Inside INdiana Business

We’re on the lookout for Indiana’s top financial professionals who’ve truly shined in their roles. These outstanding leaders could be named to IBJ's elite CFO of the Year list! Submit your nomination now at https://ow.ly/i0LX50TowK9

What makes a stellar nomination? Share specific ways your nominee has elevated your organization, showcasing how they exceed expectations.💡Pro tip- recent examples and letters of recommendation will make your nomination stand out!

Honorees will be profiled in a special publication in the IBJ, featured on IBJ.com and honored at an exclusive event on December 5th!

Check out our previous CFO of the Year features here: https://ow.ly/BR9e50TowK8

NEW THIS MORNING: The U.S. Department of Energy has announced a conditional commitment to provide a loan guarantee of up to nearly $1.6 billion to Wabash Valley Resources LLC to support its anhydrous ammonia fertilizer operation in West Terre Haute.

Wabash Valley Resources lands $1.6B federal loan commitment for ammonia fertilizer plant - Inside INdiana Business The U.S. Department of Energy has announced a conditional commitment to provide a loan guarantee of up to nearly $1.6 billion to Wabash Valley Resources LLC to support its anhydrous ammonia fertilizer operation in West Terre Haute.

LISTEN: The operator of Rising Star Casino in Ohio County recently confirmed it intends to transfer its gaming license to the town of New Haven on the eastern outskirts of Fort Wayne. Both communities are beginning to reckon with what the move entails.

As Rising Star Casino eyes move, Ohio County wonders what the future holds - Inside INdiana Business Full House wants to move its gaming license from rural Ohio County to near Fort Wayne. The move would have dramatic impacts on both communities, but it ultimately needs lawmaker approval.

LISTEN: One of Indiana’s largest agricultural products is under threat from a new disease. Researchers at Purdue University are spreading the word about the danger of red crown rot—a fungal disease that particularly affects soybeans and other legumes.

Purdue researchers warn of new disease affecting Indiana soybeans - Inside INdiana Business Red crown rot is a crop disease affecting Indiana's soybeans. The disease is most common in the southern U.S. but it's moving north and researchers are warning farmers to be on the lookout.

The $25 million Surack-Sweetwater Music Industry Building is being named in recognition of Chuck and Lisa Surack, who the university said have been longtime supporters of the music school and donated $6 million for the project.

Purdue Fort Wayne breaks ground on $25M music building - Inside INdiana Business The $25 million Surack-Sweetwater Music Industry Building is being named in recognition of Chuck and Lisa Surack, who the university said have been longtime supporters of the music school and $6 million for the project.

From today's Evansville Region Report newsletter: Pete Paradossi, president of the Evansville Regional Business Committee, said 15 area businesses have signed on to offer fellowships to the inaugural class.

Orr Fellowship expands to include partner companies in southwest Indiana - Inside INdiana Business Orr Fellowship, named for former Indiana Governor Bob Orr, is expanding to include partner companies in the Evansville region for the 2025-27 cohort. The Evansville Regional Business Committee was behind the push to add southwest Indiana to the program.

LISTEN: Washington-based Sedron Technologies is nearing completion of an $80 million facility at Curtis Creek Dairy in northwest Indiana that can convert cow manure into clean water, fertilizers and other products that can be reused by the farm.

Northwest Indiana dairy farm see environmental benefits from new $80M facility - Inside INdiana Business Washington-based Sedron Technologies is nearing completion of an $80 million facility at Curtis Creek Dairy in northwest Indiana that can convert cow manure into clean water, fertilizers and other products that can be reused by the farm.

WATCH: Hamilton County is seeing a sports tourism boom that’s expected to grow with the opening of two new facilities over the next year.

Indiana cities cashing in on sports tourism as new facilities rise - Inside INdiana Business Hamilton County is seeing a sports tourism boom that’s expected to grow with the opening of two new facilities over the next year. The Fishers Event Center is scheduled to open after Thanksgiving. It will be the new home of the Indy Fuel beginning in the 2024-25 season. The Fishers Freight profess...

We love getting an inside look into the lives of Indiana's 250 most influential business leaders! Get to know our Indiana 250 honorees with these fun facts, powerful insights, and words of wisdom from Brandi Davis-Handy, Scott Dorsey, Aaron Gillum, Jim Hallett, and Christiana Ochoa, and discover even more at Indiana250.com.

LISTEN: Sitting on 40 acres near the Interstate 65 interchange at Worthsville Road, the park features eight baseball and softball diamonds, a splash pad, and a multiuse sports field, among other amenities.

Greenwood to mark opening of new sports park - Inside INdiana Business Officials in Greenwood will cut the ribbon Friday morning on the $10 million Greenwood Sports Park. Sitting on 40 acres near the Interstate 65 interchange at Worthsville Road, the park features eight baseball and softball diamonds and a multiuse sports field.

LISTEN: While business interest groups are generally supportive of the proposed new diploma requirements, others in rural parts of the state have concerns about how work-based learning will look in practice.

Rural education, workforce groups apprehensive for new diploma requirements - Inside INdiana Business Rural education and workforce organizations have concerns about the Indiana DOE's proposed high school diploma requirements on work-based learning. Transportation and the amount of businesses willing to participate are chief among them.

NEW: Indiana Fever President Allison Barber will step down from her position at the conclusion of the season, Pacers Sports & Entertainment announced Wednesday.

Indiana Fever President Allison Barber to step down at end of season - Inside INdiana Business Barber, who has led the WNBA franchise since 2019, plans to help lead the development of a new effort focused on empowering Indiana girls and women through sports called the Marvella Project. No additional details about the project were immediately available.

