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THE TIMES BOARD OF ECONOMISTS: No economic tonic for uncertainty
Northwest Indiana business executives are seeing the signs of a sustained -- yet slow -- economic recovery in the region this year. But the 22-member Times Board of Economists is split on how quickly challenges such as elevated unemployment w…
COMMERCE: Porter County still reaping development interest from hospital
The location of Porter Regional Hospital in Liberty Township has spurred development interest in other businesses in the area, said Valparaiso economic development official Rex Richards.
Cashless purchases push past greenbacks at checkouts
Consumers' use of credit and debit cards continues to increase at Northwest Indiana shops, gas stations and restaurants.
January 27, 2013 12:00 am PhotosPhotos
Hold the fries: Obamacare may drive up fast-food costs
Next year's order of a burger, fries and pop could cost more, as the fast food industry braces for the impact of the Affordable Care Act.
AUTOMOTIVE: Auto sales reflecting boost in economic activity
Light vehicle sales in the United States rising 13.4 percent in 2012 from a year earlier shows that the industry continues to show improvements from the depths of the recession, said automobile dealership owner Tim Roper.
RETAIL: See-saw sales patterns define 2012
Retail performance during the 2012 holiday shopping season was largely disappointing because of expectations formed based on sales early in the year, Joshua Halpern said.
MANUFACTURING: Choppy recovery causing turbulence in sector
Manufacturing activity in the United States is following a similarly volatile pattern as it continues to recover from the impact of the Great Recession.
INVESTMENTS: Stay in it for the long term
Sticking to your goals and thinking long term remain more important than ever, as the panicked din of the media and pundits grows louder and louder.
FUEL: Gas prices press consumers
Record high average gasoline prices nationally in 2012 following on record prices the year before have big implications for retailers and the U.S. economy.
EDUCATION: Enrollments roll with economy
Enrollments remain strong at local colleges as the economy recovers ever so slowly, with large uncertainties such as the fiscal cliff still looming, according to Micah Pollak, Indiana University Northwest assistant professor of economics.
MEDIA: NWI market strong, national not so much
The media market in Northwest Indiana has proven resilient, with revenues generally up over 2012, according to Leigh Ellis, president of Radio One Communications.
RESTAURANTS: Unknowns give industry the jitters
Restaurants throughout the nation are dealing with higher food costs and the uncertainties surrounding Obamacare, which are expected to hit the industry particularly hard.
GOVERNMENT: Challenges loom on all fronts
Local governments across the state cut expenditures and tightened their belts in response to the recession and due to Indiana's tax caps, so operating margins are now razor thin.
SMALL RETAIL: Better times have yet to take hold
Retailers saw a 2012 holiday shopping season in line with expectations, which have been taken down a notch ever since the 2008 recession and remain that way.
REAL ESTATE: Buyers starting to "move up"
There is again interest in building new homes, and buyers of both new and existing homes are again looking to "move up" to something better.
ENERGY: New discoveries shifting energy landscape
Shifts in how and where the United States gets its energy is driving big changes in the utility industry and the national economy as a whole.
CASINOS: Gaming boats withstand cross-border competition
Northwest Indiana gaming boats are well positioned for new competition from other states, but could use some thoughtful actions by state legislators to stay on a steady course.
CONSTRUCTION: Big projects still driving force in NWI
Construction in Northwest Indiana continues to rebound strongly from the recession, buoyed by big projects like the $3.8 billion BP refinery expansion and smaller ones such as hospital and health care upgrades, said William Hasse III, preside…
TRANSPORTATION: Uneven 2011 has railroads hoping for better
After a strong recovery in the immediate aftermath of the recession, the resurgence of rail transport has slowed its momentum, with national freight carriers reporting an uneven performance throughout last year.
BANKING: Better economy lifts bank earnings
Northwest Indiana bank executive David Rose said income statements of many banks around the country remain better than they were a few years ago as a result of improved economic conditions.
LABOR: NWI missing out on state job gains
Although local union leader Jim Robinson said the economy "seems" to be getting better, there isn't a large share of job growth occurring in Northwest Indiana, especially within the manufacturing sector.
NONPROFITS: Industry a significant part of NWI's economic engine
The nonprofit community is a significant part of the economic engine in Northwest Indiana, Harry Vande Velde III said.
AGRICULTURE: Local farmers escaped worst of drought
A record drought wilted crops across parts of the country last season, and apple orchards bore less fruit because of weather abnormalities.
HEALTH CARE: Affordable Care Act's impact to be determined
The ground is shifting underfoot in health care, and leaders in the industry are trying to determine the local impact of elements of the Affordable Care Act.
CONSUMERS: Opportunists working to profit from East Coast tragedies
Con artists are continuing to use seemingly philanthropic ventures to profit from tragedies occurring late in 2012 such as Hurricane Sandy and the Newtown, Conn., school shooting, said Gail Zurek.
GROCERY: Competition, costs driving consolidation within segment
Conditions within the grocery segment are encouraging the trend of smaller chains of stores selling out to become part of larger "super-independent" ones, said Dave Wilkinson.
Board of Economists welcomes newest members
The Times Board of Economists this month will welcome four new members who will contribute insights from their respective industry sectors of agriculture, nonprofits, groceries and retail.
January 13, 2013 8:00 am PhotosPhotos
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Tom Sourlis: Northwest Indiana Business and Industry Hall of Fame
Tom Sourlis is one of the Class of 2013 inductees to the Northwest Indiana Business and Industry Hall of Fame.
Danita Johnson Hughes: Northwest Indiana Business and Industry Hall of Fame
Danita Johnson Hughes is one of the Class of 2013 inductees to the Northwest Indiana Busines…
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