AGP Executive Report

PFAS Liability Fight: Fifteen U.S. states, including Indiana, sued Corteva and its Vylor spinoff in Indiana state court, arguing the deal was designed to dodge tens of billions in “forever chemical” liabilities tied to DuPont-era PFAS. Housing & Jobs: Gov. Mike Braun pushed READI 2.0 housing projects expected to add at least 424 homes in Pike, Dearborn and Marshall counties, while also touting September jobs and wages announcements tied to advanced manufacturing, ag-biotech and defense. Diesel Relief for Farmers: Braun renewed Indiana’s gas tax suspension and expanded relief by lifting restrictions on untaxed dyed off-road diesel for farmers and timber harvesters during harvest, after lawmakers cited diesel prices near $7 a gallon. Energy Reliability Scrutiny: Braun highlighted the need to learn from August storm outages as the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission reviews reliability and resiliency. Indiana Business Growth: VIO Med Spa ranked No. 373 on Franchise Times’ Top 400, and LINE-X announced 11 new openings planned for 2026, including a North Indianapolis location. Aviation Safety: The NTSB released a preliminary report on a Hanover-area small plane crash, saying the pilot aborted takeoff before losing airspeed and hitting trees and a home.

Energy & Utilities Oversight: Indiana lawmakers grilled NIPSCO and state regulators during a marathon committee meeting on the Aug. 11 derecho response, with an approved report pushing for clearer emergency restoration procedures and tighter vegetation-management audits. Agriculture Fuel Relief: Gov. Mike Braun extended Indiana’s gasoline tax suspension through Nov. 4 and suspended dyed-diesel restrictions for farmers during harvest, after lawmakers urged relief from record diesel prices. Public Transit & Campus Impacts: Indiana University students reported delays after construction forced changes to campus bus routes, including a long closure on Eagleson Avenue affecting the B Route. Workforce & Infrastructure: INDOT will hold winter hiring interviews Oct. 6 in Paoli for seasonal snow and highway maintenance jobs. Manufacturing & Safety: B & C Industrial Products launched industrial casters with integrated steel toe guards cast into the frame, targeting foot-safety in forklift environments. Health & Community: Fort Wayne police highlighted Domestic Violence Awareness Month with events and partnerships, including a Nov. 4 conference at Purdue Fort Wayne.

Indiana Energy Policy: Gov. Mike Braun renewed Indiana’s energy emergency, extending the gas tax holiday through Nov. 4 and suspending dyed-diesel fuel restrictions—aimed at keeping fuel costs down for Hoosiers and adding harvest relief for farmers. Agriculture & Fuel Costs: State Rep. Jim Pressel and other lawmakers urged Braun to let farmers use untaxed off-road diesel in semi-trucks during harvest, citing near-$7 diesel prices and the scale of fuel use in crop operations. Healthcare & Legal: An Indiana federal judge certified a medical monitoring class in a DuPont lead exposure case involving minors, while denying certification of a personal injury class. Cybersecurity & Healthcare Infrastructure: Trimedx, based in Indianapolis, was named a Frost Radar “Visionary Leader” for healthcare infrastructure cybersecurity. Housing & Real Estate: Apartments.com reported September multifamily rent dipped slightly nationally (-0.08% to $1,752) but annual rent growth held at +1.5%. National Health Policy: The Trump administration began mailing $500 ACA refund checks to about 950,000 people in 30 states, tied to alleged federal exchange user-fee overcharges.

Workforce Training: The U.S. Department of Education approved Florida’s Workforce Pell Grant programs, expanding short, job-focused training that can be completed in as little as eight weeks—an approach Indiana employers watching the skilled-trades pipeline may want to track. Data Centers & Power: A new coalition backed by major AI firms, investors and construction unions is pushing states (including Indiana) toward stricter development standards instead of moratoriums, as lawmakers weigh electricity, water and community impacts. Healthcare Costs: A new Georgetown analysis finds about 68% of Michigan residents face at least one basic-cost squeeze (housing, food, health care or child care), underscoring the broader affordability pressure hitting the Midwest. Indiana Energy/Infrastructure: Indiana’s $175M federal push to modernize the power grid and address a regional “chokepoint” continues to shape utility planning and ratepayer expectations. Local Business & Community: Elkhart launched a three-day tree blitz to plant hundreds more trees before winter, tying neighborhood beautification to stormwater and heat relief. Public Safety: Indiana State Police reported a non-life-threatening shooting during a Tri-State-area residential break-in attempt in Franklin County.

