Inside INdiana Business Television Podcast

Hammond Mayor Tom McDermott Jr. says the Chicago Bears are looking at more than one potential stadium site in his city, even as Illinois Governor JB Pritzker pushes for a special legislative session to keep the team in-state. McDermott tells host Gerry Dick the deal is close but not final, and the city won't celebrate until there are shovels in the ground. Also this week, TaylorMade breaks ground on a nearly $60 million warehouse and distribution expansion in Evansville, a move the golf equipment giant says allows it to reach 80% of its customers within three days. The investment is part of a broader wave of economic momentum in Southwest Indiana, including a new Ohio River bridge connecting Evansville to Henderson, Kentucky, and more than $100 million in recent local deals.In the Business of Health, Riley Children's Hospital pediatric pulmonologist Dr. Erick Forno has developed a smartphone attachment called Aware that uses sonar technology to measure lung function at home. The device is entering a clinical trial with hundreds of Indiana participants and could transform daily monitoring for patients with asthma and COPD.Plus, Fishers District announces a $169 million expansion anchored by JD Finish Line's headquarters relocation from Indianapolis, Saint Mary's College at Notre Dame launches a $200 million fundraising campaign, and Sweetwater Sound founder Chuck Surack details a $250 million motorsports complex planned for Auburn.

Indianapolis International Airport is on track for its second-busiest spring break season ever, with an estimated 620,000 passengers expected between mid-March and mid-April. Airport Authority Executive Director Mario Rodriguez joins the show to discuss a new airline, Avelo, launching nonstop service to New Haven, Conn., and Concord, N.C., on June 18, bringing the airport's total nonstop destinations to 57. Work continues on a new on-property Westin hotel and Rodriguez discusses the benefits of a $76 million parking expansion completed in 2024. Indiana Gov. Mike Braun announces a $1 billion, 10-year investment in agriculture technology and life sciences with a goal of creating more than 100,000 jobs statewide. Eli Lilly commits an additional $1.8 billion to its technology center near downtown Indianapolis and remains on schedule to begin producing medicines at the LEAP District in Lebanon. Also: a look at aviation growth at Fort Wayne, South Bend, Evansville and Purdue University airports; the Monon Corridor South Shore Line extension opening March 31; and Amish bull rider Marcus Mast representing Indiana on the PBR Unleash the Beast Tour.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.