Advocacy Update 2.11.2026

by with No Comment 1si NewsAdvocacy

Our Advocacy Committee visited the statehouse!  

Last week, our Advocacy Committee visited the statehouse and state officials to advocate for the priorities that impact our region. The visit to the statehouse is an opportunity for our Advocacy Committee to advocate and learn about bills that are currently under review and how that influences our region. 

If you are interested in understanding local priorities, you can also register for our upcoming 5 O’clock Network at Indiana-American Water Company for our annual “Meet Your Local Elected Officials.” You can register here.  

 

We are continuing to learn and monitor policies that may impact our local region. The goal of our Advocacy Agenda is to articulate the opportunities and concerns of Southern Indiana businesses and to speak for them as one voice. 

We encourage everyone to see upcoming deadlines. 

Bills we are monitoring: 

 

SB 76 Immigration matters  

Status: 

  • 2/03/2026: Committee report: amend do pass, adopted 
  • 1/28/2026: First reading: referred to Committee on Judiciary 
  • 1/27/2026: Referred to the House 
  • 1/27/2026: Representative Bascom added as cosponsor 
  • 1/26/2026: Senator Koch added as coauthor 

 

SB 281 Income tax credits 

Status: 

  • 2/05/2026: Representative Snow added as cosponsor 
  • 2/05/2026: Representative Lopez added as sponsor 
  • 2/05/2026: Representative Snow removed as sponsor 
  • 2/2/2026: First reading: referred to Committee on Ways and Means 

 

SB 283 Regional Development Tax Credit 

Status: 

  • 1/12/2026: First reading: referred to Committee on Tax and Fiscal Policy 
  • 1/12/2026: Authored by Senators Mishler, Niezgodski 
  • Did not advance; Inactive. 

 

HB 1101 Regional Economic Development 

Status: 

  • 1/05/2026: First reading: referred to Committee on Ways and Means 
  • 1/05/2026: Coauthored by Representatives Snow, Lehman 
  • 1/05/202: Authored by Representative Heine 
  • Did not advance; Inactive. 

 

HB 1164 Tax Increment Financing Districts 

Status: 

  • 1/05/2026: First Reading: referred to Committee on Ways and Means 
  • 1/05/2026: Authored by Representative Rowray 
  • Did not advance; Inactive. 

 

HB 1333 Land use and development 

Status: 

  • 2/05/2026: First reading: referred to Committee on Utilities 
  • 2/03/2026: Referred to the Senate 
  • 2/02/2026: Senate sponsors: Senators Koch Doriot 
  • 2/02/2026: Third reading: passed; Roll Call 195 
  • Yeas: 54 
  • Nays: 45 

 

Bills we support: 

 

HB 1018 School age childcare 

Status: 

  • 1/26/2026: First reading: referred to Committee on Family and Children Services 
  • 1/23/2026: Referred to the Senate 
  • 1/22/2026: Senate sponsors: Senators Donato, Walker G 
  • 1/22/2026: Third reading: passed; Roll Call 65 
  • Yeas: 93 
  • Nays: 0 

 

HB 1177 Child care assistance 

Status: 

  • 2/05/2026: First reading: referred to Committee on Tx and Fiscal Policy 
  • 2/03/2026: Referred to the Senate 
  • 2/02/2026: Cosponsor: Senator Charbonneau 
  • 2/02/2026: Senate Sponsors: Senators Buchanan, Clark, Goode 
  • 2/02/2026: Third reading: passed; Roll Call 172: 
  • Yeas: 80 
  • Nays:0 

 

Bills we oppose: 

 

HB 1104 Nondisclosure Agreements in Economic Development 

Status: 

  • 1/12/2026: Representative Commons added as coauthor 
  • 1/05/2026: First reading: referred to Committee on Government and Regulatory Reform 
  • 1/05/2026: Authored by Representative Greene 
  • Did not advance; Inactive. 

 

You can find a copy of the 1si 2026 Advocacy Agenda by visiting https://1si.org/advocacy/ or downloading a PDF copy here.   

Building Today’s Manufacturing Workforce: Skills That Matter

by with No Comment 1si NewsMetro Manufacturing Alliance

Submitted by Ivy Tech Community College

Manufacturing is evolving faster than ever—and so are the skills required to succeed in today’s industrial environment. At Ivy Tech Community College, we are committed to meeting this moment by delivering high-impact training and strong career connections that prepare employees and students for the growing demands of modern manufacturing.

