The Indianapolis Museum of Art will break ground today on one of the largest museum art parks in the country. The $25 million Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park will be adjacent to the museum and located on 100 acres that includes untamed woodlands, wetlands, meadows and a 35-acre lake. When it opens in fall 2009, the park will present art projects, exhibitions and discussions designed to strengthen the public's understanding between contemporary art and the natural world.

Delta faucet to celebrate 50 years

Delta Faucet Co. will celebrate its 50th anniversary at its Greensburg manufacturing plant today. The company says since 1958 it has produced and shipped more than 200 million faucets across the globe. Delta Faucet's production capabilities have helped launch over 450 new products and technologies. The company employs approximately 630 workers in Decatur County.

Centaur adjusts $1 billion financing

Indianapolis-based Centaur LLC has reached an agreement to amend terms of its $1 billion financing package. The revisions will allow Centaur to continue operations at Fortune Valley Hotel & Casino and Hoosier Park Racing & Casino. The company has also announced it expects to engage an investment bank to helping evaluating strategic alternatives for a project in Pennsylvania.

Evansville mayor not surprised by Aztar

The mayor of Evansville says a decision to allow Tropicana Entertainment LLC to put Casino Aztar back up for auction "is not unexpected." Jonathan Weinzapfel said the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Delaware has decided Tropicana creditors could best be satisfied by selling the property again. A deal to sell Casino Aztar was nullified earlier this year when Tropicana filed for bankruptcy. Weinzapfel wants an owner who will invest in the facility and its employees.

Japanese officials visit Trine University

Japanese officials from Tochigi Prefecture recently visited Trine University in Angola to strengthen their partnership. Next year marks the 10 year anniversary of the sister-state relationship between Tochigi Prefecture and Indiana. A program established in March 2007 allows qualified students from Trine or Hakuoh University to study in a cooperative exchange for a prescribed period of time. Faculty members from both institutions can also teach and perform scholarly work in a similar exchange.

Foundation receives final grant installment

Verizon Communications Inc. has awarded the Northeast Indiana Foundation a $30,000 grant to support the Economic Growth Partnership. The final installment of a three-year $150,000 grant will fund updated technology at the organization's Fourth Wave office in downtown Fort Wayne.

EnerDel lands defense contract

Deal Expands Technology Beyond Auto Sector Indianapolis-based lithium-ion battery manufacturer EnerDel has been awarded a $4 million research and development contract by the U.S. Department of Defense. The deal calls for the creation of lightweight, high-performance batteries to track military assets in harsh climates and high-energy batteries to power unmanned aerial vehicles. The contract is funded by the Defense Logistics Agency and administered by The Crane Division Naval Surface Warfare Center.