Breakfast and brilliant ideas? Coffee and conversation? We're serving up that and much more at IBJ Media's events. Join us at an upcoming event and kickstart your day with fresh ideas and new connections. Check out our event lineup and register now at IBJ.com/events.

Save the Date! Join us for Engage Greater Lafayette - West Lafayette on September 30th. This is your opportunity to connect with local leaders, innovators, and change-makers as we explore the future of the Greater Lafayette region.

🗓️ When: Monday, September 30, 2024
📍 Where: Purdue University - Union Club Hotel
🕙 Networking: 10:00 AM
🕥 Program: 10:30 AM

Don't miss out on this exciting event! Reserve your seat at https://www.ibj.com/events/2024/engage-greater-lafayette-west-lafayette.

LISTEN: The $20 million project added more than 32,000 square feet of space to the university’s health science hub, including an interprofessional clinic, physical therapy teaching labs, and a nursing simulation and skills laboratory.

Manchester marks completion of Fort Wayne campus expansion - Inside INdiana Business After more than a year of construction, Manchester University is celebrating the completion of a nearly $20 million expansion of its Fort Wayne campus. The project added more than 32,000 square feet of space to the university's health science hub.

Japan-based Nippon Steel plans to invest $300 million in U.S. Steel’s Gary Works operation if its $14.1 billion acquisition of the Pittsburgh-based steelmaker is completed as planned.

Nippon Steel commits to $300M investment in Gary Works - Inside INdiana Business Nippon Steel plans to invest $300 million in U.S. Steel's Gary Works operation if its acquisition of the Pittsburgh-based steelmaker is completed as planned. Nippon said Wednesday that the investment would revamp the Blast Furnace #14 at Gary Works.

GM and Samsung SDI finalized their agreement Tuesday to jointly run the new factory in New Carlisle but said production would not start until 2027. Previously the plant was expected to start making cells in 2026.

GM delays Indiana EV battery factory but finalizes joint venture deal with Samsung - Inside INdiana Business The companies finalized their agreement Tuesday to jointly run the new factory in New Carlisle but said production would not start until 2027. Previously the plant was expected to start making cells in 2026.

You don't want to miss Engage East Central Indiana - Muncie on September 17th! https://ow.ly/ya7450T7UI3. Our distinguished panelists will dive into East Central Indiana's unique challenges and distinct opportunities for growth and discuss programs designed to help each community thrive. From talent attraction and retention to education and economic development, we hit on the points that matter most to you.

From today's Evansville Region Report newsletter: The tech research firm and venture partner works with startups, industry leaders and research labs to support southwest Indiana’s innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Indiana Center for Emerging Technologies launches in downtown Evansville - Inside INdiana Business The Indiana Center for Emerging Technologies launched in downtown Evansville on Aug. 13. The tech research firm and venture partner works with startups, industry leaders and research labs to support southwest Indiana’s innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystem.

LISTEN: The president of the University of Evansville says the recently announced partnership with Toyota Indiana to advance STEM education in southwest Indiana follows a 15-month design process.

UE president: 'We're all-in on our community' with Toyota partnership - Inside INdiana Business The president of the University of Evansville says the recently announced partnership with Toyota Indiana to advance STEM education in southwest Indiana follows a 15-month design process. The university was named a coordinating partner for the...

Curious to learn more about IBJ Media's Indiana 250? We're giving you a glimpse into their lives, complete with intriguing insights, fun facts, and priceless leadership advice. Meet Phil Kenney, Geoffrey S. Mearns, Kim Ryan, Lloyd Winnecke, and Vince Wong here, and explore even more at Indiana250.com.

BREAKING: Butler University has dropped its plan to demolish the vacant Ross Hall dormitory and will instead have the 70-year-old building redeveloped into an upscale hotel, the school announced this morning.

Butler to convert Ross Hall into upscale hotel instead of demolishing it - Inside INdiana Business Butler University has dropped its plan to demolish the vacant Ross Hall dormitory. Plans now call for the residence hall to be converted into a 105-room hotel that will operate under Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc.’s upscale Curio Collection flag.

LISTEN: Vincennes-based Wabash Steel is investing $2.5 million to install new high-tech equipment that it says will dramatically improve productivity at its Knox County facility.

Vincennes steel girder manufacturer investing in Industry 4.0 tech - Inside INdiana Business Vincennes-based Wabash Steel is investing $2.5 million to install new high-tech equipment that it says will dramatically improve productivity at its Knox County facility. The company fabricates steel plate girders primarily for highway and railroad bridges.

LISTEN: Officials in Tippecanoe County have extended a moratorium on high-capacity water withdrawals from Wabash River aquifers.

Tippecanoe County extends pipeline moratorium as IEDC eyes other water options for LEAP - Inside INdiana Business Tippecanoe County Commissioners voted to extend a moratorium on high-volume water withdrawals from the Wabash River this week. The move comes as IEDC looks at other ways to supply water to the LEAP district in Lebanon.

From today's South Bend-Elkhart Region Report newsletter: The University of Notre Dame was recently awarded a $30 million grant from Indianapolis-based Lilly Endowment’s College and Community Collaboration initiative for a proposed downtown South Bend Tech and Talent Hub.

Notre Dame, Holy Cross collaborating on downtown hub with Lilly Endowment grant - Inside INdiana Business The University of Notre Dame has been awarded a $30 million grant from the Lilly Endowment through its College and Community Collaboration (CCC) initiative for a proposed downtown South Bend Tech and Talent Hub. About two miles south of its campus, the Hub ...