Eye on Indiana’s $6.5B Defense Sector, Mortgage Rates Fall Below 6%

Indiana’s $6.5 billion defense sector is playing a growing role as the U.S. military operates in the Middle East. Sen. Todd Young and industry leaders discuss how assets like Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane, hypersonics research, microelectronics and a new munitions campus are expanding the state’s national security footprint and supporting more than 60,000 jobs. Also in this episode, mortgage rates dip below 6% for the first time in more than three years. Indiana Association of Realtors CEO Mark Fisher explains what falling rates and rising inventory mean for buyers and sellers as the 2026 housing market begins to thaw. Plus, a Fishers filmmaker releases his short film about losing his sister to addiction on YouTube to expand its reach to students and educators. And in Plymouth, Zentis North America marks 20 years of production as the largest popping boba manufacturer in the United States.

Kylie Veleta fills in for Gerry Dick with a look at high-tech health innovation in Indiana, including Eli Lilly’s new LillyPod supercomputer built with Nvidia to speed drug discovery and development, and SpectronRx’s growing cyclotron operations fueling radiopharmaceutical cancer treatments. The episode also updates the Chicago Bears stadium push tied to Hammond and Wolf Lake, along with Illinois lawmakers’ efforts to keep the team in-state.Plus, an Indy 500 ticket design reveal and the launch of IBJ Media’s “Playmakers” podcast with Dave Calabro. You will also hear about New Shoe Day’s effort to provide properly fitting shoes for kids across Indiana and plans for new dining options and an incubator space at Indianapolis International Airport.

Inside Indiana Business host Kylie Valeta reports on Indiana’s push to attract the Chicago Bears as lawmakers advance Senate Bill 27 to create the Northwest Indiana Stadium Authority, with Hammond named as the proposed site for a new stadium if a deal moves forward. The episode also takes a close look at ACMI’s new National Security Industrial Hub in Bloomfield near the Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane, backed by a $75 million federal award and anchored by Prometheus Energetics with plans for dozens of buildings and expanded manufacturing tied to defense production. The show explores the economic impact of the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis and the strategy to keep it in the city beyond 2028, along with the long-term push to land a future NFL draft. It also goes behind the scenes of the upcoming Christie’s auction of the Jim Irsay Collection, featuring iconic music and pop culture artifacts, with a portion of proceeds supporting philanthropic causes. Elsewhere: Spokenote expands its scannable barcode technology with a new Dynamic Video product for personalized messaging at scale, new USDA meat labeling rules redefine what “Product of USA” and “Made in the USA” mean for Hoosier farmers, and Purdue’s Ag Economy Barometer drops amid tighter cash flow and rising loan needs. Also featured: a new pre-hospital blood transfusion program in Plainfield, Hendricks County’s “For Real” tourism campaign, and 2026 food and drink trends from Yelp.

Host Gerry Dick looks ahead to the Indianapolis 500 with IndyCar and Indianapolis Motor Speedway President Doug Boles, including the rush for tickets, where things stand on the local live broadcast decision and the red-white-and-blue “United We Race” marketing push. The episode also checks in on the IMS Museum and its evolving fan experience, including new engagement plans and talk of a future restoration and event center. The show then turns to the economic and social impact of hunger with Gleaners Food Bank President and CEO Fred Glass on food insecurity, poverty and how hunger affects health, work and communities. In statewide headlines, Portage floats a lakefront stadium district pitch tied to the Chicago Bears talk, Meta begins construction on a major data center in Lebanon and Sweetwater plans a distribution center expansion. Business of Health reporter Kylie Veleta reports on Eli Lilly and Company’s deal for Orna Therapeutics and an Indiana startup’s Bedside Bike technology being studied in hospitals, and the episode also spotlights Jay Leno’s look at Slate Auto plus Dave Calabro’s new IBJ Media Podcast Network show, “Playmakers.”

Inside Indiana Business host Gerry Dick reports from Bloomington’s Trades District, including The Mill, with a close-up look at the launch of Amplify Bloomington. The initiative unites regional public, private and academic leaders to better connect research, business and startups, strengthening the economy, brand and long-term opportunity. The show explores how Bloomington is aligning major employers, civic leadership and Indiana University around an innovation strategy to attract and keep talent, including housing and quality-of-life efforts like Hopewell on the former IU Health Bloomington Hospital site. It also links the region’s growth plans to broader tech and defense assets, including Crane Naval Surface Warfare Center and the corridor to 16 Tech Innovation District. Elsewhere: Subaru starts building Forester hybrid models in Lafayette, Arrow McLaren Racing opens a new HQ in Indianapolis, and Tony Kanaan discusses fan-focused plans. The episode also highlights Purdue University ties to NASA’s Artemis II and research on astronaut health. Also featured: Hancock Health’s podcast outreach, a DORA district in Elkhart, Neighbor Serve, Elkhart Brass winning the Indiana Chamber contest, and Mike DeCourcy on IU football, plus a closing look at Lake Monroe.

