plus 4, The Think City is still a car, it just doesn't need gasoline - Elkhart Truth |
- The Think City is still a car, it just doesn't need gasoline - Elkhart Truth
- State Hands Out EDGE Awards - Inside Indiana Business
- Indiana community excited about electric car plant - Star-Press
- LSU AgCenter: Avoid a frozen-pipe crisis - nwlanews.com
- Practical measures can make cold less bitter - Hammond Daily Star
| The Think City is still a car, it just doesn't need gasoline - Elkhart Truth Posted: 06 Jan 2010 08:07 PM PST ELKHART -- Four wheels, two seats and one steering wheel but no gas tank. The all-electric Think City car, the newest addition to Elkhart County's growing alternative-fuel vehicle manufacturing, wraps around the driver like any combustion engine sedan. With ample head and leg room, the interior has the look and feel of the cars on the road today. It has air conditioning, heat, a radio and the three gauges on the dashboard tell the driver how fast the car is going, whether the battery is discharging or recharging and how much power the battery has left. The automobile will drive up to 100 miles on a single charge with the American version being able to go a cool 70 miles per hour. And when the driver steps on the pedal? "It goes," assured Keith Takasawa, director of product development at Think North America. Company officials are confident the U.S. market has an appetite for the compact hatchback which never needs to stop at a gas station and has its first maintenance expense only after 50,000 miles to replace the brake pads. "To drive it, it actually drives more like a larger kind of car," said Richard Canny, chief executive officer of the Norwegian Think Global. "It's clearly for some people their second or third car, not their only car." ASSEMBLY REQUIRED The cars, having an interior and exterior made from plastic composite that is 100 percent recyclable, will be assembled at the Elkhart plant. Of the 415 jobs at the facility, most will be manufacturing positions but some will also be in management, logistics and purchasing, Canny said. Local workers were cited as a key factor in luring Think to Elkhart County. They are skilled in assembly and should have little problem switching from building big recreational vehicles to making sporty electric vehicles, official said. Five Filters featured article: Chilcot Inquiry. Available tools: PDF Newspaper, Full Text RSS, Term Extraction. |
| State Hands Out EDGE Awards - Inside Indiana Business Posted: 06 Jan 2010 02:17 PM PST Press Release INDIANAPOLIS (Jan. 6, 2010) - Lt. Governor Becky Skillman joined business leaders from across the state today to present 20 companies with the Indiana Small Business Development Center Network's Economic Development through Growth and Entrepreneurship (EDGE) Awards during a Statehouse ceremony. Sponsored by the Indiana Economic Development Corporation's Small Business Development Centers, the awards recognize clients of the agency's 10 regional centers located throughout the state in two categories - emerging and established. "We know the foundation of the Indiana economy is built on the ideas of entrepreneurs across the state," said Skillman. "These 20 small businesses have continued to grow and create jobs for Hoosiers despite a very challenging national economy." Recipients of the award collectively employ more than 350 in Indiana and in total finished 2009 with more than $10 million in sales. "These awards showcase businesses from a wide range of industries representing all regions of Indiana, not just major metropolitan areas," said Jeff Heinzmann, IEDC's state director of the Indiana Small Business Development Centers. "From Lowell to Scottsburg, Indiana small businesses continue to create new jobs." More than 115,000 small businesses operate in Indiana, employing nearly half of the state's private sector work force, according to an October 2009 report from the U.S. Small Business Administration. Complete List of Award Recipients Axis Home Health Care (Plainfield) - Emerging Category - Provides health care services for home-bound seniors. AeroCat LLC (Portland) - Emerging Category - Develops and builds high-performance bicycles. Wildcat Creek Winery (Lafayette) - Emerging Category - Tippecanoe County's first winery. USCOMBATGEAR.com LLC (Butler) - Emerging Category - Produces an ammunition magazine well cover that securely protects weaponry when ammunition is removed. Total Green Energy Solutions (Lowell) - Emerging Category - Former HVAC service provider