IBJ Media Releases Indiana 250 List, Lance Allison Identified as one of the Most Influential Leaders in Indiana

by with No Comment 1si News1si Press Release

Fifth Annual List Recognizes Leaders from Every Region, Key Industries

INDIANAPOLIS (July 21, 2026) — IBJ Media, the locally owned publisher of Indianapolis Business Journal, Inside INdiana Business and The Indiana Lawyer, announced today its fifth annual Indiana 250 list, identifying the state’s most influential business and community leaders.

The list, available at Indiana250.com, includes leaders from both public and private organizations across a wide range of industries and regions.

“The Indiana 250 celebrates and recognizes the contributions of Indiana’s boldest thinkers and doers shaping the future of our state,” said Nate Feltman, CEO and publisher of IBJ Media. “Now in its fifth year, the Indiana 250 has become the premiere celebration of those who are investing their talent and passion to make Indiana a great place to live and work.”

The list was compiled by IBJ Media executives, editors and newsroom staff following a months-long process of reviewing nominations, researching Indiana organizations and consulting community leaders across the state.

IBJ Media launched the Indiana 250 program in 2022, and 84 leaders have appeared on the list all five years.

“The people on this list are not just leaders in their fields, they are champions for their communities and catalysts for growth and innovation across Indiana,” Feltman added. “The Indiana 250 program enables us to foster connections among the honorees and amplify their collective impact for all Hoosiers.”

Among those returning to the list are CEOs of some of the state’s largest public and private companies, including David Ricks of Eli Lilly and Co., Gail Boudreaux of Elevance Health, Jennifer Rumsey of Cummins Inc., Dan Starr of Do it Best Corp., Scott Davison of OneAmerica Financial, Ken Zagzebski of AES, Pete Yonkman of Cook Medical, Jim Ryan of Old National Bank and Brent Yeagy of Wabash.

IBJ Media added nearly 60 new executives this year, including Brian Burdick of Barnes & Thornburg, Kelly Krauskopf of the Indiana Fever, Tina Peterson of Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County and Regional Opportunity Initiatives, and Dr. Cameual Wright of CareSource.

Elected officials are not eligible for the list.

Melissa Sprigler Completes ACCE Next Generation Leadership Program

by with No Comment 1si News1si Press ReleaseUncategorized

NEW ALBANY, Ind. — One Southern Indiana (1si) is proud to announce that Vice President of Strategic Partnerships Melissa Sprigler has successfully completed the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) Next Generation Leadership Program, a nationally recognized professional development initiative designed to prepare emerging leaders for executive leadership within the chamber of commerce industry.

The ACCE Next Generation Leadership Program brings together high-potential chamber professionals from across the United States and Canada for an immersive experience focused on leadership development, strategic thinking, industry best practices, and peer collaboration. Through mentorship, executive-level training, and relationship building, participants gain the knowledge and skills needed to strengthen their organizations and communities while preparing for future leadership roles.

Sprigler’s completion of the program reflects both her commitment to professional growth and 1si’s ongoing investment in developing exceptional leaders who can deliver meaningful value to businesses and the Southern Indiana region.

“Melissa has consistently demonstrated a passion for serving our investors, building meaningful partnerships, and advancing the mission of One Southern Indiana,” said Lance Allison, President and CEO of One Southern Indiana. “Her successful completion of the ACCE Next Generation Leadership Program is a testament to her leadership potential and dedication to continuous learning. We are proud of this accomplishment and excited to see the knowledge, ideas, and relationships she has gained translate into even greater impact for our members and our region.”

As Vice President of Strategic Partnerships, Sprigler leads investor engagement and strategic relationship development for 1si, working closely with businesses, community leaders, and regional partners to strengthen the organization’s mission of driving economic growth and enhancing the quality of life throughout Southern Indiana.

“Professional development is essential to ensuring our organization continues to evolve and meet the changing needs of the business community,” Allison added. “Melissa’s achievement strengthens not only her own leadership journey but also the future leadership capacity of One Southern Indiana.”