While technical expertise remains essential, employers consistently tell us that professional skill development is in higher demand than ever. Leadership, communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and project management skills are no longer “nice to have”—they are critical to productivity, safety, and long-term growth on the shop floor and beyond.

Ivy Tech removes the barriers that often prevent employers from launching effective training initiatives. We bring the training to you, customize curricula to meet your organization’s specific needs, and work with your team to schedule training at the most convenient times. Professional development offers long-term value by helping organizations level-set new managers and prepare employees for greater responsibility—making it a vital component of strategic workforce planning.

In parallel, Ivy Tech continues to deliver industry-relevant technical training aligned with the needs of today’s manufacturers. Our hands-on programs cover a wide range of in-demand disciplines, including:

  • Electrical and industrial electrical systems
  • Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC)
  • Hydraulics and pneumatics
  • Welding and other core manufacturing technologies

These programs are developed in collaboration with industry partners and emphasize applied learning that translates directly to workplace performance.

Beyond training, Ivy Tech serves as a key career connection hub for Indiana manufacturers. We connect employers with students for job placement, internships, and apprenticeships—helping companies build talent pipelines early and efficiently. Employers are also encouraged to visit our Advanced Manufacturing campus to see students in action, meet our Dean and instructors, and learn how our programs align with real-world workforce needs. Building relationships early is one of the most effective ways to secure local talent and keep it in the region.

Ivy Tech also offers tools to help employers fill immediate workforce needs. Through our HIRE IVY network, employers can post job opportunities reaching more than 205,000 current Ivy Tech students statewide, along with a broad alumni network.

As manufacturing continues to modernize, success depends on a workforce that combines technical expertise, leadership capability, and adaptability. Ivy Tech Community College is a trusted partner for Indiana manufacturers, and we are eager to support your workforce needs—today and into the future.

Take the next step and partner with Ivy Tech to build the workforce your business needs to thrive.

CLICK HERE:   Ivy Tech Workforce/Career Interest Form

Employer Consultants:

Delana Roederer  (droederer1@ivytech.edu)

Christy Ralston (cralston20@ivytech.edu)

Are Green Shoots Starting to Emerge After a Three-Year Manufacturing Drought?

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

 

Since October 2022, the ISM Manufacturing Index has been above 50 only once, a January reading that barely cleared the expansion threshold. Higher interest rates were the initial culprit behind the sector’s decline, followed more recently by tariffs, or at least the threat of tariffs. Regardless of the cause, manufacturing has remained in contraction territory for an extended period.

For manufacturing-rich regions such as Louisville Metro, Indiana, and Kentucky, this prolonged slowdown has mattered. Recent economic data, however, suggest the sector may be on the cusp of expansion, improving the outlook for these regions.

The latest encouraging signal comes from the ISM Index itself. The Institute for Supply Management’s monthly reading rose to 52.6, not only above 50 but also higher than the prior month and stronger than anticipated. Key subcomponents showed that both new orders and production moved into expansion territory, pointing to a more favorable near-term outlook.

The employment subindex also improved from the prior month, but it continues to signal contraction, now for 36 of the past 37 months. As we’ve discussed in prior columns, economic expansion does not necessarily translate into labor growth. The latest ISM report reinforces that view.

This divergence between growth and hiring helps explain recent productivity gains. The latest data show that unit labor costs declined by nearly 2 percent in the most recent quarter, while productivity rose by almost 5 percent. Workers are producing more output, and doing so more efficiently, which is helping to drive unit labor costs lower. These productivity gains, driven largely by investments in capital goods, support profitability while also helping to keep inflation in check.

The groundwork for these gains was laid years ago. In 2021, the economy experienced a near-gargantuan surge in industrial machinery investment, the largest one-year increase in more than three decades. Coming out of the pandemic, job openings far exceeded the number of available workers. Employers were forced to pivot, relying more on capital than labor simply because labor was scarce.

We are now beginning to see the payoff from those capital investments made five years ago. Some will attribute today’s productivity gains to artificial intelligence, but the shift toward capital-intensive production was set in motion well before AI became the latest headline. Growth in manufacturing accompanied by limited labor growth is likely to persist. Any reshoring of manufacturing back to the U.S. will require a competitive cost structure, and that means even more investment in automation, or capital over labor.

Productivity gains will be a key factor influencing the next Federal Reserve chair and could help justify additional rate cuts later this year, beyond what markets currently anticipate.

