UIndy President to Lead DePaul University

University of Indianapolis President Robert Manuel will soon be leaving Indy to become the next president of DePaul University in Chicago. Manuel has served as UIndy's president since 2012 and will begin his new role on August 1.... Read More

SOLV Holdings Buys Custom Sound Designs

Fort Wayne-based SOLV Holdings, which is an affiliate of private equity firm Ambassador Enterprises, has acquired Custom Sound Designs, an audio, visual, lighting, and acoustic design firm headquartered in New Haven. While financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, SOLV says CSD has a track record of growth, expertise, and successful project execution.... Read More

Indy AgTech Startup Secures Seed Round

An Indianapolis-based agtech startup has closed on a $1.3 million seed round of funding. Smart Apply Inc., which has developed a precision spray system designed to reduce pesticide use and costs, says it will use the funding to further preparations for an upcoming Series A round.... Read More

Prologis Makes $24B Offer to Acquire Duke Realty

San Francisco-based logistics real estate firm Prologis Inc. (NYSE: PLD) has made a public proposal to Duke Realty Corp. (NYSE: DRE) Chief Executive Officer James Connor to acquire the Indianapolis-based firm in an all-stock deal valued at nearly $24 billion. Prologis CEO Hamid Moghadam says his company has unsuccessfully tried to privately make a deal since November.... Read More

Thrive West Central Launches Housing Initiative

Thrive West Central has launched a Regional Housing Initiative to address current challenges in the housing sector. The first phase of the efforts will involve the development of a regional housing study and action plan for the west central Indiana region.... Read More

Noblesville Mom Takes Wine on the Road

After a long stint in real estate, Lacy Clark decided to quit corporate America and pursue her 10-year dream: owning a food truck. Clark launched The Wine Trough last spring and since that time has traveled to virtually every corner of Indiana, quickly becoming a hit at venues throughout the state. ... Read More

Fort Wayne to Purchase PepsiCo Warehouse Site

The Fort Wayne Redevelopment Commission has agreed to acquire the PepsiCo (Nasdaq: PEP) warehouse site in a $4.5 million deal. The Journal Gazette reports PepsiCo plans to invest $19 million in a new warehouse and distribution center near Fort Wayne International Airport.... Read More

Vaughn to Step Down from Indiana Sports Corp

The Indiana Sports Corp has announced President Ryan Vaughn is resigning and will officially step down July 1. The organization says Vaughn, who has served as president since 2014, is leaving to pursue an opportunity in the private sector.... Read More

Indy Council Wins Public Policy Award

The Indianapolis-Marion County City-County Council was awarded the John L. Krauss Award for Public Policy Innovation by the Indiana University Public Policy Institute. IU says the biennial award is presented to an individual or entity for applied research or activity that helps the state of Indiana or Hoosier communities with real-world solutions.... Read More

LCI Industries Reports Q1 Profit

Elkhart-based LCI Industries (NYSE: LCII) is reporting first quarter net income of $196.2 million, up $122.1 million during the same period last year. LCI Industries’ President and Chief Executive Officer Jason Lippert says the company achieved record revenue and EBITDA during the quarter.... Read More

Donation to Establish Endowed Faculty Professorship

An alumnus donation will establish the first endowed faculty professorship at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology's Department of Chemical Engineering. The school says John and Anne Swearingen's $2 million donation will also support laboratory and technology improvements for the department. ... Read More

Packaging Firm to Invest $100M in Hammond Plant

Finland-based Huhtamaki North America says it will invest $100 million to expand its facility in Hammond. The packaging manufacturer says the 250,000-square-foot addition will result in about 100 new jobs when its operational in 2023.... Read More

FireKing Workers Strike Over Wages, Healthcare Costs

Nearly 90 union workers at FireKing International LLC in New Albany went on strike Monday after rejecting a "best and final proposal" for a new collective bargaining agreement. The Teamsters Local 89 claim the company's offer "failed to keep wages up with inflation or the industry standard" and "failed to address serious inadequacies in the company’s healthcare plan."... Read More

Auburn Sports Park Developers Withdraw Motion to Dismiss

A lawsuit over a planned sports park in Auburn has made a step toward possible resolution. An attorney for the defendants in the suit, Rodney Sinn and Auburn Sports Group, have filed to withdraw a Motion to Dismiss, and both the plaintiff and defendants have agreed to a permanent and preliminary injunction.... Read More

Department of Ed Names STEM Certified Schools

The Indiana Department of Education has named 15 schools throughout the state as STEM Certified Schools. The certification is awarded to schools that are “focused on a commitment to teaching STEM disciplines beyond the classroom.”... Read More