Indiana Unemployment Rate Holds Steady in July

Indiana’s unemployment rate was basically unchanged (-0.1 percent) in the month of July, the Indiana Department of Workforce Development (DWD) reported today.

Indiana’s preliminary seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate in July was 10.6 percent. The decrease of 0.1 percent from June is considered statistically insignificant. The national unemployment rate decreased in July by the same 0.1 percent to 9.4 percent.

The unemployment rates of Indiana’s neighboring states remained basically unchanged from June as well. Michigan dipped 0.2 percent to 15.0 percent. Ohio increased 0.1 to 11.2. Kentucky increased 0.1 percent to 11.0 percent. Illinois increased 0.1 percent to 10.4 percent.
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News & Notes: Lake County Bounces Referendum Back to Indy

Lake County election officials are seeking the state’s advice on what to do about the November transit authority referendum that the county refuses to pay for.

The Chesterton Tribune has complete coverage as the town works to repair damage from Wednesday’s tornado.

Valparaiso University was named one of America’s best colleges by U.S. News & World Report.

West Nile virus was found in a mosquito in Jasper County.

News & Notes: Tornado Hits Chesterton

Schools in Duneland and Chesterton are closed today in the wake of destruction wrought by a tornado.

The LaPorte Community School Board has approved the school corporation’s $59 million 2009-10 budget.

Michigan City is soliciting bids for a $250,000 repair project for Franklin Square.

Griffith is prepping residents for the start of a $3.5 million repair project on Broad Street..

Innovation Park in South Bend is set to open next month.

Across Industries, Top Execs Expect Better 2010

Surveys of executives in the technology, financial, retail, and food and beverage industries by KPMG found that all expect higher revenues and profits in 2010, though banks and financial services providers believe their industry will lag the general recovery, while tech execs expect to be out in front of the rebound.

Two-thirds of senior executives in the retail industry expect to see better revenue, profitability and an improving jobs picture in 2010, and 72 percent of food and beverage executives said they expect business conditions to improve in 2010, with 72 percent also expecting stronger revenue and 65 percent expecting improved profitability. However, 48 percent of the food and beverage executives believe the U.S. economy as a whole could take as long as 2011 or later to substantially recover.

Opinion was similar among retailers, with 70 percent saying they expect business conditions to improve in 2010, 68 percent expecting stronger revenue and 66 percent expecting improved profitability. Forty-four percent thought the U.S. economy would not recover until 2011 or later.

Senior business leaders in the banking and financial services industry foresee their industry’s recovery lagging that of the national economy, but still see 2010 as a turnaround year as they expect improvements in revenue (72 percent) and profitability (68 percent).

Technology executives believe that the technology sector will recover from the current economic crisis substantially faster than the U.S. economy, with senior business leaders expecting improved revenue and profitability in 2010 and about half seeing an improved job picture.
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News & Notes: Jaymar-Ruby Shutters Michigan City Plant

Clothing maker Jaymar-Ruby will close its Michigan City facility in November, a move which will put 90 people out of work.

Chesterton has secured $5.1 million in funding for extensive sewer work in the downtown area.

La Porte will not suspend water and sewer hookup fees for new construction.

The Lake County election board has decided to pretend that the county didn’t vote against funding the November special referendum on the establishment of a regional transit authority.

Rick Mazer, who has spent the last 14 years as the Regional President and General Manager of Horseshoe Casinos, is headed to Las Vegas to assume management of five Harrah’s properties there.

Linda Satkoski named CEO of Starke Memorial Hospital

The Starke Memorial Hospital Community Board of Directors has named Linda Satkoski CEO, effective immediately. Satkoski, previously Senior Vice President of Physician Relations/Patient Care Services for La Porte Regional Health System, has been serving as Interim CEO at Starke Memorial Hospital since July 1.

“The Starke Memorial Hospital Community Board of Directors has been working closely with Linda over the last six weeks and is satisfied with the progress that has been made so far,” said Walter Fritz, M.D., President of the Community Board of Directors. “We are pleased to be working with her to further the progress of Starke Memorial Hospital.”
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Region Awarded over $2 Million in Workforce Acceleration Grant Funds

The Northwest Indiana Workforce Board and the Center of Workforce Innovations have been awarded funding from the Department of Labor’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) towards Workforce Investment Act Title I Adult and Dislocated Worker activities, entitled Workforce Acceleration Grants (WAG).

“These funds will enable learners to afford their workforce education without accruing high levels of debt,” said Linda Woloshansky, President & CEO of the Center of Workforce Innovations and Regional Operator for the Northwest Indiana Workforce Board. “Being able to add to the funding pool for education in our region’s high-demand industries is vital for our workforce and economic health,” added Woloshansky.
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News & Notes: Existing Home Sales Inch Up

Existing home sales in the Chicago region, which includes northern Illinois as well as northwest Indiana and parts of Wisconsin, increased for the first time in two years in July.

Attendance at this year’s LaPorte County Fair rose 10 to 12 percent over 2008.

Valparaiso is studying downtown drainage options.

St. Joseph County has received a $1 million grant to provide sewer service to the Wyatt area.

Conference to Detail Alternative Funding, Growth Strategies

Across the country, businesses are strapped for cash and leery of investing in the uncertain economy. But paradoxically, that makes it the perfect time for companies to grow revenues, profits and market share while competitors stand pat and eye the economic indicators.

But building a plan of attack, finding the right people to execute it and securing the financial resources to make it happen are a challenge in the best of times. So how do you do it now? Start by joining Building Indiana News October 1 at Radisson at Star Plaza in Merrillville for Fund It. Staff It. Grow It. a hands-on, results-driven workshop which will lay out funding, staffing and growth strategies for any economic climate.

Nationally recognized author and funding expert Stefania Aulicino will headline the event, bringing her knowledge of alternate capital funding avenues to northern Indiana’s top executives. Aulicino has addressed such blue-chip forums as The Inc. 500 Conference, The Council of Growing Companies Annual Conference and Young Entrepreneurs’ Organization, She is a frequently quoted source in the business press, Crain’s and The Financial Times of London. Aulicino is also the author of the widely praised book, Cash and Control – You Can Have Both.

Attendees routinely praise Aulicino’s engagements. “I recommend this program to anybody who wants to keep control of their company yet wants to take it to the next level and grow in a way that they can eliminate risk,” said Steven Andras, President and founder of Massachusetts-based Grate Products. Adds Geneca President Mark Hattas, “[t]his seminar has been absolutely fantastic because we focused on all the core ingredients of what’s needed to get the company to the next level.”

The conference will also feature short presentations from planning expert Tony Hutti of Gazelles International Coaching Services, and Eric Doden of Ambassador Family Enterprises, a private equity firm, who will share his insights on finding and securing top talent to build your organization. The conference will be followed by a short networking reception.

For more information and to register for the conference, click here. Seating is limited and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

News & Notes: Crime Down in Gary

Violent crime dropped 43 percent in Gary in the first six months of 2009.

Porter County Council rejected a proposal by the Porter County Convention, Recreation and Visitors Commission to shift some county venue funds into an expanded grant program for web site development.

A federal grant will revive bus service from South Bend to Indianapolis.

AT&T and the IBEW have reached agreement on a new contract.