Abatement could anchor software headquarters

DJIA 14,069.2 +95.2 / S&P 500 1,555 +12.2 / NASDAQ 2,771.8 +38.2 Tonight: Hazy and warm. Low 65. Saturday: Hot and humid. High 88. Sunday: Record heat, muggy. High 89.
	Friday, October 5, 2007
	Abatement could anchor software headquarters In exchange for promises to keep its headquarters here, Marion County is considering providing a property tax abatement worth $17,659 for local parking ticket software-maker T2 Systems Inc. According to a Department of Metropolitan Development filing, T2 Systems is promising to add 115 jobs to its current work force of 43 as well invest in $2.1 million in information-technology equipment. Current staff earns an average wage of $33.65 per hour, according to the filing. New hires would average $24 per hour.   Smulyan remains bullish on Emmis, radio Despite slumping revenue, Emmis Communications Corp. Chairman Jeff Smulyan said he remains bullish on his company and the radio industry. Emmis this morning reported that revenue in the quarter ended Aug. 31 fell to $96.4 million from $99.9 million during the same period a year earlier. But Smulyan told analysts that high-definition technology and several other factors are working in favor of the industry long term.
	Lilly updates warning labels on 2 drugs Eli Lilly and Co. has updated warning information on the labels it attaches to two of its drugs. The drug maker added new warnings about weight gain and high cholesterol and updated its high-blood-sugar warning for Zyprexa and Symbyax. Company spokeswoman Tarra Ryker says the labels already had some information on all three potential side effects.   Alcoa puts five Indiana sites up for sale New York-based Alcoa Inc. said today it has resumed its attempt to sell its packaging-and-consumer unit, which includes the headquarters in Indianapolis and three plants in Crawfordsville. The Indianapolis operation in Park 100 on the northwest side includes a plastic-bottle-cap plant. Alcoa also said it is nearing a definitive agreement to sell its automotive castings business, which has a plant in Auburn near Fort Wayne. Including locations in Lafayette, LaPorte and Warrick, Alcoa employs about 4,000 in the state. International Truck contract talks put on hold International Truck and Engine Corp. said yesterday that the United Auto Workers union has put bargaining sessions on hold to review the company's proposals for a contract to replace the one that expired this week. The union-represented employees have continued to work without a contract since the most recent pact expired Oct. 1. In Indianapolis, International employs 570 UAW workers at an engine assembly plant and 400 at a foundry. Both of those operations have been idle since Oct. 1 due to an unrelated slowdown in orders for diesel engines in Ford pickup trucks.   Butler snags $10M from foundation, alum Butler University's $125 million fundraising campaign has received $5.3 million from the Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation and $5 million from 1975 graduate Frank Levinson, the university said today. The donation from Indianapolis-based Fairbanks is earmarked for science. Levinson, a technology entrepreneur, asked only that the university use his money to set the university apart from others. Central Library grand opening set for Dec. 9 Central Library downtown will reopen in a ceremony Dec. 9. The glass-and-steel expansion was to have opened two years ago, and is $50 million over budget due to faults discovered in concrete in the parking garage. Two lawsuits over the construction are pending. The project will house more than 700,000 books and audio-visual materials. From IBJ staff and Associated Press-Compiled by Norm Heikens
	Passengers evacuated at airport Two concourses at Indianapolis International Airport are back open after nearly 500 people were evacuated during a security scare early this morning. Transportation Security Administration officials said a couple brought an urn to the airport, but it was improperly screened. When officials realized what happened, they evacuated the concourses and rescreened everyone as a safety precaution. Fox 59 will have more at 10 p.m. Circle City Classic events in full swing Florida A&M will take on Winston-Salem State this weekend in the 24th Annual Circle City Classic. More than 150,000 people are expected to be downtown for the game and other festivities. Tonight, there will be live music at the Indiana Convention Center and Madam Walker Theatre, and Indianapolis' Mike Epps will be at the Comedy Jam at the Murat at 8 p.m. and 11 p.m.
	Fishers Town Council moves forward with annexation plans Despite opposition, the Fishers Town Council voted unanimously last night to move forward with plans to annex Geist. Council members said the town would provide Geist with police officers, a fire station and road improvements. Geist residents would be allowed to give their opinion for three years on how some of their property taxes would be spent. A group opposed to the plan wants to see east and west Geist become their own towns. Well-known Marion doctor killed in plane crash Authorities say Dr. Om Rehil and his wife, Rejinder, were killed after their plane crashed in Long County, Ga., on Wednesday night. The vascular surgeon had been on the medical staff at Marion General Hospital in Marion since 1981. The couple leaves behind three children and a newborn granddaughter. Largest Indiana Business Incubators Visit IBJ's Web site, www.ibj.com Indianapolis Business Journal has launched a redesigned Web site with news updated throughout the business day. At www.ibj.com you will find the latest business news from the Indianapolis area and around the state, video of IBJ events, CEO interviews from the Inside IBJ radio program, and our weekly podcast.