AGP Executive Report

Manufacturing & Logistics: Packer Fastener opened a new Indianapolis distribution center in Lebanon, expanding a ~40,000-square-foot supply hub for contractors and fast-growing sectors like data centers, renewable energy and power generation. M&A: Foundral acquired Fort Wayne mechanical contractor A. Hattersley & Sons, adding long-running commercial, industrial and institutional expertise to its union-backed platform. Construction & Real Estate: Evansville’s Promenade District is set for “The Republic,” a $38 million mixed-use project with 153 apartments and retail/restaurant space, scheduled to start in fall 2026. Workforce & Community Resilience: IU’s Environmental Resilience Institute is helping nine Indiana local governments build urban-forest master plans, pairing technical training with embedded IU climate fellows. Public Safety: An Indianapolis man accused in a double murder case waived a jury trial; a bench trial is set for Nov. 9. Infrastructure Updates: Ind. 121 will close for about two weeks starting June 4 in Franklin County for pipe replacement. Regulatory Watch: HVACR contractors are tracking evolving PFAS rules and A2L refrigerant building-code changes. Health Alert: Illinois issued an early ozone Air Pollution Action Day affecting millions, including Northwest Indiana.

Public Safety & Environment: A National Dam Safety Awareness Day spotlight on Indiana’s low-head dams highlights why groups like the Sam Shine Foundation back removals to reduce “drowning machine” risks and improve river ecosystems. Consumer Watch: The U.S. CPSC says about 1,200 Giantex lounge chairs sold on Amazon are recalled after a reported finger amputation during adjustment. Local Construction & Housing: South Bend-area firm Acculevel expands foundation repair and waterproofing services as homeowners increasingly seek help for cracking, seepage, and uneven floors. State & Community Services: Indiana’s 2026 Summer Food Service Program opens access to free meals at nearly 1,000 sites statewide for kids 18 and under. Indiana Business & Infrastructure: A river barge carrying major equipment for the Brent Spence Companion Bridge reached Cincinnati after a 600+ mile trip, supporting work toward a 2031 opening target. Sports Business: The Pacers discuss adding Ivica Zubac for defense and rebounding as they shape their near-term roster.

Healthcare & Biotech: Eli Lilly says its Phase 3 LIBRETTO-432 trial of Retevmo (selpercatinib) as adjuvant therapy cut the risk of disease recurrence or death by 83% in early-stage RET fusion-positive lung cancer, with results headed to the New England Journal of Medicine and ASCO in Chicago. Community & Workforce: Purdue University Northwest’s Society of Innovators hosted a SPARK Summit for about 150 Northwest Indiana high school students, while the Northwest Indiana Business RoundTable named its 2026 executive committee officers focused on safety and workforce development. Indiana Business & Infrastructure: Indiana State Police report I-65 in Jackson County fully reopened after a fatal multi-vehicle crash near Seymour, though nearby ramp closures and cleanup caused lingering congestion. Local Nonprofit Spotlight: Girl Talk Inc. marked 10 years helping girls ages 10-18 build confidence and skills, including mentoring, tutoring support, and an Empower Her Academy with business fundamentals. Policy Watch (Regional): Illinois lawmakers hit the final stretch of session with major budget and Bears-stadium negotiations still unresolved, shaping cross-border economic development conversations.

School Leadership: Union City Area School District principal Dr. Melissa Tomcho announced retirement after more than three decades, capping a career that moved from teacher to assistant principal, middle-high principal and finally elementary principal. Downtown Redevelopment: Indianapolis City Market’s Whistler Plaza is set for construction to begin in June, aiming to turn the former market site into a public gathering space that spotlights restored catacombs and other historic elements. Cannabis Policy: Indiana AG Todd Rokita joined Nebraska and Louisiana in asking a federal appeals court to block Trump administration medical cannabis rescheduling, arguing the move exceeds authority—while Indiana officials also warn businesses face uncertainty due to limited federal guidance. Tax and Local Services: Gov. Mike Braun’s proposal to eliminate property taxes for Hoosier seniors 65+ is drawing concern that it could reduce funding for local services and shift the burden to younger homeowners. Energy & Infrastructure: Consolidated Grain and Barge plans a $47 million expansion at Ports of Indiana-Mount Vernon to add storage and improve soybean delivery efficiency. Grid Reliability: A new summer reliability assessment says the U.S. grid is in better shape thanks to solar and battery additions, even as debates continue over fossil-fuel reliance.

