New to covering business in Indiana

Rick Seltzer, the new business reporter at The Herald-Times in Bloomington, Ind., writes about what he has discovered during his first month on the beat.

Seltzer writes, “From what I’ve seen, this area has a vibrant small-business community and a fascinating lineup of manufacturers. Education’s obviously a major economic driver fueling plenty of development. Then there’s Naval Support Activity Crane, its network of contractors and subcontractors, and the technology sector.

“No doubt, I’m missing more parts of the region’s economy than I’ve named. My intention is to tell the stories of all business sectors, from the mom-and-pop barbershop changing hands to the pain on a furloughed worker’s face.

“Business stories can be numbers — skyrocketing sales or slipping stocks. The most compelling ones are human, though. They tell of the people pouring endless hours of sweat and tears into keeping their companies afloat, the entrepreneurs sinking all their money into chasing their dreams or the laid-off employees who don’t know where to turn in the twilights of their careers.

“Sometimes I’ll write about the numbers. My goal, however, is to show the faces, hopes and pressures driving business in and around Bloomington.

“For those of you who are interested, here’s a quick look at my resume:

“I previously worked for the Central New York Business Journal in Syracuse. My beats there included small business, green business, manufacturing, human resources and health care. I also chipped in on education and technology from time to time.”

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