Energy & Fuel Prices: GasBuddy price reports show Indiana-area drivers seeing a mix of highs and lows for midgrade, premium and diesel, with statewide diesel averaging about $6.48 per gallon for the week ending Sept. 19 while some counties hit lower single-station lows. Manufacturing & Jobs: Royal Canin’s Lewisburg, Ohio plant is highlighting tech-enabled pet food production after exceeding startup targets, a reminder of how U.S. manufacturing investment is reshaping regional hiring. Education & Workforce Pipeline: Latinos Count awarded $2,000 scholarships to 18 northeast Indiana students, including Purdue Fort Wayne mechanical engineering and Ivy Tech healthcare students. Utilities & Infrastructure: West Lafayette approved up to $95 million in sewage works revenue bonds to expand its Water Resource Recovery Facility capacity from about 10.5 million to 15 million gallons per day. Agriculture & Regulation: Indiana lawmakers are pushing for dyed diesel relief for farmers as harvest fuel costs rise, while a multistate AG effort targets pesticide pricing practices in a settlement involving Corteva. Economic Development: Indiana is adding disaster-recovery one-stop shops in LaPorte and Hamilton counties for storm survivors, with FEMA deadlines approaching.

Indiana Energy & Grid: Indiana is set to receive $175 million in federal SPARK funding to modernize the power grid and address a regional “choke point,” aiming to lower costs for ratepayers and improve reliability. Amazon & Manufacturing Expansion: Amazon plans a new $100 million robotics manufacturing facility in Greenwood, creating about 300 high-wage jobs and expanding Indiana’s advanced manufacturing footprint. Agriculture & Shipping Costs: Railroads have more than doubled fuel surcharges in the past year, raising the cost of shipping grain and putting pressure on farm economics as harvest nears. Public Transit Watch: A new study ranks Indianapolis among the worst U.S. cities for public transportation, citing low ridership and concerns about usefulness and operational safety. Workforce & Education: Indiana’s skilled-trades pipeline and workforce development efforts continue to draw attention as employers seek talent, while local school boards weigh budget pressures tied to transportation costs. Community & Health: A Ferdinand pediatrician, Norma Schue Kreilein, is named an American Academy of Pediatrics “Local Hero” for advocating for children’s health in industrial pollution “sacrifice zones.”

Indiana Energy & Grid: Indiana is set to receive $175 million from the federal government to modernize the regional electric grid and address a “choke point,” with state leaders framing it as a way to lower costs and improve reliability. Utility Oversight: After the Aug. storm, an Indiana statehouse committee is moving to investigate power outages and NIPSCO’s response, with hearings focused on extreme weather, vegetation management, and outage recovery. Education Funding Pressure: A new survey of Indiana superintendents says property tax reforms are already forcing cuts, with districts anticipating reductions in teaching and support staff. Retail & Logistics: Kroger is testing a return to 24-hour store hours, including five Indiana locations, while BJ’s is seeking nearly $30 million to expand an Orlando distribution site into a logistics hub. Ag & Competition: States and the FTC reached a $35 million settlement with Corteva over pesticide loyalty programs, aimed at lowering prices for farmers. Finance & Risk: FHLBank Indianapolis announced leadership changes, including new roles for CFO and chief risk/compliance leadership. Data Security: A bipartisan coalition of 44 state attorneys general reached a settlement tied to a Labcorp data breach, requiring stronger vendor security practices. Business Growth: Rehab Medical named Jason Foggiano as COO to scale operations and customer support.

