Notes: Colts Choose Luck No. 1 Overall

And so begins the Andrew Luck era in Indianapolis.

The succession process seemingly was cemented March 7 when the Colts declined to pick up the $28 million option bonus of quarterback Peyton Manning. That made the NFL’s only four-time MVP, whose future was uncertain following four procedures on his neck in 19 months, an unrestricted free agent and cleared the deck for Luck.

Fourteen years after making Manning the first pick and the face of the franchise, history repeated itself.

On so many levels, the Colts are Luck’s team. He insisted he’s up to the challenge.

“I absolutely am,” Luck said. “The most exciting part is being a part of a new locker room, new guys. That’s really what I’m stoked about.”

Meanwhile, da Bears selected DE Shea McClellin with the No. 19 pick.

Work on the I-65 interchange in Lowell is expected to bring new opportunities for economic growth.

Starke County has received a $500,000 federal grant to improve access to the Knox Industrial Park. Local officials say that the improvements will allow an existing company at the park to add 100 jobs.

A $100 million endowment deal for Purdue has apparently fallen apart.

A student-conducted Ball State study of the business district near the school recommends a number of improvements, including possibly establishing a TIF district.

Richmond Power & Light has killed its trash-to-energy project.

Indianapolis’ Lucas Oil Stadium is interested in hosting collegiate semifinal and championship games if the future BCS structure permits.

Notes: Auto Supplier Adding Shift

A Hammond-based auto supplier is adding a third shift and 35 to 40 jobs to meet growing demand.

New hires will be brought into CSG at the lower wage of a two-tier wage scale, which is about $8.50 an hour, said Jaime Luna, president of United Auto Workers Local 2335. Luna said workers were really busy at the plant, and there is a lot of new employee-training activity happening.

Luna said there are about 160 union workers at CSG now, which is about three times the number of workers employed there 18 months ago.

In other Hammond news, the city has approved expanding a redevelopment area to accommodate a $70 million investment from Potash Corp.

INDOT will have to spend more than $500,000 to replace 400 feet of Indiana 28 in Gaston, which is sinking into a bog.

Ohio River Transportation Constructors; Skanska, Flatiron, Dragados USA; and Walsh Construction Co. are the finalists to build two new bridges over the Ohio.

The federal government has issued a $551 million request for bids for 130 double-decker passenger rail cars for use in Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, California, Missouri and Iowa.

An Evansville car dealership is investing $1.7 million in a new, larger showroom.

The Gary Jet Center has been nominated for a Department of Defense award.

A vacant 529,000-square-foot manufacturing plant in Richmond may soon have a new owner.

Wayne County Helps Two Companies Expand

The Economic Development Corporation (EDC) of Wayne County is providing grants to two local companies that will create jobs and enhance their competitiveness.

The EDC is providing an Economic Development Income Tax (EDIT) grant of $27,000 to Transilwrap Company, Incorporated to assist with the purchase of new equipment. As a result the company will create 8 new full-time jobs by the end of 2014. Transilwrap’s Richmond facility manufactures laminates and extrusion coatings for a diverse number of products on a global scale.

In addition, Silgan White Cap in Richmond will receive a $29,000 EDIT grant to purchase new equipment and provide training for employees using the equipment. The new equipment provides a change in technology that will lead to a significant reduction in the materials used to manufacture the new product. The company manufactures metal and plastic caps for the food and beverage industry.

“It’s important that companies in Wayne County remain as competitive as possible in their respective industries,” Mark Smith, Chair of the EDC Board of Directors. “Strong companies in our community send a message to potential investors that success is possible in Wayne County.”

Richmond Continues Development of Industrial Park

Local officials broke ground yesterday on Phase II of the Midwest Industrial Park in Richmond, Indiana. The infrastructure improvements will lead to the opening of 166 acres of new industrial land adjacent to Interstate 70 and a Norfolk Southern Rail mainline.

The Economic Development Corporation (EDC) of Wayne County partnered with the City of Richmond in the opening of the much-needed space in the Midwest Industrial Park. The first phase of the park is nearly full. Mark Smith, Chair of the EDC of Wayne County Board of Directors, says the project has been in the works for over two years. “There has been a significant amount of collaboration between the EDC, the City of Richmond and Wayne County to bring the project to this point.”
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Notes: Indiana Unemployment Rate Falls

Indiana’s unemployment rate has fallen to 8.7 percent.

The department announced Tuesday that Indiana’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate dipped to 8.7 percent in January, down from a revised December rate of 8.9 percent.

The state also reported 13,000 jobs were added in Indiana last month. If job growth continues at that pace, the state would be a full employment by this time next year, Ball State University economist Michael Hicks observed Tuesday.

Hicks said economists generally see 5.5 to 6.5 percent unemployment as “full employment.” He did observe one significant problem that might keep the state’s unemployment rate from falling to that level: If Indiana’s job growth outpaces other states’, “economic migrants” might start coming here.

An automotive supplier is is investing $8 million and creating 58 jobs in Noble County.

