Indianapolis Glows as WNBA All-Star Weekend Showcases Hoops, Culture, and Economic Impact

In this episode of Inside INdiana Business with Gerry Dick, the $1.4 billion I-69 Ohio River crossing project connecting Indiana and Kentucky reaches a critical milestone. U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, Gov. Mike Braun, and Sen. Todd Young visit the construction site, highlighting the project’s national significance for trade, logistics, and economic development. Plus: Indianapolis hosts the inaugural TED Sports Conference, drawing global sports leaders and spotlighting the city’s 2050 vision to become the epicenter of sports innovation. Indiana University and Pacer Sports & Entertainment team up on a new women’s sports performance research initiative. IU and Indiana State University report record enrollment, while near space education programs expand in Grant County. RoboSource lands investment from Tim Tebow to expand AI-driven workforce tools in Fishers. Purdue builds a custom guitar to honor late Colts owner Jim Irsay, set to be carried before every game this season. Get the latest business news from throughout the state at InsideINdianaBusiness.com.

This week on Inside Indiana Business with Gerry Dick, downtown Indianapolis' premier sports venues are getting major upgrades. Lucas Oil Stadium is set for $9.5 million in improvements, including a Wi-Fi overhaul, while Victory Field will replace most of its 30-year-old seating. CIB Executive Director Andy Mallon discusses the importance of keeping Indy competitive for major events like Final Fours and Super Bowls. Also in this episode: A tribute to Colts owner Jim Irsay, with players wearing jersey patches in his honor Basketball Hall of Famer Tamika Catchings shares details on the $98 million Marvella Center, the nation’s first girls sports leadership facility Ganggang’s Butter fine arts fair expands to Los Angeles after five years of national attention Cook Medical and Indiana University partner on next-gen medical research and workforce training IU Health adds a new $1.4 million Mosaic Center to help community members find health care jobs Semiconductor growth in Indiana drives urgency for workforce development, per Connexus Indiana  Start your dollar a week trial now at ⁠⁠IBJ.com/trialoffer⁠⁠ Check out our event lineup and register now at ⁠IBJ.com/RSVP⁠ Discover which programs are accepting nominations now at ⁠⁠IBJ.com/Nominate⁠

This week on Inside Indiana Business with Gerry Dick, college football returns—and with it, big economic impact across Indiana. From Notre Dame’s $36 million tourism boost to IU’s record-breaking ticket sales and Purdue’s $16 million game day contributions, we break down how fall Saturdays support local businesses and community development. Finance professor Ryan Brewer also weighs in on the shifting college sports landscape, including NIL pressures, naming rights deals, and the future of generational fandom. Also in this episode: Senator Todd Young outlines his bipartisan “Ships for America Act” to restore U.S. shipbuilding—highlighting Indiana’s potential role in the national effort IU Health's newest staff member: Meet Elliott, a therapy dog focused on supporting hospital staff’s mental health Inside the Business of IndyCar: Heartland Food Products and Ed Carpenter Racing find the winning formula with speed and caffeine Parkview Health expands with a new $150M hospital in Lebanon  Start your dollar a week trial now at ⁠⁠IBJ.com/trialoffer⁠⁠ Check out our event lineup and register now at ⁠IBJ.com/RSVP⁠ Discover which programs are accepting nominations now at ⁠⁠IBJ.com/Nominate⁠

This week on Inside Indiana Business with Gerry Dick, Gary Mayor Eddie Melton shares what a $3 billion investment from Nippon Steel means for the city’s future. From a convention center project to blight removal and the return of the air show, Gary is turning the page. Also in this episode: A Butler grad’s patented helmet insert aims to protect cochlear implants and empower the deaf community Earlham College helps lead Richmond’s $100 million downtown revitalization A behind-the-scenes look at the 38-story Signia by Hilton transforming Indy’s skyline Google plans a $1B data center in Indianapolis Fort Wayne, Columbus, and Wells County launch projects to enhance art, recreation, and industry Yelp highlights five hot new restaurants across Indiana  Start your dollar a week trial now at ⁠⁠IBJ.com/trialoffer⁠⁠ Check out our event lineup and register now at ⁠⁠IBJ.com/Register ⁠⁠ Discover which programs are accepting nominations now at ⁠⁠IBJ.com/Nominate⁠

This week on Inside Indiana Business with Gerry Dick, we head to Westfield where the LIV Golf Tournament at Chatham Hills puts the city on the international stage. Mayor Scott Willis shares how events like Colts Camp and the new Ed Carpenter Racing facility at Grand Park are fueling more than $250 million in downtown development. Also in this episode: Erskine Green Training Institute's new vocational program at Riley Hospital for Children helps Hoosiers with disabilities enter the workforce OrthoPediatrics expands with new locations in the U.S. and Ireland Brownsburg and Dearborn County announce major manufacturing investments New Haven unveils a $31 million youth sports complex Purdue launches a new graduate degree in sports management Ivy Tech partners with Cyber Pro AI for hands-on cybersecurity training Pete Dye’s legacy celebrated at the LIV Golf Tour in Westfield Duke’s Honky Tonk in Indianapolis announces closure after seven years  Start your dollar a week trial now at ⁠IBJ.com/trialoffer⁠ Check out our event lineup and register now at ⁠IBJ.com/Register ⁠ Discover which programs are accepting nominations now at ⁠IBJ.com/Nominate⁠

