Welcome to the April-May issue of Northwest Indiana Business Magazine. This edition features the results of our annual Best of Business Awards.
Around the Region
Learn about people, companies making a difference at work and in their communities, including Kate Nafziger Leichty, who recently joined Kruggel Lawton CPAs’ Goshen office.
2021 Best of Business
Our readers have selected the 2021 honorees for the Best of Business Awards for Northwest Indiana and Michiana. Here is the complete list of 51 awards across seven categories.
New opportunities
There was no shortage of innovation and grit from the 2021 Best of Business Awards honorees from Northwest Indiana and Michiana during the pandemic.
Reasons to travel
Region tourism professionals agree there’s a growing urge among people who are eager for a road trip after being couped up at home because of pandemic restrictions.
Destination for skilled trades
Despite suffering the economic effects of the pandemic, Northwest Indiana’s building industry is actively recruiting qualified talent to maintain the state’s competitive edge.
Green job growth
Northwest Indiana is a major hub for clean-energy jobs, with 10,320 at the end of 2019. Growth in the industry is expected to continue as the shift from coal accelerates.
Bright future for home sales
Northwest Indiana real estate experts say the Region can expect to continue seeing an upward trend in home buying in the area for a variety of reasons, including rail improvements.
Lifetime of influence
Don Babcock, who spent two decades as director of economic development at NIPSCO, plans to stay involved in the Region’s communities during retirement.
Furniture made to last
Steve Beigle’s Chesterton store Circles in the Wind sells made-to-order furniture produced by Amish carpenters in northern Indiana.