Headlines - Inside INdiana Business with Gerry Dick

Hicks: Manufacturing Climate Drew Toyota Jobs

Thu, 9 Feb 2012 22:47:49 GMT

Ball State economist Michael Hicks says a robust supply chain and a quality work force drove Toyota's decision to shift production of its Highlander hybrid from Japan to Princeton. He says Indiana is also helped by a "really solid tax system" that provides long-term certainty to manufacturers.

Manufacturing Initiative to Target Skills Gap

Thu, 9 Feb 2012 22:20:29 GMT

The president of Greater Lafayette Commerce says the region has hundreds of jobs available, and hopes the new "Advancing Manufacturing" program will help fill them. Joe Seaman says the campaign is a 12-county partnership aimed at helping job-seekers find openings, training and scholarships. Seaman says the Advancing Manufacturing Website features five companies with approximately 300 job openings.

Pharmaceutical Consultant Opens in Research Park

Thu, 9 Feb 2012 20:24:49 GMT

A company that specializes in helping companies bring new drugs to market has opened in the Purdue Research Park. Chyall Pharmaceutical Consulting LLC aims to advise drugmakers on ensuring the safety of new products.

Trine Approved as Dual Credit Provider

Thu, 9 Feb 2012 20:12:39 GMT

Trine University in Angola has been approved for the Indiana Commission for Higher Education's Preferred Dual Credit Provider List. The school says its Middle College allows high school students to earn credits in their classrooms that are accepted at Trine and transferrable to other colleges and universities.

Fort Wayne Makes 'Safest Cities' List

Thu, 9 Feb 2012 19:59:29 GMT

Fort Wayne ranks in the top ten on InsuranceProvider.com's list of the ten safest cities in the United States. The site says the list was compiled based on crime rate, likelihood of natural disasters and driving safety.

World of Wheels to Feature Student Career Day

Thu, 9 Feb 2012 19:38:24 GMT

The 53rd annual World of Wheels event in Indianapolis will include a student career day. Organizers say Friday's event will allow nearly 300 area students to speak with industry leaders about future opportunities in the automotive market.

Purdue to Host 'Bridge Bust' Competition

Thu, 9 Feb 2012 19:18:45 GMT

High school students from Indiana and Illinois will participate in the 33rd annual Bridge Bust contest later this month at Purdue University. Teams will use balsa wood and glue to construct bridges, which will all be broken as part of loading efficiency testing.

Teachers Union Responds to NCLB Waiver

Thu, 9 Feb 2012 19:00:35 GMT

The Indiana State Teachers Association says it "cautiously supports" the No Child Left Behind waiver that Indiana has received. President Nate Schnellenberger says he hopes lawmakers don't use the waiver to push further reforms "without input from teachers."

Guard Chief, City Battling Base Changes

Thu, 9 Feb 2012 16:26:17 GMT

The head of the Indiana National Guard says he will fight to keep A-10 jet fighters at the Air National Guard base in Fort Wayne. The U.S. Department of Defense has proposed eliminating 21 A-10s at the Fort Wayne base and replacing them with nine surveillance aircraft. Major General Martin Umbarger says keeping combat planes in Fort Wayne is much cheaper and more efficient than housing them in active-duty bases. Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry says he will join Umbarger in lobbying lawmakers to oppose the changes.

Bennett Touts Reform as Reason for NCLB Waiver

Thu, 9 Feb 2012 16:11:06 GMT

Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Bennett is applauding the federal decision to give the state a waiver from certain No Child Left Behind requirements. He says education reform has allowed Indiana to become one of the first states to receive the waiver. Bennett adds the need for increased flexibility at the state and local level is needed as new measurements for student and educator effectiveness are developed.

Southern Indiana Bank Acquires Branches

Thu, 9 Feb 2012 16:05:16 GMT

Clarksville-based First Savings Financial Group Inc. (Nasdaq: FSFG) says it is acquiring the Indiana retail branches of First Federal Savings Bank of Elizabethtown Inc. in Kentucky. The banking offices are in Harrison County and Floyd County. The deal is expected to close later this year.

Indiana Part of Federal Mortgage Industry Settlement

Thu, 9 Feb 2012 15:59:47 GMT

Indiana is among states joining a federal settlement with five major mortgage lending banks. The agreement is related to the banks nationwide mortgage servicing practices, which helped cause the housing crisis of 2008. The state's estimated share of the national settlement is about $145 million.

