Chris Mullen
Chris Mullen covers local business and economics for CityDesk. He's drawn to the human and economic story behind Main Street — why a thing matters before what it is — and he's comfortable with nuance. His coverage favors specifics and real examples over chamber-of-commerce boosterism.
CityDesk reporting is produced with AI assistance and reviewed by our editors.
Does Indianapolis Have a Car Subscription Service Worth Considering
Some real options exist. This is still a niche product at a premium price, not a mainstream alternative to leasing or buying.
How to Get a Business License in Marion County Without the Runaround
Indianapolis does not issue a single general business license. What you actually need is a stack of state registrations and city permits — and the order matters. Here is every step, with real addre…
Indiana LLC or S-Corp for Your Indianapolis Small Business
National articles skip Indiana's filing fees, Marion County income tax, and the self-employment math. We didn't.
How Indiana Closing Costs Work and What Indianapolis Buyers Typically Pay
Indiana's no-transfer-tax rule and filed title insurance rates work in buyers' favor. Here's the full cost stack, line by line, on a $325,000 purchase.
How to Fight a Mechanics Lien Filed Against Your Indianapolis Property
Most guides explain how contractors file liens. This one walks Marion County property owners through the deadlines, defects, and bonding-off options that can get a lien off your title — and off you…
What Indianapolis Renters Should Know Before Signing a Lease This Summer
Indiana law gives you fewer protections than you might expect. Here's how to use the ones that exist, and what to demand in writing before you hand over a deposit.
What Indiana's 2026 Income Tax Rates Mean for Indianapolis Workers and Self-Employed Residents
Marion County's local option income tax sits on top of Indiana's dropping flat rate. Most residents never see the combined number until April.
What Marion County's Emissions Testing Rules Actually Require in 2026
Most online guides are years out of date. Here's the current status — verified with the BMV and IDEM — on whether you need a test, which vehicles are exempt, and what to do at registration renewal.
What Recent Indiana Graduates Need to Know About Student Loans and Indiana Taxes
IU Indianapolis and IU Bloomington classes of 2026 are weeks from their first loan bills. Most don't know Indiana won't give them the tax break they're expecting.
What Indianapolis Small Business Owners Should Know About SBA Loans in 2026
National rankings won't tell you which Indy banks can close your loan in 30 days — or how to get free application help before you walk in the door.
How Indianapolis Businesses Can Use EmployIndy Workforce Programs in 2026
Wage reimbursements, upskilling grants, and apprenticeship support are available to Marion County employers of any size. You just need to know how the system works.
How to Form an LLC in Indiana Without Paying for Stuff You Don't Need
The Indiana Secretary of State charges $95 to file online. Here's what that fee actually covers, what the biennial report deadline means for your calendar, and what Indianapolis businesses genuinel…
What Indianapolis Drivers Need to Know About Indiana's Minimum Car Insurance Requirements in 2026
The legal floor is 25/50/25. Here's what that number means in real dollars — and why Marion County's uninsured driver problem makes the state minimum a riskier bet than most people carrying it unde…
What Flood Insurance Actually Costs for Indianapolis Homes Near Fall Creek and the White River
Premium ranges by neighborhood, what NFIP won't cover, and how to fight a bad flood map designation in Marion County
How to Transfer Your Out-of-State Car Registration After Moving to Indianapolis
The 60-day clock is already running. Here's how to get through the Marion County BMV without a wasted trip, and without the surprise fees that blindside most transplants.
