Caesars Foundation of Floyd County Awards First $75,000 Small Business Loan to Industrial Fitness

by with No Comment 1si News1si Press Release

[NEW ALBANY, IN.] One Southern Indiana (1si) and Caesars Foundation of Floyd County are thrilled to announce Industrial Fitness, LLC as the newest recipient of funding through the Caesars Foundation of Floyd County Small Business Revolving Loan Fund. Industrial Fitness has been awarded a $75,000 loan, marking the first $75,000 loan awarded through the program.

Industrial Fitness, owned by Scott Klink and Sam Heavrin, is a new specialized strength and performance fitness facility located at 4343 Security Parkway in New Albany. The more than 8,000-square-foot facility will focus on powerlifting, bodybuilding, strength training, personal coaching and performance-based fitness programming.

“We are incredibly grateful to the Caesars Foundation for believing in Industrial Fitness and helping us take this next step,” said Scott Klink, President of Industrial Fitness. “This has been an excellent experience, and Rachael has been wonderful in guiding us along the way. We are truly grateful for the support!

Industrial Fitness was founded by Klink and Heavrin, who brought complementary business and entrepreneurial experience to the venture. The business is designed to serve individuals seeking a more specialized fitness environment centered around serious strength training, coaching, performance development and community.

“Small businesses are at the heart of a thriving community, and we are excited to support Scott and Sam as they bring Industrial Fitness to Floyd County,” said Tyler Bliss, Executive Director of the Caesars Foundation of Floyd County. “This loan represents a significant investment in their vision and in the continued growth of our local business community. We look forward to watching Industrial Fitness grow and seeing the impact it has on the community.”

The Caesars Foundation of Floyd County Small Business Revolving Loan Fund offers loans at favorable rates to eligible Floyd County businesses. Through its program the Caesars Foundation seeks to encourage economic development and strengthen the local business community. The Industrial Fitness loan represents the largest loan awarded through the program to date and the first $75,000 loan. For more information, contact Rachael Armstrong at One Southern Indiana at (812) 206-9021 or RachaelA@1si.org.

“One Southern Indiana is proud to help connect entrepreneurs with the resources they need to turn their ideas into successful businesses,” said Lance Allison, President and CEO of One Southern Indiana. “Industrial Fitness is a great example of what can happen when business owners are willing to invest in their vision and have the right support behind them. We are grateful to the Caesars Foundation for continuing to invest in Floyd County businesses and to Rachael for helping guide entrepreneurs through this process.”

About the Caesars Foundation of Floyd County

The Caesars Foundation of Floyd County is a private foundation created to benefit the Floyd County community. The Foundation’s philanthropic focus traditionally falls into the categories of grant-making to charitable non-profit organizations, educational scholarships, and program-related investments that encourage economic development. For more visit www.caesarsfoundationfc.org.

About One Southern Indiana
One Southern Indiana was formed in July of 2006 as the economic development organization and chamber of commerce serving Clark and Floyd counties. 1si’s mission is to provide connections, resources, and services that help businesses innovate and thrive in the Southern Indiana / Louisville metro area. For more, visit 1si.org.

For Additional Information:

Tyler Bliss

Executive Director

Phone: 812-945-4332

Email: Tyler@CaesarsFoundationFC.org

Rachael Armstrong

Small Business Navigator

Phone: (812) 206-9021

Email: RachaelA@1si.org

Melissa Sprigler

Vice President of Strategic Partnerships

Phone: (812) 945-0266

Email: MelissaS@1si.org

Nonprofit Spotlight: Dare to Care

by with No Comment 1si NewsNonprofit Spotlight

Dare to Care Food Bank is working to end hunger throughout Kentuckiana. They partner with hundreds of food pantries, shelters, emergency kitchens, and other community organizations to provide nutritious food to individuals and families.

Beyond food distribution, Dare to Care focuses on listening to community needs, addressing barriers to food access, and advocation for policies that help create a more equitable and food-secure community. Learn more about who they are and what they do by watching the video below.

