Vera Bradley announces production HQ location

Indiana-based Vera Bradley Designs Inc. will establish its production headquarters in the Allen County community of New Haven, just outside Fort Wayne. The company plans to have 560 people working at the facility within 24 months, with 70 of those employees coming from existing operations. The handbag, luggage and accessories company is finalizing plans to lease a more than 125,000 square-foot facility in New Haven.

Gannett cuts impact Indiana newspapers

The decision by the nation's largest newspaper publisher to eliminate 1,000 positions is already being felt in Indiana. The state's largest newspaper, The Indianapolis Star, will lay off 23 workers. The Lafayette Journal & Courier says it will eliminate two jobs and not fill some vacant positions. The Star-Press in Muncie is laying off two employees and the Palladium-Item at Richmond is losing four positions.

10,000 sign petition for Sunday alcohol sales

Hoosiers for Beverage Choices (HBC) reports more than 10,000 people have signed its online petition to Indiana legislators in support of Sunday alcohol sales. The organization launched its Web site www.beveragechoices.com one week ago. HBC says it hopes to modernize what it calls Indiana's outdated alcohol laws.

Gibson County plant looks to new production in '09

As Toyota Motor Corp. (NYSE: TM) continues the realignment of its North American production, workers and officials at the company's Princeton plant are hopeful a new product will mean good things in the future. Toyota said this week that it will move production of the Tundra pick-up truck to San Antonio immediately, rather than restart production in November then move it in 2009 as stated in the company's realignment plan announcement last month. That plan calls for production of the Highlander SUV, which is currently done in Japan, to go to the Gibson County plant.

Indiana lab to nearly double workforce

Oil analysis firm POLARIS Laboratories LLC plans to expand its Indianapolis operation and nearly double its workforce creating 80 jobs by 2014. The laboratory, which analyzes oils, fuels and coolants to improve equipment reliability, will invest more than $1.65 million and add 10,000 square-feet to its northwest side headquarters. POLARIS will begin hiring data analysts, laboratory specialists and customer service professionals later this year.

Hotel and conference center planned for Columbus

Fishers-based Dora Hotel Co. LLC says it plans to break ground next month on an extended-stay Candlewood Suites and adjoining Richard L. Johnson Conference and Education Center in Columbus. The $16 million project could create as many as 70 jobs. The 86-room hotel will be connected to the new Cummins Office Building, which will house 500 employees.

Indiana company formed to improve marijuana detection

Two Purdue University researchers and a northern Indiana biotechnology firm are launching a company to improve detecting marijuana in a person's system. Intelimmune LLC will focus on developing a more reliable and accurate diagnostic tool for identifying tetrehydrocannabinol (THC), the active ingredient in marijuana. The company is creating a "molecular imprinting" saliva test that would provide results in about five minutes.

Corn crop rebounding from devastating floods

State and Purdue University agricultural experts say Indiana's corn crop has made a surprising recovery from this year's floods. The state's corn production for 2008 is forecast at 877.4 million bushels with an expected yield of 164 bushels per acre. Purdue Extension Agriculture Economist Chris Hurt says "it's been an amazing recovery for Indiana's corn crop considering the challenging weather."

Dump truck body manufacturer to expand

A manufacturer of dump truck bodies for heavy trucks is expanding its design and manufacturing operations in Fort Wayne. Truck Engineering Ltd. LLC plans to create 28 jobs by 2011. The company expects to invest $1.1 million dollars in the project. Truck Engineering specializes in the design and production of stainless, carbon, and ultra-high strength steel dump truck bodies for municipalities and fabrications for defense contracts.

Taxi CEO: AM General "premier vehicle assembler in the world"

The head of the company planning to have its Americans with Disabilities Act compliant taxis built at AM General in Mishawaka says he is very impressed with the quality of the workforce and leadership team at the Indiana operation. That's why the President and Chief Executive Officer of The Vehicle Production Group LLC (VPG) Mark Hogan wanted the vehicle put together at AM General. Hogan says the company hopes to start production in 2010 and manufacture as many as 15 thousand taxis in the first year.

Amazon to locate third Indiana facility

Amazon.com, Inc. (Nasdaq: AMZN) plans to locate a distribution center near Indianapolis International Airport, creating more than 350 jobs by 2011. The global online retailer is scheduled to begin hiring managers, warehouse supervisors and more than 200 warehouse associates in the coming weeks. Amazon.com has previously announced plans to open a fulfillment center in Lake County and a distribution center in Boone County.

State hails more investment from global companies

Indiana Secretary of Commerce Nate Feltman says the state is "very conservative" when it comes to economic incentives to attract companies. Economic development officials have unveiled more than 480 new jobs with today's announcement of an expansion of Nestle USA in Anderson and the decision by Amazon.com to place a distribution center in Plainfield. Feltman says any assistance the state provides is performance-based. He says the conservative approach, combined with a low tax environment and a budget surplus, creates a "good value proposition" for companies.