This year is a special one for Northwest Indiana Business Magazine. In 2026, we are celebrating 35 years of shining a light on the Northwest and North Central Indiana business communities. Our thought-leadership stories and profiles point out why the Region is THE place to live, work and play.
To celebrate, we are introducing a new feature on our two websites, NWIndianaBusiness.com and MichianaBusinessNews.com. Our Entrepreneurship Q&A will highlight some of the Region's entrepreneurs who have taken their ideas to market and are growing their businesses. Nominate an entrepreneur by emailing news@nwindianabusiness.com.
As for our first issue of the year, we start off with a story about transportation development districts along the South Shore Line. Some are still in the planning stages, but others are already seeing results in the communities surrounding their stations.
Then we look at the use of AI in the health care setting. I am sure many of you have been asked by a doctor if you mind that AI is taking notes during an appointment. Health care systems in the Region are embracing this technology, along with many other innovative uses that always keep the patient-doctor relationship first.
Next we talk to companies that have recently rebranded. From name changes to new marketing materials, businesses are making thoughtful decisions about how their customers recognize them in the marketplace.
It might still be winter, but farmers are already planning for the upcoming planting season. Farmers are entrepreneurs too and need a lot of people to help them do their jobs. We talked with those who support their work — from bankers to insurance agents to transporters and beyond.
Entrepreneurship is a theme this year, so we talked to people with “big ideas” and how they learned from the Region’s support system. The business community has many opportunities for mentorship and education.
One entrepreneur is Brett Dines who started OYE Therapeutics in Crown Point. He is helping patients wake up from anesthesia faster. At Paladin, they opened a Success Hub to help the Michigan City community's economic development. IUN’s Jana Szostek shares tips about how to start a business, and visiting professor Anthony Sindone talks about the Region’s economy this year. Enjoy this issue!
Read more stories from the current issue of Northwest Indiana Business Magazine.
One step at a time
Region on prosperous path
Making surgery safer
Support for big ideas
A value-added food chain
Change for the better
New medical partner
Economic foresight
Professional advancement