Turning to the labor market, the February employment report was delayed due to the brief government shutdown. The latest private-sector ADP report showed continued softness in hiring, with just 22,000 jobs added, well below expectations of 50,000. At the same time, unemployment claims remain at historically low levels, suggesting layoffs are not accelerating, despite recent high-profile announcements. Job openings, however, saw a steep decline from the prior month, hitting the lowest level since the Covid year. The job creation engine of the U.S. economy continues to sputter.

Closer to home, preliminary estimates suggest Louisville Metro will finish the year roughly flat in terms of job growth. The largest declines were seen in leisure and hospitality, which shed about 3,000 jobs, followed by transportation and warehousing, down roughly 2,000. The largest gains were in education and health services, and primarily healthcare, which added about 1,000 jobs.

As we start 2026, green shoots appear to be emerging in both manufacturing and the service side of the economy. Job growth may not fully reflect that improvement, which helps explain why the Federal Reserve may ultimately cut rates more aggressively than the two reductions currently priced into markets.

Advocacy Update 2.4.2026

by with No Comment 1si NewsAdvocacy

We are continuing to learn and monitor policies that may impact our local region. The goal of our Advocacy Agenda is to articulate the opportunities and concerns of Southern Indiana businesses and to speak for them as one voice.

Due to the weather, the Advocacy Committee has postponed their trip to the statehouse, but looks forward to meeting with officials today, Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026.

If you are interested in understanding local priorities, you can also register for our upcoming 5 O’clock Network at Indiana-American Water Company for our annual “Meet Your Local Elected Officials.” You can register here.

We encourage everyone to see upcoming deadlines.

Bills we are monitoring:

SB 281 Income tax credits

Status:

  • 2/2/2026 First reading: referred to Committee on Ways and Means
  • 1/29/2026 Referred to the House
  • 1/29/2026 House sponsor: Representative Snow

SB 283 Regional Development Tax Credit

Status:

  • 1/12/2026: First reading: referred to Committee on Tax and Fiscal Policy
  • 1/12/2026: Authored by Senators Mishler, Niezgodski
  • Did not advance; Inactive.

HB 1101 Regional Economic Development

Status:

  • 1/05/2026: First reading: referred to Committee on Ways and Means
  • 1/05/2026: Coauthored by Representatives Snow, Lehman
  • 1/05/202: Authored by Representative Heine
  • Did not advance; Inactive.

HB 1018 School age childcare

Status:

  • 1/26/2026: First reading: referred to Committee on Family and Children Services
  • 1/23/2026: Referred to the Senate
  • 1/22/2026: Senate sponsors: Senators Donato, Walker G
  • 1/22/2026: Third reading: passed; Roll Call 65: yeas 93, nays 0

HB 1164 Tax Increment Financing Districts

Status:

  • 1/05/2026: First Reading: referred to Committee on Ways and Means
  • 1/05/2026: Authored by Representative Rowray
  • Did not advance; Inactive.

Bills we oppose:

HB 1104 Nondisclosure Agreements in Economic Development

Status:

  • 1/12/2026: Representative Commons added as coauthor
  • 1/05/2026: First reading: referred to Committee on Government and Regulatory Reform
  • 1/05/2026: Authored by Representative Greene
  • Did not advance; Inactive.

You can find a copy of the 1si 2026 Advocacy Agenda by visiting https://1si.org/advocacy/ or downloading a PDF copy here.  

For Immediate Release: Global Polymers to Relocate and Expand Operations in Charlestown, Indiana

by with No Comment 1si News1si Press ReleaseEconomic Development

CHARLESTOWN, Ind. (Feb. 2, 2026) — Global Polymers LLC, a Kentucky‑based, industry leader in recycled Polypropylene resins, announced plans to relocate and expand its operations to Charlestown, Indiana. Backed by strong support from the City of Charlestown and regional partners, the company will reactivate an existing facility at 100 Quality Court, strengthening its manufacturing footprint and positioning the business for continued growth.

The expansion will strengthen Global Polymers’ recycling and manufacturing capabilities and reinforce its commitment to customers. The company also operates Global Freight LLC, a for-hire transportation business supporting its logistics operations.

“This relocation and expansion mark an important milestone for Global Polymers,” said Barry McRoberts, Founder and Managing Member of Global Polymers LLC. “As demand for our products continues to grow, this investment will enhance our ability to serve customers through expanded capabilities and new product offerings. We appreciate the support of the City of Charlestown, One Southern Indiana, and the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, whose partnership has been critical to advancing this next phase of growth.”

