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

by with No 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.

1si Non-Profit Spotlight: Ivy Tech Foundation

by with No Comment 1si NewsNonprofit Spotlight

The Ivy Tech Foundation assists students with overcoming barriers so that they can focus on their future, while also providing robust programs and facilities. If you are looking to volunteer, you can give of your time through the Circle of Ivy Philanthropy group and other campus engagement opportunities.

If you or someone you know wants to get involved with the Ivy Tech Foundation, contact Laura Wilson, Director of Development at Ivy Tech Foundation, Sellersburg, at 930-260-0100 or by email at Lwilson160@ivytech.edu.

Looking Beyond the Headline: Encouraging Signs in Indiana’s Labor Market

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

The last 12 months would not be described as a robust labor market. Indiana has now recorded seven consecutive months of negative year-over-year job changes. Outside of an official recession, this is the longest streak of negative year-over-year declines since 2003. Negative year-over-year job losses typically coincide with a recession, but no recession has occurred, making this trend even more concerning for Indiana.

Despite the overall weakness in payroll growth, there have been some encouraging signs that mirror positive developments in the national labor market. Education and healthcare has been the leading sector supporting payrolls over the past year, with the latest data showing a gain of 8,000 jobs. This relationship is typical. When overall job growth weakens, healthcare is often the most resilient sector and continues to expand. During the past four recessions, overall payrolls declined while education and health care remained in positive territory.

One bright spot in the Indiana labor market is growth in professional and business services, which is up 5,000 jobs over the year. Growth in professional and business services is often associated with business expansion and increasing demand for highly skilled workers. This time last year, employment in the sector was down 3,000 jobs, and overall payroll growth subsequently contracted. As a result, growth among professional and business services workers, often referred to as knowledge workers, is an encouraging sign for the broader economy.

Retail employment is also up by 5,000 jobs over the year. Retail employment gains are further evidence of consumer resilience. Despite higher interest rates and elevated prices, households have continued to spend, supporting retail activity and broader economic growth.

The largest declines in private-sector employment have occurred in manufacturing, transportation and warehousing, and leisure and hospitality. However, the most significant year-over-year decline has been in government employment, which is down nearly 17,000 jobs from a year ago. In fact, if government employment had remained flat, Indiana would be reporting growth in overall payrolls.

As we move through 2026, payroll growth should become more broad-based, allowing Indiana to return to positive year-over-year job gains. There are, however, some storm clouds on the horizon in the form of higher interest rates. Elevated rates were a major factor behind the slowdown in manufacturing, and persistently high borrowing costs could restrain the recovery that is beginning to emerge.

One of the conclusions from my recent Mid-Year Economic Outlook was that payroll growth would begin to accelerate both regionally and nationally. The latest national employment report showed the U.S. economy added 172,000 jobs, well above market expectations. Equity markets responded with one of their sharpest declines of the year. Stronger job growth combined with stubborn inflation suggests interest rates may remain higher for longer.

Even so, I expect inflation to trend lower during the remainder of the year. Both the Consumer Price Index and the Federal Reserve’s preferred PCE Price Index continue to reflect inflationary pressures, but several factors should contribute to moderation. Lower energy prices would contribute to easing headline inflation. Core inflation should also ease as the supply side of the economy continues to improve.

Manufacturing indicators such as the ISM Index have strengthened, while durable goods orders, factory orders, and industrial production have all shown improvement. This should bode well for Indiana. Job openings are also beginning to trend higher as the labor market recovers from the turbulence of the past year.

Indiana’s labor market is not yet firing on all cylinders however, but the underlying trends are positive. The challenge for the remainder of the year will be whether inflation and interest rates allow that recovery to broaden across more sectors of the economy. The likely scenario is that Indiana should soon move beyond its period of negative year-over-year job changes as payroll growth accelerates during the second half of the year.

Thank You for Renewing Your Membership | May 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 May 2026.

Quarter Century Club (25 years or more)Member Since
Metro United Way1973
Better Business Bureau Serving Louisville and South Central Indiana1985
WAVE 3 News1988
Rasmussen Chiropractic LLC1990
WesBanco Bank, Inc. 1994
Caesars Southern Indiana1996
  
10-24 Years 
Voluforms2003
Nu-Yale2008
Benchmark Stone Products2010
LBMC2011
Rauch Industries2011
Owings Patterns Inc.2011
New Albany Housing Authority2012
Discount Labels, Inc.2013
Kyana Packaging Solutions2013
Elite Printing Resources, LLC2014
Bennett & Bennett Financial2015
C2 Strategic Communications LLC2015
  
5-9 Years 
Excel Services Inc.2018
Shepherd Insurance – New Albany2018
Maker13 LLC2019
Mansion 18862021
Harford Mutual Insurance Group2021
Kochert Insurance2021
812 Hemp2021
  
2-4 Years 
Louisville Painting Company LLC2023
Prosser Alumni Association Inc. 2023
Mitch Craig Heating & Cooling2023
Southern Homes Realty2023
LPX Group2023
Hunter Station Pizza Company2024
New York Life Insurance Company – Michael Fisher, Managing Partner2024
The Miller Company2024
Kentucky ElderLaw, PLLC2024
LouCity 2024
  
One Year 
Bennett Place Assisted Living2025
BRE, Inc2025
Belterra Casino Resort2025
Panda Pro Cleaners2025
SME – New Albany, IN2025
Aypa Power2025
CASA Of Floyd County2025
Artisan Wealth Management2025

Lance Allison Elected to Indiana Chamber Executives Association Board of Directors

by with No Comment 1si News1si Press Release

NEW ALBANY, IN — One Southern Indiana is proud to announce that Lance Allison, President and CEO, has been elected to serve on the Board of Directors for the Indiana Chamber Executives Association (ICEA).

Incorporated in 1915, ICEA serves as a professional network for chamber of commerce leaders across Indiana and plays a significant role in the growth and development of chamber professionals throughout the state. The organization provides management assistance, professional development opportunities, and access to a network of experienced chamber leaders focused on advancing their communities and organizations.

“We are excited to welcome Lance Allison to the ICEA Board of Directors,” said Jamie Neal, President of ICEA. “Lance brings a strong passion for the chamber profession and a great understanding of the impact chambers have on their communities. Through his leadership at One Southern Indiana, he has shown a true commitment to collaboration, growth, and supporting businesses. We appreciate his willingness to serve and are proud to have him as part of the ICEA board.”

Allison has served as President and CEO of One Southern Indiana since March 2024. Prior to joining 1si, he served as President/CEO of the Murray-Calloway County Chamber of Commerce in Kentucky and the Panama City Beach Chamber of Commerce in Florida.

Allison holds the Certified Chamber Executive (CCE) designation from the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives and the Institute for Organization Management (IOM) designation from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce — two prestigious certifications that reflect his commitment to professional excellence and the chamber of commerce industry.

“I am honored to serve on the ICEA Board of Directors and to work alongside chamber professionals from across Indiana,” said Lance Allison. “Chambers play a vital role in strengthening businesses, supporting communities, and driving economic growth. I look forward to contributing to ICEA’s mission and continuing to advance the chamber profession throughout the state.”

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: 812-206-9030