Daily Archives: April 13, 2010

Ivy Tech Snags Training Grant

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Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana has received a $4.7 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy for smart grid workforce training programs that will help prepare the next generation of workers in the utility and electrical manufacturing industries.

As part of the grant, Ivy Tech will partner with Purdue University to develop the Crossroads Smart Grid Training Program (CSTP). To ensure the institutions address central issues in the workforce-education gap in Indiana, the CSTP will draw on many long-standing partnerships with the energy sector in both the private and public domain.

These partners include the Energy Systems Network, an initiative of the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership focused on building Indiana’s clean technology industry. ESN will support the universities’ efforts to ensure the programs and curricula that emerge from the CSTP are aligned with existing and emerging industry needs, working with utilities, the developers and manufacturers of smart grid equipment and technologies, regulatory agencies and other stakeholders.
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E&B Paving Lands $12.3 Million Project

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The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) has awarded a $12.3 million Major Moves contract for Phase 2 of the Fort to Port project to E&B Paving. The Anderson-based company submitted the lowest of five bids to build 2.2 miles of four-lane, divided highway, including a new diamond interchange at Webster Road.

Indiana’s Fort to Port corridor, U.S. 24 between I-469 in New Haven and the Ohio state line, is divided into four main sections. Last fall, Gov. Mitch Daniels, Senate President Pro Tem David Long and Rep. Randy Borror joined their Ohio counterparts to open the new U.S. 24 alignment connecting Toledo with S.R. 101 near Woodburn. Phase 3 is already under construction between S.R. 101 and Webster Road, and is anticipated to wrap up late this year.

Under the Phase 2 contract, E&B is expected to complete the new U.S. 24 from Webster Road to just east of Bruick Road by late 2011. During construction of the new diamond interchange, the contractors are permitted to detour Webster Road up to six months over Woodburn Road, Sampson Road and Slusher Road. Indiana’s Fort to Port corridor is expected to open to traffic in late 2012 upon the completion of Phase 1. More information is available on Indiana’s Fort to Port Web site, http://us24forttoport.IN.gov.

Major Moves capitalizes on Indiana’s strategic location as the Crossroads of America by building a superior road infrastructure. This innovative plan brings jobs to the Hoosier State and leaves a legacy for Indiana to be a global leader in distribution and logistics.

Notes: 40,000 Indiana Residents Cash in Home Buyer Tax Credit

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Hoosiers have gone in for the federal home buyer tax credit in a big way.

What is the federal homebuyer tax credit program worth to Indiana?

Try $269 million to nearly 40,000 Indiana residents who bought a home since April 2008, when the program began.

Only 13 states have filed for more tax credits than Indiana.

A new state-by-state breakdown of the tax credits, released Monday by the Internal Revenue Service, shows a total $12.6 billion in credits granted in a congressional attempt to stimulate the housing market that was hit hard by the recession.

A report says that Indianapolis-based Simon Properties may end its pursuit of rival General Growth Properties.

An energy company’s $645,000 expansion could bring 14 jobs to New Haven.

Scrap metal processors are enjoying a boom.

The Porter County Council will meet in the next few days to decide whether to appeal a court ruling that the county can’t leave the Regional Development Authority.

Small business owners are still jittery about the economy.

RV Maker to Expand

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Recreational vehicle maker Cruiser RV, LLC will expand its Howe facilities, a move which the company says will increase production efficiency and create an additional fifteen jobs, paying an average of $42,000 a year.

The LaGrange County Council has approved a ten-year tax abatement to facilitate the expansion.

The tax abatement was requested by Howe Group, LLC representing Cruiser RV, LLC and the LaGrange County Economic Development Corporation, and was approved unanimously. The abatement is for a period of ten years and is for a 10,200 sq ft. building addition, valued at $220,000.
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