One Southern Indiana remains committed to investing in its team through ongoing education, leadership development, and industry engagement, ensuring members benefit from innovative ideas, best practices, and forward-thinking leadership.

 

About One Southern Indiana (1si)

One Southern Indiana (1si) is the chamber of commerce and local economic development organization serving Clark and Floyd counties in Southern Indiana. Through advocacy, economic development, workforce initiatives, and member engagement, 1si works to create a thriving business environment and a vibrant regional economy.

Susan Alexander, 1si CFO Named Best in Finance 

by with No Comment 1si News1si Press Release

New Albany, IN (7/21/2026) – Susan Alexander, CFO at One Southern Indiana Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development (1si), was named among Louisville Business First’s “Best in Finance.” 

Alexander was among 22 local professionals who received the 2026 Best in Finance Awards presented by Truist. Her impact, leadership, and dedication continue to impact 1si as well as the surrounding Southern Indiana and Louisville Metro area.  

As CFO at 1si, Susan has been integral to 1si’s financial security and success. From strategic planning and driving financial growth to leading committees and managing office operations, Susan has excelled in her role. 

Lance Allison, President & CEO of 1si, shares, “This is an extraordinary achievement and a well-deserved recognition of Susan’s exceptional financial leadership, strategic insight, and unwavering commitment to excellence. As the CFO of a chamber of commerce and economic development organization, Susan’s recognition is especially meaningful. It highlights not only her professional expertise, but also the critical role strong financial stewardship plays in advancing our mission and strengthening the communities we serve.” 

Honorees will be featured in print and online at LBF on July 24 and were honored at an in-person luncheon July 21 at the Louisville Marriott Downtown. 

About One Southern Indiana  
One Southern Indiana (1si) 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 help businesses innovate and thrive in the southern Indiana / Louisville metro area via the four pillars of Business Resources, Economic Development, Advocacy, and Small Business Services. For more information on One Southern Indiana, visit  www.1si.org.  

Contact: 
Ellinor Smith 
ESmith@1si.org 
Phone: 217-320-4832 

What Indiana’s Fastest-Growing Counties Have in Common

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

One of the simplest measures of whether a community is succeeding is whether people choose to live there. Population growth reflects thousands of individual decisions about where families want to build their lives and where businesses see opportunity. Although no single statistic tells the entire story of a local economy, population growth often captures the cumulative effect of many factors that make a community attractive. This week, we compare Indiana’s twenty fastest-growing counties over the past five years with its twenty slowest-growing counties to see how they differ across several important economic indicators. Clark and Floyd Counties are among the fastest-growing counties in the state, and both appear in the fastest-growing group.

One of the primary benefits of population growth is a growing labor force. Businesses can only expand if workers are available, and regions can only attract new employers if they can meet workforce needs. Not surprisingly, we see stark differences between the fastest and slowest-growing counties in both job growth and business formation.

In the twenty slowest-growing counties, employment increased by just over 8,000 jobs, representing a 4% increase over the five-year period. The number of business establishments grew by only 334, or 3%. Average weekly wages increased by more than $163, an 18% gain.

By comparison, the twenty fastest-growing counties added more than 173,000 jobs, a 9% increase. Not a big surprise because the fastest growing counties in Indiana are also the largest, but the growth on a percentage basis is more than double. The number of establishments expanded by 13,237, representing a 14% increase. Average weekly wages rose by $196, also an 18% increase.

One factor behind stronger population growth is in-migration. The twenty fastest-growing counties gained more than 18,000 residents through domestic migration over the five-year period, while the twenty slowest-growing counties barely surpassed 1,000. Much of that migration occurred in the years immediately following COVID, when remote and flexible work arrangements allowed more people to relocate. The source of that migration is also revealing. Cook County, Illinois, was the largest contributor of new residents to the fastest-growing counties. For the slowest-growing counties, Marion County was the largest feeder, followed by Daviess County, likely reflecting moves to neighboring counties.

