ACME Industrial Machine & Maintenance said it is preparing for dramatic growth at its Columbia City operations. The Indiana Economic Development Corporation awarded the company up to $41,000 in training grants and Whitley County Commissioners are considering a request for a CEDIT award. Much of ACME's development is tied to its 2007 acquisition of Starlight Instruments, a producer of telescope focusers. The company now has 41 employees and hopes to add 8-10 more yet this year.

Anderson Airport manager steps down

The manager of the Anderson Municipal Airport is stepping down from his responsibilities. Steve Darlington said the move will allow him to spend more time with his family. The Darlington family was the original fixed-based operator and partner of the City of Anderson in the creation of the airport in 1960. Two unpaid volunteers will assume responsibilities while a search begins for a new manager.

Muncie manufacturer saves Delaware County jobs

Muncie-based Mursix Corp. says it has hired 25 percent of the employees who lost their jobs when Dynamerica Manufacturing ceased operations last month. The manufacturer of precision components has picked up a substantial portion of Dynamerica's business involving the transfer of employees, tooling, equipment and negotiations with customers. Mursix has hired production, engineering and management personnel.

Teachers to learn how to run classroom businesses

Teachers from nine Indiana Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development (WIRED) counties will attend a workshop at Purdue Tuesday to learn the basics of starting classroom businesses. Classroom Business Enterprise is an economic and entrepreneurship program for elementary and middle schools in 14 north-central Indiana counties. Students will learn how to be entrepreneurs and content that meets the state economic education standards.

Lilly: Acquisition creates "powerhouse"

Eli Lilly and Co. President and Chief Executive Officer John Lechleiter said his company's $6.5 billion acquisition of New York-based ImClone Systems Inc. is a perfect strategic fit that will give Lilly a leadership position in the rapidly growing cancer field. In a late-morning interview with Inside INdiana Business, Lechleiter calls the deal "spot on our strategy to expand in oncology," adding that it also continues Lilly's push into biotechnology. Lechleiter says in addition to getting ImClone's billion dollar cancer drug Erbitux, it is also gaining an attractive pipeline of compounds. Lilly stock is down more than six percent in midday trading, while shares of ImClone are up nearly three percent.

Melangton to lead Super Bowl host committee

The Senior Vice President of the Indiana Sports Corporation has been named president and chief executive officer of the 2012 Indianapolis Super Bowl Host Committee. Allison Melangton has played a key role in organizing dozens of major championship events including NCAA Final Fours, Big Ten Championships and Olympic Trials. She is also an Emmy-winning producer of NBC's Summer Olympics coverage.