled a public hearing July 16 to gather input on the proposed hikes.

Fleetwood to Close NE Indiana Plant

Mon, 6 Jul 2009 19:16:54 GMT

California-based Fleetwood Enterprises Inc. is shutting down its manufacturing facility in Garrett. The company says operations will permanently cease by August 31. Eighty-seven workers will be affected by the closure, though officials say some associates may be relocated to other Fleetwood locations.

IU Libraries Dean Takes New Post

Mon, 6 Jul 2009 18:55:55 GMT

The dean of Indiana University's University Libraries has accepted a similar post at the University of Maryland. Patricia Steele was scheduled to retire from Indiana University this fall. IU expects to name an interim dean until a search committee can find a permanent replacement. Steele has served as the Ruth Lilly Dean of University Libraries at Indiana University Bloomington since 2005.

Kite Realty Closes on Land Sales

Mon, 6 Jul 2009 17:37:46 GMT

Indianapolis-based Kite Realty Group Trust (NYSE: KRG) says it has completed the sale of two ground leased land parcels. The company says it will use a portion of the $10.7 million in proceeds to reduce debt.

Franklin College Takes Action Against New University

Mon, 6 Jul 2009 16:52:34 GMT

Franklin College in Johnson County is taking legal action against an Ohio university that plans to open a campus in Indianapolis. Franklin College President Jay Moseley says a complaint was filed in U.S. District Court to protect the college's registered trademark and end substantial confusion caused by Franklin University. A spokeswoman for Columbus, Ohio-based Franklin University declined comment pending review of the legal action. Franklin College President Moseley says the college has received numerous inquiries about its status since Franklin University began advertising in central Indiana. Moseley recently shared his concerns with Inside INdiana Business Host Gerry Dick and talked about the college's 175th anniversary.

Elanco Ready to Move on New Corporate HQ

Mon, 6 Jul 2009 16:51:26 GMT

Elanco says it will formally break ground on its new global headquarters July 13 in Greenfield, marking another big step in the animal health company's emerging public profile. Over the course of approximately two years, the division of Eli Lilly and Co. (NYSE: LLY) says it has made two acquisitions, launched a new pet business, signed a dozen collaborations with biotechnology companies and added approximately 400 jobs.

IU Names Acting VP For Administration

Mon, 6 Jul 2009 16:40:36 GMT

Indiana University has announced Paul Sullivan as its acting vice president for administration. He will assume responsibilities previously held by Terry Clapacs, who has retired. Sullivan will serve as acting vice president while President Michael McRobbie reviews the activities of the department to determine how they will be managed in the future.

Hoosier Ag Today Adds Wireless Service

Mon, 6 Jul 2009 15:55:31 GMT

Farm news organization Hoosier Ag Today can now deliver its agricultural news to web-enabled wireless devices. The free service is available by entering www.hoosieragtodaymobile.com into the web browser of a wireless device. Hoosier Ag Today Mobile is being sponsored by Indiana Farm Bureau.

Indianapolis Firm to Market Mark Leader Courses

Mon, 6 Jul 2009 15:49:30 GMT

Indianapolis-based Coles Marketing Communications has been named the agency of record for Toronto's Mark Leader Courses. It is the umbrella organization for three real estate sales training courses. Coles will develop a greater awareness of Mark Leader Courses through media relations, social networking, branding, Web design and e-communication.

Chamber Names New Marketing VP

Mon, 6 Jul 2009 15:34:13 GMT

The Greater Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce has hired Donna Marino as senior vice president of marketing and communications. She recently ran ARMONIA Communications, a business consulting and executive coaching firm. Prior to that, Marino served in leadership roles with Eastman Kodak Co. (NYSE: EK), Rubbermaid and Roche Diagnostics. She begins her new position July 20.

