Indiana Economy at Year’s End: Gov. Mike Braun on Data Centers, Nuclear Energy and Growth in 2026

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.

Indianapolis hosts the ninth and final 2025 Innovate Indiana stop, spotlighting how sports drive Indiana’s economy, with Indiana Sports Corporation leaders discussing major-event momentum and a long-range “2050 vision.” You will also hear how Sports Tech HQ is building a sports tech ecosystem in Indiana, including Bloomington-based Motion and its platform for college athletic departments. Plus, a Northwest Indiana startup closes funding and advances clinical trials on a concentrated caffeine injection designed to bring patients out of anesthesia faster, with potential battlefield applications tied to a U.S. military contract. Also featured: St. Joseph County Council votes on a proposed data center, Martin University pauses operations, Purdue and INDOT test wireless charging for heavy-duty trucks, a $15 million union training center breaks ground, a Purdue student sells Duckmath, and holiday tips for shopping local across Indiana.

Eli Lilly and Co. and Indiana University announce a new partnership to expand clinical trial access across Indiana and advance Alzheimer’s disease care and research, including an investment of up to $40 million over five years. The work will be based at the IU Launch Accelerator for Biosciences, or IU LAB, a $172 million facility under construction at 16 Tech in Indianapolis that is set to open in 2027. Business of Health reporter Kylie Veleta explains what the clinical trial focus means for patients, plus new diagnostic tools such as a blood test developed by Roche and Lilly, and the plan to train more specialists, including nurse practitioners and physician assistants. Gerry Dick goes one-on-one with Eli Lilly CEO Dave Ricks on innovation in Indiana, including the company’s 150th anniversary next year and its LEAP Innovation District investment in Lebanon. Also in this episode: the Big Ten championship matchup between IU and Ohio State and the projected economic impact of more than $25 million for downtown Indianapolis, plus Evansville-based Escalade Sports and its Onix brand on pickleball’s growth, including participation up about 300% in recent years and equipment sales projected to reach nearly $2 billion by 2032.

In this episode of Inside Indiana Business with Gerry Dick, Amazon announces a historic $15 billion investment to build data center campuses across Northwest Indiana, including a site in Hobart. The project is expected to create about 2,000 construction jobs and 1,100 permanent positions as the company deepens its statewide footprint.IU Kelley School of Business expert John Talbott breaks down holiday retail trends, including why Halloween has become the new start to the shopping season and why consumers remain cautious despite record spending projections.Indy 500 champion Tony Kanaan discusses his move from the cockpit to team leadership at Arrow McLaren Racing and how his personal journey shapes his next chapter.Plus, a new coffee shop inside a Fishers therapy clinic is preparing teens and adults with disabilities for the workforce through hands-on training, and Nine13sports shows how cycling is transforming youth education across Indiana.Get the latest business news from throughout the state at InsideINdianaBusiness.com.

In this episode of Inside INdiana Business with Gerry Dick, IBJ Media’s Innovate Indiana series is in Northeast Indiana. Fort Wayne selected a master developer for the long-awaited North River Project and Google continues to build its $2 billion data center campus, adding to northeast Indiana’s rise as a national tech and innovation hub.There are signs the momentum is extending throughout the 11-county northeast Indiana region, including Slate Auto’s investment in Warsaw.Plus:Fort Wayne FC takes a major step toward USL League One with new details on a downtown soccer stadium designed to energize the city’s riverfront and sports economy.Also in this episode: Purdue hopes to launch an AI competency requirement for all students Eli Lilly promotes Zepbound through a new national obesity awareness campaign Refreshed Tech continues its rapid growth with a new facility in Ashley, Indiana Horizon and First Farmers banks announce a $1.1 billion merger TechPoint names a new CEO to lead Indiana’s statewide tech strategy Get the latest business news from throughout the state at InsideINdianaBusiness.com.

