Posters, Passports and Play: Earn Prizes & Enter to Win at SoIN’s Summer Passport Party on July 1

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Southern Indiana (June 26, 2025) – Enjoy free family-friendly activities, a poster reveal, artist meet and greet and more at the SoIN Summer Passport Party from 3 – 7 p.m. on Tuesday, July 1 at Recbar 812, 336 Pearl Street, New Albany, IN. During the party, SoIN Tourism is unveiling three new poster designs for their year-round passport programs. Each print was created by local artist Carrie Johns as an exclusive prize for passholders.

Celebrate the poster reveal with family-friendly fun at Recbar 812!

  • Free face painting by Bohemian Monkey
  • Free balloon animals by Fossi Lou Balloons
  • Ticket giveaways for Holiday World and New Albany Wicked Walk
  • Self-guided mural walking tour

Summer Passport Party Limited Time Offer

The year-round Scenic SoIN, Inspired SoIN and Stranger Things of SoIN passports allow visitors, and residents, to explore Southern Indiana’s best sights, creative scenes and peculiar spots with ease.  During the party, passholders can check in at just three locations on any of the year-round passports to claim one of Johns’ new posters! Offer is only available during the SoIN Summer Passport Party. Poster must be claimed by 7 p.m. on July 1, 2025, at Recbar 812.

Games & Grub at Recbar 812

Kids 12 and under eat free every Tuesday at Recbar 812 with the purchase of an adult entrée! The restaurant’s kid-friendly menu features chicken tenders, burgers, mac and cheese, and Totchos – tater tots loaded with a variety of toppings. Stick around to enjoy Recbar’s 100+ arcade games and 70+ pinball machines. Attendees can claim 10 free tokens when they sign up for the SoIN Fun Trail, Southern Indiana’s summertime guide to the best family-friendly experiences in SoIN. SoIN Fun Trail prizes will also be available for pick up at Recbar 812 during the SoIN Summer Passport Party.

Signing Up for Passports

Sign up for one or more of SoIN Tourism’s free passports at GoSoIN.com/Passports. Once registered, participants receive an email and text prompting them to add the passport to their smartphone home screen for convenient access. Passholders can use the passports to check in and earn points for prizes. Points can also be used for entries into grand prize drawings.

If you are planning to attend, or if you would like to set up an interview in advance, please contact Communications Manager Anna Rosales-Crone at Anna@GoSoIN.com or 812-282-6692.

About Carrie Johns

Carrie Johns is an accomplished professional artist who has been painting murals throughout the region for 25 years. She has worked with clients such as Kroger, Rabbit Hole Distillery, Falls City Beer and the City of New Albany. In addition to fine art and signage, Johns has painted several colorful murals throughout Southern Indiana and Louisville, including six featured on the Inspired SoIN digital passport.

About SoIN Tourism

SoIN Tourism is the official destination marketing organization for Clark and Floyd Counties in Southern Indiana, just north of Louisville, Ky. Offering authentic experiences in the Kentuckiana region, SoIN includes historic downtowns in Jeffersonville and New Albany, Clarksville’s retail corridor, as well as the communities of Charlestown, Floyds Knobs, Henryville, Memphis, New Washington, Sellersburg, and Starlight. Visitors who would like more information can visit the destination’s website, GoSoIN.com.

 

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Recent IU Southeast grads attain record outcomes and increased income levels in the first year post-graduation

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NEW ALBANY, Ind. (June 26, 2025) – A new Indiana University survey of graduate outcomes shows that IU Southeast once again leads all IU campuses in graduates’ full-time job placement and graduates employed in their field of study. Additionally, graduates of IU Southeast, on average, saw a 17 percent increase in first-year salaries as compared to the study completed in 2022-23.

The IU First Destination Survey explores the outcomes of IU undergraduate students in their first year following graduation. The survey focuses on the outcome of IU graduates who earned undergraduate degrees during the 2023-2024 academic year.

The survey, conducted by Indiana University’s Office of Student Success in collaboration with campus career services and Institutional Analytics, drew data from over 78 percent of IU Southeast graduates. Data collected from primary and secondary sources, including student questionnaires, departmental reports, and social media profiles, were used to assemble the outcomes profile.

