Monthly Archives: June 2010

Notes: Asian Carp Found Beyond Anti-Carp Barrier

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An Asian carp was found past the electric barriers that were supposed to keep the species out of the Great Lakes.

Commercial fishermen landed the 3-foot-long, 20-pound bighead carp in Lake Calumet on Chicago’s South Side, about six miles from Lake Michigan, according to the Asian Carp Regional Coordinating Committee.

Scientists and fishermen fear that if the carp become established in the lakes, they could starve out popular sport species and ruin the region’s $7 billion fishing industry. Asian Carp can grow to 4 feet and 100 pounds and eat up to 40 percent of their body weight daily.

In Michigan, officials renewed their demand to shut down two shipping locks on the Chicago waterways that could provide a path to Lake Michigan. The U.S. Supreme Court has twice rejected the state’s request to order the locks closed, but state Attorney General Mike Cox said he was considering more legal action.

A Chicago-based industry coalition called Unlock Our Jobs said the discovery of a single carp did not justify closing the locks. Doing so would damage the region’s economy and kill jobs without guaranteeing that carp would be unable to reach the lakes, spokesman Mark Biel said.

Indiana businesses to Mother Nature: rain, rain, go away.

More than 1,000 people gathered in Fort Wayne last night for the Regional Economic Summit.

An Ohio auto parts plant is considering a move to Indiana.

A consensus is emerging that the worst of the recession in Indiana is over.

Anderson Establishes Grant Program

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The city of Anderson has established the Collaborative Business Grant program, which will allocate a total of $100,000 for joint business projects that assist in the success, growth, and retention of Anderson businesses through beautification, marketing, skill building, or sales growth.

Mayor Kris Ockomon, commending a key part of the Existing Business Initiative, said, “Neighborhood based business groups have really taken off. We’re seeing so much cooperation between businesses who are now working together to bring attention not just to themselves, but their entire business district. As these cooperative efforts grow, the City will now be poised to offer financial support to their worthy efforts.”
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Notes: IEDC Report: Most Promised Jobs Materialize

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A review of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation’s job-creation activities since 2005 revealed that about 87% of the promised jobs were, in fact, created.

Between 2005 and 2008, 637 companies moved to Indiana and announced intentions to create 78,688 new jobs. While only 68,459 new jobs were created, the state spent just $136,956 to support businesses that ultimately failed to live up to expectations.

In 2009, 160 companies receiving IEDC support created 5,280 new jobs, which was 102 percent of projections. So far this year, 89 companies have announced plans to create 13,141 new jobs.

House Speaker Patrick Bauer, D-South Bend, challenged Indiana Commerce Secretary Mitch Roob earlier this month to prove that business tax incentives helped create actual new jobs. Bauer said he suspected the state was spending money it didn’t have for jobs it never got.

In a letter sent to Bauer Tuesday, Roob explained that because most IEDC incentives are performance-based, the state doesn’t pay if jobs aren’t created.

The Tipton County EDC has been ordered to repay about $23,000 which was illegally collected from seven businesses between 2006 and 2009.

Heavy rains in the Lafayette region could could thrteaten corn and soybean crops.

Fort Wayne has approved a tax abatement for the $42 million Lutheran Hospital expansion.

Michigan City is close to approving $1 million for the construction of the Charles R. Westcott Gateway Park.

Notes: Revenues Fall for Top Indiana Public Companies

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Just eight of Indiana’s 50 largest public companies saw revenue increase in 2009.

Among the state’s 25 largest public companies, total revenue declined from $150.4 billion in 2008 to $137.6 billion in 2009.

Of the next 25 largest, only two—property and trucking insurer Baldwin & Lyons Inc., and software developer Interactive Intelligence Inc.—saw greater revenue.

Howard County has been declared a recovery zone, making it available for nearly $10 million in federal business development funds.

Some Tippecanoe County residents want a moratorium on wind turbine construction in order to revisit health-related zoning concerns.

Toyota will add about 100 temporary workers at its Princeton plant.

NiSource subsidiary Lake Erie Land Co. has initiated foreclosure proceedings against an Illinois developer who has failed to make payments on his purchase of the Sand Creek Country Club.

Northwest Indiana Teamsters rejected a contract proposal that would have ended an 11-day-old strike which has halted highway projects around the region.

Power outages caused by recent storms in northern Indiana have caused headaches for local businesses.

Dan Koch will take the helm at Holiday World after the death of his brother Will earlier this month.

IBEW 725 in Terre Haute is going solar.

New Phone Fee Goes Into Effect Next Week

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Beginning July 1, Indiana retailers who sell prepaid mobile phone cards and services will be required to charge their customers 25 cents per sale of these products and services.

The fee, known as the Prepaid 911 Enhancement Fee, is the result of a new law passed in the spring by the Indiana General Assembly. Revenues from the fees will go to fund Indiana compliance with the 911 requirements, also established by the state legislature.

Retailers are required to inform customers of the fee, which will be charged per sales transaction on the base price of the product. Customers can expect to pay the fee on items such as mobile phone cards and prepaid mobile phone services.