The company plans to create up to 30 new jobs by 2030 at the Charlestown location, with an average hourly wage of $31.17—well above the current Clark County average wage. Global Polymers also plans to invest more than $8.5 million in the facility through new machinery and equipment, building improvements, special tooling, and other capital expenditures.

“We are excited that Global Polymers has chosen Charlestown for this significant investment,” said Mayor Treva Hodges. “The revitalization of this facility reinforces the strength of our workforce, quality of our community, and highlights our commitment to fostering smart growth and high-quality job opportunities in our community.”

Based on the company’s job creation plans, the Indiana Economic Development Corporation committed an investment in Global Polymers of up to $290,000 in the form of incentive-based tax credits. These incentives are performance-based, meaning the company is eligible to claim state benefits once jobs are created. 

“Indiana’s pro-growth business climate and robust small business ecosystem are attracting quality investments that will further support our economy and residents,” said Governor Mike Braun. “We are proud to welcome Global Polymers to our state and to our southern Indiana community, where the company will have the skilled talent needed to grow.”

“Global Polymers’ decision to stay in the region and grow in southern Indiana demonstrates their confidence in both Charlestown and our regional advantage,” said Lance Allison, President and CEO of One Southern Indiana. “Southern Indiana continues to be a premier hub for advanced manufacturing and logistics, and we’re proud to support this expansion and the quality jobs and products it will create.”

In addition to state support, Global Polymers has received local support through an estimated tax abatement savings of $65,000 over five years from the City of Charlestown on qualifying personal property.  This allows the company to phase in its new taxes over time as operations expand.

For more information about Global Polymers, visit www.globalpolymerscorp.com.

About Global Polymers LLC 

Global Polymers LLC, founded in 1992 by J. Barry McRoberts, is a 9001:2015 certified manufacturer of recycled Polypropylene resins and a recognized authority in closed-loop recycling and certified destruction. The company specializes in mechanical recycling hard-to-recycle polypropylene (PP) materials, including post-consumer (PCR) and post-industrial (PIR). Global Polymers provides molders with a reliable supply of superior-quality recycled resins. Global Polymers’ mission is to provide sustainable solutions for the plastics industry.

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 three pillars of Business Resources, Economic Development, and Advocacy. For more information on One Southern Indiana, visit www.1si.org. 

MEDIA CONTACTS

Global Polymers LLC
J. Barry McRoberts
Email: Barry@globalpolymerscorp.com
Phone: 502-552-2050

Indiana Economic Development Corporation
Ashley Gibbons
Email: comms@iedc.in.gov

One Southern Indiana
Ellinor Smith
ESmith@1si.org 
Phone: 217-320-4832

Welcome New Members | January 2026

by with No Comment 1si NewsWelcome New Members

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

Thank You for Renewing Your Membership | January 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 January 2026.

Quarter Century Club (25 Years or More)Member Since
Graceland Baptist Church1970
DMLO CPAs & Advisors – New Albany1972
Greater Clark County Schools1980
Dennis Ott & Company, Inc.1990
City of New Albany1992
First Harrison Bank1999
Smith Creek, Inc.2001
  
10-24 Years 
Park Community Credit Union2006
Theresa J. Lamb Insurance Agency, Inc.2009
Environmental Compliance Source, LLC2010
Community Montessori Charter Public School2013
HMC Service Company, Inc.2015
Denton Floyd Real Estate Group2016
  
5-9 Years 
W.M. Kelley Company, Inc.2017
The Breakwater2017
Cunningham Campers, Inc.2017
S&ME, Inc.2018
ARC Janitorial Supply2018
The Floyd County Library2018
HoneyBaked Ham2018
Heritage Ford2019
ImmunoTek Bio Centers, LLC2021
  
2-4 Years 
Brookstone Financial LLC2022
Olive Tree Resources2022
Pet Wants Clarksville2022
Red Yeti2022
Harrison County Lifelong Learning2023
Floyd County Parks and Recreation2023
Wilson Education Center2023
Rural 1st2023
AG Master Tile & More2023
CannaRaised2023
Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA)2024
The Skin Group, PLLC2024
WorK Architecture + Design2024
Livability Media dba Journal Communications, Inc.2024
Black Box Dumpster2024
Porta Kleen2024
Ten20 Craft Brewery2024
  