Republic Bancorp Named to American Banker’s 2026 Top-Performing Banks List

by with No Comment Member News

National recognition highlights Republic's strong financial performance, disciplined growth, and client-focused approach.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (August 20, 2026) – Republic Bancorp, Inc., parent company of Republic Bank & Trust Company (“Republic” or the “Bank”), has been recognized by American Banker as one of its Top-Performing Banks with $2 billion to $10 billion in assets.


The annual ranking, developed in partnership with Capital Performance Group, evaluates banks nationwide using key performance metrics including profitability, return on equity, net interest margin, and growth.


Banks recognized on this year’s list benefited from improved efficiency, strong lending performance, deposit growth, and expanded net interest margins. Capital Performance Group noted that top-performing institutions demonstrated broad-based financial strength and the ability to distinguish themselves in increasingly competitive markets.


“Being acknowledged among the nation’s top-performing banks is a testament to the dedication of our associates and the trust our clients place in us every day,” said Republic Bancorp Executive Chair Steve Trager. “This honor reflects our commitment to delivering strong financial performance while investing in our people, technology, and communities to help our clients thrive.”


The recognition underscores Republic’s continued financial strength and disciplined approach to growth, as well as its commitment to delivering innovative banking solutions and exceptional service across its markets.


“Recognition like this reinforces that we’re moving in the right direction, but our focus remains on what’s next,” said Logan Pichel, President and Chief Executive Officer of Republic Bank. “We’re not content with standing still. Every day, we’re looking for new ways to enhance the client experience, strengthen our markets, and position Republic Bank for continued success.”


In addition to this honor, Republic is proud to be recognized by numerous local and national organizations for its impact as a leading financial institution, committed community partner, and preferred employer. Recent noteworthy financial and banking accolades include S&P Global Market Intelligence Top 50 Community Bank (2026, 2025, 2024), Raymond James Community Banker’s Cup (2026,2025), Newsweek Best Regional Bank (2026, 2025, 2024), Forbes’ World’s Best Bank (2026), and more.



About Republic Bank
Republic Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company”) is the parent company of Republic Bank & Trust Company (the “Bank”). The Bank currently operates 47 banking centers within five metropolitan statistical areas (“MSAs”) across five states: 22 banking centers in the Louisville MSA, serving Louisville, Prospect, Shelbyville, and Shepherdsville, Kentucky, and Floyds Knobs, Jeffersonville, and New Albany, Indiana; six banking centers in the Lexington MSA, serving Georgetown and Lexington, Kentucky; eight banking centers in the Cincinnati MSA, serving Cincinnati and West Chester, Ohio, and Bellevue, Covington, Crestview Hills, and Florence, Kentucky; seven banking centers in the Tampa MSA, serving Largo, New Port Richey, St. Petersburg, Seminole, and Tampa, Florida; and four banking centers in the Nashville MSA, serving Franklin, Murfreesboro, Nashville, and Spring Hill, Tennessee. The Bank also offers online banking at www.republicbank.com. The Company is headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky and, as of June 30, 2026, had approximately $7.06 billion in total assets. The Company’s Class A Common Stock is listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “RBCAA.”

Why the Fed Is Moving Closer to a Rate Cut

by with No Comment 1si NewsEconomic Development
Submitted by Uric Dufrene, Ph.D., Sanders Chair in Business, Indiana University Southeast
 

— Despite Growing Talk of a Rate Increase

There’s been a lot of debate about whether the Fed should cut or increase interest rates. The year started with expectations that the Fed would need to cut rates several times throughout the year. Then the Iran conflict kicked off in February, causing a resumption of higher prices, especially at the gas pump.

A resurging Consumer Price Index (CPI) then shifted the discussion to why the Fed might need to increase interest rates, with several Fed officials voicing their support for rate increases. At the most recent Fed meeting, there were three dissents against the decision to leave rates unchanged, with all three supporting a rate increase.

In my last column, I suggested that the Fed should in fact hold, but that there was a chance we could see a cut by the end of this year. Based on some of the recent economic data, we are moving closer to that happening.

The last employment report showed the economy lost 23,000 jobs in July. This was a big miss, with economists expecting a sizable increase in payrolls. Even worse, May and June payroll numbers were revised downward by a combined 103,000 jobs, putting both months at an average of only 41,000 jobs.

