Economic development officials from Boone County and the state are working on bringing a distribution center for Amazon.com to the AllPoints at Anson development in Whitestown. The center could employ 1,200 people. The developer has filed a request for a 10-year tax abatement on $6.8 million in planned improvements.

Suppliers say they will have to close

Three Fort Wayne companies say they will be forced to close their facilities because of an announcement by Vera Bradley Designs Inc. that it will consolidate all of its domestic production in-house. Phoenix Sewing Inc.; Summit Production Systems LLC; and Mercury Manufacturing LLC employ a total of 537 workers. A spokeswoman for Vera Bradley says the company will add jobs once it brings the production in-house and that workers from the previous suppliers will be given preferential treatment.

Toyota, Chrysler announces cutbacks

Two major automakers have announced plans that will affect Indiana facilities. The Wall Street Journal reports Chrysler LLC is requiring employees to take a two-week vacation this summer. The aim of the companywide shutdown is to improve efficiency and productivity. Toyota Motor Corp. is reducing truck production at its Princeton, Indiana facility by an undisclosed amount.

Huntington distribution center to shut

Collective Brands Inc. will close its distribution center in Huntington in spring 2009. The company is consolidating operations into three distribution facilities to serve North American customers. About 140 people work at the Huntington operation. The company is also closing a center in British Columbia, Canada. Collective Brands is the parent of Payless ShoeSource and Stride Rite.

Lilly makes deal with Canadian firm

Indianapolis-based Eli Lilly and Co. has reached a licensing and collaboration agreement with Transition Therapeutics Inc. The Canadian company specializes in an emerging class of potential disease-modifying therapies for diabetes patients. The agreement gives Lilly exclusive worldwide rights to develop and commercialize the therapies.

CTS buys California company

Elkhart-based CTS Corp. has purchased contract electronics company Orion Manufacturing Inc. The $10 million deal combines California-based Orion's capabilities with CTS' Electronics Manufacturing Solutions, which is headquartered in Moonpark, California.

Shareholders OK Steak 'n Shake action

There are some changes on The Steak n' Shake Co. Board of Directors. Sardar Biglari and Phillip Cooley of The Lion Fund LLC have been successful in securing spots on the board. The Indianapolis-based restaurant company Wednesday announced official results of last week's election. Biglari and Cooley received enough votes to replace Alan B. Gilman and James Williamson Jr. Biglari has told shareholders he intends to improve the company's financial picture.

Ivy Tech updates 2010 Strategic Plan

Ivy Tech Community College has updated its 2010 Strategic Plan. The plan focuses on work force development, lifelong learning, community service, institutional capacity and student services. It also addresses the continuing development of Ivy Tech into a comprehensive community college system.

Lilly discusses Connecticut lawsuit

Indianapolis-based Eli Lilly and Co. says it disagrees with statements about the company by Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal. The state of Connecticut has filed a lawsuit against Lilly over Zyprexa. Blumenthal accuses the pharmaceutical giant of illegally marketing the antipsychotic drug and claims side effects were concealed. Lilly says the claims are without merit.