Leaders tout growth at State of Community

Speaking into a microphone before the crowd, Hancock Health President & CEO Steve Long urged everyone to turn to the person next to them and tell them they’re awesome.

That word could be used to describe the county they live and work in as well, if Long’s and his colleagues’ comments Tuesday were any indication. Growth continues to abound, according to speakers at the January 2025 Hancock County Chamber of Commerce Member Meeting, whose topic was the State of the Community. Officials from government, business, healthcare, and economic development gathered to provide the annual update on the previous year’s triumphs and forthcoming one’s plans.

Greenfield Mayor Guy Titus reflected on his first year in office, as well as the good team and collaborators that surround him. He looks forward to a completed revision of the city’s comprehensive plan and an apartment development coming to downtown. Titus also referred to the new 543,000-square-foot building near I-70 and Fortville Pike that is getting ready to become operational.

“They’re going to be bringing a great, great business to us,” he said.

Randy Sorrell, Executive Director of the Hancock Economic Development Council, said state and political uncertainty made 2024 quieter in terms of private investments. HEDC had plenty of other projects to keep busy, however, like Amplify Hancock. Leaders broke ground on the career and vocational training center last year, and it’s slated to open in 2026.

Sorrell also discussed projections that Hancock County’s population will rise to over 115,000 by 2050, an increase of 44.5%. That trend differs starkly from the state, whose overall population is estimated to decline.

“Things are looking good for us in the near future,” Sorrell said.

Mary Noe, who serves on the Hancock County Council, talked about expanding County departments and last year’s creation of a County parks board. She also referred to the County’s strong, growing assessed value.

“Hancock County’s become a very popular county to live in,” Noe said.

Andy Isch of Bradford Builders and Vice Chairman of the Hancock County Chamber of Commerce reflected on the former Greenfield Area Chamber of Commerce merging with the former Northern Hancock County Chamber of Commerce in 2024. He also recalled successful Chamber events throughout the year and the work they’re doing to create a strong business climate in the county.

Long’s update on Hancock Health included all the ways it is growing along with the population it serves. The healthcare provider drew more than 1 million visits from more than 100,000 people last year. It was A-rated for hospital safety for the ninth time in a row–one of 117 out of 6,000 hospitals in the country to do so. Newsweek named Hancock Regional Hospital one of the top 18 hospitals in the state. It will have one of the first programs in the state for a new drug that delays the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. All of the accomplishments contribute to Hancock County’s impressive rise from 28th healthiest of Indiana’s 92 counties to third for 2023.

Progress also continues at Hancock Gateway Park, which Hancock Health has been fostering the development of at I-70 and Mt. Comfort Road. A pediatric dental surgery center and aging-in-place campus are complete. Nearly done is an apartment community–the first phase of an eight-year, $210 million development similar to the Fishers District in nearby Hamilton County. Hancock Health plans to add an emergency room to its Gateway facility as well.

Additionally, Long looked back on the partnership that formed among Hancock Health, NineStar Connect, and Pride Investment Partners to acquire the soon-to-be former Elanco Animal Health campus on Greenfield’s north side.

The updates shared paint a vivid picture of a community on the rise. From ambitious infrastructure projects and innovative healthcare initiatives to a burgeoning population and a unified Chamber of Commerce, Hancock County is clearly positioning itself as a thriving hub for business, wellness, and quality of life.

Check out a highlight video of the event: