Indiana University Business Conference Goes Global

"Building Indiana's Competitive Edge in the Global Economy: Strategies That Work" is the theme for the 2008 Indiana University Business Conference, which begins at 9 a.m. 5 March in the Indiana Convention Center, 100 South Capitol Avenue, Indianapolis. Presenters include Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels, I.U. President Michael A. McRobbie (pictured), Indianapolis Motor Speedway President and Chief Executive Officer Anton "Tony" George, Langham Logistics Inc. President Catherine A. Langham, Simon Property Group Chairman and Chief Executive Officer David E. Simon and FedEx Corp. Chairman, President and CEO Frederick W. Smith. The annual conference is presented by I.U.'s Kelley School of Business, in partnership with the Indiana Economic Development Corp.

Canada's Ag Growth Industries Comes to Union City

Canada-based grain handling equipment manufacturer Ag Growth Industries has announced the company's plans to locate a new manufacturing facility in Union City, with plans to create more than 70 new jobs by 2010. The company, which manufactures and distributes augers, conveyors, grain storage bins and other grain handling equipment, will locate its new operations in the 163,000 square-foot former Union City Body Company building on the city's west side. The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered Ag Growth up to $475,000 in performance-based tax credits and up to $70,000 in training grants based upon the company's job creation plans. The City of Union City and Randolph County have committed to provide the company property tax abatement and each have committed up to $100,000 in grants to the company. Ag Growth is a leading manufacturer of portable and stationary grain handling, storage and conditioning equipment, including augers, belt conveyors, grain storage bins, grain handling accessories and grain aeration equipment. Ag Growth's sales, marketing, and distribution system includes approximately 1,400 dealers and distributors in 48 states and nine provinces.

Exports Up, Say Experts

Exports from Indiana to foreign countries reached a record $22.6 billion in 2006, up 5.3 percent over the previous year. A new study, conducted for the Indiana Economic Development Corp. (IEDC) by the Indiana Business Research Center (IBRC) at Indiana University's Kelley School of Business, also suggests that Indiana exports will grow at a faster pace in 2007. In the first six months of 2007, Indiana exported $12.9 billion worth of goods, for a year-over-year increase of 10.6 percent. The full report, titled "Indiana's Global Exports: Report for 2007," is available online.

Potential for Israeli Investment in Indy

According to Inside INdiana Business, the Indiana Economic Development Corporation says starting tomorrow it will host a delegation of Israeli life sciences companies, which are exploring potential partnerships and possible relocation to Indiana.

For more, see the news item.