Economy
Hoosier leaders celebrate hydrogen hub award, but others wary
Hoosier leaders cheered Friday’s federal announcement that Indiana is among 16 states set to host assets for seven regional hydrogen hubs, but resident advocates scrutinized the initiative’s use of “blue” hydrogen and carbon sequestration. The Biden administration is directing $7 billion from the bipartisan infrastructure law to build the hubs, in grants that senior administration […]
SBOA details auditing duties and added COVID responsibilities
The influx of billions of dollars in federal relief funneled through the state to Indiana’s counties, cities and townships has increased the workload for the State Board of Accounts (SBOA) by 30%, as the entity audits local budgets and implements federal spending requirements. “Lots of communities are kind of ‘sitting on their money.’ They’re not […]
Biden administration to send $7 billion for clean hydrogen hubs in 16 states
The Biden administration is directing $7 billion from the bipartisan infrastructure law to build seven regional hydrogen power hubs in 16 states, the White House announced Friday. The projects, each of which is a cluster of assets that produce and process hydrogen fuel as an alternative to fossil fuels, will benefit the climate, the economy […]
Second Stellantis, Samsung EV battery plant announced for Kokomo
Stellantis and Samsung SDI announced a second planned gigafactory in Kokomo, Indiana to manufacture EV batteries. (Getty Images)
25,000 UAW members now striking against the Detroit Three automakers; Holcomb comments
Two more plants, employing 7,000 workers, joined the United Auto Workers (UAW) strike at noon Friday but Hoosier workers avoided joining the picket line. UAW President Shawn Fain announced the new additions Friday morning on Facebook Live. This brings the total number of workers who will have walked off the job to 25,000. Fain called […]
IEDC releases full report of early Wabash aquifer testing results
The Indiana Economic Development Corp. (IEDC) on Thursday released the full early results of tests conducted at the Wabash Alluvial Aquifer — which officials hope to tap for a massive high-tech campus 35 miles away. The quasi-public agency made an executive summary, touting “abundant” water, available last week. Texas-based environmental consulting firm INTERA is conducting the ongoing […]
Holcomb: Indiana prepared for possible federal government shutdown
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb told the press Wednesday that the state was prepared for what appears to be an imminent federal government shutdown that would impact nearly 24,000 Hoosiers — most of whom are employed by cabinet-level agencies. “I hope it doesn’t (happen) … this is avoidable if cooler heads prevail,” Holcomb said at a […]
INPRS ‘ahead of schedule’ on China divestment, laying anti-ESG investment framework
Indiana's Public Retirement System (INPRS) says it's "ahead of schedule" in pulling out of its Chinese investments after lawmakers approved a ban in May. And it's putting together a compliance strategy for a separate ban on controversial ESG investment strategies.
‘Abundant’ water in Wabash aquifer for LEAP District, say early IEDC findings
Initial results in a multi-phase water study show “abundant water availability” in the Wabash Alluvial Aquifer, the Indiana Economic Development Corp. (IEDC) announced Thursday. Officials hope to pipe 100 million gallons of water daily 35 miles from the aquifer to a massive — and controversial — high-tech park planned in Boone County: the LEAP Lebanon […]
States and cities eye stronger protections for gig economy workers
Joshua Wood remembers days during the COVID-19 lockdown when New York City’s streets were practically empty, save for workers like him. That experience convinced the 25-year-old Brooklynite — who makes deliveries for both Uber Eats and a package delivery service — that the gig economy needed some urgent changes. Roughly 1 in 6 American adults […]
Strike! United Auto Workers declares historic strike against Detroit Three automakers.
The United Auto Workers (UAW) declared a strike at midnight Thursday after negotiations for a new contract failed with “Detroit Three” auto manufacturers: Ford, General Motors and Stellantis. This is the first time in the union’s history it has gone on strike against all three automakers. UAW President Shawn Fain told members at the picket […]
Vanessa Green Sinders to lead Indiana Chamber
The Indiana Chamber of Commerce on Thursday named Vanessa Green Sinders as its next president and CEO, replacing outgoing longtime leader Kevin Brinegar. Sinders was chosen from a “deep pool” of candidates, said board chair and search committee member Paul Perkins. She’ll be the influential business advocacy organization’s first female leader. “What really set Vanessa […]