Indiana Infrastructure & Mobility: Indianapolis City-County Council is weighing a new road-funding plan that could raise car registration fees in 2027, using flat annual surtaxes to generate about $71 million next year and $355 million over five years. Downtown Development: Construction is set to begin in June on the Indianapolis City Market’s Whistler Plaza redevelopment, aiming to turn the historic site into a public gathering space with restored catacombs on display. Public Safety & Schools: Indiana’s latest stop-arm violation survey shows fewer violations than 2023, but experts still warn students face ongoing risk, especially on afternoon dismissal routes. Workforce & Education Pipeline: Purdue Fort Wayne is expanding pathways into teaching through an experiential education class, while Indiana’s educator job demand remains high. Business & Deals: AT&T says it has invested more than $1.9 billion in Indiana since 2021, including $45 million in Fort Wayne, to expand connectivity and FirstNet. Health & Community Support: Indiana will offer free summer meals at nearly 1,000 sites statewide, and Healthier Moms and Babies is launching its annual diaper drive with drop sites across northeast Indiana. Legal/Corporate Accountability: Stericycle agreed to pay more than $56 million to resolve criminal and civil investigations tied to improper handling of controlled substances.

Fort Wayne Business & Community: Greater Fort Wayne Inc. named 2026 individual award winners, spotlighting long-running local leadership and economic development efforts. Evansville Parks & Quality of Life: Construction is underway on Indiana’s largest splash pad at Igleheart Park, funded by a $24 million parks bond, with an ADA-accessible design and planned Labor Day weekend opening. Indiana Transportation Funding: Indianapolis City-County Council is set to introduce a road-funding proposal that could raise vehicle registration fees—$100 annually for car owners and $240 for truck owners—to secure up to $50 million a year in additional state matching funds. Indiana Public Safety & Courts: A repeat drunk driver in Indiana is expected to be released about a year into a three-year sentence under a state credit-time program. Porter County Zoning & Energy Infrastructure: Porter County BZA placed conditions on NextEra’s warehouse plan tied to transmission operations, after residents raised concerns. Agriculture & Environment: Purdue research suggests corn growers may be able to cut nitrogen use without sacrificing yields, aiming for a “triple win” for profits and air/water quality. Healthcare Workforce Housing: Fort Wayne’s St. Joe Place project repurposes the former St. Joseph’s Nurses Home into downtown housing, targeting demand from healthcare workers. Workforce/Logistics Tech: Croft launched an all-in-one H-2A platform connector that lets employers query AI assistants directly from their Croft account to speed compliance and admin tasks. Energy/Construction: INDOT begins an Ind. 46 milling and overlay project starting June 2, affecting a defined stretch in Batesville area.

Primary Politics: President Trump kept pressure on GOP challengers, knocking out Rep. Thomas Massie in Kentucky’s primary—another sign Indiana business leaders should watch for policy volatility tied to party loyalty. Healthcare Costs & Access: A new Indiana law (SB 189) is criticized for undercutting employer tools meant to control out-of-network costs, raising concerns that Hoosiers will keep paying more. Workforce Pipeline: Indiana’s pharmacist shortage is getting more complicated as closures, retirements, and rising training costs collide—pushing schools and employers to rethink how students can afford and complete pharmacy education. Education Funding: Indianapolis’ IPEC board is weighing whether a November tax referendum could reshape IPS and charter school finances, with a June 22 vote looming. Energy & Data Centers: Parke County commissioners moved to rein in data centers amid rumored high-power plans near the county line, while southern Indiana’s River Ridge continues to court major projects like a new Meta data center. Transportation & Infrastructure: Fort Wayne celebrated the completed Hanna Street Trail, and Floyd County is preparing a $12M replacement for the Blackiston Mill Bridge with a planned 60-day road closure in 2027. Industry & Competition: The FTC launched a formal investigation into possible anti-competitive practices in the U.S. fertilizer industry, a direct hit to farm input pricing. Aviation/Logistics: Boeing delivered FedEx’s 152nd and final 767-300 freighter as the production line heads toward closure next year.