that has expanded into geothermal solutions, hybrid heating and cooling, energy auditing and solar panels. Wear to Win (Granger) - Emerging Category - Online provider of women's golf apparel. ReFrame LLC (Bloomington) - Emerging Category - Environmentally-focused preservation custom framing business. Stray Light Optical Technologies (Scottsburg) - Emerging Category - Engineering research and development firm in optics, lighting, optical computing, energy storage, thermal design and nano technology industries, among others. Nichols Fire and Fleet (Evansville) - Emerging Category - Vehicle maintenance provider. Hallie Hound Barkery (West Terre Haute) - Emerging Category - Maker of homemade dog treats, samplers and gift baskets. Taste of Indiana (Indianapolis) - Established Category - Gift-basket business supporting more than 100 small, regional Indiana food products companies. Mosey Manufacturing Co. (Richmond) - Established Category - Automotive parts supplier diversifying into individual mobility products for wheelchair-bound adults. AndyMark Inc. (Kokomo) - Established Category - Developer and seller of hardware for mobility robotics and truck accessory products. Visionary Web LLC and Visionary Computers LLC (Wabash) - Established Category - Provider of comprehensive web-related services and technology consulting. Global Land Surveying (Michigan City) - Established Category - Surveying firm using Global Positioning System technology to provide land surveying and engineering services. Valley Screen Process Co., Inc. (Mishawaka) - Established Category - Graphic decal supplier for RV and marine industries expanding into children's wall graphics market. Sherlock Homes Inspection Service Inc. (Bloomington) - Established Category - Home inspection service expanding into energy analysis and retrofitting. AUTOBEYOURS.com (Scottsburg) - Established Category - Restorer and modifier of Toyota Prius automobiles into vehicles that get 100 miles-per-gallon. Milestone Investments LLC (Evansville) - Established Category - Distressed property buyer and rehabilitator expanding into general contracting with a focus on design and individual customer service. Accurate Insulation (West Terre Haute) - Established Category - Commercial and industrial insulation contractor, which is expanding into energy appraisal market. About IEDC About the ISBDC Source: Inside Indiana Business Five Filters featured article: Chilcot Inquiry. Available tools: PDF Newspaper, Full Text RSS, Term Extraction.  This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Indiana community excited about electric car plant - Star-Press Posted: 06 Jan 2010 10:49 AM PST (3 of 3) Those issues persist today. But EnerDel, producer of a 600-pound battery pack at its 150-employee operations, is angling to prove it is the world's first battery maker able to ramp up coveted lithium-ion storage units for use in cars. Think is marketing the City as capable of traveling 112 miles between recharges that would take 8 to 10 hours. GM spun off Remy and Delphi in the 1990s while EnerDel was formed in a joint venture by Delphi, Ener1, and Japan-based Itochu. Delphi then sold its stake in bankruptcy. EnerDel has an inside fix on battery business with Think. EnerDel owner Ener1, based in New York, rescued the Norwegian firm in bankruptcy and now owns 31 percent of the company. "What the Think City actually does is give EnerDel a leg up,'' said independent battery analyst Michael Lew in New York. That is, if the car works. If it doesn't, EnerDel could get caught in the backblow. "The challenge for the battery-electric vehicle industry is that no one in the world has put that many electric cars on the road," Lew said. "There are still a lot of skeptics out there, but this could validate what EnerDel is doing." Think's challenge is to price the vehicle at $30,000. Other electric cars are in the planning stages or already on the road, such as the Tesla, but most command prices higher than $50,000, making them niche luxury rides. Nissan, a Japanese automaker, is retooling its Tennessee plant with a %$1.6 billion U.S. government loan intended to ready the site for production of the four-passenger Leaf, a $30,000 electric sedan. To defray consumers' costs, the battery would be leased separately, raising the price. Think is trying to reach the market with a car topping out at $30,000 including the battery. Sales will begin this year with imports from the assembly plant in Finland. In America, the sales channel is being worked on, but the distributors might include big retailers, electric utilities and car-repair chains, Canny said. Across Elkhart, the arrival of Think cheered residents Tuesday. "We have a lot of RV workers I hope can get a job,'' marveled Speedway gas station clerk Karen Mitchell. "This is awesome. Anything that can bring jobs to this community is awesome." Five Filters featured article: Chilcot Inquiry. Available tools: PDF Newspaper, Full Text RSS, Term Extraction. |
