Ivy Tech Community College will offer a new manufacturing certificate and degree program online. The Technical Certificate and Associate of Applied Science Degree in Manufacturing Production and Operations will use training modules developed by Indianapolis-based Oxygen Education. Ivy Tech will also offer the company's full line of courses to businesses and individuals wanting to further their education.
Ivy Tech to launch 'Moonlight Madness' classes
Ivy Tech Community College is offering "Moonlight Madness" classes this spring semester to better accommodate Hoosiers' work and family schedules. Classes will run from 9 p.m. to midnight at its downtown Indianapolis campus. Ivy Tech says the late night program will relieve the lack of classroom space and parking constraints on its main campus.
State unemployment rate posts slight drop
Indiana Department of Workforce Development Commissioner Teresa Voors says the state's unemployment rate appears to have "reached a plateau." The rate for November dropped 0.2 percent to 9.6 percent. Voors says the rate has hovered in the mid to upper nine percent range over the last four months, adding it is encouraging to see "a slowing of job losses."
BSU Survey: Strong support for property tax caps
A new survey from Ball State University's Bowen Center for Public Affairs shows strong support for a constitutional amendment to cap state property taxes. The survey shows about 64 percent of Indiana residents asked support the concept. Center Co-Director and Ball State Political Science Professor Ray Scheele says the results seem to indicate "many Hoosiers are fed up with rising property taxes on their homes and businesses."
First woman to lead state labor organization
For the first time, the Indiana AFL-CIO has selected a woman president. Nancy Guyott is also the youngest person in nearly 50 years to lead the labor organization that represents more than 300,000 working Hoosiers. She replaces Ken Zeller, who is retiring.
Subaru receives initial abatement approval
Subaru of Indiana Automotive is one step closer to getting tax abatement from the city of Lafayette. The Redevelopment Commission granted initial approval for the 10-year tax breaks on nearly $2 million for facility upgrades and $37 million in new equipment. SIA Senior Vice President Tom Easterday says the investments will mean continued employment for nearly 2,800 workers and a possible work force expansion.
Cook Pharmica adding to Indiana work force
Bloomington-based Cook Pharmica is looking to fill 115 positions as part of a previously announced $80 million expansion. Cook Pharmica President Tedd Green tells Inside INdiana Business about 85 people have already been hired for the new fill and finish facility and the company plans to have all the positions filled by the end of next year. He says the expansion is a response to an increasing global market demand for injectible drug products.
Chamber: 1.6 million Hoosiers set to retire over next 20 years
A new report from the Indiana Chamber of Commerce calls on companies to work toward more flexible employment models to help deal with an aging work force. The chamber says about 1.6 million workers in the state will be moving into retirement over the next 20 years. The Workforce Wise study calls on employees to update skills to remain competitive and suggests communities start planning to prepare for the majority of retirees who prefer to stay in Indiana.
Life sciences fund totals $58 million
Industry, community and university leaders from throughout Indiana have unveiled a $58 million venture capital fund to support the continued growth of the state's life sciences industry. The INext Fund will be organized through Indiana's life sciences initiative, BioCrossroads and includes investments from Eli Lilly and Co., the Indiana State Teachers Retirement Fund, Indiana University, Purdue University, the University of Notre Dame and the Fairbanks Foundation. It is the successor to the Indiana Future Fund, which was established six years ago.
Hicks: Parts of state set for economic growth
The director of Ball State University's Center for Business and Economic Research believes Indiana's economy will steadily improve next year. Michael Hicks says sectors hard hit by the recession, including manufacturing, transportation and construction, are expected to bounce back. He says Indianapolis will continue to be the state's economic engine by attracting top quality companies and workers from throughout the country. But Hicks says sections of northern Indiana, including Elkhart, will see "some, but not all, jobs return."
Indiana lands another company consolidation
A wheel manufacturer is expanding in Huntington. Transwheel Corp. plans to add 65 jobs by 2011 by consolidating its Huntington area and Michigan manufacturing and distribution operations into one facility. The company currently has more than 200 employees in Indiana. Gov. Mitch Daniels says it is another example of a company choosing to consolidate in Indiana, due to "our low cost and stable business environment."
IT firm adding 200 high-paying jobs
Indianapolis technology consulting firm BC Forward is expanding its headquarters and creating 200 jobs by 2012. The company, previously known as Bucher + Christian, is planning to invest nearly $2 million in the project and lease additional space in downtown Indianapolis. BC Forward says the new positions will pay an average of $63 per hour.
OrthoWorx to seek high-speed rail link
The state's initiative to advance the orthopedics sector in Kosciusko County wants to connect the area to major centers via high-speed rail. The OrthoWorx Board of Directors has resolved to pursue the effort for a rail corridor linking the Warsaw area to cities like Cleveland and Chicago. OrthoWorx Transportation and Logistics Chair and DePuy Orthopaedics President David Floyd believes a high-speed rail line will provide a significant boost to companies in Kosciusko County.
Lilly Endowment gives $60 million for medical initiative
Lilly Endowment Inc. is providing $60 million to the Indiana University School of Medicine to create a new program to bring scientific discoveries to the marketplace. Executive Associate Dean for Research David Wilkes says the Indiana Physician Scientist Initiative will work to recruit 20 top physician scientists and train the next generation of physician-researchers. He says the program also invest $6 million in the Indiana Biobank.