Of these graduates, 97 percent were either employed (86.5%) or enrolled in an educational program such as graduate or professional school (10.6%). There were no reported outcomes of graduates entering military service. The survey identified less than three percent of graduates who were still seeking employment (2.7%).

Of nearly 87 percent who had accepted offers of employment, 98 percent were working full-time with an average salary of $58,311, an increase of 17 percent from the class of 2022-23.

Impressively, nearly 97 percent of working graduates reported that their employment was directly related to their field of study, with top employers including Norton Healthcare, UPS, Humana, Baptist Health, Greater Clark County Schools, and New Albany Floyd County Schools. Additionally, 95 percent of employed graduates reported working in Indiana or Kentucky, reinforcing the university’s critical role in educating regional talent.

Chancellor Debbie Ford praised the results as a testament to the university’s mission:

“At IU Southeast, student success is not just a goal—it’s a promise we deliver on year after year. Our graduates are entering the workforce prepared, confident, and career-ready, and they’re finding well-paying careers in their chosen fields right here in our region,” said Chancellor Ford. “These outcomes speak to the power of hands-on learning, strong faculty mentorship, and our deep connection with local employers. We remain committed to fueling both opportunity for our students and growth for our community.”

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About IU Southeast: IU Southeast is one of nine campuses of Indiana University. Offering top-quality and nationally accredited programs in education, nursing, business, social sciences, natural sciences, arts and humanities, the scenic 180-acre campus is located less than 15 minutes from downtown Louisville, Kentucky. It currently has over 3,750 students and employs over 360 faculty members. About 400 students live on campus in five fully furnished, lodge-style residence halls. Through an agreement with the Commonwealth of Kentucky, Indiana University Southeast offers in-state tuition to students enrolled from ten counties in the Louisville region, including Bullitt, Hardin, Henry, Jefferson, Meade, Nelson, Oldham, Shelby, Trimble, and Spencer counties and discounted tuition for remaining Kentucky residents through the Indiana Partner Program. For more information, visit . IU Southeast is a tobacco-free campus.

ENCON Repeats as Fastest-Growing Rental Team in the United States

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Jeffersonville, IN — June 23, 2025 —  For the second year in a row, ENCON Equipment has been named the fastest-growing equipment rental company in the United States, topping Rental Management’s 2025 Market Movers list with an extraordinary 535% revenue-producing growth. This back-to-back honor cements ENCON’s reputation as a standout in the rental industry.
 
Breakout Year Continues with Debut on RER 100 List
Adding to its impressive momentum, ENCON has also earned a spot on the Rental Equipment Register’s (RER) prestigious 2025 Top 100 list—making its debut at No. 99 among the largest equipment rental firms in North America, with total annual sales of $12.7 million.
 
While the Market Movers list recognizes the fastest-growing companies based on percentage growth in rental revenue, the RER 100 highlights the largest rental companies in North America, ranked by total annual rental volume. ENCON’s inclusion on both lists underscores a rare combination of rapid growth and expanding market presence—proof that the company is scaling up while maintaining speed.
 
ENCON serves contractors across Kentucky, metro Louisville, and Southern Indiana through three regional hubs located in Nicholasville, KY; Somerset, KY; and Jeffersonville, IN. The company’s focus on compact and mid-sized machinery has made it a trusted rental partner across the region.
 
“Our team is driven by the belief that the right equipment can make a powerful impact,” said Jordan Mitchell, president of ENCON. “These awards say a lot about how hard our people work and how much our customers believe in us.”
 
Published annually, the Market Movers list tracks year-over-year growth, while the RER 100 captures the overall industry footprint. To make both lists in just two years—following a change in ownership—is a major milestone in ENCON’s journey to becoming a national leader in equipment rental.
 