One Year 
Partners Personnel2025
ECS Southeast LLC2025
Floyd County Animal Rescue League2025
ENCON Equipment2025
MAS Consulting, LLC2025

For Immediate Release: PC3 Health Expands Operations to Indiana, Creating 40 New Jobs in Jeffersonville

by with 2 Comments 1si News1si Press ReleaseEconomic Development

JEFFERSONVILLE, IN. (1/29/2026) – Indiana leaders announced that Physician Care Coordination Consultants LLC (PC3 Health), a growing health care services company, is expanding into southern Indiana with a new office location in Jeffersonville. The expansion will create 40 new premium wage full-time jobs as the company establishes operations at 903 Spring Street in Jeffersonville, Indiana.

The new Jeffersonville location will support PC3 Health’s continued growth as it partners with hospitals and health systems across the country to improve utilization management, case management, and overall clinical and financial performance.

“Indiana’s robust life sciences sector and talent pipeline are primed to support health care services providers like PC3 Health,” said Governor Mike Braun. “PC3 Health joins a growing list of innovative and tech-enabled companies, from small businesses to Fortune 500 firms, choosing Indiana and its communities for long-term growth.”

The company’s new office will house a range of professional positions, including physician advisors, case managers, data analysts, and administrative support staff. The Jeffersonville site allows PC3 Health to tap into the growing health care and life sciences workforce in the region while remaining closely connected to hospital partners throughout the Midwest and beyond.

“We are excited to expand our footprint into Indiana and become part of the Jeffersonville community,” said Karan Shah, M.D., managing partner of PC3 Health. “Our mission is to provide strategic guidance and clinical expertise to hospitals navigating the increasing complexity of payor relationships, utilization, and case management. This expansion positions us to better serve our partners while creating meaningful, well-paying jobs in the region.”

Local and regional community leaders also welcomed the announcement, noting the importance of attracting health care and professional services employers to the city’s downtown corridor.

“PC3 Health’s decision to locate in the City of Jeffersonville is yet another victory for our growing community and we welcome their presence and partnership,” said Mayor Mike Moore. “This announcement brings new premium high-wage jobs for our residents, reactivates a key commercial building on Spring Street, and further reinforces Jeffersonville’s reputation as a destination for innovation.”

“Health care and life sciences remain priority sectors for southern Indiana,” said Lance Allison, President & CEO of One Southern Indiana Chamber & Economic Development. “PC3 Health’s investment underscores the region’s ability to support fast-growing, high-impact companies that invest in their people, customers, and community.”

PC3 Health specializes in utilization management and case management services for hospitals, helping reduce claim denials, improve patient throughput, and enhance financial performance. The Jeffersonville expansion represents the company’s next phase of growth as demand for its services continues to increase nationwide.

For more information about PC3 Health, visit www.pc3health.com

About PC3 Health 
PC3 Heath are the approvals champion. We fight for better outcomes and brighter futures for healthcare organizations and the patients and communities they serve. We are physicians, nurses, and administrators who have experienced what healthcare organizations experience. We know how to help them get more yes, to ensure providers get the support they need to deliver the quality care patients need today and in the future. By working hand-in-hand with healthcare organizations, we leverage an innovative blend of data analysis, technology and human interaction to go beyond simply overturning payor denials and build strategies for future prevention.

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 three pillars of Business Resources, Economic Development, and Advocacy. For more information on One Southern Indiana, visit www.1si.org. 

MEDIA CONTACTS

PC3 Health
Nicole Yates
Nicole.Yates@pc3health.com
(812) 987-6266

One Southern Indiana
Ellinor Smith
ESmith@1si.org
217.320.4832

Advocacy Update 1.28.2026

by with No Comment 1si NewsAdvocacy

We are continuing to learn and monitor policies that may impact our local region. The goal of our Advocacy Agenda is to articulate the opportunities and concerns of Southern Indiana businesses and to speak for them as one voice. 

Due to weather, the Advocacy Committee has postponed their trip to the statehouse but continue to look forward to meeting with officials at a future date. 

If you are interested in understanding local priorities, you can also register for our upcoming 5 O’clock Network at Indiana-American Water Company for our annual, “Meet Your Local Elected Officials.” You can register here. 

We encourage everyone to see upcoming deadlines. 

  • Monday January 26 – Latest Day session must reconvene (IC 2-2.1-1-3) 
  • Thursday January 29 – Last day for 3rd reading of Senate bills in Senate 
  • Thursday January 29 – Last Day for 3rd reading of House bills in the House. 