Educational attainment also differs substantially between the two groups. In the fastest-growing counties, bachelor’s and graduate degree attainment exceed the Indiana average and closely mirror national averages. In the slowest-growing counties, both measures fall below state and national averages.

The industrial composition of these counties also tells an interesting story. The slowest-growing counties are less economically diversified, with just three industries accounting for 46% of total employment. In the fastest-growing counties, the top three industries account for only 38% of total employment, reflecting a broader mix of economic activity.

Manufacturing remains the largest industry in the slowest-growing counties, but average annual wages are approximately $28,000 lower than manufacturing wages in the fastest-growing counties, perhaps reflecting differences in educational attainment, technology adoption, and productivity. Healthcare is the largest industry in the fastest-growing counties, where average annual wages exceed those in the slowest-growing counties by nearly $16,000.

The differences become even more pronounced in knowledge-based industries such as professional and business services, finance and insurance, and information. Together, these sectors account for 16.4% of employment in the fastest-growing counties compared to just 8.9% in the slowest-growing counties. Salaries in these industries are also substantially higher, ranging from 21% to 47% above those found in the slowest-growing counties.

The counties experiencing the strongest growth have built more diversified economies, attracted higher-skilled workers, and generated stronger business formation and higher wages. While every community has unique strengths and challenges, the data suggest that long-term prosperity depends on more than recruiting a single employer or industry. It requires building places that offer economic opportunity, quality jobs, educational attainment, and a quality of life that attracts and retains talent.

The lesson is clear: communities that invest in talent, economic diversification, and quality of place are also the communities that are best positioned for sustained population and economic growth. For areas that resist or combat population growth, in whatever form that might take, the result could be the opposite.

Non-Profit Spotlight: Mount Saint Francis

by with No Comment 1si NewsNonprofit Spotlight

Mt Saint Francis Center for Spirituality, a ministry of the Conventual Franciscan Friars of Our Lady of Consolation Province, exists to provide a safe and welcoming place engaged and responsive to the personal and communal spiritual needs of a diverse community. Inspired by St. Francis of Assisi, they live the Gospel through compassion, prayer, and service.

The Mount is open to the community and people of all faith traditions. Not only can they sleep and gather +120 people, but they offer spaces to enjoy nature, art, and retreats. Learn more about who they are and what they do by watching the video below.

Anthem Partners with One Southern Indiana to Lower the Cost of Health Coverage for Small Businesses

by with One Comment 1si News1si Press ReleaseMember Savings Program

New health plan offering can help small employers save up to 40% on comprehensive employee health benefits

INDIANAPOLIS and NEW ALBANY, IND — July 9, 2026 — Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield has joined forces with One Southern Indiana (1si) to help small businesses provide their employees with lower-cost, high-quality health benefits through the new Advantage 1 Health program, a Multiple Employer Welfare Arrangement (MEWA). Designed exclusively for members of 1si and participating local chambers of commerce, the program enables small employers to provide big company benefits at lower, more predictable costs.

Advantage 1 Health can help businesses with 2–50 employees save up to 40% on health benefit costs and offers flexible plan options designed to meet the needs of both employers and employees.

“Small businesses are the backbone of Indiana’s economy, but many continue to struggle with managing employee health benefits costs,” said Jessica Lopez-Liggett, President of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Indiana. “Together with One Southern Indiana and local chambers across the state, we’re helping eligible small employers create greater cost stability and predictability while offering comprehensive health benefits for their employees.”

Through this MEWA partnership, Anthem, 1si, and local chambers of commerce deliver industry-leading small business health coverage with an unmatched array of plan designs and network choices. These plans leverage Anthem’s 80 years of experience supporting Indiana employers and its strong relationships with Indiana care providers.

In addition to 1si, Advantage 1 Health is available through participating chambers of commerce across Indiana. Employers may join any participating chamber regardless of business location. The growing list includes:

· Dearborn County Chamber of Commerce

· Clinton County Chamber of Commerce

· Chamber of Commerce of Harrison County

· Evansville Regional Economic Partnership

· Franklin Chamber of Commerce

· Greater Fort Wayne Inc.

· Greater Lafayette Commerce

· Madison Area Chamber

· OneZone Chamber (Fishers, IN)

Advantage 1 Health simplifies administration, helps reduce healthcare costs and integrates wellness and preventive programs. Key features include:

· Broad care provider access: Every major Indiana hospital and health system is featured in Anthem’s network of providers. Members can continue seeing their doctors while gaining access to one of Indiana’s largest provider networks, plus seamless nationwide coverage through Anthem’s broad PPO network.

· Lower, more predictable costs: Some employers can save up to 40% compared to ACA plans, with simple plan designs, national care provider networks, and easier administration and budgeting.

· Flexible plan designs: Chamber members can choose from 42 health plan options to select the benefits and premiums that best fit their employee population and budget, including Clear Choice plans featuring transparent and simplified copay-based pricing for healthcare services.

· Network choice: Employers can choose from three Anthem care provider networks:

o HealthSync HMO — a network of high performing care providers designed to deliver maximum savings and value.

o HealthSync POS – a flexible tiered network option that balances cost savings and provider access, allowing members to choose between a Tier 1 HealthSync network for greater savings and the broadest Tier 2 PPO network for expanded access.

o Blue Access PPO — the broadest network option, including nearly every Indiana hospital and physician.

· Simple administration: Anthem and program partners handle compliance and administrative tasks, making ongoing management easy for employers.

· Integrated benefits: Medical, dental, vision, pharmacy, and virtual care connect through the Sydney® Health app, a secure member website, and 24/7/365 support.

· Wellness and rewards: Each plan includes preventive care programs and wellness incentives. Members can earn up to $500 annually for healthy activities.

“This partnership gives chambers across the state a tangible way to support their members with meaningful benefits,” said Lance Allison, President and CEO of One Southern Indiana. “Advantage 1 Health provides our business community with a smart, affordable healthcare solution that strengthens small businesses and communities.”

Small businesses can learn more at anthem.com/advantage-1-health.

 

About Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is the trade name of Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc., an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. ANTHEM is a registered trademark of Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc. The Blue Cross and Blue Shield names and symbols are registered marks of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. Additional information about Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Indiana is available at www.anthem.com. Also, follow us @AnthemBCBS on X, Facebook and LinkedIn.

About One Southern Indiana
One Southern Indiana (1si) was formed in July of 2006 and serves as the chamber of commerce serving Clark and Floyd counties and the Local Economic Development Organization (LEDO) serving Clark, Floyd, and Scott counties.1si’s mission is to help businesses innovate and thrive in the southern Indiana / Louisville metro area via the three pillars of Business Resources, Economic Development, and Advocacy. For more information on One Southern Indiana, visit www.1si.org.

Media Contacts:
Ellinor Smith
One Southern Indiana (1si)
ellinors@1si.org

Jeff Blunt
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield
jeff.blunt@anthem.com

 

Thank You for Renewing Your Membership | June 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 June 2026.

Quarter Century Club (25 years or more)Member Since
Retailers Supply  (aka Aramsco)1968
Chase1988
Callistus Smith Agency, Inc.1990
ISU Insurance and Investment Group1992
Pro Laminators1995
  
10-24 Years 
Baker Commercial Real Estate2004
Davis Financial Services2005
Pearce Bottled Gas, Inc.2007
Commonwealth Sign Co.2008
YMCA of Greater Louisville, Inc.2009
Kentuckiana Wood Products, Inc.2011
Jenpale LLC2013
Clayton & Lambert Mfg. Co.2015
  
5-9 Years 
Franklin Pest Solutions2018
Alro Steel & Alro Plastics2021
  
1-4 Years 
Taft Law2022
Kaczmarek Contracting LLC2023
Elite Packaging LLC2023
JT Roofs2024
Southern Indiana Pride, Inc.2024
Orion Renewable Energy Group LLC2024
Budget Blinds of New Albany2024
Legacy Commercial Property2024
&Forth2024
Renewity Residential Assisted Living2025

Labor Force May Be One of the National Economy’s Biggest Challenges

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

The first half of 2026 marked a noticeable improvement from the weak hiring that characterized much of last year. Throughout 2025, the national economy averaged fewer than 10,000 payroll jobs per month, making it one of the weakest years for job growth in more than two decades outside of an officially declared recession. This year, however, monthly payroll gains consistently exceeded 100,000 jobs.