To learn more, visit www.enconequipment.com.
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Media Contact:
Angie Gimmel
Angie@enconequipment.com
(502) 648-9283

Sip, Savor, and Celebrate: “The SIP” Returns to Downtown New Albany on June 21, 2025

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Award-winning tasting event brings back crowd-favorite cocktail showdown, live entertainment, and the best of Southern Indiana’s food and drink scene

NEW ALBANY, IN – One of Southern Indiana’s most anticipated summer events is back. The SIP returns to downtown New Albany on Saturday, June 21, 2025, offering a spirited celebration of local wineries, distilleries, breweries, and culinary creativity—plus the return of the show-stopping SIP Cocktail Showdown.

Named the 2024 recipient of the SoIN Tourism Award for Collaboration, The SIP is produced by New Albany Main Street, a nonprofit organization focused on revitalizing and reimagining New Albany’s historic downtown, midtown & uptown districts.

“This event is all about spotlighting local flavor and the incredible talent in our food and beverage scene,” said Robin Nance, Executive Director of New Albany Main Street. “It’s a chance to sip something new, support our local businesses, and soak in a day of energy, flavor, and community.”

Event-goers can expect:

  • Tastings from regional wineries, breweries, and distilleries

  • Dishes from local restaurants

  • Artists & Merchants selling unique goods

  • 50/50 Raffle plus other raffle prizes

  • Live entertainment and hourly demos throughout the day

  • And of course, the SIP Cocktail Showdown, sponsored by Heaven’s Door Ascension (KY Bourbon) & Heaven’s Door Revelation (Double Barrel Whiskey), where bartenders compete across two exciting phases:

    • Main Street Mix Off: Competitors serve their favorite cocktails to The SIP attendees for voting.

    • The SIP Showdown: A live mix-off, at the event, between the top two competitors judged by local experts and last year’s winner.

Tickets include a tasting glass and access to all on-site samples and activities. 

Proceeds from The SIP directly support New Albany Main Street programs, from small business support to community events that keep our districts thriving year-round.

For press inquiries, sponsorship details, or vendor applications, contact robin@newalbanymainstreet.org or visit www.newalbanymainstreet.org.

 

 

Follow Along

Party with a Purpose: Republic Bank hosts fifth annual Juneteenth Event to improve health outcomes in West Louisville

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Since 2020, Republic and community partners have offered free life-saving screenings and educational resources to celebration attendees
 
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Jun. 7, 2025) – Today, Republic Bank & Trust Company (“Republic” or “the Bank”) hosted the fifth annual Juneteenth Event at the Republic Bank Foundation YMCA. Republic partnered with Kentucky African Americans Against Cancer (KAAAC) and other community organizations to offer free screenings and educational resources to improve the health of West Louisville residents.
“Republic Bank welcomes the opportunity to host this important community event each year in celebration of Juneteenth,” Republic Bank President and CEO Logan Pichel said. “We are committed to investing in West Louisville, improving the quality of life and enabling the communities we serve to thrive. Not only are we able to help Louisvillians access life-saving health screenings and resources, but today’s event offered everyone an opportunity to celebrate with the community.”
According to the American Cancer Society, one in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime, with the risk for Black men being significantly higher. Moreover, a recent National Institutes of Health (NIH) study concluded that Black men have a higher prevalence of prostate cancer because of lower prostate exam screening rates.
Additionally, the average dental screening costs about $130, and according to the Kentucky Oral Health Coalition, poor oral health is linked to a number of health conditions including heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke and Alzheimer’s disease. Further, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that the highest prevalence of fatal oral cancers is among Black Americans, and they are three times more likely to have untreated cavities.
In addition to free prostate screenings provided by KAAAC, KARE Mobile offered complementary dental screenings for all attendees. Attendees also enjoyed activities, food and vendors operated by Black- and women-owned businesses.
“We’re thrilled to celebrate Juneteenth in West Louisville for the fifth year in a row,” Republic Bank Vice President, Inclusion and Diversity Ashley Duncan said. “We’re grateful for our community partners like KAAAC and Kare Mobile that are helping us reach underserved communities and save lives.”
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About Republic Bank
Republic Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company”) is the parent company of Republic Bank & Trust Company (the “Bank”). The Bank currently has 47 banking centers in communities within five metropolitan statistical areas (“MSAs”) across five states: 22 banking centers located within the Louisville MSA in Louisville, Prospect, Shelbyville, and Shepherdsville in Kentucky, and Floyds Knobs, Jeffersonville, and New Albany in Indiana; six banking centers within the Lexington MSA in Georgetown and Lexington in Kentucky; eight banking centers within the Cincinnati MSA in Cincinnati and West Chester in Ohio, and Bellevue, Covington, Crestview Hills, and Florence in Kentucky; seven banking centers within the Tampa MSA in Largo, New Port Richey, St. Petersburg, Seminole, and Tampa in Florida; and four banking centers within the Nashville MSA in Franklin, Murfreesboro, Nashville and Spring Hill, Tennessee. In addition, Republic Bank Finance has one loan production office in St. Louis, Missouri. The Bank offers online banking at www.republicbank.com. The Company is headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, and as of March 31, 2025, had approximately $7.1 billion in total assets. The Company’s Class A Common Stock is listed under the symbol “RBCAA” on the NASDAQ Global Select Market. 
Source: Republic Bancorp, Inc.

Media Contact
Courtney Eder, Senior Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer
(502) 584-3600

Stites & Harbison Ranks in Top 10 on 2025  “Best Places to Work in Kentucky” List 

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LOUISVILLE, Ky. (June 2, 2025)—Stites & Harbison, PLLC ranks in the Top 10 “Best Places to Work in Kentucky” for 2025 in the medium company category. The firm has made the list 19 times — 11 of those in the Top 10. 

“With so many exceptional employers in the Commonwealth, we are deeply honored to be ranked again in the Top 10,” stated Marjorie A. Farris, Chair of Stites & Harbison. “It’s gratifying to know that as our firm has grown, we are still maintaining the positive and collegial environment that encourages our attorneys and staff to succeed.” 

“Best Places to Work in Kentucky” is hosted by the Kentucky Society for Human Resource Management in conjunction with The Kentucky Chamber of Commerce. Winners are selected from three categories: large company (more than 500 employees), medium company (150-499 employees) and small company (15-149 employees).  

Stites & Harbison’s Kentucky offices include Covington, Frankfort, Lexington and Louisville. 

About Stites & Harbison 

Stites & Harbison, PLLC is a nationally recognized, full-service law firm. With 12 offices across seven states — Kentucky, Connecticut, Georgia, Indiana, Ohio, Tennessee and Virginia — the firm represents clients across the United States and internationally. Tracing its origins to 1832, Stites & Harbison is known as a preeminent firm managing sophisticated transactions, challenging litigation and complex regulatory matters on a daily basis. For more information, visit www.stites.com. 

Family Business Award Nominations Now Open!

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Recognize the Exceptional Family Businesses and Leaders in Our Community

May 1, 2025 – Nominate your favorite family businesses and leaders today for The Legacy Continues: 2025 Family Business Awards presented by the University of Louisville Family Business Center and Commonwealth Credit Union. These awards recognize excellence in family business operations, building continuity, community and philanthropy, education, and continuing the rich legacy of family businesses in our community.

Categories for Recognition

  • Generations of Excellence – this individual has been leading their family business for at least 15 years and has made efforts to increase governance within the family business and is working to prepare the next generation for leadership. They are invested in continuing the legacy of their family business and have been actively involved in working with future generations to ensure knowledge from previous generations is passed down and they are an encouragement to ongoing innovation and growth in generations to come.
  • Emerging Family Business Innovator – as a prominent leader in this family business, this individual has exhibited efforts to embrace the legacy of the current business and is taking up the torch to lead future Their desire to grow and advance the business in new and innovative ways is evident in their daily contributions to the organization. Nominees should be future leaders who have dedicated at least 10 consecutive years full time in the family business and who currently hold a leadership role.
  • Legacy Builder – this individual is instrumental to working on the family business and ensuring its success for generations to come. Through building governance and setting expectations, their efforts have helped the business plan for the future and prepare in advance for the unexpected challenges that may arise in an effort to maintain family harmony and successfully move the business forward.
  • Round Table Luminary – this award is designated specifically for a UofL Family Business Center Round Table Participant. This individual consistently attends and offers meaningful contributions to their groups round table By doing this, they have exhibited growth in their own business and inspired others. Their efforts to share their growing knowledge in family business has been beneficial to their round table community as a whole. This nominee must be a current member of the UofL Family Business Center in good standing.

