Inside INdiana Business Television Podcast

A $60 million public-private partnership aims to bring Israeli tech startups to Indiana, anchored by a $15 million state investment and driven by more than $30 million in Israeli entrepreneur capital. Governor Mike Braun and former U.S. Rep. Luke Messer break down the Iron Nation Indiana initiative and why they believe the Hoosier State offers an competitive advantage for global innovators in defense, life sciences, and agriculture. Also this week, Fishers Mayor Scott Faddness discusses a new $75 million luxury hotel planned next to the Fishers Event Center, the city's push to become a life sciences hub anchored by companies including INCOG Pharmaceuticals and Stryker, and the announcement that Fishers will host the first-ever Big Ten Women's Volleyball Championship this fall. Fort Wayne's Electric Works campus marks another milestone with the grand opening of nearly 300 mixed-income housing units, while Indiana's largest private employer Do it Best commits $12 million to expand its headquarters there. Plus, Bosma Industries President and CEO Jeff Mittman, a Purple Heart recipient who lost his vision in Iraq, shares how the organization serves visually impaired Hoosiers across all 92 counties. And South Korean manufacturer Hanjung America breaks ground on its first facility in Huntington, bringing a $4.5 million investment and up to 440 jobs to northeast Indiana.

Indianapolis is hosting the NCAA Men's Final Four for a record-tying ninth time, and the economic stakes are enormous. Visit Indy estimates $400 million in economic impact from the event, more than the six largest Indianapolis conventions combined generated in a single year. Chris Gahl, executive vice president at Visit Indy, explains how the city is targeting fan bases in Chicago, Detroit, and Champaign to drive tourism beyond ticket holders, and how a 60-to-70 percent convention close rate during major sporting events makes the Final Four one of the city's most powerful sales tools. For the first time, Indianapolis is also hosting national championship games across every NCAA division and the NIT simultaneously. Also covered: Eli Lilly receives FDA approval for a new oral weight loss drug; SpectronRx secures $85 million in new investment to expand its radiopharmaceutical campus near Grissom Air Reserve Base; Purdue University rolls out a mobile audiology van to combat hearing loss among Indiana farmers; a $65 billion industrial campus is proposed for Sullivan in west-central Indiana; Mishawaka-based Butcher's Bounty expands its freeze-dried pet treat business to 40 states; and Sport Graphics, the Indianapolis company behind the iconic JW Marriott bracket display, celebrates 40 years in business. Purdue head coach Matt Painter also weighs in on NIL and the changing college basketball landscape.

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.

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.

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, 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

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.