BLOOMINGTON – Indiana Governor Mike Braun today shared with hundreds of regional business leaders in Bloomington how his regional economic development strategy is powering business growth and bringing in new jobs at higher-than-average wages in the Indiana Uplands region. The Governor’s remarks were a highlight of IBJ Media’s Innovate Indiana series, which is convening nine regional events in 2026 to discuss opportunities to elevate Indiana’s future.
“As Governor, I am leading an economic development strategy that ensures Indiana is the very best state to start and grow a business and to live and raise a family,” said Gov. Braun. “Through my regionally-driven approach, we are working with communities in the Indiana Uplands region and assets like NSWC Crane and Indiana University to bring in new investment and pave the way for long-term growth in key sectors like defense and life sciences. This strategy is ushering in a new era of innovation with better jobs at higher wages for Hoosiers.”
Click here to watch a video showcasing how Indiana Uplands is innovating, growing, and moving the state forward.
By working directly with community leaders and regional assets, Gov. Braun noted a number of economic development successes across the 10-county Indiana Uplands region, including:
- More than 50 new businesses launched and $71.7 million in capital infusion secured for entrepreneurs and small businesses since January 2025 with support from the South Central Indiana Small Business Development Center (SBDC);
- Major expansion and new jobs announcements from companies like Kratos Defense & Security Solutions in Daviess County, Prometheus Energetics in Greene County, Simtra BioPharma Solutions in Monroe County, and Wabash Valley Foods in Dubois County;
- Significant contributions to Indiana’s growing defense and national security efforts through installations like NSWC Crane and the private sector;
- $60 million in READI funding secured for quality of place and quality of opportunity initiatives across the region, as well as additional funding through Lilly Endowment Inc. for selected blight remediation and arts and culture projects;
- And major skills education and talent initiatives led by Indiana employers like Cook Group and in partnership with Indiana University.
“Indiana’s regions are working together like never before, and the Indiana Uplands region is a perfect example of how communities can work together to invest in their future,” said Indiana Secretary of Commerce Chuck Goodrich. “This region is vast and diverse, but they’re collaborating to invest in both urban and rural neighborhoods, to expand on existing industry strengths and to grow jobs and talent across all its communities.”
