Elevating transformational rural innovation

Indiana is on an innovation roll. Reflecting a new dynamic of entrepreneurial expansion, Gov. Eric Holcomb and Elevate Ventures recently announced the creation of a new $100 million growth fund, a powerful addition to Indiana’s expanding innovation arsenal. A key question: where do the one-third of Hoosiers living in small cities and rural areas–some one million people–fit into this emerging entrepreneurial ecosystem?... Read More

Meeting the challenges of rural economic development

The Site Selection magazine headline recently summed it up: “When Being Small Is a Big Advantage.” Over the past four or so years, rural America has experienced an unexpected and remarkable growth trend. As the magazine noted, “record inflation, remote working, rising big-city crime, and lifestyle changes are prompting Americans to relocate from large urban cores.”... Read More

Why Japan matters to Indiana

Last fall, Knox County officials and I joined Gov. Eric Holcomb and the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) for a week-long trade mission in Japan.  Some may ask, why are focused visits like these vital to Indiana - and particularly southern Indiana? Here’s a key fact: Indiana has the highest concentration of foreign direct investment (FDI) in the United States from Japanese companies. What does that mean?... Read More