Northern Indiana Public Service Co. (NIPSCO) natural gas customers will receive billing credits totaling nearly $4.1 million in early 2010. The credits were ordered by the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) this week in concluding its annual review of NIPSCO’s gas cost adjustments.
The Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor’s (OUCC’s) calculations showed that NIPSCO had over-collected $4.087 million for Unaccounted For Gas Costs (UAFG).
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Indiana’s preliminary seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate dropped 0.3 percent in September to 9.6 percent, according to the Indiana Department of Workforce Development.
Indiana’s unemployment rate has dropped 1.1 percent over the previous three months and is now lower than the national unemployment rate for the first time since October 2008. The national unemployment rate rose in September 0.1 percent to 9.8 percent.
“Indiana is bucking the national trend with three straight months of declining unemployment,” said Teresa Voors, Commissioner of the Indiana Department of Workforce Development. “We are encouraged by increases in manufacturing and professional and business service jobs. It’s still too early to say we have turned the corner, but Indiana’s economy is definitely trending in the right direction.”
Total non-farm employment in Indiana grew by 4,400 jobs in September. Revised August employment figures also showed an increase in total non-farm employment. This marks the first back-to-back monthly employment gains in Indiana since October/November 2007. In September, Indiana’s manufacturing sector added 3,000 positions from August. Professional and business service sectors added 2,900 jobs. Indiana did record a decline in construction of 3,300 positions, which could signal a premature end to seasonal construction season.
Indiana has the lowest unemployment rate of its neighboring states. Illinois increased 0.5 percent to 10.5 percent. Ohio’s unemployment rate decreased 0.7 percent to 10.1 percent. Kentucky decreased 0.3 percent to 10.9 percent. Michigan increased 0.1 percent to 15.3 percent.
Indiana’s unemployment rate stood at 6.1 percent in September 2008.
St. Joseph’s College has received a pledge for a $10 million gift from an anonymous donor. It will be the largest individual gift in the college’s 120-year history.
Chesterton should have a preliminary update to its Comprehensive Plan for development in hand next month.
Alpha Baking has received a tax abatement from the city of La Porte, allowing it to purchase a new, 75-foot long oven.
La Porte is also getting a new Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant.
Coffee Creek Center is still going nowhere fast.
Mohawk Flush Doors in South Bend will cease operations by the end of January, putting 70 people out of work.
The St. Joseph County Health Department is expected to run out of swine flu vaccine today.