The year started out with stronger payroll gains, with gains in three out of the first four months exceeding the payroll gain of any month in 2025. Since then, job growth has been less than impressive.

Not only have payrolls been sluggish, employment from the household survey has also been moving in the wrong direction. Employment fell in July by 87,000 and is down by around 1 million from last year. That means about 1 million fewer workers are employed than a year ago.

Part of this is due to a shrinking labor force. The nation’s labor force is down about 1.4 million from last year, and the participation rate, the percentage of the working-age population either employed or looking for work, is down almost a full percentage point from last year.

Fewer workers available makes it more difficult to create jobs. You can’t create a job if there is no worker to fill the position! A declining labor force will push employers to rely more on capital instead of labor, boosting things like productivity and profitability, both positives for the economy.

Our Mid-Year Economic Outlook back in May expected regional payrolls, particularly Louisville Metro, to pick up. This was largely due to the signals we saw in manufacturing. There was at least one positive in the last jobs report, and that was in manufacturing.

Manufacturing added 5,000 jobs across the nation. While this is not a large number, manufacturing is finally seeing a turnaround from the dismal growth of the last few years. Manufacturing payrolls are beginning to pick up, and this will come as good news for states like Indiana and Kentucky. We are not going to see massive gains in manufacturing jobs, but the region should see a pickup in employment due to activity in manufacturing.

The other reason the Fed is likely to hold at its September meeting, setting itself up for a possible cut later this year, is on the inflation front. Inflation is on the downward slope again. Prices are not declining, but the rate of change is getting smaller. Over the past three months, the headline CPI has increased by only about 0.2%. Annualized, that puts the recent pace of inflation at less than 1%. And we get the same result if we remove the cost of food and energy.

If we continue to see weak payroll growth, as we have over the past couple of months, along with continued improvement on the inflation front, the argument for keeping interest rates elevated will become increasingly difficult to make. Another weak jobs report could be enough to move the Fed from holding rates steady to cutting them before the end of the year.

Bass Group Commercial Facilitates Lease for Holy Burger’s New Jeffersonville Location

by with No Comment Member News

JEFFERSONVILLE, Ind. — Bass Group Commercial is pleased to announce the successful lease of a new restaurant location for Holy Burger at 1487 E. 10th Street, Jeffersonville, Indiana.


The transaction was brokered by Rod Juarez of Bass Group Commercial, who represented Holy Burger in securing its newest location in this region. Matt Hill of Legacy Commercial Properties represented the property ownership in the lease transaction.


Holy Burger’s expansion to Jeffersonville brings another exciting dining option to one of the area’s up and coming commercial corridors. The new location will provide residents and visitors with convenient access to the restaurant’s popular menu while contributing to the continued growth and vibrancy of the East 10th Street business district.


“We’re excited to help Holy Burger establish its presence in Jeffersonville,” said Rod Juarez, Commercial Real Estate Broker with Bass Group Commercial. “This location offers excellent visibility and accessibility, making it a great fit for the restaurant’s continued growth. We appreciate the opportunity to work with Matt Hill and Legacy Commercial Properties to bring this transaction to a successful close.”


Bass Group Commercial continues to connect businesses with strategic locations throughout Southern Indiana and the Louisville metropolitan area, helping clients achieve their expansion and investment goals.


For more information about this project or other commercial real estate opportunities, please contact Bass Group Commercial at 502-552-1296.

Technical Resource Council Spotlight: Seth Pennington

by with No Comment 1si NewsMetro Manufacturing Alliance

For members who aren’t familiar with EOS, what is it in a nutshell—and what kind of manufacturer benefits most from it?

EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System®) is a complete set of simple, practical tools that helps leadership teams get aligned around a clear vision, create accountability, solve issues permanently, and execute consistently.

The manufacturers who benefit most aren’t necessarily struggling financially. They’re successful companies that have reached the point where growth has become more difficult than enjoyable. They’ve hit a ceiling and know they need a better way to run the business.

 

What’s the most common issue you see when you walk into a manufacturing business for the first time?

