Momentum building for good things to come in Region
I attended the Ignite the Region luncheon in August, and I was struck by the electricity in the ballroom.
I am not sure it was because those in attendance were truly excited to see each other or that the speakers infused some magic in the day. Sen. Todd Young said it best: “I think the Region’s already ignited. It’s on fire!”
That sense of momentum that good things are on the horizon for the Region also can be found in this issue’s stories.
We start with manufacturers who are embracing Industry 4.0 with a little help from some state grants. The program is so popular that last year’s funds ran out.
Companies also are creating a culture of wellness in the workplaces. Programs are no longer only gym memberships and apples in the common area, but realizing that happy and healthy workers are more productive.
Tax professionals in the Region also offer ways to negate stress by planning for next year — as much as possible. But a little uncertainty faces business owners and individuals alike in 2025.
Some organizations find creating community for their employees is the best way to draw the best talent — and keep them. And they are making good on that promise with remarkable donations that support some of the new recreational facilities and social services that build quality of place and life here.
The town of Schererville is on the cusp of creating that kind of change also. With five big projects in the works, including space for a downtown, officials have been saving a long time to make their dreams come true.
Plus, we highlight eight women who are blazing trails and setting their own schedules. Each focused on their passion to pursue their financial goals.
We also feature cousins who came up with a way to manage construction runoff. A new leader at the South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority. A nonprofit that gives entrepreneurs space to collaborate, and musicians at the La Porte County Symphony Orchestra who stay in top form while they pursue other career goals.
We also hear from our partners about a new state tax study, a look at the historical economic impact of elections and six building blocks for embracing innovation.
Read more stories from the current issue of Northwest Indiana Business Magazine.
Employers who overlook older workers forfeit a median job tenure of 10.4 years, institutional knowledge, and stability that younger hires typically can't match.
Indiana's Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation is piloting a business succession program in NW Indiana to help small business owners plan for retirement and find local buyers before closing.
NWI Works is opening two workforce training hubs in Gary and Michigan City, combining job readiness, childcare, and support services under one roof.
Goshen's Janus Motorcycles raised $470,000 through equity crowdfunding to fund expansion, with customers among the first investors in the 25-employee, build-to-order shop.
La Porte native Olivia West serves as in-game host for the Indiana Pacers and Fever while running a marketing firm and speaking to 1,000+ people weekly.
Northwest Indiana businesses are rethinking trade show strategy, shifting toward smaller, experience-driven booths focused on audience fit over raw attendance numbers.
Regional employers are expanding financial wellness benefits beyond retirement plans, adding literacy programs, ESOPs, and adviser access to reduce turnover and retain workers.
More working adults are returning to college mid-career to change fields, with programs including teaching and business administration designed around full-time jobs and family obligations.
Low property taxes, a 3.8% unemployment rate, and projects from Amazon, John Deere, FedEx, and Microsoft are drawing business relocations and expansions to the area.
Hobart, La Porte, and Merrillville are navigating a wave of data center proposals, weighing billions in projected revenue against concerns over energy, water use, and transparency.
Businesses and organizations share good news about new hires, promotions, accolades
Mid-career retraining, data center growth, and a new state succession planning pilot are among the topics covered in this issue of the regional business magazine.
Publisher/Executive Editor - Linker Media Group Heather Pfundstein is the publisher and executive editor of Northwest Indiana Business Magazine and NWIndianaBusiness.com. She is an award-winning journalist with more than 25 years of experience in Northwest Indiana and northern Illinois newsrooms. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in journalism from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. She has been part of the magazine's team since 2018.
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