| LSU AgCenter: Avoid a frozen-pipe crisis - nwlanews.com Posted: 06 Jan 2010 10:35 AM PST You can avoid a frozen pipe crisis and all of the misery that comes with it — being without water while on a plumber's long waiting list and thousands of dollars of damage to your walls, floors and furniture — by taking a few simple measures to protect your home. According to Dr. Claudette Reichel, LSU AgCenter housing specialist, when a bitter cold front rolls in, be sure your home's water pipes are protected. "When water freezes, it expands," Reichel says. "If ice forms in your home's water pipes, it can shatter pipe seals or the pipes themselves, sending water pouring through your house." She said extra caution is needed for homes that are to be vacant for an extended period. Reichel said, "To winterize a house that will be vacant in frigid temperatures without heat, it is recommended to drain pipes. For hard freeze conditions, many recommend adding nontoxic antifreeze (RV or boat antifreeze – not auto antifreeze) in the toilet bowls (about 1/3 gallon) and the p-traps of sinks and drains (about two cups). Before The Freeze Insulate all exposed outdoor and attic pipes with weather-resistant material. Insulating-foam tubing designed for pipes is easy to install and inexpensive. Make sure all surfaces of the pipe are covered. If an extended and deep freeze is expected, insulation alone may not be sufficient. Consider installing electric heat tape or cable with a built-in thermostat. Be sure the heat tape bears an Underwriters' Laboratories (UL) seal and is in good condition. Do not overlap the tape when wrapping it around a pipe. Use insulating faucet covers, or wrap rags, paper, trash bags or plastic foam around outdoor faucets. Temporarily cover any vents around your home's foundation. Bring water hoses indoors. Open the cabinets under the sinks in your kitchen and bathrooms to allow heated indoor air to circulate around water pipes. If you normally set back your thermostat at night or when away from home, change the setting to keep some heat on until the severe freeze is over. Insulate your outdoor water meter box and be sure its lid is on tight. If you have a swimming pool, either drain the circulation system or keep the pump motor running. If your home has exposed pipes and a severe freeze is expected, let faucets run at a slow trickle, but don't run a big stream of water. If you plan to leave town, consider turning off your water at the shut-off valve while faucets are running to drain your pipes. If you drain your pipes, contact your electric or gas utility for instructions on protecting your water heater. – Finally, be sure everyone in your household knows where the main water shut-off valve is and check it to make sure it isn't stuck. Turn off your water at the main shut-off valve. Call a plumber for help. Don't use a blowtorch or other flame source, heat lamps or electrical appliances to thaw frozen pipes. Intense heat could cause steam pressure build-up and an explosion. Flames can ignite combustibles. Leaking water from thawing pipes could cause a short and you could be electrocuted. If you try to thaw your own pipes, apply heat slowly and move it toward the coldest spot on the pipe. Don't heat the middle of a frozen section first because that could cause pressure to build between frozen sections. Never concentrate heat in one spot — cracking ice can shatter a pipe. A relatively safe and effective method is to wrap towels around the frozen section of pipe and pour hot water over them. Contact your insurance agent or company promptly. Review your coverage. Homeowners' and renters' policies pay for property repair. Keep all receipts and damaged property for the adjuster to inspect. If possible, take photos or videos of the damage before making repairs. Don't make permanent repairs. An insurance company may deny a claim if you make permanent repairs before an adjuster inspects the damage. Reichel advises that some homeowner's policies may not cover loss caused by freezing pipes while your house is unoccupied unless you have used reasonable care to maintain heat in the building, shut off the water supply or drain plumbing, heating and air conditioning systems of water. For more information on how to cope during cold weather visit the LSU AgCenter Web site at www.lsuagcenter.com. Only registered users can write comments. Powered by AkoComment Tweaked Special Edition v.1.4.6 Five Filters featured article: Chilcot Inquiry. Available tools: PDF Newspaper, Full Text RSS, Term Extraction. |
