Congress recently approved a one-year extension of the 2018 Farm Bill, and for that we are grateful. Farmers, consumers, the economy, and our nation’s security would have suffered without that temporary fix and near-term certainty. But as we look to 2024, we need a longer-term solution that offers the agriculture community the flexibility to plan their operations.... Read More
Most of us aim for a small refund or tax bill when it comes to tax planning. However, you may occasionally receive a larger-than-expected refund for various reasons. That raises an important question: what should you do when you get a large refund?... Read More
When a small group of farmers and concerned citizens banded together to form the Boone County Preservation Group, it was with the desire to protect the county’s farmland from development. We’d heard rumors that large parcels of farmland were being purchased. ... Read More
When introducing their clients to the world of private equity, financial advisors like to point out how top institutional investors use the asset class to turbocharge portfolio returns, inevitably offering up Yale University’s endowment fund as proof.... Read More
One of the biggest issues our industry faces is a nationwide shortage of skilled automotive service workers to address vehicle issues, and it’s projected we’ll need 100,000 new technicians to join the U.S. workforce every year through 2026 to keep up with demand. It’s critical that we work to prepare and train our next generation of automotive workers.... Read More
When it comes to core drivers of economic growth, the availability of highly skilled talent in an environment where it can thrive is the greatest predictor of an economy's success. People are the engines that drive growth, innovation, and, ultimately, prosperity.... Read More
According to the recent BMO Real Financial Progress Report, 74% of Americans feel optimistic about their financial situation going into 2024. At the same time, however, nearly half of Americans say their New Year's financial resolutions have changed due to higher living costs. So what's the true story? ... Read More
The last few years have been exciting in terms of the research and treatment landscape for Alzheimer’s Disease. Encouraging new compounds are being developed and approved to slow the disease’s progression. ... Read More
In the world of business, the word 'culture' is abundant. Leaders discuss it; employees desire it. But amidst all the chatter, what does culture truly entail? At its core, culture represents the values, beliefs, and behaviors that underpin how an organization functions. It's the unwritten rule book that everyone implicitly understands.... Read More
Setting goals should be nothing new for the successful business owner or manager. But how you go about achieving those goals can be critical in their success or failure. Consider trying a new approach for goal setting.... Read More
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
Many Indiana seniors report having difficulty maintaining a healthful diet, which increases risks of chronic diseases and reduced quality-of-life. Low-income older adults across the state not only aren’t getting enough to eat, many don’t have access to fresh fruits and vegetables. This access to nutritious food is a key driver of health that impacts quality health outcomes. ... Read More
Nearly 12 percent of adult Hoosiers are diagnosed with diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association. But that doesn’t mean the rest of us are out of the woods.... Read More
Business owners and managers know what’s coming three seconds into the call. The voice is uncomfortably friendly, like a complete stranger coming up in a public place and behaving as though you’ve been lifelong buds. And you know you’ll be poorer by the end of it.... Read More
The journey of career development within the prison system is not merely a professional endeavor; it is a profound catalyst for personal transformation and societal redemption. As the Business Resource and Outbound Operations Director at a company that works with and employs currently and formerly incarcerated workers, I have been privileged to witness the transformation of individuals society often dismisses. It is my belief that with the right tools, incarcerated individuals can redefine their futures through career development, skill-building, and leadership training.... Read More
In business, we have many tools that we can leverage, but I would argue that my golf clubs are the most valuable. While many may look at a bag of golf clubs and imagine themselves hitting the links, we can’t dismiss the tremendous opportunity that pairing a set of clubs on the fairway with three other golfers can have on the trajectory of our careers.... Read More
One thing is very clear from this year's general elections: When voters are given the choice to weigh in on policy issues at the ballot box, they're excited to do it. ... Read More
As regional efforts work to address Hoosier workforce attraction, especially in the WestGate@Crane Technology Park regional microelectronics expansion, key elements come into play to elevate quality of life. The higher the quality of life, the more attractive the region becomes to qualified talent. A key fact? High-speed fiber connectivity forms a key foundation on which to build up quality of life, especially in rural areas.... Read More
The lack of sufficient maternal health care is killing Hoosier women and children, but having a doula during pregnancy and child birth has the ability to save lives, according to advocates. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Indiana is the ninth highest state in infant mortality. Our maternal mortality rate is even more dire, as we have the third highest in the nation.... Read More
Too often individuals pass away before sharing personal information with spouse, children, other trusted individuals, and/or the individual settling their estate, which can complicate the estate settlement process. Losing a loved one is difficult and having time to grieve is necessary for the healing process. That’s why it’s so important to educate another about what you have and what you want to happen should you fall ill or pass away while you can.... Read More