Federal Power Grid Boost: Indiana is set to receive $175 million from the U.S. Department of Energy to relieve a regional “choke point” at the MISO-PJM seam, potentially unlocking 2,000 to 4,000 megawatts of transfer capacity and cutting congestion costs for ratepayers. Amazon Manufacturing Push: Amazon plans to invest more than $100 million in a new Greenwood, Ind., facility to build robotics and fulfillment-network products, creating about 300 skilled jobs starting in 2028. INDOT Construction & Mobility: INDOT continues work on U.S. 30, including a diverging diamond interchange at Flaugh Road, with traffic impacts expected through winter and additional improvements planned near O’Day Road. Consumer Tech Retail: Indycells is expanding an in-person iPhone trade-in model in Indianapolis, letting customers get online offers and cash after local inspection. Insurance Oversight: A coalition unveiled a Public Adjusting Code of Professional Conduct to standardize ethics and set up a complaint board for public adjusters. Farm Belt Pressure: CNN reports farmers across the Midwest are feeling diesel and shipping cost pain, with rail surcharges and higher fuel costs squeezing margins ahead of harvest.

Energy & Fuel Prices: GasBuddy price reports for the week ending Sept. 19 show Indiana-area drivers seeing mixed costs by fuel type, with examples including Wayne County regular gas at $3.35 and Huntington County premium at $4.29, while diesel and midgrade prices vary widely by county and even by the number of stations reporting. Policy & Regulation: The broader U.S. energy backdrop remains volatile as refinery outages and global oil-market tensions continue to move prices, and Washington’s latest fuel-efficiency moves are reshaping expectations for gasoline and EV demand. Biopharma Growth: Eli Lilly says its oral GLP-1 Foundayo is gaining traction fast, with CEO David Ricks telling CNBC the pill now drives about one-third of new oral GLP-1 starts, as Lilly also pushes forward with a $6.5 billion Houston manufacturing expansion. Business Expansion: Denver-based Galloway & Co. is acquiring Evansville’s Hafer Inc., keeping the local architecture, interior design and MEP engineering team in place while adding resources. Public Safety: Fort Wayne Fire Department mourns Captain Andrea Burton, with funeral details pending.

Energy Policy: President Trump says he approved new U.S. fuel-efficiency standards that end the Biden-era EV mandate, arguing it will cut costs and spur auto manufacturing—while details and timelines remain unclear. Indiana Power Grid: The U.S. Department of Energy is investing $175 million in Indiana power-grid upgrades under SPARK, part of a broader effort to relieve a regional “choke point” and modernize aging infrastructure. Coal & Reliability: Federal orders keep two Indiana coal plants running through fall after a court fight, underscoring ongoing tension between reliability, costs, and energy-transition rules. Manufacturing & Jobs: Amazon plans a $100 million Indiana manufacturing push, including 300 jobs in Greenwood, as the state competes for robotics and industrial investment. Semiconductor Supply Chain: Reuters reports SK hynix is weighing a bigger U.S. role for memory production tied to its Indiana HBM packaging plant, with options including partnerships or leasing capacity. Local Business Climate: Hancock Economic Development Council executive director Randy Sorrell will retire at end of 2026, with a successor search underway. Consumer Safety: Nearly 1.7 million pounds of sugar are recalled across eight states due to contamination concerns.

Energy Policy: Trump says he approved new fuel economy standards that end the Biden-era electric vehicle mandate, arguing it will cut costs and bring more auto production back to states including Indiana. Power Reliability: The U.S. Department of Energy ordered two Indiana coal plants—R.M. Schahfer and F.B. Culley—to stay open through Dec. 18 after court action challenged earlier emergency authority, keeping the reliability debate front and center for Indiana utilities. Grid Investment: Indiana is also set to receive a $175 million federal SPARK grant to modernize the power grid and address a regional “choke point,” aligning with broader federal spending to strengthen aging infrastructure. Local Development: Ball State trustees approved a mixed-use Village Revitalization Plan component for “Site 2” in Muncie while reviewing progress with Muncie Community Schools. Manufacturing & Jobs: Amazon plans a new Indiana manufacturing facility in Greenwood, with reporting pointing to 300 high-wage jobs tied to robotics for fulfillment. Consumer/Legal: A Warrick County couple sued Toyota after alleging a 2023 Tundra fuel-line recall issue contributed to a 2024 fire that destroyed their home.

