Sharing a comprehensive snapshot of the state’s economic vitality and collaborative spirit, Gerry Dick, founder and host of Inside Indiana Business, provided statewide insights before moderating a panel discussion of area leaders at the May 7 Knox County Indiana Economic Development Annual Meeting. Following is a summary of Gerry Dick’s remarks, together with additional comments from the panelists, who included Dr. Chuck Johnson, President of Vincennes University; Nicole Like, CEO of The Pantheon; Bicknell Mayor Thomas Estabrook; Mike Morris, President of the Knox County Council; Jamie Neal, President of the Knox County Chamber of Commerce; Vincennes Mayor Joe Yochum; and Chris Pfaff, CEO of Knox County Indiana Economic Development.
Indiana’s economic landscape is thriving, with communities like Vincennes leading the charge. The city, home to Vincennes University—the state’s first university—has become a hub for innovation and workforce development. The Pantheon, a local business accelerator, has supported over 40 startups since its inception, with AgroRenew standing out for its innovative bioplastics and agricultural technology. This company, currently constructing a new $82 million plant, exemplifies how local ingenuity can attract substantial investment. Downtown Vincennes is also seeing revitalization, with projects enhancing quality of life through housing, infrastructure, and historic preservation. Housing remains a critical issue statewide, as Dick noted during his Innovate Indiana listening sessions, where workforce and market-rate housing shortages consistently top community concerns.
Fresh progress throughout Indiana
Across Indiana, economic development is robust. In Indianapolis, over $2 billion in downtown projects, including Elanco’s new headquarters and the redevelopment of Circle Center Mall, are revitalizing the city as a tourism and convention hub. Fort Wayne is experiencing a renaissance, with its downtown minor league ballpark sparking a wave of live-work-play developments like Electric Works, a reimagined General Electric campus.
Northwest Indiana is benefiting from a $2 billion South Shore rail line expansion, reducing commute times to Chicago and driving population growth through enhanced downtown investments in Valparaiso and Michigan City. Southeast Indiana’s River Ridge Commerce Center, a former Army ammunition depot, is attracting major players like Amazon and Meta, bolstered by proximity to UPS’s World Port in Louisville. In Evansville, the River Vision project aims to transform a 50-mile stretch of the Ohio River, fostering regional growth. Defense industry growth in the NSWC Crane region, a short 44 miles east of Vincennes, is attracting major new investment and technology companies.
Innovation driving growth in Knox County
Vincennes and Knox County are leveraging their agricultural strengths to build generational wealth. The Pantheon’s Ag Tech Initiative, led by figures like Drew Garretson, connects local producers with innovators like Mike Jacob, whose TerraForce AI develops autonomous harvesting robots to address labor shortages for melon farmers. This collaborative model, involving Vincennes University, the Chamber of Commerce, and local government, sets Knox County apart. Vincennes University plays a pivotal role in workforce development, training over 1,100 Amazon employees since 2020 and launching a pilot with Walmart. Its programs in advanced manufacturing, aviation, and robotics position it as a leader in preparing workers for high-demand industries.
New investments and housing solutions in Knox County
Foreign direct investment is another focus, with Knox County joining the Transatlantic Business Investment Council to attract European companies. Mayor Joe Yocum emphasized the importance of relationship-building in markets like Japan to draw investment. Local leaders, including Mayor Thomas Esterbrook of Bicknell and Knox County Council President Mike Morris, highlighted innovative housing solutions and the need to navigate potential funding challenges. Collaborative efforts, such as the Chamber’s Shot Knox County program, have reinvested over $500,000 into local businesses, reinforcing community resilience.
Looking ahead, Indiana’s new administration under Governor Mike Braun is expected to prioritize rural communities, with listening sessions planned to address regional challenges. Dick’s panel underscored Indiana’s focus on advanced manufacturing, life sciences, logistics, and ag-biotech as key growth sectors. With communities like Vincennes leading through innovation, collaboration, and strategic investment, Indiana is poised for continued economic success, proving that even smaller regions can drive significant impact.
To watch the full 44-minute KCIED program and panel on YouTube, click here.