Small businesses brace for cost increases in 2014. by Bob Kronemyer Small businesses should plan for a significant cost bump in healthcare starting next January, as the federal government continues to roll out major reforms. “Businesses with fewer than 50 employees should plan on new compliance challenges and the potential for larger than normal premium […]
The region’s colleges nurture entrepreneurship and innovation, giving young businesspeople the tools they need to succeed. by Rick A. Richards Olga Pecanac doesn’t remember a lot about Pula, Croatia, her family’s home and where she was born. When she was 4 years old, her family fled the civil war there and came to Northwest Indiana,
Despite high unemployment rates, it’s not always easy for employers to find qualified hires. Local programs are closing the gap. by Michael Puente When 2013 began, Northwest Indiana’s jobless rate stood at 9.8 percent, more than a percentage point higher than Indiana’s overall jobless rate of 8.5 percent and two points above the national rate
Hoosier Daddy livens up barbecues across the country. by Kathy McKimmie Kim Foy remembers watching her dad make his special barbecue sauce when she was five or six years old. She grew up with the sweet concoction served at family gatherings and neighborhood picnics. When he died in late 2007 after a long struggle with
Bring diverse communities together to build a brighter future. When NIPSCO’s Eddie Melton stepped to the podium at Strongbow’s Inn, he had no small task. He was asked along with others to answer this question: “How does a diverse region learn to work together to build a great region in a global economy? He was
Beer sales are falling, but craft beers are bubbling up in a big way. Breweries are opening all over the region. by Rick A. Richards The oldest known beer recipe dates back 3,900 years to Samaria. For craft beer aficionados in Northwest Indiana, that’s not surprising. Beer – long a human staple – is becoming
A summer packed with arts and entertainment across the region. South Shore Arts will present the fourth exhibit in its Outstanding Midwest Artist Series, this time featuring Chicago artist Chris Cosnowski, who paints icons of Americana in a photo-realistic style. At once lifelike in detail and humorous in concept, Cosnowski’s artwork recalls Western classical art
Speedboat events bring thousands to LaPorte County shores. by Rick A. Richards A warm, sunny day, the roar of powerful engines and the thrill of speed is all a race fan needs. But this racing isn’t taking place at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. It’s happening just offshore from Michigan City on Lake Michigan, and this
Ditch the car and pick up a bike. More than 125 miles of trails cross the region, with several more miles added every year. by Rick A. Richards Travelers who prefer to do their sightseeing on two wheels instead of four have more than 3,000 miles of bicycle trails across Indiana to choose from. There
There has been a lot happening at Northwest Indiana businesses the last three months. Here are a few bits of what’s been happening around the region. ACCOUNTING Andrew Kominowski, manager of the accounting firm Kruggel Lawton CPA in South Bend, has completed requirements to earn the designation of Certified Valuation Analyst from the National Association