Port & Agriculture: Ports of Indiana–Mount Vernon is set to triple Consolidated Grain and Barge Co.’s soybean handling capacity with a $47M expansion at Mount Vernon, adding storage, truck unloading and a conveyor system, with construction expected to finish in 2027. Manufacturing & Waste-to-Resource: Merrell Bros. Inc. will invest $16.5M to expand its Kokomo biosolids management facility, aiming to create 35 high-wage jobs by 2028. Logistics & Automation: EASE Logistics and Einride are testing cab-less electric autonomous trucks on Ohio roads as part of the DriveOhio corridor, with Indiana DOT involvement. Workforce & Skills: Skilled US launched an advanced manufacturing and robotics training program aligned to the MSSC Certified Production Technician credential, targeting adults and opportunity youth. Tech & Data Centers: POLARIS Laboratories will test and monitor Dow’s DOWFROST liquid cooling fluids for AI and data-center operators. Local Growth: Valparaiso is weighing a $10M bond for three new water wells and exploring a potential switch to Lake Michigan water. Consumer Safety: FDA upgraded Legacy Bakehouse recalls tied to salmonella to Class I, including Giant Eagle-branded baked pita chips.

Utilities & Energy Costs: NIPSCO is rolling out summer guidance for customers as cooling-season electricity use typically spikes in July and August, with tips to track usage and manage bills. Road Construction & Logistics: INDOT announced a 2026 chip-seal schedule starting June 1 across more than 300 lane miles in northeast Indiana, plus alternating lane closures on I-69 between I-469 and Markle from May 29 through mid-June for bridge work. Local Infrastructure Planning: INDOT will hold a June 2 open house in Princeton on the Ind. 64 downtown project, including full-depth pavement replacement, signal upgrades, and ADA sidewalk/curb ramp work. Data Centers & Power Demand: NIPSCO GenCo is seeking Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission approval for a 12-year contract to supply capacity from the Merom coal plant to power new Google (Michigan City) and Amazon data centers, drawing criticism from groups warning of higher bills and pollution. Workforce & Community Support: Albion Fellows Bacon Center received a $15,000 grant from the Good Samaritan Foundation to expand housing-stability services for survivors in Southwestern Indiana. Public Safety: Indiana is also facing a higher severe-storm risk, with fire officials urging residents to plan shelter early and avoid open flames during outages.

Data Centers & Energy: Charlestown is weighing a proposal for a 3-megawatt data center at Shadow Lake Industrial Park, with a June 8 public hearing and plans for about 55,000 square feet plus 20 jobs; the mayor says residents were asked to weigh utility and environmental impacts. Healthcare Insurance: PacificSource says it’s exiting the ACA individual market across all states and leaving Montana, citing mounting healthcare pressures and triggering another round of layoffs. Industrial Manufacturing: A major multi-day auction will liquidate equipment from two Dura Shiloh automotive parts plants—one in Goshen, Indiana—starting June 2, offering production-ready metal fabrication and automation gear. Tech & Logistics: Arrive AI launched Arrive OS to let its autonomous delivery “Arrive Points” gain new capabilities via software updates, aiming to scale networks without hardware swaps. Local Business & Workforce: Ivy Tech Fort Wayne/Kosciusko broke ground on a new Nursing & Health Sciences Building, targeting enrollment growth and expanded simulation labs. Public Works & Mobility: INDOT announced major U.S. 6 bridge closures in Porter County and other bridge work that will affect summer travel. Agriculture Support: The National AgrAbility Project released a 35-year summary highlighting how it helps farmers with disabilities keep working, including Indiana farmer stories.

Bridge Repairs Disrupt I-64: Overnight closures are set for the I-64 Wabash River Bridge near the IL–IN line, with lanes shut 7 p.m.–7 a.m. Tuesday and Wednesday for emergency repairs, weather permitting. Local Food Security: Indiana’s withdrawal from Summer EBT is already reshaping summer help—Fort Wayne Community Schools’ meal coverage is leaning on the Allen County Public Library and Blessings in a Backpack, with multiple library sites distributing weekend meal bags and weekday snacks. Housing & Safety in the Spotlight: Indianapolis mayoral candidate Andrea Hunley is pitching a mix of eviction reduction, wraparound services, and prevention-focused public safety, plus a pause on data-center approvals while the city studies neighborhood and grid impacts. Community vs. Quarry: Allen County’s zoning board voted down a proposed southwest Allen County quarry after a packed hearing, with opponents citing noise, water-table risks, traffic, and property values. Small Business & Jobs: Trine’s VITA effort filed 122 returns for low-income residents, and Terre Haute is formalizing its partnership with the Indiana Energy Saver Program for utility-bill relief. Enforcement: Indiana Securities ordered I Heart Mac and Cheese to pay $377,500 in penalties and stop franchising in the state over franchise-rule violations.

