INSIDE INDIANA BUSINESS: Rail industry gaining traction

Rail Industry Gaining Traction

Railroad industry leaders are warning of a potential need for new engineering talent, and Rose–Hulman Institute of Technology is hoping to bridge the gap. Civil Engineering Professor Jim McKinney says many current rail workers are reaching retirment age and those jobs will need to be filled, especially with a marked increase in rail traffic since the 1980s.

RV Supplier Assets up For Auction

The assets of a Millersburg–based RV supplier will be auctioned today. Carriage Inc. stopped production in October 2011. Ohio–based Myron Bowling Auctioneers will run the event at the former Carriage plant. 

Martin University Names President

Martin University has named George Miller III president. He most recently served as vice president for academic affairs at Claflin University in South Carolina. Miller replaces Dr. Algeania Freeman, who retired at the end of 2010.

Kokomo Opens Business Sign Initiative

The Kokomo/Howard County Convention & Visitors Bureau has launched a grant program to help downtown businesses improve signage. The effort is designed to encourage owners to invest in more attractive signs in the area.

Franciscan Moving Forward With Consolidation

Franciscan St. Francis Health says it is on track to move all services of its Beech Grove Emergency Department to the system's Indianapolis campus. Chief Executive Officer Robert Brody says combining the operations will save money and improve efficiency.

Statewide Home Sales Climbing

The Indiana Association of Realtors says the housing market is off to a positive start for the year. It is reporting a nearly 14 percent increase in closed home sales for January, compared to the same month a year

Purdue Institute Awards Research Grants

The Purdue University Global Policy Research Institute has awarded $180,000 to faculty members leading several research projects. The studies cover topics including drought damage and alternative energy.

University of Evansville to Offer New Major

The University of Evansville will offer a major and minor in public health beginning in the fall. The school says the degree will focus on multiple areas including global health, environmental health and behavior.

IU to Host Life Sciences Event

Indiana University will host the latest event in the Indiana Life Sciences Collaboration Conference Series in Indianapolis this week. It will focus on "personalized medicine."

Benefits Firm CEO to Join Ph.D. Program

Nyhart Actuary and Employee Benefits Chief Executive Officer Thomas Totten has been selected for a new doctorate program at Oklahoma State University. Totten is one of 19 executives who will participate in the school's Ph.D. in Business for Executives program. 

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