IU Southeast Garners 2025 Best Colleges Rankings from U.S. News & World Report

by with No Comment Member News

NEW ALBANY, Ind. (September 27, 2024) –Indiana University Southeast garnered several prestigious rankings from the U.S. News & World Report annual college rankings.

Among citations, IU Southeast ranked #50 in Top Public Schools, #82 in Top Performers on Social Mobility, #138 in Regional Universities Midwest, and #218 in Top Undergraduate Nursing (BSN). IU Southeast’s rankings placed them first or second within each category compared to other colleges and universities within the Louisville metropolitan area. U.S. News analyzed more than 1,800 colleges and universities to determine their rankings.

“These rankings use a variety of indicators to assess aspects of educational quality,” said Michelle Williams, Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs. “Indiana University Southeast consistently places at the top of the list of local colleges and universities, making it a great choice with clear measures of excellence. Whether you want to look at academic program quality, return on investment, career outcomes, alumni engagement, student experience, social mobility, or other measures, IU Southeast provides students with transformative educational experiences.”

“Now in its 40th year, the Best Colleges rankings continue to be a trusted source of information for students and their families,” says LaMont Jones, Ed.D., managing editor for Education at U.S. News. “By considering factors such as social mobility and post-graduate success, we aim to help students choose schools that not only provide a quality education but also prepare them for a successful and fulfilling future.” 

“The US News rankings show how IU Southeast offers quality and affordable higher education while improving the social mobility of our graduates,” said Debbie Ford, Chancellor of IU Southeast.  “Just over half of our graduates complete their degrees with zero debt and over 80 percent of our graduates remain in the region we serve to live and work.”

The 2025 Best Colleges methodology is calculated using up to 17 key measures of academic quality for National Universities and 13 indicators for the National Liberal Arts Colleges, Regional Universities, and Regional Colleges. The formula uses data universally reported by schools or obtainable from third-party sources.

IU Southeast has three nationally recognized, accredited schools including the School of Business, School of Education, and School of Nursing. Through an agreement with the Commonwealth of Kentucky, Indiana University Southeast offers in-state tuition to students enrolled from eight counties in the Louisville region, making it the best financial value among four-year colleges and universities in the region.

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About IU Southeast:  IU Southeast is one of seven campuses of Indiana University. Offering more than 150 degree programs and concentrations, the scenic 180-acre campus is located less than 15 minutes from downtown Louisville, Kentucky. It currently has over 3,750 students and employs over 360 faculty members. About 400 students live on campus in five fully furnished, lodge-style residence halls. Through an agreement with the Commonwealth of Kentucky, Indiana University Southeast offers in-state tuition to students enrolled from eight counties in the Louisville region. IU Southeast has three nationally recognized, accredited schools including the School of Business, School of Education, and School of Nursing. For more information, visit www.ius.edu. IU Southeast is a tobacco-free campus.

 

Economic Update | Local Payrolls Accelerated – State Unemployment Rates Increase

by with No Comment Economic Development

submitted by
Uric Dufrene, Ph.D., Sanders Chair in Business, Indiana University Southeast

Job counts by the county level are out for early 2024, and the data show continued growth in payrolls for Southern Indiana (Clark, Floyd, Harrison, Scott, Washington). The latest QCEW (Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages) data show that the five counties added 1,389 jobs, compared to the prior year. This was an acceleration from the last quarter of 2023, after hitting a trough of a plus 609 in the 3rd quarter of 2023. Transportation and warehousing was the leading industry in terms of job creation, adding another 972 positions compared to the prior year. This is the second consecutive quarter that transportation and warehousing saw positive job growth. Coming out of the pandemic, transportation and warehousing job creation had surged but saw retrenchment in late 2022 and 2023. Healthcare payroll growth decelerated from the previous quarter, adding another 687 jobs. While this was a slower pace, healthcare has been the leading industry in job creation since the 4th quarter of 2022.  In that quarter, accommodation and food services led all industries with an addition of 1,524 jobs. 