Kite Posts Higher FFO

Thu, 9 Feb 2012 15:00:06 GMT

Indianapolis-based Kite Realty Group Trust (NYSE: KRG) is reporting fourth quarter Funds From Operations of $8.6 million, compared to $7.8 million for the same period a year earlier. The company also posted a slight FFO increase for all of 2011, compared to 2010.

Company, IOSHA to Discuss Stage Collapse Report

Thu, 9 Feb 2012 14:47:44 GMT

Greenfield-based Mid-America Sound Corp. is planning to meet with the Indiana Occupational Safety and Health Administration before deciding whether to contest fines related to the State Fair stage collapse. The company says it "strongly objects" to IOSHA's findings, which included a total of $63,000 in fines.

Taylor Holding Business Plan Competition

Thu, 9 Feb 2012 14:25:29 GMT

Taylor University is holding its seventh annual business plan competition starting next month. The school says the contest is designed to spur ideas and entrepreneurship in the state. The competition is open to residents throughout Indiana.

Magazine Names New Editor

Thu, 9 Feb 2012 13:58:47 GMT

Emmis Communications Corp. (Nasdaq: EMMS) has named a new editor for Indianapolis Monthly. Amanda Heckert has been serving as senior editor of Atlanta magazine.

Institute Posts Enrollment Jump

Thu, 9 Feb 2012 13:54:35 GMT

Ivy Tech Community College says its Ivy Institute of Technology now has 74 students. The school says that is an increase of more than 200 percent since its launch last October. The program focuses on training for entry or mid-level jobs in areas including machine tool technology or heating, ventilation and air conditioning.

Manufacturing Training Initiative to be Announced

Thu, 9 Feb 2012 13:45:38 GMT

A news conference is set for this afternoon in Lafayette to announce what organizers describe as a "groundbreaking partnership." Economic development, education and manufacturing leaders from that region of the state will take part in the announcement at Lafayette's Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE: CAT) plant.

Warehouse Company Expanding in Johnson County

Thu, 9 Feb 2012 11:32:51 GMT

A refrigerated warehouse company is expanding in Franklin. Interstate Warehousing Inc. plans to invest $26 million in a two-phased project. The company says it intends to add 50 workers.

Right-to-Work Fines on Hold

Thu, 9 Feb 2012 09:54:59 GMT

The Indiana Supreme Court has put fines against House Democrats for walking out during the right-to-work debate on hold. An order has been issued preventing the collection of the fines until the high court decides if it is legal for the money to be taken out of lawmakers pay. The hold affects fines issued for the Democrat walkouts that occurred during the last two years.

Ladies Golf Tour to Stop in Hamilton County

Thu, 9 Feb 2012 02:08:38 GMT

The development tour for the Ladies Professional Golf Association is planning its first ever stop in Central Indiana. The inaugural My Marsh Golf Classic is set for May 28-June 3 at The Hawthorns Golf and Country Club in Fishers. Proceeds from the Symetra Tour event will directly benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

Holiday World Unveils Seasonal Hiring Plans

Thu, 9 Feb 2012 02:01:14 GMT

Holiday World & Splashin' Safari in Santa Claus is planning to fill 2,100 seasonal positions this year. The Spencer County attraction is expecting to review a record number of job applications. General Manager Matt Eckert says "we're like a small city - we have quite a variety of jobs available."

St. Joseph's College Becomes Space Grant Affiliate

Wed, 8 Feb 2012 22:46:13 GMT

St. Joseph's College in Rensselaer has been approved as an Indiana Space Grant Consortium affiliate. The school says the status will provide students and faculty opportunities for scholarships, internships and project awards in the science, technology, engineering and math fields.

USA Football Offering Field Building Grants

Wed, 8 Feb 2012 22:38:35 GMT

Indianapolis-based USA Football plans to award $400,000 in grants to cities, school systems and tax-exempt youth leagues hoping to install football fields. The program awards up to eight grants of $50,000 to be used toward the purchase of a FieldTurf product.

Fort Wayne Economic Group Picks Interim President

Wed, 8 Feb 2012 22:30:46 GMT

The Board of Directors for the Fort Wayne-Allen County Economic Development Alliance has appointed its founding chairman as interim president. Mick McCollum replaces Andy Udris, who left last month to pursue other business opportunities.