Acustom advertising publication of The Indianapolis Star Sunday,Nov.1,2009
indystar. com/50years
50 YEARS
Well-established Hoosier businesses have taken advantage of avibrant downtown that includes Circle Centre, easy access to the Indianapolis International Airportand educational resources such as IUPUI.
Living costs, education and sports
add up to accolades for IndianapolisMilestones in the making
By Ashley Petry ForCustom Publications
Indianapolis recentlyhas The massiveIUPUI complex dominates downtown’s
near-west side,and the cityishometoseveral excellent New projects for astronger futureearned ahost of distinctions:
private universities. In addition, BallState University, Fornearly two centuries, Indianapolis has been theIt’s oneofthe least-costly
Indiana Universityand Purdue Universityare ashort epicenter for Hoosier business, government and culture.
driveaway.cities in whichtodobusiness. With avariety of new projects in t he works, the cityis
“The higher educa tionthat’s available …isa raising its profile and fostering an even more vibrant,It’s oneofthe “ smartest”cities
tremendous resource,” said MortonMarcus, director competitive business environment.
emeritus of the I ndiana Business R esearch Center.in the U.S. It’s even, according
Indiana ConventionCenter/Lucas Oil Stadium: WhenThe cityhas benefitted from strongcorporate citizens,to Moneymagazine,one of
the expanded convention center opens late next year,itsuchasEli Lilly,that reinvest their earnings in the
will feature more than 3.4 million square feet of meetingcommunity. Arelated asset is the Lilly Endowment,the “best places to live.”
and exhibit space,making it the n ation’s16th largestfounded by membersofthe Lilly familyin1937.
convention venue.As part of the $275 million project, theForCircleCitybusinesses —some of which “It’ssomething o ther cities can’t duplicate,” Dorson
city demolished the RCA Dome, replacing it with Lucas Oilhavebeen in operationmorethan acentury—this said.“Thereare lots of private endowments out there, but
Stadium in 2008. It will play host to the 2012 Super Bowl.is no surprise. Business owners point to the city’s very fewofthem havethe commitment to community
manyadvantages, that [the Lilly E ndowment] does.” The life-sciences initiative: Adecade ago, the Greater
suchasastrong Despite the city’smanyassets, t he deciding factor Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce identified life
transportation often is quality-of-lifeissues suchasshortcommutes and sciences as an area of strength and potential growth. Now
infrastructure, good schools. coordinated by BioCrossroads, the life-sciences initiative
funds research and supports new businesses.avibrant “Wewin when it comes to qualityoflife,”Dorson
downtown core, said.“Weare averylivable community, and ultimately
Indianapolis International Airport terminal: Debutedfavorable tax rates that sways alot of companies, maybemoresothan the
last November,this sleek, modern facility showcases localand adiversified economic indicators.”
restaurants and artists.The facility accommodates 8millioneconomy.
travelers per year and more than 170 flights per day.Alook back“Throw allof
those things into When did Indianapolis become suchavibrant business JW Marriott hotel complex: Scheduled to open in 2011,
amixing bowl, hub? Forbusiness leaders, oneofthe keymoments was this massive hotel complex will offer more than 1,000 guest
and youend up the 1970 formationofUniGov, whichconsolidated city rooms and 104,000 square feet of meeting, banquet and
Dorson with the shining and MarionCountygovernment. exhibit space, including one of Marriott’slargest ballrooms.
buckle in the Rust Belt,” said Roland Dorson, “UniGovgavethe cityadifferent viewofitself and
president of the Greater Indianapolis Chamber of brought it together from being acitywith alot of
Commerce. suburbs to actually consolidating the citypsychologically,” Profiles of businesses that have
Marcus said. been around 50 yearsormore
Indy’sbalance sheet INSIDEAnother keymoment occurred in 1984, when the
As abusiness community, Indianapolis has a BaltimoreColts relocated to the newRCA Dome,which Founded Company Page
wide range of assets. It has lowreal estate prices had been built without the promise of aprofessional
and alow cost of living,soit’sattractivetoboth sports franchise. 1834 Old National Bank 2
businesses and workers. “Ithasn’t hurtatall to havethe Colts, and it hasn’t hurt 1869 Purdue University 4
In addition,“The regulatoryenvironment is at alltohavethe Pacers and the Fever,”Marcus said.“All 1909
Riverview Hospital 5favorable to business, in terms of things like taxes of them giveusanational presence,and that is important
and unionregulations,” said Kyle Anderson, an for self-esteem, as wellasfor visibility.” 1919 CountryMark Cooperative 6
assistant professor of business economics at the IU Economists also laud the constructionofCircleCentre, 1930 Tire Barn 8
KelleySchool of Business in Indianapolis. whichreinvigorated the downtown core—especially since
Perhaps our most-cited asset is our extensive the development heavilyrelied on local investment. 1930 Baldwin &Lyons 12
transportationinfrastructure. Interstate 70 runs Indianapolis has plentyofbusiness-related assets, but 1931 Marsh Supermarkets and Pharmacy 14
directlythrough the downtown core, making the perhaps the most important is avisionofwhat the city 1932
Economy Plumbing Supply 17cityaccessible and reducing traffic woes. canbe.
Another plus, Dorsonsaid, is that about 75 “[Indianapolis] nowsees itself as acompetitor with 1943 The Nyhart Co. 10
percent of the nation’spopulationiswithin aday’s other cities of similar sizeinthe U.S.,instead of seeing 1944
Hunt Construction Group 16driveofthe city, so it’s an ideal base for logistics itself as the largest cityinIndiana,” Marcus said.“With
and distributionoperations. that goes acertain visionofevengreater capabilityfor 1946 Koorsen Fire and Security 18
Also on the list of the city’sassets: education. the future.”● 1948 McFarling Foods 11
Photos: Circle Centre and Indianapolis International Airport, Joe Soria; IUPUI Campus Center,Indianapolis Downtown Inc.; Roland Dorson, Marc Lebryk
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