Bill Sears

This Company Runs Warehouses. That’s It. How’d It Become One of America’s Leaders in Solar?

Bill Sears — Mon, 01 Feb 2016 14:31:39 +0000

When large companies want to save money on their power bills and burnish their green credibility with consumers, their big-box facilities begin to sprout solar panels. Which is why the annual Solar Means Business Report, which ranks corporate solar developers, is filled with highly recognizable brand names: Walmart, Prologis, Apple, Costco, Kohl’s, Ikea, Macy’s. Read full story at Slate…

The Apartment Bubble Myth

Bill Sears — Tue, 26 Jan 2016 19:49:23 +0000

A bubble in the apartment market? That’s what some people are saying. Undoubtedly, prices are expensive. Yet, “expensive” and “a bubble” are two different things. Read article at Multifamily Executive.

Six Years Later, 93% of U.S. Counties Haven’t Recovered From Recession, Study Finds

Bill Sears — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 15:22:56 +0000

More than six years after the economic expansion began, 93% of counties in the U.S. have failed to fully recover from the blow they suffered during the recession.

Nationwide, 214 counties, or 7% of 3,069, had recovered last year to prerecession levels on four indicators: total employment, the unemployment rate, size of the economy and home values, a study from the National Association of Counties released Tuesday found.

Read the full story at WSJ.com

Personal Brand or Corporate Brand?

Bill Sears — Mon, 11 Jan 2016 21:33:15 +0000

Aaron Renn talks about his blogging experience and the difference between developing a personal brand or a corporate brand. Read post at urbanophile.com.

Investor Interest Is Growing in Farmland

Bill Sears — Tue, 29 Dec 2015 15:02:45 +0000

Earlier this year, while addressing a group of farmland investors at the Peoples Company’s Land Investment Expo in West Des Moines, Iowa, capital markets analyst Dennis Gartman declared that land was “the investment I’d probably stay away from.”

Today, after the turbulent performance of equities following the recent China stock market crash, Gartman has reversed course. Read full story at The Blueprint.

Committee approves full funding for 3 Indiana Regional Cities projects

Bill Sears — Wed, 16 Dec 2015 15:59:50 +0000

It was a big announcement, for sure — Southwestern Indiana, along with the Fort Wayne and South Bend areas, are all set to receive $42 million in funding through Indiana’s new Regional Cities Initiative economic development program. Read full story at the Indiana Economic Digest…

Regional collaboration will carry Indiana into third century

Bill Sears — Wed, 16 Dec 2015 15:57:16 +0000

The Indiana Regional Cities Initiative is many things – it’s a program built around collaboration, big ideas and passion. I’m an architect by profession, so this is in my wheelhouse. This is what gets me excited. The re-development of abandoned buildings, the revitalization of downtowns and a commitment to making our communities more vibrant places to live makes for an even better Indiana. Read full story at the Pal-Item…

Evansville Casino to Move Inland

Bill Sears — Tue, 24 Nov 2015 23:27:21 +0000

The city of Evansville and Tropicana Entertainment Inc. have announced a $50 million project to move the city’s riverboat-based casino inland. During a news conference this morning, Mayor Lloyd Winnecke said half the investment from the Las Vegas company will be paid to the city upfront. The move will be the first for an Indiana riverboat casino. Read story at the Indiana Business Insider.

Canadian Official Touts ‘Vital’ Partnership With Indiana

Bill Sears — Thu, 19 Nov 2015 21:39:01 +0000

One of Canada’s top trade policy diplomats believes opportunities for growth exist between his country and Indiana. The Consul General of Canada in Detroit Doug George says more than $20 billion in commerce per year flows between Canada and Indiana, making it the state’s largest trading partner. Read more from Inside Indiana Business.

Port of Indiana-Jeffersonville awarded $10 million TIGER grant

Bill Sears — Fri, 30 Oct 2015 20:06:50 +0000

The U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded a $10 million grant to the Port of Indiana-Jeffersonville for a major transportation project. Read the full story at the Indiana Economic Digest.