 

Bills we are monitoring: 

SB 283 Regional Development Tax Credit 

Status: 

  • 1/12/2026: First reading: referred to Committee on Tax and Fiscal Policy 
  • 1/12/2026: Authored by Senators Mishler, Niezgodski 

HB 1101 Regional Economic Development 

Status: 

  • 1/05/2026: First reading: referred to Committee on Ways and Means 
  • 1/05/2026: Coauthored by Representatives Snow, Lehman 
  • 1/05/202: Authored by Representative Heine 

HB 1164 Tax Increment Financing Districts 

Status: 

  • 1/05/2026: First Reading: referred to Committee on Ways and Means 
  • 1/05/2026: Authored by Representative Rowray 

 

Bills we oppose: 

HB 1104 Nondisclosure Agreements in Economic Development 

Status: 

  • 1/12/2026: Representative Commons added as coauthor 
  • 1/05/2026: First reading: referred to Committee on Government and Regulatory Reform 
  • 1/05/2026: Authored by Representative Greene 

 

You can find a copy of the 1si 2026 Advocacy Agenda by visiting https://1si.org/advocacy/ or downloading a PDF copy here. 

Strong Output, Slower Hiring: A Look at Recent Economic Trends

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

The current macroeconomy has been described by some as a “no hire–no fire” economy. Gross domestic product (GDP), a measure of the market value of goods and services produced, has been strong, with third-quarter estimates now at 4.4%. In the most recent quarter, growth was driven primarily by a combination of the resilient consumer, and a reversal of the import surge observed during the first quarter of the year.

Despite the strong growth, comparable gains have not followed in the labor market. Payroll growth has slowed significantly from last year, and hiring activity has declined. Layoffs, however, have not surged. In fact, layoffs remain at historically low levels and well below arecession threshold of roughly 350,000 initial claims per week. Employers, it seems, are holding onto workers, but are increasingly reluctant to add new ones.

Closer to home, we are observing similar patterns across the State of Indiana. The latest state GDP report shows robust 5.1% growth in the third quarter, the strongest quarterly growth since late 2023. Yet job gains for both 2024 and 2025 are running at the slowest pace of the past decade, excluding the sharp losses associated with the COVID recession. Year over year, Indiana payroll employment is ahead by roughly 19,000 jobs, below both pre-pandemic and post-pandemic averages of approximately 27,000 and 38,000 jobs, respectively.

Interestingly, 2019 produced the third-weakest year for job growth over the past decade, with payrolls rising by only about 20,000 jobs. That year followed the implementation of tariffs in 2018, including those on steel and aluminum, an important point of reference for today.

Nearly all the jobs added over the past year in Indiana came from healthcare, which accounted for roughly 17,000 of the 19,000 net jobs gained. Other notable gains came from professional and business services, which added about 9,000 jobs, and construction, which contributed another 3,000.

Indiana remains a national hub for both manufacturing and logistics. Both sectors are particularly sensitive to trade policy, and both struggled in 2025. Transportation and warehousing shed approximately 4,000 jobs over the year, while manufacturing employment was essentially flat. For manufacturing, however, 2025 represented something of a stabilization year following losses of roughly 14,000 and 10,000 jobs in the prior two years.

Turning to Louisville Metro, the latest data show that payroll growth has modestly accelerated in the second half of the year. While the most recent figures show a net gain of about 2,000 jobs over the year, average monthly gains in the second half exceeded those seen earlier in the year. Unlike Indiana, healthcare is no longer the dominant job-creation sector in Louisville Metro, adding fewer than 1,000 jobs in 2025. Last year, Louisville healthcare drove a significant component of overall job growth.

Like Indiana, Louisville is both a manufacturing region and a logistics hub, and both sectors experienced job losses over the past year. Manufacturing employment declined only slightly, but transportation and warehousing shed approximately 2,000 jobs. Construction, by contrast, added more than 2,000 jobs.

Taken together, 2025 stands out as one of the slowest years for job growth for both Indiana and Louisville Metro. Higher interest rates initially weighed on manufacturing activity beginning in 2022. More recently, however, the impact of tariffs appears to be a growing headwind for both the Indiana economy and the Louisville Metro area. Tariff-sensitive sectors such as manufacturing and transportation and warehousing have borne the brunt of these effects. With GDP growth running strong and consumer spending remaining resilient, tariffs increasingly stand out as a key factor holding back job growth.