 

Criteria and Nominations

For the purpose of these awards, “family businesses” are identified as a business owned by a family and with multiple members of the family currently working for the business in some capacity. Membership with the UofL Family Business Center is not required for most categories.

The deadline to submit nominations is June 16, 2025. You can find the nomination form here:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSecYydA_1liP3E3JMWDfyECQtxg0tAdN4c9_qkLlvtsVoD- QA/viewform?usp=header

About the University of Louisville Family Business Center

The UofL Family Business Center (FBC) provides a vital community where business-owning families can exchange strategies and experiences, safely explore unique challenges, and learn from leading family business experts. Our goal is to sustain Kentuckiana family businesses through connections, support, education, and advocacy, increasing family harmony while committing to business continuity. We leverage local and best-in-class resources from the University of Louisville by:

  • Creating a community of business owners and their advisors that strengthens both the family and the business.
  • Providing educational resources to business-owning families, family enterprises, and family business partners for multi-generational success.
  • Generating, translating, and disseminating research about business-owning families and family enterprises in our region.

The Family Business Center boasts a membership of over 150 businesses and business-owning families, ranging from small, local, first-generation businesses to multi-generational international enterprises exceeding $100M+. Our membership maintains a 70/30 split of family businesses and professional advisors, including attorneys, banks, CPAs, business valuation experts, strategic advisors, and more.

Learn more by contacting us at FBC@Louisville.edu or visiting us online: Memberships | Family Business Center at University of Louisville on Glue Up.

For Additional Information:
Candace Bensel
UofL Family Business Center Executive Director
Email: Candace.Bensel@Louisville.edu

Kristen Frarey
UofL Family Business Center Member Services Coordinator
Email: Kristen.Frarey@Louisville.edu

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Duke Energy awards grants to local economic development organizations to boost growth, job creation in southern Indiana

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PLAINFIELD, Ind. – Duke Energy has selected four economic development organizations in southern Indiana for inclusion in its 2025 Partnership Program, which funds marketing and strategic efforts to attract new jobs and investment to Indiana.

“This program gives our local economic development partners the tools they need to showcase the strengths of their communities – both at home and on the national stage,” said Erin Schneider, managing director of economic development at Duke Energy. “It’s just one of the many ways we’re helping influence growth in the state to build competitive, thriving communities.”

Partnership Program grant funds can be used to support a wide array of marketing initiatives, including trade show attendance, website redesign, promotional materials, and presentations or tours to introduce prospective companies and site selectors to a community.

To qualify for program consideration, each applicant submitted a plan that would have a direct impact on their community’s economic growth. Grant amounts varied depending on the size and scope of the project.

This year, grants were awarded to the following southern Indiana organizations:

One Southern Indiana – $5,000

Grant funds will support the implementation of a new, state-of-the-art customer relationship management system. This system will serve as a centralized hub for managing community projects, tracking incentive programs and analyzing economic impact. It will provide comprehensive reporting, site selection services, incentive advisory and compliance management tools to streamline operations and drive economic development.

Orange County Economic Development Partnership – $2,000

Grant funds will support marketing efforts for talent attraction as part of French Lick’s Klondike workforce housing development.

Pike County Economic Development Corporation – $5,000

Grant funds will support social media content development and management for the organization, as well as the production of a 90-second promotional video.

Southwest Indiana Development Council – $5,000

Grant funds will support the Southwest Indiana Development Council’s membership with the Transatlantic Business & Investment Council and foreign direct investment marketing efforts.

Duke Energy Indiana

Duke Energy Indiana, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, provides about 6,300 megawatts of owned electric capacity to approximately 910,000 customers in a 23,000-square-mile service area, making it Indiana’s largest electric supplier.

