Indy Business Bulletins

Cummins Workers Help Chinese Counterparts, Families
Employees from Columbus-based Cummins Inc. (NYSE: CMI) are helping their
counterparts at Cummins manufacturing plants in China as the country deals
with the deadly coronavirus outbreak. Cummins’ East Asian Employee Resource
Group includes workers who are from China but now live in central Indiana.

Indiana Positioned for Continued Manufacturing Growth
A new national study seems to indicate manufacturers will continue to invest
in the Hoosier state. Our partners at The Times of Northwest Indiana report
the NAIOP Research Foundation ranks Indiana 10th for its contribution of
industrial real estate development into gross domestic product.

Stadium Seeks to be Model for Sensory Certification
An official from Lucas Oil Stadium in downtown Indianapolis says he hopes
the stadium’s certification as a sensory-inclusive venue will inspire other
venues throughout the state. After partnering with Alabama-based nonprofit
KultureCity, the stadium now offers sensory bags with items to support
patrons with sensory needs, such as those with autism, PTSD and other
similar conditions. Lucas Oil Stadium joins Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indy
and the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo as the only Hoosier venues to receive the
certification.

Indiana Hosting Defense Summit
Defense industry leaders from throughout the county will today gather with
state, federal and military officials for the inaugural Indiana Defense
Summit in downtown Indianapolis. The Indiana Economic Development Corp. says
the summit will create dialogue “on best practices and strategies for
driving growth and increasing the state’s and region’s competitiveness in
the sector.”

Central Indiana Home Sales Climb in January
The number of home sales in central Indiana jumped in January. F.C. Tucker
Co. says pended home sales rose 14.1% last month, compared to the same
period last year.

Purdue Researchers Land $3M Grant
A Purdue University research team looking for ways to treat deadly,
bacterial lung infections that have developed resistance to certain
antibiotics has been awarded a $3.2 million grant from the National
Institutes of Health. Gram-negative respiratory “superbugs” are among the
top six dangerous multidrug-resistant microorganisms, according to the
Infectious Diseases Society of America.

Former Carrier Site to Become Bus Driver Training Facility
IndyGo and the Indianapolis Department of Metropolitan Development have
formalized a plan to reuse 6.5 acres of the former Carrier Bryant site into
a training facility for bus drivers. IndyGo intends to build 3,500 square
feet of classroom space for new employees and training purposes.

Lilly Completes Dermira Deal
Indianapolis-based Eli Lilly and Co. (NYSE: LLY) has completed its
acquisition of Dermira Inc. (NASDAQ: DERM). The all-cash deal, valued at
$1.1 billion, was first announced last month.

Speedway Karting to Open Near Another Famed Track
Speedway Indoor Karting, which is located near the Indianapolis Motor
Speedway, has announced plans to open a second indoor karting facility. This
time it’s near another famous track, the Daytona International Speedway.

Indian Company to Build North American HQ in Noblesville
A medical tech and life sciences company based in India has announced plans
to establish operations in central Indiana. Panacea Medical Technologies
Inc. says it will invest nearly $12 million to build its North American
headquarters in Noblesville and create 65 jobs by 2023. The city says the
facility will be used for research and development, engineering, and
manufacturing radiotherapy machines to diagnose and treat cancer.

Online Program Could Save Thousands in College Costs
Purdue University has announced what it calls an innovative program to help
Indiana high school students earn up to a year’s worth of college credit for
free through a vast digital library of college courses, which could save
students and families thousands of dollars. The program, called Fast Start,
is a partnership with New York-based nonprofit Modern States Education
Alliance. Purdue says Fast Start is available to all residents of Indiana
but will be especially beneficial to students in rural Indiana that often
lack access to Advanced Placement courses.

Purdue Continues Tuition Freeze
Tuition at Purdue University’s West Lafayette campus will continue at the
current rate through the 2021-2022 school year, marking the ninth
consecutive year of flat tuition. Purdue President Mitch Daniels made the
tuition announcement over the weekend, along with introducing a 3% salary
merit pool for West Lafayette employees for the next fiscal year.

Indiana Leads Nation in Steel Production
Indiana continues to lead the nation in steel production accounting for
about a quarter of the nation’s steel output, despite a more than 7%
production decline.

Endowment Awards $15M to Early Childcare Program
Indianapolis-based Lilly Endowment Inc. has awarded a three-year, $15
million, grant to nonprofit Early Learning Indiana. The organization’s
mission is to increase access to high-quality early childhood education
across the state, regardless of a family’s ability to pay.