Almost every time, I find that the business is dependent on a few key people—usually the owner.

Everyone is working incredibly hard, but there’s very little clarity around accountability, priorities, or decision-making. The leadership team spends more time reacting than leading.

The good news is that’s fixable.

 

Owner-led manufacturers often say they’re “too busy putting out fires” to work on the business itself. How does EOS address that?

That’s probably the most common thing I hear.

EOS doesn’t eliminate problems—it gives you a better way to solve them.

Instead of reacting to symptoms every day, leadership teams learn to identify root causes, solve them once, and move on. Over time, the number of fires decreases because you’re building a healthier business instead of constantly patching leaks.

 

How do you measure success with a client? What changes in 90 days versus a year?

After 90 days, I want the leadership team speaking the same language. Meetings become more productive, priorities become clearer, accountability starts improving, and the team begins solving issues with greater discipline.

After a year, the transformation is much more visible.

The company begins running on a consistent system instead of relying on heroic effort. The leadership team communicates more openly, trusts one another more, solves issues faster, and makes better decisions together. Accountability becomes clearer throughout the organization, departments work more effectively across functions, and the business gains the discipline needed to execute its vision consistently.

Welcome New Members | July 2026

by with No Comment 1si NewsWelcome New Members

One Southern Indiana welcomes the following members that joined or rejoined during the month of July 2026.

Thank You for Renewing Your Membership | July 2026

by with No Comment 1si NewsThank Your for Renewing Your Membership

One Southern Indiana would like to thank the following members for renewing their membership during the month of July 2026.

 

Quarter Century Club (25 Years or More)Member Since
Clark County REMC1976
Geo. Pfau’s Sons Company, Inc.1976
Bachman Auto Group1976
Water Tower Square1977
Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana, Inc.1982
The Marketing Company1985
Southern Indiana Works1988
Hosparus Health of Southern Indiana1990
MAC Construction & Excavating, Inc.1992
Nimlok Kentucky1994
Taco Bell1994
Kentucky Derby Festival, Inc.1997
The Stemler Corporation2001
  
10-24 Years 
Harrison County Convention & Visitors Bureau2007
Sounds Unlimited Productions2009
Timmel Richards Stengel Law2009
Heritage Engineering, LLC2012
ProMedia Group, LLC2013
Estes Waste Solutions, LLC2014
Clark Dietz, Inc.2014
Taylor Siefker Williams Design Group2015
Church, Langdon, Lopp, Banet Law2016
Habitat for Humanity Clark & Floyd Indiana2016
J & C Technologies2016
Kaiser Home Support Services, Inc.2016
  
5-9 Years 
ProRehab Physical Therapy2017
Signature Countertops, Inc.2017
Johnson-Witkemper, Inc.2019
Post-Acute Medical (PAM) of Greater Indiana2020
Board and You Bistro2020
Clark/Floyd System of CARE & Prevent Child Abuse2021
Guerin Woods2021
  
2-4 Years 
The Dermatology Center – New Albany2022
Louisville Low Voltage LLC2022
Geoghegan Roofing2023
Ramada Inn2023
Bone Dry Roofing 2024
  
One Year 
MAS Consulting, LLC2025
Indiana Business Empowerment2025
Jacob’s Well2025
Flooring Concepts2025
WNS Security2025

First Merchants CEO Mark Hardwick Named to IBJ Media’s Indiana 250

by with No Comment Member News

First Merchants Bank CEO Mark Hardwick was recently named to IBJ Media’s Indiana 250.

Each year, IBJ Media’s Indiana 250 recognizes the most influential leaders across the state in business, government, education, healthcare, nonprofit organizations, arts and entertainment, and more. Hardwick was recognized in the financial & business services category.

Hardwick joined First Merchants Corp. in November 1997 as corporate controller and worked his way up from chief financial officer (2002); leadership responsibilities related to operations, technology and risk management for the corporation (2007); chief operating officer (2016); and, finally, CEO (2021).

First Merchants has been headquartered in Indiana for more than 130 years and serves the Midwest across communities in Indiana, Ohio and Michigan. First Merchants serves the Southern Indiana community businesses and residents, as well as expanding its investment through a new Floyds Knobs branch.