The Colts have re-signed WR Reggie Wayne but lost WR Pierre Garcon.

Michigan City has named Kevin Kieft interim director of its economic development corporation.

Purdue University Calumet is partnering with a Hammond company to give students real-world experience with robotic welding and lean manufacturing techniques.

Richmond Community Schools is putting $4 milllion in renovation work out to bid.

Notes: Richmond Approves Dairy Abatement

Richmond has granted its first tax abatement under a new structure that provides for up to 100% abatements for companies creating jobs.

The Richmond Common Council on Tuesday night approved the first tax abatement under the new structure that would allow up to a 100 percent abatement for businesses planning expansions that result in job creation.

Council members unanimously approved a 10-year abatement for 90 percent of property taxes on real estate and equipment for Wayne Dairy Products, Inc., 1590 N.W. 11th St., for a $12 million expansion that is expected to create 11 new jobs and retain 102 jobs.

The NFL Combine begins today in Indianapolis.

The Leading Index for Indiana from the IBRC hit its highest level since 2007 in Janaury.

Are robot firefighters part of Lafayette’s manufacturing future?.

John Regetz, executive director of Michigan City’s economic development corporation, is taking an economic development job in Idaho.

Notes: Recycling Company Begins Work on New Plant

Perpetual Recycling will begin work on its promised Richmond facility next month.

Two of the owners of the Chicago-based plastics recycling company met with about 35 community leaders Thursday to offer a “before” glimpse at their plant at 1561 N.W. 11th St.

The company plans to renovate the former Amcast building, a 100,000-square-foot vacant manufacturing facility on the city’s largely industrial northwest side, and have the company up and running by the end of this year.

Perpetual Recycling is an environmentally friendly company that promises to bring 55 new jobs to the area.

Elkhart is seeking a final $5 million for a $25 million railroad overpass project.

A long-planned trash-to-ethanol plant in Northwest Indiana doesn’t appear to be happening.

Tourism contributed $1.6 billion to Lake County in 2010.

The Fort Wayne Air National Guard base may know if it’s on the chopping block as soon as today. UPDATE: The Department of Defense confirms it is scheduling the A-10 wing based in Fort Wayne for elimination.

Engine maker Cummins had a record year in 2011.

Green County Hospital has announced a $6.5 million expansion.

Notes: Porter Hospital Opening Ahead of Schedule

The opening date for the new Porter Hospital has been moved up three months to August 25th.

Porter’s Chief Executive Officer Jonathan Nalli recently announced that the construction of the new 266-bed Porter hospital at the corner of Ind. 49 and US 6 is three months ahead of schedule and that the transfer of patient care activities will now occur on Saturday, Aug. 25, rather than the originally projected date in late November.

Additionally, Nalli stated that Porter will be modifying both the system and hospital name to more accurately fit its new presence in Northwest Indiana.

“We are very happy to announce that after much research and the input from a wide variety of constituents, it has been decided that the new system name will be officially changed from Porter, to Porter Health Care System. And, the name of the hospital will be modified from Porter, Valparaiso Hospital Campus to Porter Regional Hospital,” he said.

Indianapolis-based Republic Airways has hired a CEO for its Frontier Airlines unit in preparation for shedding the business.

Hoosier businesses are bullish on 2012.

More than a dozen people have reportedly been injured in a partial collapse at the construction site of Cincinnati’s new casino.

Progress Rail is holding a job fair in Muncie on February 4th.

A “destination” disc golf course is hosting its first tournament in Richmond.

Tourism in Northwest Indiana is projected to increase in 2012.

Notes: Indiana Company Plans $50 Million Fiber Network in Central Indiana

Cinergy MetroNet is planning an extensive fiber optic network in the Lafayette area.

Additional choices for Internet access, television programming and telephone services — all via fiber optic cable — may soon be coming to 40,000 Lafayette area homes and businesses as soon as next year.

During a Tippecanoe County commissioners meeting Monday, Evansville-based Cinergy MetroNet detailed tentative plans to build a $40 million to $50 million “fiber-to-the-premises” network stretching across both cities and into some parts of the county.

The infrastructure would allow more individuals and companies direct access to premiere data speeds. It also would create between 30 to 50 jobs, because the company plans to open at least one local office, said Cinergy consultant Steve Biggerstaff.

The Richmond Common Council has voted to apply for grants to purchase CSX railroad land in the heart of town.

Home improvement retailer Menards is considering a new store in Schererville.

$4 a gallon gasoline is imminent in California as gas prices continue to climb nationwide.

Wayne County Companies Grow

Two Wayne County companies, Primex Plastics and Silgan White Cap, are planning expansions.

With a capital investment of $3.8 million, Primex Plastics Corporation will expand their accounting department, purchase new equipment and upgrade existing machinery in their Richmond facility, which is also the company headquarters. The Economic Development Corporation (EDC) of Wayne County is providing $60,000 in an Economic Development Income Tax (EDIT) Grant for the project that will create 10 new jobs.
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