Inside Indiana Business with Gerry Dick highlights Indiana’s growing leadership in radiopharmaceuticals and precision medicine, focusing on Indianapolis-based Spectron Rx and its major expansion near Bunker Hill. The project nearly doubles the company’s footprint near Grissom Air Force Base, expands its Miami County campus from about 20 acres to 34 acres, and quadruples manufacturing space to meet rising demand for next-generation cancer drugs. Business of Health reporter Kylie Valletta explains how Indiana’s nuclear medicine cluster is gaining momentum, with 16 companies statewide and logistics playing a critical role for medicines that can expire in less than 24 hours. The episode also covers aviation growth and workforce development, including the opening of Republic Airways’ new $200 million corporate headquarters in Carmel. Republic President Matt Koscal discusses the campus design, training operations with full motion simulators, and efforts to address the national pilot shortage through LIFT Academy at Indianapolis International Airport. Additional segments examine downtown Indianapolis campus construction tied to Indiana University and Purdue University, statewide business headlines, and a conversation with Jim Cornelison on singing “Back Home Again in Indiana” and its connection to the Indianapolis 500.

The Indiana Hoosiers are the 2026 college football national champions after defeating Miami. IU Columbus Associate Professor Ryan Brewer estimates the increased value of the football program and Big Ten Network analyst Mike DeCoursey discusses the future of NIL and collective bargaining in college athletics. IBJ Media CEO Nate Feltman and Visit Indy Executive Vice President Chris Gahl discuss the upcoming 2026 NCAA Men's Final Four. The event is expected to generate $400 million for the local economy. Gahl announces the NFL Combine will remain in Indianapolis through 2028 and officials are scouting locations for a potential NFL Draft. Senator Todd Young discusses the designation of Indiana as a national drone test site by the Federal Aviation Administration. Gary Mayor Eddie Melton presents potential sites for a new Chicago Bears stadium near the Hard Rock Casino. Hanover College launches a $110 million fundraising campaign. Fitasy, a startup at the 16 Tech Innovation District, iintroduces 3D printed shoes customized via a smartphone app. Yelp features Rosemary and Olive in Indianapolis as a top Valentine's Day dining location.

Indiana University football’s run to the national championship is delivering major economic gains across the state. Host Gerry Dick is joined by IU Columbus finance professor Dr. Ryan Brewer to break down new data showing surging ticket sales, rising admissions interest, increased NIL funding and millions in game day economic impact for Bloomington and beyond. Plus, an Indiana pediatrician turned entrepreneur lands a major Target.com deal and an update on the Catalyst Corridor Project that's set to transform the Warsaw-Winona Lake Corridor. The Indiana Chamber responds to Gov. Mike Braun's State of the State address and shares its 2026 legislative priorities.

On this episode of Inside Indiana Business with Gerry Dick, leaders in Northwest Indiana pitch a potential Chicago Bears stadium site, including a conversation with Hammond Mayor Tom McDermott about why Indiana is being considered. Plus, Ball State University’s Bowen Center for Public Affairs relaunches the Hoosier Survey, with Executive Director Andrew Bauman breaking down what Hoosiers say they want most, including opinions on marijuana legalization and data centers.Also in this week’s show: an update on a planned Ritz-Carlton near Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Hatch for Hunger’s milestone in delivering protein to food banks, an Indianapolis startup’s vape-limiting case designed to help users cut back over time, and a look at new health tech including a companion robot used in memory care and a smart pacifier research project. The episode also highlights special nonstop flights tied to IU football bowl travel, an Indiana radio legend as Tom Griswold reflects on the state’s comedy scene, and Mad Hatter Shows opening a new events center in Greenwood.

Inside Indiana Business closes 2025 with an in-depth conversation between host Gerry Dick and Indiana Gov. Mike Braun. Braun reflects on his first year in office, outlining changes to state government structure, economic development strategy and transparency. The discussion covers data centers, small modular nuclear reactors, Main Street businesses, gaming, redistricting and priorities for the 2026 legislative session. The episode also features a major INCOG BioPharma expansion and a look at robotics reshaping construction in northeast Indiana.