Bloomington's $52M Convention Center Expansion and Crane Growth

Bloomington's $52 million convention center expansion is nearing completion, more than doubling its meeting and event space ahead of a January opening. Inside Indiana Business host Gerry Dick reports from south central Indiana as IBJ Media's Innovate Indiana series examines growth across the 11-county Uplands region. Bloomington Mayor Kerry Thomson connects Indiana University's football-driven tourism gains, the Trades District and research commercialization to the city's growth plans. The first phase of the Hopewell redevelopment calls for 98 owner-occupied homes on the former hospital site. Susan Borries Reed, the new president and CEO of the Bloomington Economic Development Corp., outlines efforts to prepare sites and attract businesses. Kyle Werner, deputy technical director at Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division, discusses roughly $5 billion in fiscal 2026 contract obligations and hundreds of millions of dollars committed to construction through 2035. Nearby WestGate@Crane Technology Park is projected to attract more than $2.7 billion in investment and over 3,700 net new jobs within eight years. Bloomington-based Terran Robotics is using artificial intelligence and cable-driven robots to build homes from clay, sand and straw. A one-bedroom home under construction illustrates how the company is combining automated labor with traditional adobe materials to pursue lower housing costs. Also covered: Haynes International's $172 million expansion in Kokomo, Mallow Run Winery's planned December closure, virtual reality and AI at the BioCrossroads Life Sciences Summit, and a potential Sullivan County nuclear power project involving Amazon, X-energy and American Electric Power.

Indiana's export trade totals $70 billion, and the Colts are expanding the state's reach in Europe. Indianapolis Colts owner and CEO Carlie Irsay-Gordon explains why games that count, rather than exhibitions, are central to building an international fan base. Host Gerry Dick talks with Martin Baier, president and CEO of the International Center, about foreign investment, sports diplomacy and the business value of global connections. Indianapolis International Airport executive director and CEO Mario Rodriguez outlines how pharmaceuticals and nonstop flights are strengthening Indiana's ties with Ireland. Visit Bloomington executive director Mike McAfee details a $52 million convention center expansion with more than 20 meeting and event rooms and a 26,000-square-foot exhibit hall. The National FFA Convention and Expo is expected to generate $40 million in central Indiana economic activity. Ginovus CEO Larry Gigerich discusses community opposition to data centers and why companies need to build trust with their neighbors. Eli Lilly and Company proposes more than $19 million for emergency response in Lebanon, including 12 new firefighters. Business of Health reporter Kylie Veleta details an Indiana University School of Medicine study backed by a $7 million National Institutes of Health grant. Nearly 200 primary care clinicians, including 65 in Indiana, will learn to evaluate young children for autism, with a focus on improving access in rural communities. Indiana first lady Maureen Braun shares lessons from opening Finishing Touches in Jasper in 1978, including why passion needs a business plan. In Lebanon, second-generation owners Bob and Kathy Donaldson celebrate 60 years of Donaldson's Finer Chocolates, where family recipes, employee training and customer relationships keep the business going.

Indiana's One Health Research Institute is breaking ground in Indianapolis, bringing Purdue University and Elanco Animal Health together to accelerate discoveries in animal, human, plant and environmental health. Gerry Dick reports from Elanco's headquarters on the White River, where CEO Jeff Simmons describes his vision for the One Health Innovation District. The effort is designed to connect university research, companies and entrepreneurs, giving emerging technologies a route from the lab to the marketplace. In northwest Indiana, Doral Renewables President and CEO Nick Cohen discusses the completion of Mammoth Solar, a $1.5 billion development generating 1,300 megawatts of power for an estimated 275,000 homes. He explains how local farmers can raise livestock and crops alongside solar panels while earning income from leased land. Business of Health reporter Kylie Veleta examines Indianapolis startup BiomEdit's conditional USDA license for an engineered probiotic intended to protect broiler chickens against necrotic enteritis. Three major poultry producers are testing the non-antibiotic product in flocks totaling more than 35 million birds. The company plans to market it as Optavant once it receives full licensure. Other headlines include Hammond's bid for a Chicago Bears stadium, Sweetwater's nearly $37 million Fort Wayne expansion, progress on Indiana University's IU LAB bioscience accelerator, major fundraising at Grace College and Franklin College, and new Southwest Airlines nonstop routes from Indianapolis. The World Food Championships also return to the Indiana State Fairgrounds, where reigning dessert champion Cindy Hawkins prepares to defend her title against an international field. Inside Indiana Business is presented by Elevate Ventures, Indiana University, LiUNA and the Indiana Association of Realtors.

Upwards of $4 billion in development is in the works for downtown Indianapolis. On this edition of Inside Indiana Business with Gerry Dick, explore the projects reshaping the city—from the Signia Hotel and Circle Centre Mall’s transformation into Traction Yards to new investments around Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Downtown Indianapolis Alliance CEO Taylor Schaffer discusses growth, sports tourism, public safety perceptions, and the future of downtown. In Evansville, the $60 million Vault on Main development brings 161 apartments and new commercial space to the city’s core. Evansville Regional Economic Partnership CEO Lloyd Winnecke explains its significance for the region. Plus, Hammond Mayor Tom McDermott Jr. provides an update on efforts to bring the Chicago Bears’ stadium to Indiana. Also featured: agricultural growth along the I-74 corridor, Ball State’s Village revitalization, Indiana’s bid to host the U.S. Space Academy, and fuel costs facing Hoosier farmers. Then, Purdue researchers pursue a possible clue to Amelia Earhart’s disappearance. And in the Business of Health, meet Steve Gilbert, an 81-year-old living with Parkinson’s who credits Rock Steady Boxing with helping him prepare for his eighth marathon.

Indiana farm costs are surging as harvest begins, with diesel near $7 a gallon, fertilizer and seed expenses climbing, and August flooding adding another layer of uncertainty for growers across the state. Don Lamb, director of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture, explains where pressure is greatest in the farm economy and why commodity producers are especially exposed when input costs rise faster than crop prices. The report also looks at DataOne's proposed $7.5 billion data center at Frankfort's Logix Innovation Campus, a project expected to create about 200 jobs if approved. In southwest Indiana, the I-69 Ohio River Crossing reaches a major milestone as work on the Indiana approach bridges is completed, clearing the way for the future interstate bridge between Evansville and Henderson, Kentucky. Indianapolis leaders also continue discussions with Major League Soccer while reconsidering where a downtown stadium could be built. The Business of Health examines Telix Pharmaceuticals' planned acquisition of ITM and what the deal means for central Indiana's growing radiopharmaceutical sector. Eli Lilly and Company also breaks ground on a $6.5 billion Houston manufacturing site as part of its broader U.S. production expansion. Other stories include a new Community Health Network behavioral health hospital, Amazon expansion, Buc-ee's plans for Greenwood, and the conversion of an 1872 Indianapolis church into a cafe and community space.

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.