GM Bankruptcy Plan Approved

Mon, 6 Jul 2009 15:24:13 GMT

A federal bankruptcy court judge has approved General Motors' bankruptcy reorganization plan, which calls for substantially all of the automaker's assets to be sold to an entity funded by the U.S. Department of the Treasury. The judge in the case issued a four-day stay before closing can occur. The new company will be named General Motors Company. GM has major facilities in Fort Wayne, Indianapolis, Marion and Bedford.

IU Renames Informatics School

Mon, 6 Jul 2009 15:14:04 GMT

Indiana University has announced a new name for its School of Informatics on the Bloomington campus. The school is now known as the School of Informatics and Computing. Dean Bobby Schnabel says the new name better reflects the composition of the school, which offers bachelor's and Ph.D. programs in informatics and computer science, and master's programs in computer science, bioinformatics, chemical informatics, human computer interaction design and security informatics.

Free Health Fair to Focus on Chronic Diseases, H1N1

Mon, 6 Jul 2009 14:52:19 GMT

This year's INShape Indiana Black & Minority Health Fair will focus on increasing awareness of chronic diseases, such as diabetes and heart disease, and educating Hoosiers on the H1N1 virus. State Health Commissioner Judy Monroe says the virus will most likely continue to circulate and it could begin to cause more serious disease. The health fair runs July 16-19 at the Indiana Convention Center and will feature more than $1,000 worth of free screenings and tests.

Radio Executive Passes Away

Mon, 6 Jul 2009 14:45:56 GMT

The vice president and general manager of Indianapolis-based Emmis Communications' (Nasdaq: EMMS) Indianapolis radio properties has died. Tom Severino passed away at the age of 57, months after being diagnosed with cancer. In an email to employees, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Jeff Smulyan says Severino "lived a life with purpose" and "his passing is hard for all of us to comprehend."

Lilly Lands Another Approval For Cancer Drug

Mon, 6 Jul 2009 14:07:18 GMT

Indianapolis-based Eli Lilly and Co. (NYSE: LLY) has received a fourth approval for its drug ALIMTA. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the use of the drug as a maintenance therapy for non-small cell lung cancer, the most common form of lung cancer. Maintenance therapy is treatment given after initial chemotherapy, but before new tumor growth.

Indiana Equipment Manufacturer Adding 100 Jobs

Mon, 6 Jul 2009 11:50:41 GMT

A manufacturer of acoustic, interior trim and thermal management products is expanding its Valparaiso operations and creating up to 100 jobs by 2014. UGN Inc. is investing more than $3 million to launch new product and upgrade its facility on the city's southeast side. The company is a joint venture between Japan-based Nihon Tokushu Toryo Co. and Switzerland's Rieter Automotive Systems and employs 170 workers in northwest Indiana.

Public Universities Plan Tuition Hearings

Mon, 6 Jul 2009 03:50:16 GMT

Three of the state's public universities have scheduled public hearings on proposed tuition increases for the 2010-11 academic year. Purdue University, which has proposed a 5 percent boost, will host a hearing July 13. Indiana State University will hold a hearing July 10 on its proposed 3.9 percent increase. Vincennes University will also host a hearing on its proposed 4 percent increase.

Foundry Owner Hires Financial Advisor

Mon, 6 Jul 2009 01:30:00 GMT

Wisconsin-based Neenah Foundry Company, which has a subsidiary in northeast Indiana, says it has hired a financial advisor. Rothschild Inc. will work to help the company enhance its liquidity position. Neenah Foundry is the parent of Dalton Corp., which owns foundries in Warsaw and Kendallville. Dalton shut down its Kendallville facility in March, leaving 200 workers without jobs.

New Castle Foundry Owner Files Chapter 11

Sun, 5 Jul 2009 22:14:24 GMT

Wisconsin-based Grede Foundries Inc., which operates a foundry in New Castle, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization. The company says it has a potential buyer willing to provide up to $45 million in financing until a public sale. Grede employs nearly 300 workers in New Castle.