Monthly Archives: July 2010

Arby’s Beefs Up in Indianapolis

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Arby’s has started remodeling five restaurants in the Indianapolis market, including locations in Anderson, Connersville, Franklin, Greensburg and on Kentucky Avenue in Indianapolis.

The renovations represent a local investment of $1.5 million and are scheduled to be completed in September of this year.

The work is part of a comprehensive plan to remodel the restaurants to the company’s current Pinnacle design, which is contemporary and more appealing to customers.

In total, Arby’s will invest $100 million over the next three years to update restaurants nationwide, including 100 in 2010. The initiative is an important part of the brand’s turnaround plan.

“We opened our first Arby’s restaurant in Indianapolis in 1977,” said Luke Pisors, Sr. Director of Operations for Arby’s Restaurant Group, Inc. “Even though we’re in a difficult economy, the time is right to update the restaurants and reinvest in the community.”

Foreign Trade Zone Expert to Speak in Northwest Indiana

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National Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) expert, Scott Taylor, will speak August 4, 2010 at special Business Development Seminar/Lunch from 10:00am-2:00pm at the Northwest Indiana Forum (6100 Southport Road, Portage, IN). The session will focus on the expansion of the Port of Indiana-Burns Harbor’s Foreign-Trade Zone #152 to cover Lake, Porter, La Porte, Starke, Newton and Jasper Counties which allows businesses located anywhere in the six-county area to join an FTZ easier and faster—in as little as 30 days

“The expansion of the FTZ to six counties is a great opportunity for attracting, retaining and growing businesses in Northwest Indiana. We are pleased that Mr. Taylor will share his expertise and in depth knowledge of the new process with our region,” said Donald Koliboski, Forum Director of Economic Development.

Sponsored by the Ports of Indiana, NIPSCO and the Forum, the seminar will be split into two components: FTZ 101 (Overview of the FTZ program, understanding which companies could benefit, opportunities for financial savings) and FTZ Activation and Authority (the ins and outs of the new, expedited process and working with US Customs).

Business and community leaders, elected officials and redevelopment commissions/councils are invited to attend the complimentary program to learn how the new FTZ expansion can impact their organizations and their bottom line. For more information or to register, email pmathis@nwiforum.org or call 219/763-6303.

The Northwest Indiana Forum is the regional voice for the business community and a significant catalyst for initiatives that promote economic development and create and retain quality jobs in Lake, Porter, La Porte and Starke Counties. Funded by membership contributions and grants, membership translates into a direct investment in the region. Its corporate members represent more than $40 Billion in commerce in Northwest Indiana.

Blackford County Flooring Company Grows

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Q.E.P., a manufacturer of high-quality hardwood flooring located in Blackford County, is expanding and will create 35 jobs in its Montpelier facility within the next 18 months. Q.E.P. also expects to add additional equipment and special tooling in the facility.

Q.E.P, which acquired the Montpelier site in 2010, has begun interviewing potential employees and anticipates hiring several employees immediately. Q.E.P.’s expansion plans include the creation of a second shift at the facility where Q.E.P. manufactures engineered wood panels.
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IU Lands $6 Million Defense Project

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Scientists from Indiana University Bloomington and the University of Southern California will receive as much as $6.25 million from the U.S. Department of Defense to study the constraints on mutation in microorganisms.

IU Bloomington microbiologist Patricia Foster is the five-year project’s principal investigator. Joining her as co-PIs are IU Bloomington genome biologist and National Academy of Sciences Fellow Michael Lynch, IU Bloomington bioinformaticist Haixu Tang, and USC microbiologist Steven Finkel. Foster is a fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology and is widely considered an expert on bacterial mutation.
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Trucking Company Driving Into Daleville

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DSE Services, Inc. is purchasing the former Burlington Motor Carriers truck maintenance building on Commerce Drive in Daleville. The company will be investing $717,000 in the purchase and renovation of the facility and will be creating 56 new jobs over the next three years. The new jobs are expected to generate an annual payroll of $1.9 million.

DSE Services was founded by David Stinson in 2006 and has grown from a few workers to 48 employees today. The company is currently involved in logistics transportation and truck repair. The company will expand its business services to include a parts department at the new location.
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IUPUC Launches Business Development Intitative

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IUPUC is launching the Center for Business and Economic Development (CBED), which will work to enhance regional economic growth and development through academic and business partnerships.

The CBED will focus on regional economic growth and development through civic engagement in research, teaching and service. Provided services will include non-credit education and training, connecting businesses and organizations with students and faculty, promotion and support of entrepreneurship, innovation and industry-specific programming.
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Illinois Paper Recycler Expands to Indiana

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Quincy Recycle Paper will locate a new facility in New Haven. The company, which has its headquarters in Quincy, Illinois and is also located in Alsip, Illinois, will move to 2100 Summit Street. The project is scheduled for completion in December 2010.

“We are looking forward to beginning operations in northeast Indiana,” said Bryan Stokes, president of Quincy Recycle Paper. “Locating in New Haven gives us the opportunity to reach a broader consumer base and will bring us closer to suppliers. This expansion will also put us in position to maintain consistent growth in the future.”

Quincy Recycle Paper is a recycling facility that accumulates recycled material from suppliers, processes it and ships it to paper mills and plastic companies. The company handles over 250,000 tons of paper and plastic annually and stocks new and used baling equipment at its facilities. Quincy Recycle Paper will add an Excel Baler, IPS Baler, and a Cresswood Shredder in the new facility.

“The City of New Haven has shown that it is a viable and business-friendly place to grow or locate a company,” stated Mayor Terry McDonald. “We welcome Quincy Recycle Paper to our community and we will work hard to provide them with every opportunity to continue to expand.”

Muncie Business Incubator Gets New Director

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The Innovation Connector, a Muncie-based business incubator, has a new executive director.

Fort Wayne Community Schools has rehired 148 teachers out of 284 laid off in May.

The Indianapolis Indians are thriving thanks to higher attendance and new sponsorships.

The City-County Council has approved a plan to sell Indianapolis’ water and sewer utilities to a local nonprofit trust.

Notes: Study: Indianapolis Among Export Powerhouses

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A new study says that Indianapolis ranks among the top 20 metro areas in terms of exports, and among the top 10 in terms of the share of the local economy derived from exports.

The Indianapolis area ranks 20th in the value of exports produced in 2008 and ninth in the share of the local economy that came from exports, according to the report from the Brookings Institution.

That means Indianapolis could benefit if President Barack Obama meets his goal of doubling the nation’s exports over the next five years.

The report estimates that 85,158 jobs in the Indianapolis area were supported by exports in 2008 — the 25th-largest number among metro areas. Nearly one in 10 jobs in the area relies on exports.

The Indiana State Fair starts next week.