| Practical measures can make cold less bitter - Hammond Daily Star Posted: 06 Jan 2010 08:26 AM PST
A frozen pipe crisis can mean being without water while on a plumber's long waiting list and thousands of dollars of damage to walls, floors and furniture. "To winterize a house that will be vacant in frigid temperatures without heat, it is recommended to drain pipes," she said. "For hard freeze conditions, many recommend adding nontoxic antifreeze (RV or boat antifreeze - NOT auto antifreeze) in the toilet bowls (about one-third gallon) and the p-traps of sinks and drains (about two cups) - or having a professional plumber drain and winterize the entire system." If an extended and deep freeze is expected, insulation alone may not be sufficient. Consider installing electric heat tape or cable with a built-in thermostat. Be sure the heat tape bears an Underwriters' Laboratories seal and is in good condition. Do not overlap the tape when wrapping it around a pipe. Use insulating faucet covers, or wrap rags, paper, trash bags or plastic foam around outdoor faucets. Installing pressure-relief valves on outdoor faucets also helps prevent bursting of pipes that freeze. Temporarily cover any vents around your home's foundation. Bring water hoses indoors. Open the cabinets under the sinks in your kitchen and bathrooms to allow heated indoor air to circulate around water pipes. If you normally set back your thermostat at night or when away from home, change the setting to keep some heat on until the severe freeze is over. Insulate your outdoor water meter box and be sure its lid is on tight. Protect outdoor electrical pumps. If you have a swimming pool, either drain the circulation system or keep the pump motor running. (Run the pump motor only in a short freeze. Running the motor for long periods could damage it.) If your home has exposed pipes and a severe freeze is expected, let faucets run at a slow trickle, but don't run a big stream of water. Too many running faucets in an area can cause drops in community water pressure and problems for fire-fighting emergencies. If you plan to leave town, consider turning off your water at the shut-off valve while faucets are running to drain your pipes. (Make sure the faucets are turned off before you turn the shut-off valve back on.) If you drain your pipes, contact your electric or gas utility for instructions on protecting your water heater. Be sure everyone in your household knows where the main water shut-off valve is and check it to make sure it isn't stuck. If Your Pipes Freeze Turn off your water at the main shut-off valve. Call a plumber for help. Don't use a blowtorch or other flame source, heat lamps or electrical appliances to thaw frozen pipes. Intense heat could cause steam pressure build-up and an explosion. Flames can ignite combustibles. Leaking water from thawing pipes could cause a short and you could be electrocuted. If you try to thaw your own pipes, apply heat slowly and move it toward the coldest spot on the pipe. Don't heat the middle of a frozen section first because that could cause pressure to build between frozen sections. Never concentrate heat in one spot — cracking ice can shatter a pipe. A relatively safe and effective method is to wrap towels around the frozen section of pipe and pour hot water over them. If You Have a Loss Contact your insurance agent or company promptly. Review your coverage. Homeowners' and renters' policies pay for property repair. In addition, they may pay for debris removal and for temporary additional living expenses if you have to move. If you can't find your policy, ask your agent or company for a copy. Homeowner policies may require you to make temporary repairs. Keep all receipts and damaged property for the adjuster to inspect. If possible, take photos or videos of the damage before making any temporary repairs. Five Filters featured article: Chilcot Inquiry. Available tools: PDF Newspaper, Full Text RSS, Term Extraction. |
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