The Indiana Department of Administration has laid off 33 workers in what is described as a belt-tightening measure. Commissioner Mark Everson says the reductions are across several areas of the department, but most are in public works. He says with the state cutting costs, there will be fewer projects to manage. Everson also says the cuts are related to Governor Mitch Daniels' recent call for state agencies to reduce spending by 10 percent.

FSSA announces spending cuts

The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration is slashing its budget to deal with revenue shortfalls and an increase in Medicaid enrollment. It is cutting Medicaid reimbursements to hospitals, issuing a hiring freeze and reworking contracts. More FSSA cuts are expected. The reductions do not include a 10-percent cut ordered by Gov. Mitch Daniels for all state agencies.

Lilly's Paul announces retirement

The executive vice president of science and technology at Indianapolis-based Eli Lilly and Company has announced he will retire in February. Dr. Steven Paul will also step down from his position as president of Lilly Research Laboratories. Paul first joined Lilly in 1993 and was named to his current role in 2003. The company has named AstraZeneca Executive Vice President Jan Lundberg as Paul's successor.

Children's Museum impact increasing

A new study indicates the total direct economic impact of The Children's Museum of Indianapolis on the central Indiana economy for 2009 is $73.4 million. That is a 20 percent increase since 2005. President and Chief Executive Officer Jeffrey Patchen believes part of the jump can be attributed to the "stay-cation" phenomenon during the down economy, as families take trips closer to their homes in order to save money. He says the museum has a long-term goal of having around 1.5 million visitors annually. He expects 2009 attendance figures to be around 1.2 million.

Vera Bradley Foundation makes pledge for cancer research

The Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer has announced a $10 million pledge to the Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Cancer Center. The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette reports the money will support the center's breast cancer program. The pledge will be in addition to earlier contributions by the foundation totaling $10 million.

Indiana casinos dealing with debt

With increased competition from neighboring states on the horizon and the recession, Indiana's gaming industry continues to face difficulties. Majestic Star Casino in Gary has missed two interest payments in the last year, and debtholders recently announced plans to exercise their default rights. Paperwork filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission indicates they are also seeking approximately $80 million in accelerated payments.

Government and Business Leader of The Year named

The former commissioner of the state's Commission for Higher Education has been named the 2009 Government Leader of the Year by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber cites Stan Jones' leadership in creating a two-year community college system, as well as his continued development of vocational education and work force training. He currently leads a Washington D.C.-based organization dedicated to improving college access and increasing graduation rates.

The chamber also named John Swisher Business Leader of the Year. He started Sheridan-based JBS United in 1956 and was inducted into the Central Indiana Junior Achievement Hall of Fame in 2007.

Chamber names small business of the year

The Indiana Chamber of Commerce has named a South Bend company Small Business of the Year. Manufacturing Technology Inc. manufactures machines for the friction welding process. The company has nearly 125 workers and says its sales growth in the last five years has increased more than 300 percent.

Frozen foods maker adding 350 jobs

Kemper Foods International LLC is expanding its production center in New Albany and creating more than 350 jobs by 2012. The frozen foods manufacturer will invest more than $6.8 million toward equipment and building improvements at its facility in southeast Indiana's Park East Industrial Park. Kemper Foods was founded in 2008 by New Albany entrepreneur Michael Kemper, who partnered with veteran food production tycoon, Jeno Paulucci.

Study confirms 'Cash For Clunkers' was a success

The director of Ball State University's Center for Business and Economic Research says the "Cash for Clunkers" program was a "fairly-effective one-time jolt" for the auto industry. Michael Hicks says of the 690,000 cars sold through the program, 686,000 were vehicles that would not have been purchased otherwise.