Notes: Auto Makers Face Shortages

Parts shortages could put a damper on the rising U.S. auto industry.

The U.S. auto industry, already stretching to meet rising demand for cars and trucks, is facing shortages of parts and materials that could limit the number of new vehicles in showrooms later this year and crimp a historic turnaround.

The most immediate problem – a shortage of a crucial plastic resin, caused by an explosion March 31 at a plant in Germany – could surface in a few weeks. And later this year or beyond, automakers could be confronted with an even bigger crisis, running short of parts simply because there aren’t enough factories and people to make them.

Indiana Tech has received approval to build a law school in Fort Wayne.

A report says that Hoosier CEOs have an average annual pay of $4.5 million.

Powers Energy has gotten a 90-day extension for its efforts to build a trash-to-ethanol plant in Schneider, but local officials say no further extensions will be granted.

Railroad profits are up strongly nationwide.

A plan for a toll bridge to replace the Cline Avenue Bridge in Northwest Indiana could be in place soon.

Notes: Bridges Project to Create 18,000 Jobs

A new study projects that the Ohio River Bridges Project will create nearly 18,000 jobs.

Overall, from 2012 to 2042, the project is expected to generate an average of 17,796 jobs per year, and a cumulative total of $27.3 billion in personal income and $78 billion in economic output in the regional economy, according to the report.

In addition, the project is expected to directly result in an estimated 9,342 Indiana jobs over a 30-year period.

“These jobs are the ‘direct’ jobs that are expected to be attracted to the Indiana portion of the study area over a 30-year period,” according to the report. “As a result of these 9,342 ‘direct’ jobs, by 2030 an additional 10,548 jobs will result from the increase in population and the increased consumption of local goods and services associated with the establishments and people that these 9,342 ‘direct’ jobs bring to the region.”

The Indianapolis City-County Council is trying again to pass a tougher smoking ban.

The Indiana Department of Workforce Development has a new commissioner.

A new study says that one-third of Indiana college freshmen are not college-ready.

Today is Equal Pay Day, the point in the year when men could start to work and still earn as much as women by the end of the year.

Retail sales were up 0.8% in March nationwide.

ArcelorMittal has received its fifth straight Energy Star award.

Abbott Laboratories picked Ohio over Indiana for a new plant.

Notes: Indy Aquaponics Facility Proposed

An Indianapolis businessman has outlined plans to turn an old automotive plant into a futuristic farming operation.

A local entrepreneur is laying the groundwork for a $20 million transformation of a soon-to-close automotive plant into a sustainable farming operation that would raise fish and hydroponic vegetables.

Alex Carroll, who co-owns Lifeline Data Centers, envisions an operation turning out striped bass and butterhead lettuce instead of hydraulic steering components at the 160-acre property at Shadeland and English avenues on the east side of Indianapolis.

Carroll’s proposed plant transformation, which he said would cost about $20 million, would turn the outdated 1.8-million-square-foot manufacturing facility into a showcase for aquaponic agriculture. In aquaponics, water used to raise fish is recycled to grow vegetables, which soak up nutrients from fish byproduct. Then the water is used to raise more fish. There’s no need for soil.

Four economic development organizations in northeastern Indiana have received grants from the Olive B. Cole Foundation.

Gary is putting five vacant business sites up for sale.

A new state effort will push Indiana-grown produce.

Jeffersonville has approved the purchase of land for a new $7.5 million police HQ.

Indiana Beach is hiring.

A freeze watch is on for Northwest Indiana.

Popeyes is planning to open seven to nine new restaurants in Indianapolis.

Ball State has released a new study ranking quality of life in each Indiana county.

Notes: Colts Work Out Andrew Luck

With 23 days left until the NFL draft, the Colts are travelling to Stanford for a close-up look at QB Andrew Luck.

Hamilton County has been ranked as the healthiest county in the state.

Powers Energy wants more time to secure financing for a trash-to-ethanol plant in Northwest Indiana.

An aviation engineering firm will establish operations at the Gary Chicago International Airport.

Ivy Tech is buying a Lafayette mobile home park to provide room for expansion.

Allstate Expanding in Indiana

Business professionals looking for a second career may want to look twice at becoming an Allstate agency owner in Indiana. The nation’s largest publicly-held personal lines insurer is seeking individuals with management experience to invest in owning an exclusive Allstate agency. The company plans to appoint 20 new insurance agency owners in Indiana in 2012 and is offering a $5,000 referral award to anyone who recommends a qualified candidate, to be paid upon appointment.

In addition, Allstate’s new and existing Indiana insurance agencies plan to hire more than 100 licensed sales professionals through the year. The company is seeking to increase agency presence across the state and specifically in Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, South Bend, Evansville, Lafayette and Northwest Indiana. Allstate is currently the fourth-largest auto insurer in Indiana with 310,108 vehicles insured in the state.
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Notes: High Gas Prices Boost Mass Transit

High gas prices in Northwest Indiana are boosting bus ridership.

Subaru is expected to announce plans this week to produce vehicles under the classic International Scout brand in Indiana.

Lithium-ion battery maker Enr1 has emerged from bankruptcy under a private owner.

A two-year, $15 million road project is getting underway ahead of schedule in Elkhart.

Photo of the Day

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Methodist Hospitals Foundation Board Members presents a check for $30,000 to Ian McFadden, President & CEO of Methodist Hospitals, during their Second Annual Mardi Gras Ball. Pictured left to right are: Methodist Hospitals Foundation Board members William Lowe, IUN Chancellor; Ronald McColly, McColly Real Estate; Ian McFadden, President & CEO Methodist Hospitals; Gary Miller, Prompt Ambulance Service and Chairman of the Methodist Foundation; and Robert Hanrahan, Executive Director of the Methodist Foundation. The $30,0000 was used to purchase new bassinets for the Neonatal Intensive Care Units at both the Merrillville and Gary Campuses.

Notes: Fields of Green

Hoosier farmers could see a record $8.6 billion in revenues this year.

Total revenues for Hoosier farmers from corn, bean and wheat crops this year are predicted to be near $8.6 billion, up from $8.3 billion last year, according to Purdue University agricultural economists.

Record revenues probably won’t translate into record cash in farmers’ pockets because of the rising prices they must pay for land, for fuel to run their equipment, for fertilizer to make everything grow better and for other chemicals. Those costs are expected to rise at least 15 percent to 20 percent.

“So the net returns for farmers could be off a little because of the higher costs of production, but you have to remember that the decline is from records in 2011, so the income will still be above average,” said Purdue ag economist Chris Hurt.

Roche is trimming 80 IT jobs in Indianapolis.

A welding company in Woodburn is expanding.

Plans for a trash-to-ethanol plant in Northwest Indiana are still alive.

Fifteen electric cars built by the now-bankrupt THINK have been donated to Fort Wayne, Indianapolis and Evansville.

Last night in Muncie, a $15 million student housing apartment project was approved, while a second $7 million apartment project was cancelled.

Crisis Center Fundraiser Set for June 14

The Crisis Center’s 17th annual Wine Fest, Live & Silent Auction–“Northwest Indiana’s Biggest Night” is slated for Thursday June 14, 2012, 5:30pm – 9:00pm, at Chesterton Indiana’s premier, private Sand Creek Country Club.

The event is attended by the “who’s-who” of northwest Indiana. All proceeds benefit the Crisis Center’s multi-faceted crisis intervention and prevention programs for children, adults, and families. Crisis Center services include the Safe Place outreach program; Alternative House emergency shelter, Teen Court youth development, and Crisis Contact, a crisis and suicide prevention hot line and designated call-center for the national Lifeline network.
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