Northern Indiana firms to lay off workers

About 250 people are losing their jobs because of the pending closure of Dutch Housing, Inc. in LaGrange and layoffs at Redman Homes Inc. in Topeka. A letter to Indiana Workforce Development says economic realities do not provide the company with a feasible alternative other than to merge management and operations of Dutch with Redman at the Redman location in Topeka.

Chase reduces Indianapolis work force

Chase has announced about 100 workers at its tower in downtown Indianapolis have been laid off. Chase spokeswoman Nancy Norris says the positions were in a home equity lending processing center. She says the job cuts are attributed to the downturn in the home real estate industry.

Orthopedic manufacturer expansion creates jobs

Orthopedic manufacturer Symmetry Medical Inc. plans to expand its operation in Warsaw that will lead to 60 new jobs and advanced training for current employees. The global company plans to spend about $6 million to expand its northern Indiana facilities.

Lilly settles lawsuit filed by Alaska

Indianapolis-based Eli Lilly and Co. has reached a settlement in a lawsuit filed by Alaska over the use of Zyprexa in the state's Medicaid program. The suit claimed the state and health care providers were not warned enough about the drug's possible side effects. A trial in the lawsuit began earlier this month. Lilly will pay Alaska $15 million and ensure that Alaska is treated as favorably as any other state that may settle with Lilly in the future over similar claims. The agreement involves no admission of wrongdoing on Lilly's part.

Medical center to be built at Anson

Witham Health Services and St. Vincent Health are partnering on a new major medical facility in Boone County. They have an agreement with Duke Realty Corp. and Bremner Duke HealthCare to build a 42,500 square foot facility in the Anson development, north of Indianapolis. The medical center will create 50 jobs.Construction should begin this spring.

Amstutz to serve as president and CEO

The Indiana Humanities Council has announced a new president and chief executive officer. Keira Amstutz will move into the posts starting April 14. She has served in various cultural and political capacities in Indianapolis. She most recently was chief counsel and director of public policy for the City of Indianapolis.