The University of Evansville on Monday is scheduled to demolish its Ridgway Center and physical plant buildings to make way for a new, $23.6 million Ridgway University Center. The 90,000-square-foot facility will serve as a gathering place for students and will be located in the center of campus. After its projected completion in fall 2008, the center will be the largest building on campus.

Bemis expansion latest

coup for Terre Haute

Bemis Inc.'s plan to expand its Terre Haute operations is the latest in a series of company investments at the long-time facility and adds to a growing list of economic development successes in the Wabash Valley. Wisconsin-based Bemis announced it will invest $21.6 million and add 29 jobs at its Vigo County complex. Just last week, the Wabash Valley was dealt a blow as International Paper confirmed plans to close its Terre Haute mill. But in recent months, good economic news has been in plentiful supply in the Terre Haute area, which has suffered heavy manufacturing job losses over the past two decades.

WellPoint CFO

shown the door

Indianapolis-based WellPoint, Inc. (NYSE:WLP) has forced out current Chief Financial Officer David C. Colby for what the company says were code of conduct violations. The company says an investigation determined the violations were not illegal and did not involve WellPoint business.

Steak n Shake converts

to trans-fat-free oil

Indianapolis-based Steak n Shake Co. (NYSE:SNS) says it is now using frying oil that is free of trans fats in all of its 478 restaurants nationwide. The company says it is looking at all of its food products and plans to remove added trans fats where possible.

GM to invest

$44 M at foundry

General Motors Corp. has announced it will upgrade its Bedford Foundry and will retain jobs. GM says it will invest $44 million in plant upgrades to produce transmission cases and converter housings for its six-speed transmissions. The project will help retain about 100 production jobs.

University Loft builds

plant and adds jobs

Construction is underway in Mt. Comfort in Hancock County on a new $22 million headquarters, manufacturing plant and warehouse for Indianapolis-based University Loft Co. that will create 200 new jobs.The new facility will include showrooms that will look like hotel rooms and college dormitories so customers can see the company's loft furniture.University Loft also has a development division, which is creating an industrial park around its new facilities.

Hat World parent

eyes company sale

Tennessee-based Genesco Inc. (NYSE:GCO), parent of Indianapolis-based Hat World, says it is exploring strategic alternatives for the company, which could include a possible sale. The company last week rejected a conditional proposal from Foot Locker Inc. to purchase the company for $51 per share in cash. Genesco says it has invited Foot Locker to participate in the company's process on the same terms as other parties, but Foot Locker has declined.

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