INSIDE INDIANA BUSINESS WEEK IN REVIEW: Ivy Tech transforms ex-hospital

Ivy Tech Community College President Tom Snyder said the school has "restored a piece of city history" by transforming a former hospital site in Indianapolis into a new academic building. The new center includes expanded classroom space and a campus cafe. Snyder said the expansion will help keep up with the demands of an increasing student population.

Casket manufacturer in Randolph County growing

Lynn-based Astral Industries Inc. said it hired 88 new employees in last year. The Randolph County company makes steel caskets for the funeral industry.

Abound Solar transforming building, planning to hire

Colorado-based Abound Solar said it remains on track to hire at least 850 people by 2014. Marketing communications manager Becky Ellzey said crews continue to work on turning an empty Tipton County building into a usable facility. Ellzey said the company plans to begin hiring workers in the second half of 2012.

Merrillville's White Lodging enters California market

Merrillville-based White Lodging Services Corp. is operating its first property in California. The company has assumed management of the Hilton Garden Inn San Francisco Airport. Chief Operating Officer Bryan Hayes said the company is looking forward to "successes ahead" in California.

Report: Ind. medical device sector involves many jobs

Results of the first report focusing on the effect of Indiana's medical device sector have caught at least one industry veteran off guard. "From Hearts to Hips: Indiana's Leadership in Medical Devices" shows the sector accounts for more than 40 percent of Indiana's life science industry jobs, and those positions have an average salary of $60,000. Bill McConnell, a longtime senior executive at Boston Scientific and Guidant Corp., said even he is surprised at the size and diversity of the industry in the state.

Princeton plant's output exceeds 'all expectations'

The head of the Toyota plant in Princeton said reaching the 3 million vehicle milestone after only 15 years exceeds "all expectations." Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indiana Inc. President Norm Bafunno said the achievement comes as the North American auto industry continues to rebound from a dramatic drop in production. He said predictions call for the sector to produce about 13 million vehicles this year, which is still below its decade peak of between 15 to 17 million vehicles.

Pipeline rejection may have cost new jobs for Hoosiers

The Indiana Chamber of Commerce believes the Keystone XL Pipeline would have created hundreds of Hoosier jobs. U.S. President Barack Obama has rejected plans for the pipeline that would have run from Canada to Texas. U.s. Sen. Richard Lugar, R-Ind., and U.S. Rep. Joe Donnelly, D-Ind., were among the members of Indiana's congressional delegation who voiced disappointment in the decision.

Ports of Indiana shipments rise by 5 percent in 2011

Indiana's ports have posted an increase in shipment tonnage for a fourth consecutive year. The Ports of Indiana said 8.1 million tons of cargo were handled last year, which is the largest annual amount since 2006. Indiana's three ports are reporting a 5 percent increase in total shipments last year.

Utah firm hopes to build e-waste handling facility

A Utah company said talks are well under way to place an electronic waste processing facility in Indiana, creating 100 direct jobs. Garb Oil & Power Corp. issued a news release stating it is meeting with "numerous government officials" to advance its Indiana project. The company does not give a location for its planned operation but says it is in conjunction with an EB-5 program. The only EB-5 Regional Visa center in the state is in the Muncie area. The company said the planned operation's effect on the community could lead to as many as 600 jobs.

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