This week on Inside Indiana Business with Gerry Dick, we take you high above the Indiana State Fair to explore how this summer tradition contributes far beyond lemon shakeups and livestock. With 400+ events hosted annually and $330 million in statewide economic impact, the fairgrounds have become a year-round hub for sports, tourism, and business. Executive Director Cindy Hoye shares how the campus is evolving through major renovations and small business partnerships. Also in this episode: IU and Notre Dame research breakthroughs on Alzheimer’s and early childhood development Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library receives a $500,000 boost to support literacy across Indiana Purdue celebrates aviation legend Amelia Earhart with a new terminal The LIV Golf Tour prepares to tee off in Westfield, bringing $30 million in projected economic impact IU Kelley’s Enterprise Corps seeks 50 Indiana small businesses for its accelerator Burgess Restaurant Group revives a historic dining spot in Greenfield Next week: We sit down with Westfield Mayor Scott Willis to discuss the city's downtown growth, major sports events, and its rise as a top Indiana destination.  Start your dollar a week trial now at ⁠IBJ.com/trialoffer⁠ Check out our event lineup and register now at ⁠IBJ.com/Register ⁠ Discover which programs are accepting nominations now at ⁠IBJ.com/Nominate⁠

This week on Inside Indiana Business with Gerry Dick, the Innovate Indiana Series travels to Terre Haute to spotlight a wave of regional growth. From $70 million in downtown redevelopment to major housing efforts and riverfront plans, the Wabash Valley is seeing renewed momentum. Mayor Brandon Sakbun discusses public-private partnerships, blight removal, and collaboration with local universities to attract jobs and talent. Also in this episode: Rose-Hulman’s $102 million Innovation Grove aims to position Terre Haute as a national hub for medical technology Elanco’s groundbreaking treatment for parvovirus is saving shelter puppies—and fueling business growth Thompson Thrift donates $2.5 million to Indiana State University’s construction management program Terre Haute’s tourism sector sets records following the launch of a casino, Larry Bird Museum, and a booming concert venue The Colts’ training camp in Westfield enters a new chapter under the Irsay daughters’ leadership Plus, a look at declining college-going rates in Indiana, Tipton’s $1 million baseball project, and a VR startup experience for students learning about medical technology.  Start your dollar a week trial now at ⁠IBJ.com/trialoffer⁠ Check out our event lineup and register now at ⁠IBJ.com/Register ⁠ Discover which programs are accepting nominations now at ⁠IBJ.com/Nominate⁠

This week on Inside Indiana Business with Gerry Dick, we spotlight Indiana’s emergence as the “Radiopharmaceutical Capital of the World.” With major investments from companies like RayzeBio, Novartis, and SpectronRx, plus a new Purdue master’s program and the state’s central role in cancer-fighting innovation, Indiana is transforming the future of nuclear medicine—and its economy. Plus, IBJ Media unveils the 2025 Indiana 250 list, recognizing the state’s most influential business and civic leaders. We also get a sneak peek inside Noblesville’s new $93 million arena, share the IU Luddy School's new STEM outreach for kids, and examine Indiana’s nuclear energy potential. Also in this episode: Kylie Veleta on why radiopharmaceuticals are saving lives—and creating jobs A first look at Noblesville’s Innovation Mile and the new home of the Indiana Pacers G League team, the Noblesville Boom CountryMark’s $100M investment in renewable diesel in Mount Vernon IU’s “Chip Kids” web series gets middle schoolers excited about semiconductors Indiana 250 voices reflect on statewide growth and economic opportunity The business case for nuclear energy in southwest Indiana  Start your dollar a week trial now at ⁠IBJ.com/trialoffer⁠ Check out our event lineup and register now at ⁠IBJ.com/Register ⁠ Discover which programs are accepting nominations now at ⁠IBJ.com/Nominate⁠

Inside Indiana Business with Gerry Dick is on location in downtown Indianapolis as the city takes center stage for the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game. This episode spotlights how the event—alongside Indiana Black Expo and a major jewelry convention—is drawing more than 150,000 visitors and millions in economic activity. We hear from key leaders including Pacers Sports & Entertainment CEO Mel Raines and Visit Indy’s Chris Gahl on the growing Fieldhouse District, corporate activations, and why this weekend cements Indy’s bid to be the epicenter of women’s sports. Also in this episode: A tribute to Tamika Catchings and her impact on Indy and women’s basketball How the WNBA is fueling neighborhood investment and sustainability initiatives Marian University’s $137 million transformation of the former LaRue Carter Hospital Amazon’s 1,000-job expansion in Elkhart and updates on major Indiana projects The latest in orthopedic innovation from Zimmer Biomet and Fort Wayne’s BioPoly IU Health’s $214 million investment in West Lafayette healthcare Next week: We unveil the 2025 Indiana 250—meet the state’s most influential leaders shaping its future.

Northwest Indiana is turning a corner. In this week’s episode of Inside Indiana Business with Gerry Dick, we report from Valparaiso University as part of IBJ Media’s Innovate Indiana Series. From Gary to Michigan City, billions in infrastructure, tourism, and redevelopment projects are fueling growth across the region. We examine Gary’s new convention center partnership with Hard Rock Casino, major investment in U.S. Steel’s Gary Works plant, and a downtown revitalization effort led by Mayor Eddie Melton and the University of Notre Dame. Also in this episode: Matt Schuffert, CEO of Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana, on Gary’s hotel and convention center development Plans for a $1 billion expansion at the Digital Crossroads data center campus in Hammond Completion of South Shore Line double tracking and new real estate projects in Michigan City BP’s Whiting refinery and the Mammoth Solar Project advancing new energy initiatives The Dean and Barbara White Foundation’s investments in education and quality of life IU students launch 9AM Club, a hangover-friendly cocktail made in partnership with Cardinal Spirits Yelp’s Brittany Smith highlights five outdoor dining destinations across Indiana News around the state: Muncie approves outdoor drinking districts, Columbus extends public art display, and a $13 million apprenticeship pathway launches statewide Next week: We’re in downtown Indianapolis covering the economic impact of the WNBA All-Star Game.