John Wechsler worked with the then Town Manager of Fishers Scott Fadness to get Launch Fishers off the ground.  Now that Launch is incubating new local businesses on a regular basis, the Mayor of Fishers Fadness and Wechsler have joined forces again to open the Internet of Things (IoT) Lab in Fishers.

Wechsler said about 800 people had signed up to attend the grand opening of the IoT Lab Wednesday night, and based on what I witnessed they were all there.

Attendees were treated to booths and demonstrations all throughout the newly remodeled  building, located near Launch Fishers.  There was plenty of food, and thanks to  4 Day Ray, there was even beer available.

The IoT Lab has been described as the first of its kind for public-private partnerships intended to bring IoT innovation to private entrepreneurs.  Indiana University is a key partner in the Lab.

Continue reading Fishers IoT Lab Opens In Grand Fashion →

Someone left a threatening letter in the mailbox of Fall Creek Elementary School Monday afternoon, according to the Fishers Police Department.  School administrators contacted local police after finding the note warning of a shooting planned for the same day, Monday, March 19th.

Fishers Police immediately sent uniformed police officers at every Hamilton Southeastern School District building as detectives investigate.

Here is part of the news release issued by the Fishers Police:

“Although the timing of the threat has passed we are treating this as a serious matter. Ensuring the safety of students and staff is our top priority. As a precautionary measure uniformed officers will continue to provide extra patrols. We are requesting the cooperation and assistance from the community. Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to call the Fishers Police Department at 317-595-3300 or the Hamilton County Dispatch Center at 317-773-1282.”

Launch Fishers has been one of the great local economic success stories.  A co-working space operation with the backing of Mayor Scott Fadness and the leadership of founder John Wechsler, Launch has seen many of the small business hatched at the incubator.

On Tuesday, the City of Fishers announced three firms, currently members of Launch, are growing.  Those businesses are Vendor Jump, Ultimate Automation and Sales Tuners.

Vendor Jump specializes in world-wide e-commerce retailing, and has plans to expand its work force by 26 full-time positions.

Ultimate Automation is adding 31 new full-time jobs and plans a capital investment of over $1 million as of 2021.  The firm sells commercial audio-visual services, automation and information technology services.

Sales Tuners is a weekly podcast with a focus on tech and sales.  Look for 25 new jobs there by 2021.

Mayor Fadness  says Launch has always been all about entrepreneurship and support for companies as they grow.   “As we’ve started to see successes such as these today, it’s not only a testament to the ecosystem here in Fishers, but more so to the dedication of these entrepreneurs who continue to grow and prosper,” said Fadness in a city news release.

Fishers officials say these announcements, added to other job commitments since 2015, totals-up to  over 4,100 job commitments by Fishers-based businesses.

March 20th is the United Nations sanctioned Day of Happiness, and some Hamilton Southeastern Schools are jumping-in on the happiness bandwagon.  #HappyActs are small actions with a big impact that can make someone’s day a little brighter. It can be an act of kindness as simple as a hug, a kind word, or helping a neighbor.

“Live Happy” is offering to donate $1 to Big Brothers Big Sisters* for each #HappyActs shared at a Happiness Wall and has a variety of other resources for participants to continue their celebration of happiness.

Three schools in the Hamilton Southeastern School District are celebrating the Day of Happiness.

Below are just a few examples I found on the Hamilton Southeastern Intermediate/Junior High Happiness Wall.

Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness is asking the Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School Board to pass a resolution agreeing on the financial impact of Tax Increment Financing (TIF) deals used by the city in economic development.  The mayor was clear that he is not asking school board members to endorse the city’s economic development activities, but to agree on the numbers and how TIF does and does not make a difference in the amount of money available to the local schools.

The mayor’s presentation was limited to how Fishers TIF developments impact the HSE Schools.  The HSE District also includes Wayne Township and some areas in the City of Noblesville.

The mayor emphasized the TIF Districts do pay property taxes to schools approved by voters in a referendum.  Fadness said TIF Districts in Fishers pay $829,000 a year in property taxes for local schools.

Mayor Fadness presented to the school board a financial report prepared by Policy Analytics on the impact of TIFs in Fishers.  You can read that report at this link.

Fadness and City Councilman Eric Moeller attended the Tuesday morning school board work session.  It will now be up to the HSE School Board to decide whether to vote on the mayor’s resolution suggestion.  The Fishers City Council has already passed such a resolution.

Board members voiced no indication during the work session as to whether they would or would not support the mayor’s resolution proposal.

The Fishers City Council unanimously approved an exemption from Uniform Development Ordinances Wednesday night, clearing the way for a gravel parking lot with access to a natural area park planned in Fall Creek Township.  Township Trustee Doug Allman explained plans for the park for council members.  The exemption will allow access to the gravel parking area from Southeastern Parkway, with the details of exactly where that will be located yet to be worked out.

Councilwoman Cecilia Coble asked about Americans with Disability Act (ADA) access and she was told in this situation, there is no legal requirement to provide such access, but the township will investigate what can be done under the circumstances.

The Fishers City Council approved a text amendment to The Yard development near IKEA allowing about 225 residential units to be a part of the project.  The vote was 6-2, with one abstention.  Council members David George and Selina Stoller voted no and Rich Block abstained from voting on the measure.

George voiced concerns that the the developer’s plans are not now cohesive as a restaurant destination with the added component of residential.  Councilmen Pete Peterson and John Weingardt both voiced support for the residential Yard plans, saying it enhances the development.  Mayor Scott Fadness responded that the residential units will be placed above the planned restaurant locations and will not reduce any retail space.

Attorney Steve Hardin, representing Yard developer Thompson Thrift, told council members construction should begin in June and is expected to take about 18 months.  Hardin also said leasing for The Yard is going “very well.”

There were also concerns raised by city planners and a nearby developer about road access, and the action by the council granting the text amendment requires those issues to be resolved by the parties and to the satisfaction of the city planning staff.