News Center

Most people think of economic development as grants and groundbreaking. But for us, it’s often a phone call, a spreadsheet, or a coffee meeting. Real support looks like walking through an incentive application together, reviewing financial projections, or helping an entrepreneur get their idea off the ground—with someone who gets...Continue Reading

FAQ Available, Public Informational Meeting Coming UpThe public is invited to learn more about a Hancock County MegaSite Planned Unit Development (PUD) proposed in Buck Creek Township. The purpose of the PUD is to create an opportunity for data center and advanced manufacturing uses within the proposed development area while...Continue Reading

Heavy machinery rumbled on lots outside of the Terre Haute Convention Center–sounds of the “development renaissance” officials there said their city was experiencing.Indiana Economic Development Association Executive Director Matt Kavgian addresses attendees of the 2025 IEDA Spring Conference on April 28th, 2025.Inside, development was also front and center as professionals...Continue Reading

They pack boxes, prepare pallets, and move goods quickly every day to make a living and keep the economy moving. But on Wednesday, they did it for bragging rights and to celebrate their important contributions to society.The 2025 Pallet Games drew teams from 54 companies to Hancock County on April...Continue Reading

With artificial intelligence (AI) set to contribute up to €15.7 trillion to the global economy, and create more than 60 million new jobs by the end of this year, the opportunities are immense. Yet, 75% of EU employers can't find workers with the right skills to use AI effectively, and...Continue Reading

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced $340.6 million in U.S. Department of Agriculture disaster assistance to deliver relief to farmers, ranchers and rural communities impacted by natural disasters that have caused devastation across the country.In support of President Trump’s January executive order, which expedited assistance to communities who were...Continue Reading

In an era where global leaders are facing unprecedented challenges, trust has emerged as a critical foundation too often lacking in organizations. Today's business headlines are dominated by news of disruption and economic uncertainty. This economic climate, marked by extreme unpredictability, has created what experts describe as a "VUCA" environment...Continue Reading

Domestic tourism is emerging as one of the most important opportunities for communities looking to grow their local economy in 2025. According to the Tourism Economics Report, international travel to the United States is expected to drop by over 5% this year, with a projected $64 billion decline in total...Continue Reading

Mega sites are a crucial asset for economic development due to their ability to attract large-scale industrial and manufacturing investments. As businesses seek sites that offer robust infrastructure and low development risks, comprehensive site preparedness is crucial for competitiveness. Well-prepared mega sites can accelerate investment decisions, reduce development and construction...Continue Reading

In today’s environment, businesses may find significant advantages in establishing operations within business and industrial parks. There are numerous reasons as to why businesses locate within such facilities. Operating at a site that caters to their needs, companies can perform at their best and provide top-of-the-line products and services.Business and...Continue Reading

The April 17, 2025, edition of Investor Watch from Site Selection Magazine highlights national trends reshaping investment and development. A new report shows that Opportunity Zones have driven significant housing growth—adding over 313,000 new addresses since 2019 at a notably low subsidy cost. The issue also explores strategic sectors like...Continue Reading

The food processing industry has seen significant advancements driven by several different factors. These factors include technology innovations, sustainability efforts, and improved efficiency and automation.Technology advancements have played an important role in shaping the current food processing landscape. One of the most significant developments in the industry has been the...Continue Reading

In today’s unpredictable global trade environment, local businesses—especially small and medium-sized ones—are under immense pressure. From rising tariffs and disrupted supply chains to ongoing inflation, they’re facing operational challenges that threaten their long-term viability. For chambers of commerce and economic development organizations (EDOs), this is a critical moment to step...Continue Reading

At the end of March 2025, national active housing inventory for sale was up 28.5% year-over-year. That year-over-year active inventory growth is happening just about everywhere.The recent jump in active inventory for sale tells us that homebuyers have gained some leverage in most housing markets over the past year. Some...Continue Reading

No large and successful company got there by focusing on the largest industry and all the customers in the marketplace all at once. The entrepreneurs started with a smaller focus on either a niche in the industry or a niche like focus on a subset of customers in the market...Continue Reading

In the latest episode of Hancock on the Horizon, Mark Beebe of RATIO Architects takes listeners behind the scenes of several important developments in Hancock County. Check out a gallery of those projects below, as well as links to further information on them.Amplify Hancock Innovation Center Graphic, InfoAmplify Hancock Innovation...Continue Reading

As the U.S. economy grapples with rising costs driven by a new wave of tariffs, much of the commercial real estate landscape is shifting — and in some cases, stalling. But one sector could defy the trend: cold storage and food-linked distribution centers.While tariffs have cast uncertainty across sectors such...Continue Reading

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is launching agricultural trade promotion programs for FY 2026 and accepting applications for four export market development programs. USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service has opened funding opportunities for the Market Access Program (MAP), Foreign Market Development Program (FMD), Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops Program (TASC),...Continue Reading

Why a Website Alone Isn’t EnoughA modern, data-driven economic development website is a crucial first step, but it’s not the only piece of the marketing puzzle. Many rural communities invest in building a website, launch it with great anticipation, and then... wait. They assume that because they now have a...Continue Reading

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins today announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will release obligated funding under the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP) for 543 projects totaling $537 million in 29 states. This includes new projects approved within the first 100 days of the Trump Administration and...Continue Reading

The state of Indiana is now accepting nominations for the Governor's Century and Half Century Business Awards, which honor Hoosier businesses that have remained in operation for at least 100 or 50 years, respectively, and have demonstrated a commitment to serving the community. Qualifying criteria are as follows:The business must have...Continue Reading

Ivy Tech Community College in Anderson is launching a program to provide hands-on training for employees at Hancock County manufacturers.The three-level course will train workers in the operation and programming of programmable logic controllers (PLCs).Hancock County Manufacturing Skills AcademyDates: May 12-16 and August 4-7, 2025Time: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. ESTInstructional Method:...Continue Reading

Efficient port operations ensure not only a smooth flow of goods, but mitigate often inevitable delays and circumstances that can, overall, lead to disruptions in critical supply chains and lead to price hikes for consumers.Our nation’s ports “play a vital role in the U.S. economy, moving goods into, out of,...Continue Reading

If speed-to-market is the name of the game, Hancock County, IN, is where your business wins. The logistics landscape is changing rapidly as customer expectations for next-day or even same-day delivery are higher than ever. Companies need fulfillment and distribution centers strategically positioned for efficiency, connectivity, and scalability to meet...Continue Reading