Manufacturing saw another drop in payrolls. Manufacturing jobs have shown declines in the past four quarters, and from the first quarter of 2023 to the first quarter of 2024, payrolls are down by 855. Nationally, manufacturing has been in a slump, with the ISM Index under 50 since 2022, except for one month.  An ISM under 50 signifies contraction, and this slump shows up in payroll declines across Southern Indiana. Higher interest rates have strained growth in interest rate-sensitive sectors like manufacturing.  Auto sales, a key driver of manufacturing production in Indiana and Kentucky, are at historically low levels, and this is likely contributing to local manufacturing job losses.   

Accommodation and food services saw another drop in payrolls, declining by 219 jobs. Accommodation and food services are now down in job growth for three consecutive quarters, reversing some of the strong gains over 2022.   Even with the declines of 2023 and 2024, total payrolls are about 1,000 higher than pre-pandemic totals.    

Statewide, unemployment rates for Indiana and Kentucky saw another uptick for the month of August. Indiana’s unemployment rate increased to 4.2%, compared to 3.4% the year prior. In Kentucky, the unemployment rate inched closer to 5%, with the latest reading at 4.8%.   This compares to 4.2% the year prior. In both states, the number of unemployed increased. Indiana fared better with job growth, with the latest data showing an addition of 20,000 jobs state-wide.  Kentucky saw a small decline in growth for August. 

The Fed threw a surprise last week with a 50-basis points decline in the Fed Funds rate. This was not completely unexpected.  During the prior week, sentiment had shifted, and a decline of 50 basis points became increasingly likely. Initial market reaction was muted, with the major indexes finishing down on the day. However, equity markets surged the day after, with all major indices up more than 1% each. Uncertainties remain, but the economy continues to move in the direction of a soft landing. 

As we move past inflation as the economic indicator to watch, measures about the labor market and the consumer will take on increasing importance. The employment report is back to the top as the Super Bowl of economic indicators, and because the consumer drives 2/3rds of the U.S. economy, consumer-related economic indicators will be watched closely was well. 

River Ridge Development Authority Doubles Down on Prioritizing Higher Wages with Future Projects

by with No Comment Member News

effersonville, IN (September 16, 2024) – At its September monthly meeting, the River Ridge Development Authority (RRDA) Board of Directors took a significant step in enhancing local economic growth. By unanimous vote, the Board approved a resolution prohibiting the future sale of a large portion of remaining land within the Commerce Center to companies whose projected average wage is not greater than the current Clark County average wage.

The resolution requires that new positions created within the specified area offer an aggregated average hourly wage above the county’s current rate, which for 2024 is $24.44 per hour, according to the Indiana Economic Development Corporation. Future wage rates will be adjusted on a yearly basis, and the map below highlights the portion of land that will fall under this new prohibition.

“With today’s action, the Board of Directors is reinforcing River Ridge’s commitment to our region by ensuring that companies locating within the Commerce Center are creating quality jobs. It has always been our mission to provide residents throughout our community with the types of employment opportunities with which they can support themselves and their families, and be proud of RRDA,” said Jerry Acy, Executive Director of RRDA. “The mission of the River Ridge Development Authority is to replace the lost economic impact from the closure of the former Indiana Army Ammunition Plant, and today’s resolution further emphasizes that mission.”

River Ridge’s action is applauded by other local leaders. Tony Waterson, President & CEO of Southern Indiana Works, the local workforce development board, said in response to the decision, “The River Ridge Development Authority Board of Directors today took a huge step in advancing quality job and career opportunities for labor throughout our region. The River Ridge Commerce Center is one of the key drivers of our local and regional economy and their commitment to putting the needs of our region’s workforce first is commendable.”

The RRDA anticipates that these measures will contribute to a more balanced and equitable development process, aligning growth with the broader goals of community enhancement and economic health.

Additional resolutions approved by the RRDA Board at today’s meeting include:

  • Negotiation of Sale for Tract 31C
  • Sewer Improvements Geotechnical Exploration Contract for Tract 19C
  • 2024 Pavement Repairs Construction Contract
  • RRCC Water System Resiliency Project – Division A Construction Contract
  • Water Main Relocation Construction Contract – Tract 16D


Board Meeting Materials Now Available Online
Additionally, as part of its commitment to transparency and accessibility, the RRDA announced that materials from its board meetings are now accessible on its website at
www.RiverRidgeCC.com.