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Tourism Capital Development Fund (TCDF) Call for Applications 

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Up to $1 million available for place-making projects in Indiana’s Clark and Floyd counties 

Southern Indiana (May 15, 2025) – SoIN Tourism, the Clark-Floyd Counties Convention & Tourism Bureau, will award up to $1 million in total to support high-impact, transformative place-making projects spearheaded by Clark and Floyd County non-profits and government entities. Applications for a 2025 round of funding from the Tourism Capital Development Fund (TCDF) managed by SoIN Tourism will be accepted starting June 2, 2025. The deadline to apply is August 31, 2025. 

The program offers a unique partnership designed to enhance visitor experiences and the quality of life for residents. Awards granted will range from $100,000 to $250,000. Applications will be reviewed in the fall, and recipients will be selected by the end of 2025. New this year, SoIN Tourism Executive Director Jim Epperson will host an Information Session for interested parties to learn more and ask questions. 

What: Tourism Capital Development Fund Information Session 

Date: Thursday, June 5 

Time: 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. 

Where: Southern Indiana Visitor Center, 228 Spring Street, Suite 106, Jeffersonville, IN 47130 

The TCDF program has been in place since 1984 when the Indiana General Assembly enacted an additional 1% innkeeper’s tax to support tourism capital development projects in Clark and Floyd counties. That portion increased to 1.5% in 2019 and represents 25% of the Bureau’s total funding.  

For more than 30 years, the program has assisted in the development of signature projects that improve the quality of place enjoyed by visitors and residents of Southern Indiana. Most recently, the program supported: Clarksville Central Green, Falls of the Ohio State Park Education Pavilion, Town of Borden Historic Bank Building Repurpose, and Charlestown Family Activities Park Phase II Expansion. 

Interested applicants can view full details and requirements at GoSoIN.com/business/partner-support/. If you are interested in interviewing someone about the TCDF, please contact Communications Manager Anna Rosales-Crone at Anna@GoSoIN.com or 812-282-6692.  

SoIN Tourism is the official destination marketing organization for Clark and Floyd counties in Southern Indiana, just north of Louisville, Ky. Offering authentic experiences in the Kentuckiana region, SoIN includes historic downtowns in Jeffersonville and New Albany, Clarksville’s retail corridor, as well as the communities of Charlestown, Floyds Knobs, Henryville, Memphis, New Washington, Sellersburg and Starlight. Visitors who would like more information can visit the destination’s website, GoSoIN.com. 

 

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IU Southeast Presents Mid-Year Economic Update 

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NEW ALBANY, Ind. (May 9, 2025) – The Indiana University Southeast School of Business offers faculty, business leaders, and community residents an opportunity to learn more about the local economy. 

The Mid-Year Economic Update, sponsored by the IU Southeast School of Business, will be held at 8 a.m., Thursday, May 22, 2025, in the Hoosier Room located in University Center North, on the IU Southeast campus at 4201 Grant Line Rd in New Albany. Breakfast is from 8:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., followed by the presentation. 

Sanders Chair in Business, Dr. Uric Dufrene, will speak about national trends and the implications for the local economy. Dufrene, former IU Southeast Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and the IU Southeast School of Business Dean, will also highlight the most recent data available for the Greater Louisville and Southern Indiana economy. 

Dufrene, along with industry experts from the IU Kelley School of Business, shared economic predictions at the annual Indiana Business Outlook Panel last November. At the Mid-Year Economic Update, Dufrene will provide updates about the predictions made in November, and he will offer predictions for the remainder of the year. 

This event is free and open to the public, but reservations are required. For more information or to register by Friday, May 16, contact the School of Business at (812) 941-2362 or business@ius.edu. More information is available at https://go.iu.edu/economic-update.    

 

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About IU Southeast: IU Southeast is one of nine campuses of Indiana University. Offering top-quality and nationally accredited programs in education, nursing, business, social sciences, natural sciences, arts and humanities, the scenic 180-acre campus is located less than 15 minutes from downtown Louisville, Kentucky. It currently has over 3,750 students and employs over 360 faculty members. About 400 students live on campus in five fully furnished, lodge-style residence halls. Through an agreement with the Commonwealth of Kentucky, Indiana University Southeast offers in-state tuition to students enrolled from eight counties in the Louisville region. For more information, visit https://southeast.iu.edu. IU Southeast is a tobacco-free campus.