In this episode of Inside INdiana Business with Gerry Dick, Indiana’s top life sciences leaders gather in downtown Indianapolis to advance plans for the One Health Innovation District. Anchored by Elanco’s new global headquarters, the district aims to position Indiana as a global hub for human, animal, and plant health, backed by Purdue, IU, Eli Lilly, and Corteva. Plus: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth visits Fort Wayne as Northeast Indiana reaffirms its place in the U.S. defense ecosystem with $2.5 billion in contracts and a strong engineering workforce. Roche Diagnostics unveils the world’s first Alzheimer’s blood test designed for primary care—developed in Indianapolis and capable of detecting the disease through a standard blood draw. Also in this episode: Convenience store giants like Buc-ee’s and Wally’s target Indiana with $30M+ travel center investments Beck’s Hybrids CEO Sonny Beck helps bring a U.S. Customs office to Zionsville’s executive airport Indiana water infrastructure sees $200M+ in upgrades across Winchester, Anderson, and Newburgh Union Health and Terre Haute Regional merge under state-approved oversight Lafayette launches “Local” retail concept to boost small business startups New STEM programs and mental health initiatives expand across IU, UE, and Riley Children’s Get the latest business news from throughout the state at InsideINdianaBusiness.com. 00:00 Indiana's Bioscience Boom & Industry Collaboration 02:00 The OneHealth Innovation District Vision 04:30 Uniting Indiana's Life Sciences Leaders 07:00 History and Impact of Indiana's Science Powerhouses 10:00 Building an Ecosystem for Innovation 12:00 Solving Global Health Challenges from Indiana 13:00 Federal Shutdown Fallout for Indiana Travel 15:00 Defense & Manufacturing Leadership in Northeast Indiana 18:30 Community News: Water, Mergers & Local Innovation 20:00 Alzheimer's Innovation: World-First Blood Test in Indiana 22:00 Boosting STEM & Mental Health Education 24:00 Travel Center Wars: Major Brands Invade Indiana 26:00 Big Investments & New Concepts in Convenience Stores 28:00 Inside Indiana Business Wrap-Up & IBJ Media App Launch

In this week’s Inside INdiana Business with Gerry Dick, Indiana powers into a new energy era as FANCO announces plans for a $4 billion headquarters and manufacturing hub, potentially creating 5,000 high-skilled jobs. The Richland, Washington-based company’s nuclear park could make Indiana the nation’s leader in small modular reactor technology and advanced fuel recycling. Plus: Purdue and BWX Technologies launch a new partnership on next-generation nuclear manufacturing, and AES Indiana explores adding small modular reactors in Martinsville and Petersburg. Indiana business leaders head to Berlin as the Colts play the first-ever NFL regular season game in Germany—leveraging global attention to strengthen the state’s $4 billion trade relationship with Europe’s largest economy. Back home, Dana, Indiana, honors one of its most famous sons—World War II correspondent Ernie Pyle—with a new park and statue, celebrating his enduring legacy and bringing new visitors to the small Vermillion County town. Also: NiSource unveils a $7 billion plan to support Indiana’s growing data center industry ReElement Technologies secures a $1.4 billion defense contract to expand rare earth magnet production Eli Lilly announces a new $3 billion manufacturing site in the Netherlands Deaconess Health leads with equity in care through new haircare training for hospital staff Franciscan Health debuts a state-of-the-art simulation training lab in Greenwood Dean’s Steakhouse opens at the JW Marriott, honoring entrepreneur Dean White Get the latest business news from throughout the state at InsideINdianaBusiness.com. 00:00 Show Intro & Top Stories Preview 01:17 Indiana's Big Nuclear Investment 04:06 What the Nuclear Project Means for Indiana 05:27 Purdue Energy Summit & Nuclear Developments 06:35 Business in Berlin: Colts Game & Indiana-Germany Ties 09:39 Noblesville Boom Basketball Team & Arena Launch 10:48 Business Headlines Around Indiana 14:09 Eli Lilly and Deaconess Health Expansion 16:01 Healthcare Innovation & Equity in Indiana 20:07 Education Updates from Indiana Universities 21:35 Remembering Ernie Pyle: Dana's Local WWII Hero 24:12 Ernie Pyle's Legacy & Dana's Economic Revival 28:03 Closing Thoughts & Honoring Veterans 29:03 Show Wrap Up & IBJ Media App Announcement

