Inside INdiana Business Television Podcast

Where will Indiana’s next wave of investment and jobs come from? On this episode of Inside Indiana Business with Gerry Dick, Hoosier business leaders gather in Washington, D.C., for the Indiana Chamber’s annual DC Insider event to discuss the state’s economic future. Hear from Senators Todd Young and Jim Banks on opportunities in artificial intelligence, microelectronics and defense investment, including what could be ahead for Naval Support Activity Crane. Congressman Frank Mrvan discusses Northwest Indiana’s momentum, South Shore rail investments, the steel industry and the Chicago Bears’ possible move to Hammond—and what a stadium project could mean for jobs and development. In the Business of Health, Riley Children’s Health introduces an 11-bed pediatric medical behavioral health unit designed to treat children with medical and psychiatric needs at the same time. Learn how the new unit aims to help families find care closer to home. Plus, Marian University prepares for a leadership transition after Dan Elsner’s transformative tenure, General Motors invests in Bedford, Givaudan plans a $215 million production facility in West Harrison, and Indiana’s creative economy looks for new opportunities to grow. We also go inside Shake Up Cocktails, a growing business bringing the flavor and nostalgia of the fair to customers across five states. Subscribe for more Indiana business news, economic development updates and conversations with leaders across the state.

Ball State's nearly $200 million redevelopment of The Village aims to turn the district beside its Muncie campus into a hub for arts, housing and business. Ball State University President Geoff Mearns talks with Gerry Dick about the 97-room Cantio Hotel, a new performing arts center with a 425-seat main stage and the Center for Innovation and Collaboration, which connects students with regional businesses. He explains how planned apartments and new amenities could help retain graduates and attract employers to East Central Indiana. Also covered: Taylor University's Main Street Mile initiative in Upland passes the halfway mark of a five-year plan backed by more than $100 million in investment. Indiana hosts a Midwest-Japan business summit as the state looks beyond traditional manufacturing to attract investment in life sciences, semiconductors and advanced technology. Marian University President Dan Elsener outlines the Crossroads Academic Medical Institute, a partnership with Purdue University and 10 health care organizations designed to recruit, train and retain workers. With 71 of Indiana's 92 counties short on health care professionals, the effort puts rural and underserved communities at the center of a statewide approach. Other headlines include plans for a nuclear microreactor at Crane, Shein's automated distribution campus in Lebanon and Zimmer Biomet's headquarters donation to Grace College. Back in Muncie, the coverage follows a proposed cultural corridor connecting downtown, Minnetrista Museum and Gardens and Ball State, along with the Ball Brothers Foundation's century of community investment.

Southeast Indiana growth is accelerating as River Ridge Commerce Center, Redwire and Ports of Indiana-Jeffersonville drive major investment in logistics, advanced manufacturing, space research and energy. From the Ohio River, the program looks at a region shifting from an economy long defined by traditional manufacturing toward a broader mix of logistics, technology and new investment. Lance Allison, CEO of One Southern Indiana, says Clark, Floyd and Scott counties have attracted $3 billion in capital investment over the past three years, while quality of life projects such as Origin Park are becoming part of the region's competitive strategy. A $25 million federal grant for Ports of Indiana-Jeffersonville will expand cargo operations and increase heavy-lift capacity. At Redwire's new 30,000-square-foot Georgetown facility, researchers work with NASA and pharmaceutical partners on microgravity projects, including higher-quality seed crystals and 3D bioprinted human tissue. Redwire's SpaceMD venture is focused on health, medical and biotech work tied to space research. River Ridge Commerce Center is also central to the region's energy story. CS PowerTech, a Canadian Solar subsidiary, has opened a nearly 1 million-square-foot solar cell facility backed by a $1 billion investment and expected to create 1,200 jobs at full capacity. The plant is using heterojunction technology designed to increase energy production. Also covered: Lilly's planned acquisition of Merida Biosciences, Purdue Fort Wayne's new music industry building, Harry & Izzy's expansion into Arizona, and other statewide business headlines.

Indiana manufacturing is drawing billions in new investment as SK hynix, Rolls-Royce and Caterpillar expand major operations across the state.Gerry Dick examines what the projects could mean for Indiana's advanced manufacturing economy. SK hynix breaks ground on a nearly $4 billion semiconductor facility tied to high-bandwidth memory for artificial intelligence, Rolls-Royce marks more than $1 billion in upgrades to its Indianapolis manufacturing and engine test campus, and Caterpillar considers a nearly $900 million modernization of its Lafayette engine operation. Conexus Indiana CEO Jay Wirts explains why the investments strengthen Indiana's position in advanced industry, talent development and the reshoring of manufacturing.Agriculture is also in focus. Superior Ag opens a new dry fertilizer terminal along the Ohio River in Rockport, while Beck's Hybrids welcomes more than 15,000 farmers to its Atlanta headquarters for Becknology Days. Beck's President Scott Beck discusses research, new soybean opportunities and the company's commitment to staying family owned and rooted in Indiana.The Business of Health report covers Roche Diagnostics' FDA-cleared Elecsys pTau217 blood test, developed with Eli Lilly and Company to help assess Alzheimer's disease. The program also looks at Ahimsa's stainless steel cafeteria trays, a new documentary on college food insecurity and Ben's Ranch Foundation's work-based animal science program.Plus, South Bend studies a possible Amtrak move to Union Station, the South Shore Line lays out a 20-year strategy, Ports of Indiana-Mount Vernon gains a national site designation, and Nate Spangle explains why giving young people a seat at the table matters for Indiana communities.

Indiana flood recovery is entering a long rebuilding phase after historic rain and winds caused deaths, outages and billions of dollars in damage statewide. Gov. Mike Braun discusses power restoration in northwest Indiana, federal disaster assistance, flood insurance gaps and the push to document losses across affected counties. The program also looks at a major sports weekend. IndyCar brings the Freedom 250 Grand Prix to Washington, D.C., for a one-time race tied to the nation's 250th birthday, while LIV Golf closes its season at The Club at Chatham Hills in Westfield. Mayor Scott Willis explains how sports tourism, Grand Park and new downtown projects fit into Westfield's growth strategy. Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard reflects on fostering and adopting two daughters with his wife, Kristin, and the team's Books for Youth Backpack event for foster children. In Fort Wayne, IU Health is recruiting 270 nurses for its $421 million, 140-bed hospital, which is expected to create about 500 jobs and open in May. Also covered: The Mill's Bloomington expansion, the Hambletonian Stakes move to Harrah's Hoosier Park in Anderson, and the economic role of Grissom Air Reserve Base near Peru. The Grissom Air & Space Expo returns after a seven-year absence with the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, military aircraft and family activities.