Public Safety: Indiana State Police say a routine I-80/94 traffic stop near the Illinois border turned deadly early Tuesday, with a trooper shot in the chest and a suspect killed after gunfire erupted. Consumer Protection: Indiana’s AG is among officials pushing action on online child safety, with Connecticut announcing an investigation into Roblox over alleged harm to children. Roads & Travel: INDOT released its 2026 chip-seal schedule, with crews starting June 1 on more than 300 lane miles in northeast Indiana. Retail & Local Business: BJ’s Wholesale Club announced three new Florida openings, while Indiana shoppers are also being told to check for a Walmart/Ollie’s toy recall tied to possible asbestos in specific squeeze-toy models. Energy Watch: Gas prices remain a mixed bag heading into summer travel, with Indiana-linked reporting highlighting how refinery outages and global oil tensions are still shaping what drivers pay.

NBA Playoff Shock: The New York Knicks are headed to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999 after a 130-93 Game 4 rout of the Cleveland Cavaliers, completing a 4-0 sweep and setting up a Finals matchup against the winner of the Thunder–Spurs series. Local Housing: In Garrett, a $1.7 million plan to renovate Rosedorf Park Apartments is moving forward, with the developer seeking a PILOT deal to keep taxes stable as property values rise post-renovation. Sports-to-Indiana Pipeline: Packers cornerback Ha Ha Clinton-Dix is backing Alabama rookie Domani Jackson, pointing to Jackson’s ability to thrive through adversity as he adjusts to the NFL. Memorial Day Spotlight: A push is growing to award homeless veteran advocate Robert Rosebrock the Presidential Medal of Freedom, highlighting decades of work bringing attention to veterans living on the streets. Public Health: The FDA says Raaw Energy is expanding a dog food recall over possible listeria contamination, adding another batch dated March 31, 2026.

Memorial Day Disruptions: Metronet reported scattered fiber outages Monday, with customers in Indiana and other states posting intermittent or complete service loss on holiday. Fuel Watch: GasBuddy’s latest week-ending May 16 data shows Indiana-area pricing pressure remains uneven—regular lows like $3.99 in Tattnall County and $4.09 in Wayne County, while premium and diesel stay higher and more volatile. Indy 500 Tech Talk: At the track, coverage highlighted why IndyCar/IMSA hybrids are landing better than F1’s 50/50 approach, with drivers and engineers pointing to practical lessons for the broader racing market. Local Community Notes: Leadership Jefferson County recognized 20 graduates, and an independent investigation is underway after a woman died in the Jefferson County Jail. Culture & Business: A new Caribbean fashion week is set for Casa de Campo in the Dominican Republic, signaling a bigger push to move the region’s luxury brand onto the global runway.

Indy 500 Aftermath: Alex Palou’s No. 10 Chip Ganassi Racing Honda failed post-race tech inspection over a front wing height issue, costing him five entrant points and triggering a $10,000 fine—his seventh-place finish still stands. Racing “Double” Bid: Katherine Legge’s Memorial Day Indy-Charlotte “double” ended early after an Indy 500 crash; she did finish the rain-shortened Coca-Cola 600 in 31st. Health Tech: TRIMEDX, based in Indianapolis, rolled out a conversational AI “technician agent” to help biomedical staff troubleshoot equipment faster inside its maintenance system. Food Safety: SKS Copack recalled specialty drinks sold in 25 states, including Indiana, citing possible salmonella contamination. Local Community: Bishop Luers students logged 1,500 volunteer hours during Sodalitas Day, helping schools, nonprofits, and senior living. Gas Watch: Indiana’s week-ending May 16 averages showed premium around $5.32 statewide, with Greene County’s lowest premium at $4.79.

Indy 500 “Double” Watch: Katherine Legge is set to become the first woman to attempt racing’s 1,100-mile Double—running the Indy 500 and NASCAR’s Coca-Cola 600 on the same day—while teams track weather in both Indianapolis and Charlotte, with rain again in the forecast. Local Infrastructure: INDOT contractor Dave O’Mara Contractors plans to close Ind. 3 south of Vernon starting June 1 for a box culvert replacement, with the closure between E. CR 125 S. and S. CR 50 E. Health & Pharma: Eli Lilly says its next-gen obesity drug retatrutide (TRIUMPH-1) produced up to ~30% weight loss in late-stage results, with the highest dose averaging about 28.3% over 80 weeks. Business/Industry: GM is pausing its $3.5B Indiana EV battery plant amid slowing demand. Culture/Comms: A new story argues Amish entrepreneurs are using AI more effectively than many corporate leaders—an attention-grabber for anyone managing messaging and operations.