Indiana University Southeast Appoints Dr. Patricia Spurr as Nursing Program Director

by with No Comment Member News

NEW ALBANY, Ind. — Indiana University Southeast has announced the appointment of Dr. Patricia Spurr, Ed.D., MSN, CNE, FRE, RN as the new Nursing Program Director, bringing to the university an accomplished leader in nursing education, accreditation, curriculum development, and student success.

Spurr joins IU Southeast following a distinguished career spanning nursing practice, higher education leadership, and regulatory service. Most recently, she served as Chair of Health Sciences at Spalding University, a position she held from 2017 to 2025. Her experience also includes leadership roles as Chair of a School of Nursing, BSN Program Director, Associate Dean, and RN-to-BSN Program Director. She has served as a Nursing Education Consultant for the Kentucky Board of Nursing and as both a Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and a Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACS-COC) accreditation site visitor. Spurr will begin her new position at IU Southeast on Aug. 1.

“Dr. Spurr brings an exceptional combination of leadership, academic expertise, and deep knowledge of nursing accreditation and regulatory compliance,” said Dr. Michelle Williams, Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at IU Southeast. “Her extensive experience supporting curriculum innovation, student achievement, faculty development, and program quality makes her uniquely qualified to lead our nursing program into its next chapter.”

As Nursing Program Director, Spurr will provide leadership for curriculum development and assessment, accreditation and state board compliance, faculty coordination, student support initiatives, clinical partnerships, strategic planning, and continuous program improvement. Her role will help ensure that IU Southeast’s nursing graduates are prepared to meet the evolving healthcare needs of Southern Indiana and the broader region.

Throughout her career, Spurr has been recognized as a champion for student success and nursing excellence. She has presented nationally on student retention, National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) preparation, nursing regulation, academic integrity, and innovative approaches to nursing education. Her work has focused on creating learning environments that support student persistence, achievement, and professional readiness.

“Dr. Spurr’s steadfast commitment and dedication to student success reinforces the Nursing Program’s record of excellence in preparing highly qualified graduates,” noted Dr. Quinn Dauer, Interim Dean of the College of Health, Nursing, and Sciences. “Through her leadership, the Nursing Program will continue to equip nurses with the knowledge, skills, and compassion needed to strengthen the region’s healthcare workforce and enhance the well-being of our communities.”

A Certified Nurse Educator and Fellow in the National Council of State Boards of Nursing’s Institute of Regulatory Excellence, Spurr has contributed to nursing education and accreditation efforts at institutions across the country. Her experience evaluating nursing programs and guiding continuous improvement initiatives has established her as a respected voice in the profession.

“I am honored to join Indiana University Southeast and to work alongside the talented nursing faculty, staff, students, and healthcare partners who contribute to the program’s success,” said Dr. Spurr. “Nursing education is at a pivotal moment, and I look forward to supporting student success, maintaining excellence in accreditation and regulatory compliance, and preparing graduates to meet the healthcare needs of our communities.”

IU Southeast’s Nursing Program has a long history of preparing highly skilled and compassionate healthcare professionals who serve the region’s hospitals, clinics, and healthcare organizations. The addition of Spurr reflects the university’s continued investment in academic quality, student achievement, and workforce development.

 

About IU Southeast: Indiana University Southeast is a regional campus of Indiana University located in New Albany, Indiana, just six miles from downtown Louisville, Kentucky. With more than 3,750 students, IU Southeast offers high-quality, nationally accredited, academic programs in business, communication and technology; health, nursing and sciences; education; arts and human services; and other fields aligned with regional workforce needs. Through partnerships with employers and community organizations, IU Southeast prepares graduates with the knowledge, skills and experiences to succeed in a changing workforce and contribute to the economic vitality of the Kentuckiana region. Students from 10 Kentucky counties are eligible for in-state tuition through an Indiana-Kentucky reciprocity agreement, while other Kentucky residents may qualify for reduced tuition through the Indiana Partner Program. For more information, visit southeast.iu.edu.