MERRILLVILLE

Life Science Lunch Series scheduled

A live video feed of Barnes & Thornburg LLP's next Life Science Lunch Series seminar, "Legislative Issues," is set for 10:30 a.m. to noon Dec. 16. at the Purdue Technology Center, 9800 Connecticut Drive, Merrillville.

Speakers will be announced in the future.

The lunch series is free and open to the public. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own lunch.

For more information, or to register, log on to http://www.btlaw.com/Event.asp?Event_ID=781 or contact Jodie Daugherty at Jodie.Daugherty@BTLaw.com or (317) 261-7922.

INDIANAPOLIS

Chamber seeks ‘Best Places' applications by Friday

Applications are being accepted for the state's annual competition naming the "Best Places to Work in Indiana."

In its fourth year, this Indiana Chamber of Commerce program honors the top companies in the state as determined through employer reports and comprehensive employee surveys.

The 2009 winners will be selected from two categories: small to medium-sized companies of between 25 and 249 employees and large-sized companies consisting of 250 or more employees. Out-of-state parent companies are eligible to participate if at least 25 full-time employees are in Indiana.

The application deadline is Friday.

The top Hoosier companies will be honored on May 5 at the Best Places to Work Awards dinner at the Indiana Roof Ballroom in downtown Indianapolis.

For more information on the Indiana Chamber's Best Places to Work program or to register to participate, go to www.bestplacestoworkIN.com or call the Best Companies Group at (877) 455-2159.

GRANITE CITY, Ill.

Lack of demands idles U.S. Steel production

A lack of customer demand and a faltering economy has prompted U.S. Steel to temporarily suspend operations at its Granite City plant and two other mills.

U.S. Steel spokesman John Armstrong said Tuesday the company will temporarily consolidate its operations over the coming weeks. The company's action will idle about 2,250 steel workers at the Granite City Works. About 1,250 workers will be affected at the iron ore mining and pelletizing plant in Keewatin, Minn. and the Great Lakes Works near Detroit.

Two weeks ago, U.S. Steel said the nation's financial instability and credit crisis forced it to lay off 81 steel workers temporarily from the Granite City mill.

United Steelworkers Local 1899 president Russ Saltsgaver and other union officials said they have requested a meeting with company officials.