About River Ridge Development Authority
The River Ridge Development Authority, spanning over 6,000 prime acres, has become a source of major economic development for the Louisville-Southern Indiana region. Established to mitigate the economic impact of the shuttered Indiana Army Ammunition Plant, the River Ridge Development Authority has evolved its mission to meet the tailored needs of the community. Our goal extends beyond mere replacement of lost revenue to creating a premier destination for advanced manufacturing, distribution, and industrial companies from across the nation and around the globe.

Serving as home to more than 80 companies, RRDA contributed an estimated $2.93 billion to the region’s economic output in 2023, supporting over 18,000 jobs. In addition, RRDA funded approximately $20 million in capital projects in 2023. These initiatives include vital infrastructure improvements, including $5.9 million in roadway projects, $6.2 million in utility enhancements, and $3.5 million allocated to demolition and site preparation.

Nonprofit Spotlight | Volunteers of America Mid-States

by with No Comment Nonprofit Spotlight

Volunteers of America Mid-States
2676 Charlestown Rd., Suite 10
New Albany, IN  47150
Phone:  (502) 384-0868 Ext. 4
www.voamid.org
Contact Person:  Mary Ellen Howard, Sr. Director of Communications & Marketing

Agency Mission Statement or Description:

Year established: 1896

Counties/regions serviced: Clark & Floyd counties in Indiana

Focus areas: Volunteers of America Mid-States operates three service lines in Southern Indiana—VOA Honor which is Veteran support, VOA Community which is housing and supported employment for adults with Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities, and VOA Health provides grassroots outreach designed to address the root causes of health disparities and inequities by focusing on the social determinants of health and connecting area residents with access to high-quality health care.

Impact in community: We empower communities through human service. In this area our services are for veterans, adults with disabilities and connecting area residents to high-quality healthcare. Also, distributing safe sex supplies and providing education resources.

Volunteer Opportunities:
How 1si members can help your organization: We have volunteer opportunities like hosting a donation drives in the community. This can be for clothing, personal hygiene supplies and we also collect frozen turkeys in November.

Additional information:
Volunteers of America Mid-States operates three service lines in Southern Indiana—VOA Honor, VOA Community, and VOA Health.

VOA Honor offers a Supportive Services for Veteran Families program (SSVF), which helps low-income veteran families who reside in or are transitioning to permanent housing secure residential stability. VOA Honor also has a VOA’s Moral Injury and Preventing Suicide (MIPS) program, which provides case management to connect veterans, active-duty members, and veterans who are first responders to mental health services that prevent suicide and address moral injury, bringing stability to them and their families.

VOA Community provides Developmental Disability Services, which help individuals with developmental disabilities live safe, healthy, and engaged lives. Services include health care coordination, transportation, and around-the-clock care. The Clark County and Floyd County Indiana program is comprised of a network of nine neighborhood-based homes, community-based services, and in-home care. Also, those able are encouraged to become involved in their communities, which is made possible through VOA’s support staff and other specialized services.

VOA Community also has a Supported Employment team work to find fulfilling, rewarding, and productive jobs for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. We work with area employers to find jobs that match our individuals’ skill sets and abilities. We look to put them in a position to succeed personally and to be valuable employees in their workplaces.

VOA Health operates a Determined Health program with a Community Health Worker who provides grassroots outreach designed to address the root causes of health disparities and inequities by focusing on the social determinants of health and connecting area residents with access to high-quality health care. Our Outreach and Prevention program also distributes safe sex supplies in Clark and Floyd Counties.

Carol Dan Browning Named to 2025 Lawdragon 500  Leading Litigators in America

by with No Comment Member News

Browning is One of Two Kentucky Attorneys Honored 

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Sept. 12, 2024)—Lawdragon has named Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorney Carol Dan Browning to the 2025 Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators in America. This is the second consecutive time that Browning has been recognized by Lawdragon for her work in professional liability and drug and medical device litigation. She is one of only two Kentucky attorneys honored in 2025. 