That changed with the June employment report.

The June payroll release showed the U.S. economy added just 57,000 jobs, well below market expectations. Nearly all of the gains came from healthcare and education, which added 69,000 jobs. Private sector payrolls increased by only 49,000 jobs, underscoring the weakness in hiring across much of the economy.

Financial markets responded quickly. Government bond yields declined, and investors reduced the probability of additional Federal Reserve interest rate increases. If next month’s report shows similar weakness, expectations could begin shifting toward another Fed rate cut later this year.

The more concerning news, however, came from the household component of the survey.

The nation’s labor force fell by 720,000 workers, causing the labor force participation rate to decline from 61.8 percent to 61.5 percent. This was not simply a one-month anomaly. Since December 2025, the U.S. labor force has declined by approximately two million workers.

A shrinking labor force creates a significant headwind for future job growth. Businesses cannot hire workers who are not participating in the labor market. This occurred throughout 2025 with the slowdown in the labor force coinciding with weaker payroll growth. While the number of employed workers fell by more than 500,000 in June, the unemployment rate nevertheless declined one tenth of a percentage point to 4.2 percent because fewer people were actively participating in the labor force.

The picture is somewhat different here at home.

Unlike the national economy, the region’s labor force has begun to improve. After remaining essentially flat throughout 2025, labor force participation has strengthened during 2026, providing a positive signal for the regional economy. Employment has also increased compared with early 2025, helping reduce the unemployment rate from 3.9 percent in January 2025 to 3.2 percent in January 2026. The region continues to see strong in-migration numbers, resulting in a growing labor force.

Indiana as a whole tells a similar story. The state’s labor force has grown modestly over the past year, while employment growth has outpaced labor force growth. As a result, Indiana’s unemployment rate declined from 3.7 percent to 3.3 percent.

Looking ahead, labor force availability may become one of the most important factors determining the success of the nation’s reshoring efforts. Manufacturers cannot expand production without an adequate supply of workers. At the same time, I suspect much of the next wave of reshoring, if any, will rely less on adding workers and more on investments in robotics and automation. In many cases, manufacturers will resort to using capital over labor.

That should not necessarily be viewed as bad news. Greater automation increases productivity, improves profitability, and helps domestic manufacturers remain globally competitive. In an era of slower labor force growth and an aging workforce, higher productivity may prove to be the key that allows American manufacturing to continue expanding despite a more limited supply of workers.

From Manufacturing to Healthcare to Meta

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

Twenty years ago, Facebook was little more than a social networking site for college students. Today, the company, now known as Meta, is one of the world’s largest technology firms, a major player in artificial intelligence, and is building a data center right here in Southern Indiana.

Thinking about Meta and other AI companies such as OpenAI and Anthropic got me reflecting on just how much the Southern Indiana economy has changed over the past two decades. Twenty years ago, Southern Indiana’s corporate landscape looked very different. Names such as Pillsbury, Key Communications, Colgate, Hitachi and Jeffboat were prominent employers. Manufacturing was the region’s largest sector, representing roughly 20 percent of all jobs and exceeding healthcare employment by nearly 8,000!

Back in 2005, the average weekly wage in Southern Indiana (Clark, Floyd, Harrison, Scott, and Washington) was $601. Today, based on the fourth quarter of 2025, that figure stands at $1,106, an increase of 84 percent. That’s an average annual wage growth of 3.1 percent. Over the same period, inflation averaged approximately 2.5 percent per year.

In other words, wages in Southern Indiana have generally grown faster than the cost of living, resulting in meaningful gains in purchasing power and quality of life for many workers. The question is why. To answer it, we need to examine which industries grew, which declined, and how wages changed across sectors.

