Monthly Archives: October 2009

Indiana Unemployment Rate Falls Again

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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.

Notes: St. Joseph’s College Receives $10 Million Donation Pledge

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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.

I-80/94 Lane Configuration Changes Coming at End of October

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The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) announces the $97 million Major Moves project widening I-80/94 (the Frank Borman Expressway) between State Road 53 (Broadway) and Central Avenue is one-third complete and moving into its next phase.

The last weekend of October, the eastbound lanes will be shifted south onto newly constructed pavement. This will allow work to begin on the median and inside shoulders of the Borman. The new eastbound lane formation east of the ramp to I-65 south will feature two through lanes and one through/ramp lane separated by a concrete barrier wall. Taking the separated lane will allow traffic to access the ramps to northbound I-65 and Central Avenue, or continue east on the Borman.

When the traffic switch happens, all ramps currently closed will open except for the southbound I-65 to eastbound Borman. The ramp from Broadway to eastbound Borman will open approximately one week after the traffic switch. This will allow crews time to remove and pave over a sign foundation.

The westbound lanes will remain in their current formation. This configuration will remain in place through summer 2010. The third and final phase will begin in summer 2010 when the westbound lanes will be widened. This project began in March 2009 and is scheduled for completion in summer 2011.

St. Joseph County Opens Medical Clinic for Employees

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While the nation’s leaders debate healthcare reform, St. Joseph County is reducing its healthcare costs through an on-site medical clinic administered by Care ATC.

“After doing the research, opening an on-site medical clinic just made sense,” says St. Joseph County Commissioner Andy Kostielney (R-IN). “We expect to see significant savings while the health of county employees and their families improves. It’s a win-win.”

Kostielney led the initiative while Troy Scott of Clinicare USA facilitated it. “Once we started working with Troy, who essentially drove the project, it was a seamless, simple process,” Kostielney said.
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Notes: GOP Official Wants Lake County RTA Vote Held

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St. John Republican Party Chairman Joseph Hero has filed a complaint to try and force Lake County to hold the November vote on the regional transit authority.

Michigan City is looking at temporarily closing 17 streets to simulate the impact of the South Shore commuter line’s proposed relocation project.

Area Saturn dealerships are are closing up shop in the wake of a failed attempt to sell the brand.

St. Joseph County officials explained how they are spending Federal stimulus money at a forum on Tuesday.

Biesen, Melville Join Bekan Insurance Group

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Bekan Insurance Group, one of Northwest Indiana’s largest insurance agencies has announced that Jeff Biesen, CPCU, and Nancy Melville, CIC, have joined the firm.

Biesen brings 20 years of insurance industry experience to Bekan. He has specialized in the construction sector throughout his insurance career. Biesen designs risk management and insurance solutions for contractors and commercial developers.

Prior to joining Bekan, Biesen held a similar position as Vice President for Hilb Rogal & Hobbs (HRH) in its Chicago office.

Biesen frequently conducts educational presentations on risk transfer for clients and consulting firms. He holds a CPCU (Charted Property Casualty Underwriter) designation, and earned a degree in business from Ball State University.

Melville brings 25 years of commercial insurance industry experience. She has specialized in commercial insurance, working both for insurance companies and agencies, throughout her career.

She holds a CIC (Certified Insurance Counselor) designation, and has done so since 1996, and continues to attend education seminars annually to keep apprised of industry changes and practices.

HLR Bekan Insurance represents many top rated national and regional carriers. As a full service agency, HLR Bekan assists clients managing risk in property and casualty, employee benefits, real estate and financing. The company has offices in Lowell, Schererville and Valparaiso.

Notes: EPA Wants to Revisit BP Air Permit

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The Environmental Protection Agency wants to revisit the BP Whiting refinery’s air emission permit. The snag is not expected to impact ongoing construction and modernization work at the facility.

Completion of the new Porter Hospital has been pushed back 10 months to the summer of 2012.

The Jasper County Soil and Water Conservation District has received a $10,000 grant to protect county water resources.

Ivy Tech is looking to raise $2 million so it can buy a vacant, 36,000-square-foot building in South Bend as the new home for its College of Health Sciences.

Members Advantage Credit Union Breaks Ground on New Portage Office

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Members Advantage Credit Union is proud to announce they have broken ground on their newest branch in Portage.

Members Advantage Credit Union serves more than 9,500 members in LaPorte, Lake and Porter counties, with two offices in Michigan City and Crown Point and one free-standing, drive-up facility in Michigan City and has $75 million in assets

The new 3,300 square foot facility will be located in front of the Super Menards on Highway 6 in Portage.
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Indiana Dunes Restoration Project Moving Ahead

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An improvement project at Indiana Dunes State Park that already has won numerous engineering awards is moving into into phase 2 to repair damage from heavy rains last year.

The project will be funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which is providing $1,401,602 through American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) funds. FEMA funds totaling $140,759 also will be used. The bid amount was $2,047,000.

In Phase 1 of the daylighting project, the Dunes Creek stream channel and wetland were restored to their original location after removal of a parking lot under which a portion of the creek had been diverted into a pipe.
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AM General Lands $26 Million Defense Contract

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AM General LLC, Mishawaka, IN., is being awarded a maximum $26,234,409 firm fixed price, sole source contract for the integrated logistics partnership contract in support of High-Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle requirements. Other locations of performance are Chambersburg, PA., and Texarkana, TX. Using service is Army.

There was originally one proposal solicited with one response. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This requirements type contract is for one base year and four possible one-year options periods. The date of performance completion is Jan. 2011.