Honorees of the Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators in America are selected from nominations and candidates identified through extensive independent research. The guide recognizes the top litigators in the U.S. in the following areas: antitrust, intellectual property, white collar and investigations, securities and corporate governance litigation, and a wide variety of class actions, product liability and other complex civil litigation.  

Browning is a Member (Partner) based in Stites & Harbison’s Louisville, Ky., office. She is Chair of the Pharmaceuticals & Medical Device Litigation Group and Co-Chair of the Torts & Insurance Practice Group. She is an accomplished trial attorney who has tried more than 35 cases to jury verdict in multiple jurisdictions. She is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, North America’s preeminent organization of trial lawyers. Browning’s practice includes drug and medical device litigation, products liability and medical malpractice defense. She serves as national or state counsel for multiple drug, medical device and product manufacturers and is involved in multi-district litigation pending in various federal district courts and in coordinated litigation pending in state courts throughout Kentucky. 

Browning stays active in a variety of professional and community organizations. She is a member of the Defense Research Institute, the International Association of Defense Counsel and the Product Liability Advisory Council. She also previously served on the Louisville Ballet’s Board of Directors. Within the firm, she is a former member of the Management Committee. 

About Stites & Harbison 

Stites & Harbison, PLLC is a nationally recognized, full-service law firm. With 11 offices across six states — Kentucky, Georgia, Indiana, Ohio, Tennessee and Virginia — the firm represents clients across the United States and internationally. Tracing its origins to 1832, Stites & Harbison is known as a preeminent firm managing sophisticated transactions, challenging litigation and complex regulatory matters on a daily basis. For more information, visit www.stites.com. 

Clarksville Celebrating Completion of New Mural with Ribbon-Cutting

by with No Comment Member News

The expansive mural was commissioned by the Cornerstone Group in Downtown Clarksville.

CLARKSVILLE, IN (September 9, 2024) – The Clarksville Arts Commission will be celebrating the completion of Clarksville’s newest art installation with a special ribbon-cutting ceremony on Monday, September 16th.  Area residents and members of the community are invited to learn more about the project and the artist behind it.  The mural covers nearly the entire side of a building at the intersection of Main Street and Court Avenue.

Artist Damon Thompson is a full-time mural artist based in Louisville, Kentucky, and a 1997 graduate of Dupont Manual High School’s Visual Arts magnet program. For more than 15 years, Damon was represented by the Tim Faulkner Gallery, a major presence in Louisville’s art scene. After the gallery’s recent closure, he transitioned to representing himself and launched his own website, damonpaints.com, where he showcases prints of his murals and original artwork. 

Damon gained widespread recognition during the early days of the COVID pandemic, completing 43 murals in Louisville in just six weeks, from March 20 to May 8, 2020.   His latest work is the expansive Clarksville mural in Clarksville, Indiana, featuring a series of murals embedded in each letter of the town’s name, celebrating the history and culture of Southern Indiana.

Damon will be available for interviews following a short presentation and ribbon-cutting with the Clarksville Arts Commission.

WHAT:              Ribbon Cutting for New Clarksville Mural

WHEN:             Monday, September 16th @ 5:30pm

WHERE:           Intersection of Court Ave and Main St. – Clarksville, IN

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BBB’s Annual Shred & Electronics Recycling Event to be Held on Saturday, September 28th

by with No Comment Member News

September 9, 2024 – BBB serving Greater Kentucky and South Central Indiana will hold its annual Shred & Electronics Recycling Event on Saturday, September 28th from 10 am to 2 pm at RML Shredding.

BBB will partner with RML Shredding and River Metals Recycling for this free community event. Individuals can bring old documents (up to four boxes) for shredding and/or old electronics for secure recycling. Visit bbb.org for a full list of items eligible for recycling.

New this year, the event will be held at RML Shredding and food trucks will be on-site as well. Drop off your old documents and electronics, and grab lunch while you’re there!

BBB’s Shred & Electronics Recycling Event is free to the public, but donations are appreciated. Proceeds go to BBB Consumer Education Fund’s support of scam prevention programs, BBB Charity Review program, student scholarships, and more!