The largest increases in absolute average weekly wages occurred in finance and insurance, where wages grew at an annual rate of 3.5 percent, and real estate, where wages grew at an annual rate of 5.5 percent. While not every occupation in these sectors requires a college degree, many are knowledge intensive jobs that depend on specialized skills and professional expertise. Wage growth was impressive, although employment growth was relatively modest, with the sectors adding approximately 450 jobs over the twenty-year period.

Healthcare and social services, which include ambulatory health care, hospitals, nursing and residential care facilities, and social assistance, was the leading growth sector, adding approximately 8,000 jobs. This is as many as manufacturing, retail trade, transportation and warehousing, and accommodation and food services combined. Wage growth of 2.4 percent trailed both inflation and the regional average. Today, healthcare and social services have surpassed manufacturing as the region’s largest sector, employing roughly 2,000 more workers.

Transportation and warehousing, a cornerstone of the Southern Indiana and Greater Louisville economy, posted the second largest gain in employment, adding approximately 6,000 jobs. Average weekly wages increased by $441 during the period, translating into annual wage growth of 2.4 percent, slightly below the average rate of inflation.

Wholesale trade, another logistics related sector, also performed well. It added more than 1,100 jobs while recording annual wage growth of 3.7 percent, comfortably exceeding inflation.

One of the strongest performers was professional, scientific, and technical services. This knowledge-based sector includes engineers, consultants, computer professionals, architects, and other highly skilled occupations. Average weekly wages increased by $752, while employment grew by nearly 1,700 jobs. Annual wage growth averaged 3.5 percent, outpacing inflation by a full percentage point. Few sectors combined strong job growth and strong wage growth as effectively.

Turning to the production sectors, both construction and manufacturing experienced solid wage gains. Construction wages grew at an annual rate of 3.8 percent, while manufacturing wages increased by 3.4 percent annually. Construction added 544 jobs despite the severe impact of the housing collapse during the Great Recession.

Manufacturing presents a more nuanced picture. While the sector lost approximately 2,000 jobs over the twenty-year period, total wages paid in the sector increased by 76 percent and average weekly wages nearly doubled. This pattern is consistent with productivity gains that allow manufacturers to produce more output with fewer workers.

Another notable source of job growth was accommodation and food services. The explosion of restaurants, entertainment venues, and lodging options throughout Southern Indiana is evident in the data. The sector added nearly 4,000 jobs and posted annual wage growth of 3.9 percent. Although average wages remain well below the regional average, workers in the industry nevertheless experienced meaningful wage gains over time.

The strongest combination of wage growth and employment growth occurred in finance and insurance, real estate, professional and technical services, and wholesale trade. Some of these sectors tend to be knowledge intensive and skill driven, reflecting broader changes in the regional economy. The two industries that generated the most jobs, healthcare and social services and transportation and warehousing, saw wage growth that lagged both inflation and the regional average.

The Southern Indiana economy of 2026 is not the Southern Indiana economy of 2005. While manufacturing and logistics remain important pillars, the region has steadily added more knowledge based and professional occupations. Healthcare has replaced manufacturing as the region’s largest employment sector.

The arrival of companies such as Meta and the growth of artificial intelligence are reminders that economic change never stops. The jobs of the future may look very different from the jobs of the past, but the data suggest that regions able to attract and grow higher skilled industries are also the regions most likely to see rising wages and improving living standards.

As we look ahead, digital infrastructure will become increasingly important to economic competitiveness. Data centers are emerging as the highways, railroads, and industrial parks of the AI economy, providing the computing power needed to support the next generation of businesses and innovations. Regions with robust digital infrastructure, reliable power, and access to advanced computing resources will be better positioned to attract investment, support entrepreneurship, and compete for the jobs of the future.

Just as access to rivers, railroads, and interstate highways helped shape the Southern Indiana economy of the past, access to digital infrastructure may help shape the Southern Indiana economy of the future.