Toyota workers offered buyouts

PRINCETON — Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indiana Inc. is offering voluntary buyouts to employees as the automaker continues to deal with the weak economy. The facility in Princeton will also implement a salary freeze “for the foreseeable future,” as part of overall cost reductions at Toyota’s North American manufacturing plants.

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Two employers shut down Indiana plants

NOBLESVILLE — Two companies have finalized plans to shut down their Indiana operations. Firestone Industrial Products Co. and Keystone RV Co. have filed notices with the state for the closures. Two-hundred thirty-eight Firestone workers in Noblesville and 265 Keystone workers in Goshen and Howe will be affected as part of previously announced job reductions.

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I&M purchasing more wind energy

BENTON COUNTY — Indiana Michigan Power is preparing to purchase another 50 megawatts of wind energy from the Fowler Ridge Wind Farm in Benton County. The company says it is working on a 20-year agreement that would begin in January 2010. I&M has already purchased 100 megawatts from Fowler Ridge.

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Games could bring rail investment

MERRILLVILLE — A conference next month in Merrillville will take a critical look at Midwest transportation needs if Chicago lands the 2016 Summer Olympics. Organizers of the 10th annual Golden Spike Seminar believe the Olympics could provide the “stimulus” to fund a proposed passenger rail system in the Midwest.

Indiana High Speed Rail Association Vice President Dennis Hodges says transportation would be “paramount” to the Olympics’ success. International officials will also speak to highlight the positive impact rail transportation is having on their nations' economies.

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Terre Haute loses one, wins another

TERRE HAUTE — The president of the Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce says the announcement by Boral Bricks to temporarily stop production comes as a surprise. Rod Henry says it is a reflection of the downturn in the U.S. housing sector. He says the company remains committed to its $60 million investment in Terre Haute. Henry says the decision follows another announcement that should be a significant boost for the city's downtown area.