BBB Annual Shred & Electronics Recycling Event

When: Saturday, September 28th
10 am to 2pm

Where: RML Shredding
1925 Production Dr, Louisville, KY 40299

Cost: Free (donations appreciated) 

For more information and media inquiries, contact Whitney Adkins, Director of Communications, at wadkins@ky-in.bbb.org.

ABOUT BBB: For more than 100 years, the Better Business Bureau has been helping people find businesses, brands and charities they can trust. The International Association of Better Business Bureaus is the umbrella organization for the local, independent BBBs in the United States, Canada and Mexico. BBB’s Louisville and Lexington offices merged in 2022 to form BBB Serving Greater Kentucky and South Central Indiana, which serves 108 counties in Kentucky and 10 counties in Southern Indiana.

Economic Update | An Employment Report for All

by with No Comment 1si NewsEconomic Development

submitted by
Uric Dufrene, Ph.D., Sanders Chair in Business, Indiana University Southeast

The Super Bowl of economic indicators was released last week, and there was news for the pessimists and optimists. On the negative side, payrolls rebounded from the prior month, increasing by 142,000, compared to 114,000 the prior month. While the 142,000 gain was an uptick from July, it was less than the consensus forecast of 165,000. Manufacturing, in a slump for more than a year, saw a decline of 24,000 jobs. The decline was attributed to a 25,000 drop in jobs in durable goods manufacturing.     

Health care continued the upward rise in job creation, adding another 31,000 payrolls. Construction saw an unexpected pick-up, adding 34,000 jobs, higher than the 12-month average of 19,000. The average workweek increased from 34.2 hours to 34.3, and average hourly earnings increased by .4%, higher than anticipated.    

On the plus side, the unemployment rate ticked back down to 4.2%. The labor force expanded by 120,000, but employment increased by 168,000. This combination led to an overall decline in unemployment and the unemployment rate. Last month, the unemployment rate increased, and this was partially attributed to the spike in temporary unemployment. Temporary unemployment fell again this month, and this was one of the reasons for the unemployment rate decline.   

Prior month revisions shaved 86,000 in payrolls from the prior two months. This slower payroll growth will be closely scrutinized by the Fed at the September meeting, along with the higher-than-expected increase in average hourly earnings.   

More signs of a labor market slowdown came last week with the release of the Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS).  Job openings declined to a level last observed in early 2021 and are almost on par with the number of unemployed. Openings exceeded the number of unemployed by double back in early 2022. The balance between openings and unemployed does reflect the normalization of the labor market, but we should expect the number of unemployed to exceed job openings as we move through 2024 and into 2025.    

Turning to Indiana and Kentucky, we are seeing an overall increase in unemployment rates. Kentucky’s unemployment rate is up to 5.3%, compared to 4.6% last year. Indiana’s unemployment rate is up to 5%, up from 3.7% last year. Job growth in both states has slowed, with manufacturing showing declines from last year. Indiana manufacturing jobs are down 6,000 and Kentucky down by 4,000. 

Softening is also evident across Indiana and Kentucky metro regions.  All Kentucky metro areas now have an unemployment rate that exceeds 5%, except for Lexington. The highest unemployment rate is Elizabethtown at 5.5%, and Lexington had the lowest at 4.3%. Indiana has several metro areas with unemployment rates well above 5%.   Kokomo has the highest at 7%, and Muncie is just behind with an unemployment rate of 6.3%.   

40-year high inflation resulted in higher interest rates, impacting rate-sensitive sectors like manufacturing, and this shows up through weaker payroll growth or losses.   One example of the impact of higher interest rates on IN and KY manufacturing is in the auto industry.  Higher interest rates suppressed auto sales due to the higher cost of financing.  Kentucky and Indiana are heavy auto manufacturing states, and the historically low auto sales nationwide also impact manufacturing employment in both states.  National manufacturing has been in a slump, and heavy manufacturing states, like Indiana and Kentucky, are feeling the effects of this slower manufacturing environment. 

