Indiana Business Magazine articles from December 2007

Indiana Business Magazine archives from December 2007

More property tax savings: a common appraisal method could cut much of the state's $200 million-plus assessment costs.(INDIANA INDICATORS)
December 1, 2007... AMONG OTHER THINGS, Gov. Daniels' tax plan proposes the elimination of the township assessors--1,008 offices statewide. According to a 2004 Chamber of Commerce study, this would result in a little more than $10 million savings each year by...

A big ten conspiracy? Hoosier and Boilermaker fans irked that they can't get new network. Is Rupert Murdoch to blame?(AROUND INDIANA)
December 1, 2007... WHAT IS IT ABOUT Rupert Murdoch that inspires conspiracy theories? When his Fox television network was first launched, some alleged that he was out to destroy the morals of America with such programs as "Married... With Children." More...

Innovation, growth & spirit: winners of IU's Indiana Entrepreneurial Awards of Distinction represent the state's pioneers, risk-takers and visionaries.(Midwest Modelmakers Inc.)(Weaver Popcorn Company Inc.)(YourEncore Inc.)(Cover story)
December 1, 2007... THE THIRD ANNUAL Indiana Entrepreneurial Awards of Distinction recognize companies that demonstrate excellence in the areas of growth, innovation, spirit and social enterprise. The 2007 awards, presented by Indiana University's Kelley School of...

Taking stock: Indiana stocks worth watching in 2008.(INVESTMENTS)(Company overview)
December 1, 2007... THE ECONOMIC OUTLOOK may not be as healthy as it has been in years past, and some stocks are very volatile. Predictions for the state of the economy may not be rosy but there are plenty of bargains to be had for cautious investors. Dynamic...

At your service: an update on new hotels, renovations and amenities.(HOTELS & RESORTS)
December 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] CENTRAL INDIANA The Hyatt Regency Indianapolis put the most into renovations in the downtown Indianapolis area this year, $13 million, and it shows. "It's a redesign, a whole new hotel after 30 years," says...

Winter escapes: suggestions for a getaway that's not too far.(HOTELS & RESORTS)
December 1, 2007... SPRING VIEW BED & BREAKFAST When the holidays are behind you, consider venturing out around the Hoosier state to visit some of its scenic areas during a less hectic time of the year. Many of the local attractions are open year-round. Your...

Cell phone alternatives: new generation of two-way radios and pagers provides advanced features and uses.(COMMUNICATIONS)
December 1, 2007... WHILE MANY BUSINESSES consider cell phones a necessary tool of the trade, they are not the answer for every business need. Here's a look at two long-standing business tools that just keep getting better. Digital two-way radio. "The biggest...

Converging communications: voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) offers features to enhance business productivity.(COMMUNICATIONS)
December 1, 2007... WHEN VOIP WAS FIRST introduced in the marketplace, much of the hype around it focused on "free" long distance calls. Since then long distance costs have dropped to such an extent that free long distance alone is no longer justification for...

Newcomers.(Northeast Indiana Update: The region's top business stories)
December 1, 2007... Among the new arrivals to Northeast Indiana is Indiana Bio Energy. Ethanol production at its $177 million plant in Bluffton is slated to begin in June, says Mike Row, economic development director at Bluffton-Wells County Economic Development....

Marketing for more.(Northeast Indiana Update: The region's top business stories)(Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership )(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... The recent newcomers are expected to be just the beginning as the Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership enters its second year of joint marketing efforts to attract new business to an 11-county area. "Our two main objectives are to attract...

RVs still rolling.(Northeast Indiana Update: The region's top business stories)
December 1, 2007... As for growth, the recreational vehicle industry continues to be strong in the region. The newest is Open Range RV Co. in Shipshewana, a local startup that opened in October in a 120,000-square-foot plant and will have 75 on the payroll by...

Other expansions.(Northeast Indiana Update: The region's top business stories)(Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream Inc. spends $29.5 million to expand its operation)(Novozymes Biologicals, Inc. to triple its production capacity)(Honeyville Metal Inc. spends 2 million on an expansion )
December 1, 2007... A $275 million expansion project is under way at the Steel Dynamics structural and rail mill at Columbia City. A second rolling mill and caster operation will double the mill's annual production capacity to 2 million tons, says John Nolan, vice...

Harrison Square: Downtown Fort Wayne to get a new ballpark for the Wizards. Also condos, retail and a hotel.(REGIONAL REPORT NORTHEAST)
December 1, 2007... SITE WORK IS UNDER WAY and the bases about to be loaded at the 16-acre, $125 million Harrison Square development along Jefferson Boulevard and Harrison Street in downtown Fort Wayne Soon to be on first base: a minor league stadium for the...

Infrastructure work.(Northeast Indiana Update: The region's top business stories)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... A $6.5 million infrastructure project has also been announced for the toll road exit in LaGrange County. "That's the first large use of local Major Moves money, which is really what the money was intended to be used for," Zehr says of the...

Citizen hotelier: hotel chains are developing green initiatives.(COLUMN: HOSPITALITY)
December 1, 2007... ISN'T IT AMAZING HOW nature concentrates its power to create events that humbles humanity and negates our technology? In the aftermath of such occurrences it brings mankind together regardless of politics, borders, or customs. We now face...

Indiana's Military Family Leave Act: new law allows up to 10 days a year.(COLUMN: LAW)
December 1, 2007... AS OF JULY 1, 2007, Indiana requires employers with at least 50 employees during each working day of any 20-week period to provide up to 10 days of unpaid leave to an employee who has an active duty military family member. (See Ind. Code...

Invest in entrepreneurship: for the best returns in economic development.(VIEWPOINT)
December 1, 2007... EVERY EXPERIENCED investor knows the value of a balanced portfolio. "Safe" options like bonds and money market funds provide slow, steady returns. But it's the more aggressive investments that carry a higher risk, and also the greatest...