Tech Consultancy to Add More Than 100 Jobs

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Technology consulting firm Fusion Alliance will expand its Indianapolis headquarters, creating up to 107 new jobs by 2014.

The company, which specializes in developing technology-driven business solutions and applications, will invest more than $2.2 million to lease and equip additional space at its current headquarters in Park 100 on the city’s northwest side.

Fusion Alliance, which currently employs nearly 175 associates in Indianapolis, plans to begin hiring additional information technology professionals this year and will make investments in infrastructure and equipment to support their growth.
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Fort Wayne Printer Grows

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Lincoln Printing is investing $487,702 in new equipment and hiring two additional employees for its Fort Wayne location. The equipment is expected to be installed July.

Lincoln, which specializes in lithographic and digital commercial printing, will add a Heidelberg SpeedMaster 74 with pefector to its litho division, and an Ikon Image Runner 110 digital press to its digital division. The company currently has 37 full-time employees and will add both a press operator and a digital press operator once the new equipment has been installed.

“Adding the new equipment will enable us to expand and refine our current capabilities,” stated Billy Bradberry, president of Lincoln Printing. “With this investment, we can better serve our current clients, as well as position ourselves to be able to provide additional services to a broader customer base.”

Lincoln has requested that taxes on the project be phased in over time. The company could realize $29,209 in personal property tax savings over a ten year period if the request is approved by the City of Fort Wayne.

Notes: Lilly Launches New Anti-Cholesterol Drug

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Eli Lilly is making a late leap into the cholesterol-lowering drug market.

The company said this morning it is launching a new drug in the U.S. this month called Livalo, in partnership with Kowa Co. of Japan. The move comes just six months after the two companies signed a licensing agreement, and represents Lilly’s biggest push into a new area in years.

The market for cholesterol drugs is huge. Last year, physicians wrote more than 200 million prescriptions for cholesterol drugs, generating about $13 billion in sales for drugmakers, making it largest class of drugs worldwide.

But some analysts question whether the company is late to the game. The market is crowded with competing products, including some the top-selling drugs in the world, such as Lipitor and Crestor.

Some analysts say the market for statins already has peaked and prices are falling as more

Once a leading producer of mint, Indiana has slipped to fourth due to both domestic consolidation and foreign competition.

NIPSCO is still working to restore power to thousands of residents in northern Indiana after fierce thunderstorms blew through the region last Friday.

The city of Jefferson is considering the creation of a new construction inspector position

A Florida-based fish farm operator has dropped Russiaville from its expansion plans because of local opposition to its proposed presence.

Notes: Elixer Returning to Elkhart

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Elixer Industries in Elkhart is set to reopen an RV production facility it shuttered 18 months ago, a move which which will eventually generate 100 new jobs.

The manufacturer’s intent all along was to start the facility at 5020 Lincolnway East again and rejoin the community once the economy turned around, said John Willis, director of new business development at Elixir.

Elixir is investing $4.5 million on the new equipment necessary to make the doors, Willis said. The company’s own aluminum extrusion presses will be among the devices, along with a paint line and new automated and semi-automated fabrication and assembly machines.

When Elixir mothballed the local plant, the extrusion equipment was transferred to the facility in south Georgia. Now, some of that apparatus is coming back as the company plans to restart aluminum extrusion in Mishawaka.

Over the next year, Elixir’s expansion agenda will reach its facility on Collins Road in Elkhart. Willis said the Elkhart operation does metal fabrication and the company is planning to add capacity.

Indiana’s unemployment rate remained at 10% for the second straight month in May.

The Little River Wetlands Project has won a $1.4 million Mississippi River Basin Initiative award to assist wetlands development in the Little River valley, LRWP’s project area stretching from Fort Wayne to Huntington.

Wayne County’s week-long 4-H Fair begins today.

A government reorganization report recommends that Muncie and Delaware County eliminate the positions of mayor and county commissioner.

The Bloomington Brewing Co. has begun work on a new $700,000 production facility which will allow it to expand distribution around the state.

The Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore is looking at another record attendance year.

The Red Power Round Up, expected to draw millions of visitors to La Porte County, kicks off Wednesday.

Dometic Corp. is reportedly moving its headquarters from Elkhart to Louisville, but production facilities will remain in Elkhart.

Jeffersonville’s annual two-day barbecue fest begins today.

The army has officially decommissioned the Newport Chemical Depot.

GM to Motor Through Traditional Summer Break

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Nine of General Motors’ 11 U.S. plants, including operations in Fort Wayne, will stay up and running through the company’s traditional summer break, June 28 to July 9, in order to keep up with demand for new vehicles.

Most of GM’s U.S. stamping and powertrain plants will also work to support assembly operations. The decision is expected to generate up to 56,000 additional vehicles.

“This move will help buyers waiting for high-demand products such as the Buick LaCrosse, Chevrolet Traverse, and GMC Acadia,” said Mark Reuss, president of GM North America. “Our manufacturing teams are taking creative approaches to increase production and reduce the wait times for our dealers and customers.”
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