We can still expect a rate reduction of .25% by the Fed at their September meeting. Some are calling for a reduction of .5%, but the economy is not weak enough to justify it.   We’ll likely see similar cuts of .25% in November and December. Last week saw a drop in the 10-Year Treasury yield, so we will likely see additional progress in lower mortgage rates. Declining interest rates will provide a stimulus to interest rate sectors, and the economy overall.  The consumer continues to show some resilience, and while we continue to believe that the economy will be in a soft patch, we are still not ready to call a recession. 

Now Seeking Nominations and Applications for the 2024 ONCE Awards!

by with No Comment 1si News
AWARD CATEGORIES
  • Duke Energy Kevin Hammersmith Community Leader
  • Axiom Financial Strategies Group James W. Robinson Young Professional of the Year
  • Kightlinger & Gray, LLP Sam Day Professional of the Year
  • Rising Star Award is given to a company who has been in business from 1-5 years.
  • Cherry Bekaert Business of the Year Award for companies with 50 or less employees
  • German American Bank Business of the Year Award for companies with 51 or more employees
  • Centra Credit Union Non-Profit Program of the Year
  • Ivy Tech Community College DE&I Initiative Award
  • Minority Business of the Year
  • Harding, Shymanski & Company, P.S.C. Manufacturer of the Year

NOMINATE

If you know an individual or organization that should apply for one of the following ONCE Award categories, click here to nominate them. 

APPLY

If you would like to apply for one of the categories, click here to complete the application.

The 2024 ONCE Awards will be held on Thursday, November 14th at Caesars Southern Indiana so SAVE THE DATE!

Thanks for Renewing Your Membership | August 2024

by with No Comment Thank Your for Renewing Your Membership

One Southern Indiana would like to thank the following members for renewing their membership during the month of August 2024.

Quarter Century Club (25 Years or More)Member Since
Frank Stemler & Sons dba Stemler Plumbing1977
AAA Hoosier Motor Club1984
Chase1988
Community Foundation of Southern Indiana1995
Chemtrusion, Inc.1996
Renaissance Design Build, Inc.1999
  
Ten to 24 Years 
Youth Link Southern Indiana2004
Caesars Foundation of Floyd County2005
Mariner Wealth Advisors2005
Impact Sales Systems2007
Talis Group, Inc.2007
Northern Continental Logistics2008
American Beverage Marketers, Inc.2009
C3 Tech2009
Town of Clarksville2009
HJI Supply Chain Solutions2010
Lindsey Wilson College2010
LifeSpan Resources, Inc.2012
Lotus Sign & Design2012
Brown-Forman2014
World Trade Center Kentucky2014
  
Five to Nine Years 
Louisville Orthopaedic Clinic2015
Knapheide Truck Equipment Co.2016
Louisville Zoo2016
South Central Regional Airport Authority2016
Groups Recover Together2017
PMC Regional Hospital2017
Franklin Pest Solutions2018
KY-IN Paralyzed Veterans of America2018
McRae Enterprises, LLC2018
Cattleman’s Roadhouse2019
Progressive Material s2019
Wooded Glen Recovery Center2019
  
Two to Four Years 
Big O Tires – Sellersburg2020
Conrad Brothers Moving & Storage2020
East End Crossing Partners2020
Hilton Garden Inn Jeffersonville Louisville North2020
Idemitsu Lubricants America Corporation2020
Avant-Garde Turnstiles2021
Harry’s Taphouse and Kitchen2021
River City Bank of Kentucky2021
Southern Indiana United Soccer Club2021
Stein Law2021
Zoeller Pump Company2021
CertaPro Painters of Kentuckiana2022
EightTwenty2022
Lamar Advertising2022
Louisville Low Voltage LLC2022
RQAW Corporation2022
Shrewsberry & Associates, LLC2022
Taft Law2022
TNT Fireworks2022
Upland Brewing Company2022
  
One Year 
AJ Business Consulting2023
Alee Solutions 2023
Charleston Place at New Albany2023
Classic Truss and Wood Components, Inc.2023
Cornerstone Insurance Agency, LLC2023
Lilys SoftWash LLC2023
Office Resources, Inc.2023
Resort 4 Paws2023
Unbreakable Bonds Catering LLC2023
Versa Designed Surfaces2023