On this week’s Inside INdiana Business with Gerry Dick, Indiana sets its sights on becoming a national leader in nuclear energy with small modular reactors (SMRs) at the center of its long-term strategy. We preview Purdue’s global summit on nuclear innovation and explore how the technology could bring high-paying jobs and long-term investment to Hoosier communities. Plus: IU athletic director Scott Dolson shares why the school locked in Coach Curt Cignetti with a $92 million deal, how football success is impacting revenue, and the future of NIL in the Big Ten. In Hancock County, Arrive AI debuts autonomous hospital delivery tech that cuts nurse travel time—marking a world first. Meanwhile, serial entrepreneur Dr. Don Brown rolls out BioScope AI, a genomic dashboard to revolutionize patient care. Also: The Indiana economy’s 2026 outlook from the IU Kelley School Saab’s West Lafayette Red Hawk fuselage production impresses Boeing National FFA Convention commits to Indianapolis through 2040 Haunted house legend Nightmare on Edgewood announces its final season Kyle Cummins makes USAC history with a national sprint car championship Get the latest business news from throughout the state at InsideINdianaBusiness.com.

In this week’s Inside INdiana Business with Gerry Dick, the Innovate Indiana Series heads to Bloomington, where a $70 million convention center expansion and the Hopewell housing project mark the city’s transformation. Mayor Kerry Thomson shares her vision for live-work-play development and how Indiana University and Crane are fueling tech-driven growth. Plus: IU football’s breakout season brings national attention and a multimillion-dollar economic impact to Bloomington. President Pam Whitten and AD Scott Dolson weigh in on campus buzz, NIL, and a $92 million coaching deal. Cook Medical and Siemens Healthineers partner on the first MRI suite built for interventional care—an industry-changing move for U.S. hospitals. At The Mill in Bloomington’s Trades District, AI startup InfoSentience is reshaping sports content with deals from CBS Sports and MaxPreps. Walmart teams with Vincennes University to create a new workforce pipeline in HVAC and facilities tech. And a look at HarperCollins' $300 million investment in Brownsburg, Caterpillar's workforce training initiative. Get the latest business news from throughout the state at InsideINdianaBusiness.com. 00:00 Welcome to Bloomington: Big Developments 00:44 Bloomington’s Economic Evolution 01:44 IU’s Impact & Technology Cluster 02:00 Talking Growth with Mayor Carrie Thompson 03:16 Convention Center Expansion & Community Plans 04:13 Innovative Housing: Hopewell Project 05:51 Bloomington’s Shift to Tech & Innovation 06:09 Stadium District: A New Vision for Growth 07:00 IU Football: Driving Business & Community 09:01 IU’s Rise and Statewide Impact 10:13 Bioscience Hub: IU Lab and Beyond 10:54 Economics of Football Success: Big Ten Insights 11:52 Football’s Ripple Effect in Bloomington 12:57 Changing Face of College Sports Law 13:17 News Roundup: Expansions & Jobs Across Indiana 14:44 Healthcare Innovation: Cook Medical & Siemens 17:31 Indiana's Healthcare and Workforce Updates 18:44 Startup Spotlight: The Mill and Innovation District 25:13 AI Startups & The Future of Tech in Bloomington 27:05 What’s Next for the Trades District 27:18 Wrapping Up from Bloomington & Series Outro

In this week’s Inside INdiana Business with Gerry Dick, South Bend and Elkhart step into the spotlight as part of the Innovate Indiana Series, with more than $1 billion in investment reshaping downtown South Bend, New Carlisle, and beyond. Mayor James Mueller and President and Chief Executive Officer at the South Bend – Elkhart Regional Partnership Bethany Hartley outline the region’s momentum in talent, tech, and quality of place. Plus: Kem Krest’s CEO explains how the Elkhart-based supply chain firm is saving hundreds of thousands in health care costs by cutting out the insurance middleman. Reid Health expands its direct-to-employer care model to Carmel, partnering with Beacon Health to open an on-site clinic and reduce premiums. From brisket grilled cheese to dessert chicken and waffles, Yelp’s Brittany Smith highlights Indiana’s top family-friendly restaurants in this month’s Trendiana. Hillrom’s legacy ends as Hillenbrand sells to a private equity firm in a $4 billion deal. Allison Transmission secures a $97 million contract for the Army’s Abrams tank program. Elkhart’s housing and innovation surge with the opening of the Momentum Entrepreneurship Hub and a new 150-unit development on a former brewery site. University of Evansville rides postseason success in volleyball, baseball, and soccer to record athletic revenue. And Goshen’s mayor says the RV Capital of the World is also building its entrepreneurial future—with dinosaurs drawing more than 100,000 visitors to the new Indiana Dinosaur Museum. Get the latest business news from throughout the state at InsideINdianaBusiness.com.