Logistics & Warehousing: Maersk Contract Logistics is now running PUMA’s North American distribution network, including a highly automated Whitestown, Indiana warehouse (~636,000 sq. ft.) using AutoStore systems, as the brand leans on automation to speed fulfillment and cut costs. Energy Infrastructure: Indiana landed $175 million in federal funding to relieve a regional electricity “choke point” between grid operators, with officials saying the work could free up 2,000–4,000 megawatts of transfer capacity and reduce congestion costs. Manufacturing & Jobs: Amazon plans to invest $100 million in a new Greenwood manufacturing facility and create 300 high-wage jobs, adding to its broader push in AI, cloud, and robotics. Rural Health: Gov. Braun announced $13.1 million in GROW grants for rural healthcare access in south-central Indiana, targeting better outcomes across multiple counties. Agriculture Safety: State agriculture, transportation and police urged drivers to watch for slow-moving farm equipment during harvest, citing recent Indiana crash and fatality history. Food Recall: FDA reported a voluntary recall of 1.7 million pounds of sugar products due to possible wheat allergen contamination, including distribution in Indiana.

Indiana Energy & Grid Funding: The U.S. Department of Energy awarded Indiana a $175 million SPARK grant to modernize the power grid, expanding transfer capacity between transmission operators and expected to save ratepayers up to $150 million a year, with $525 million total investment and about four years to complete. Robotics Manufacturing: Amazon will invest more than $100 million in a 585,000-square-foot advanced manufacturing facility in Greenwood, targeting 300 skilled jobs and producing components for its robotics and fulfillment network, with a 2028 launch. State Government & Archives: Indiana’s new 130,000-square-foot State Archives building opened downtown Indianapolis, consolidating 200 years of records with climate-controlled storage and improved public access. Consumer & Data Security: Indiana’s AG actions were part of broader multistate settlements tied to data breaches, including Labcorp/AMCA, with states pushing for stronger vendor oversight. Local Business Impact: A long Wakarusa Street closure has left nearby retailers and owners reporting major sales drops and frustration over lack of answers and accountability. Agriculture: USDA projections show U.S. turkey production rising to 198.5 million head in 2026, with Indiana holding steady at about 20 million.

Energy & Grid Investment: The U.S. Department of Energy is awarding Indiana $175 million for power grid upgrades, as regulators also launch a probe into NIPSCO’s handling of August storm outages and residents pack open houses for major transmission projects. Manufacturing & Jobs: Amazon is set to build a Greenwood manufacturing facility creating 300 high-wage jobs, while Eli Lilly breaks ground on a $6.5B Houston plant and Indiana continues to court new industrial work. Tech & Data Centers: Indiana’s data center boom is drawing scrutiny from rural residents, with reporting highlighting how hyperscale sites can reshape local water, power and air-permit needs. Housing & Property Costs: Assessed values are jumping sharply for Indiana businesses—especially industrial property—raising tax pressure even as Heartland Communities expands in Vermillion. Public Policy & Education: Indianapolis Public Schools declined to overturn its move away from Enroll Indy, and the Trump administration’s push to gut Head Start is drawing national attention. Consumer Safety: South Bend restaurants warn of scammers using their names to sell fake merchandise online. Health & Regulation: The FDA advisory panel backed a multi-cancer blood test, and Lilly’s once-weekly insulin gets FDA approval for adults with type 2 diabetes.

NASCAR & Indiana Business: Tony Stewart will return to NASCAR for a Craftsman Truck Series race at Talladega on Oct. 23, driving Kaulig Racing’s No. 25 Ram as part of Ram’s Free Agent Driver Program—another reminder of how major brands keep investing in motorsports marketing. Energy & Grid Upgrades: Indiana is set to receive $175 million from the U.S. Department of Energy’s SPARK program to boost transmission capacity between PJM and MISO, supporting 31 grid projects across 26 states. Workforce & Manufacturing: Amazon announced a $100M, 585,000-square-foot Greenwood facility to build robotics and fulfillment equipment, targeting 300 manufacturing and engineering jobs averaging nearly $100,000. Local Transit Expansion: The Community Foundation of Southern Indiana is committing $2.45M to Blue River Services to expand the Southern Indiana Transit System in Clark and Floyd counties. Housing & Redevelopment: South Bend approved a $700,000 loan (plus $1M already committed) to redevelop a former industrial site into 50 affordable units, despite neighbor concerns about buried contaminants. Community & Preservation: Indiana Landmarks’ Black Heritage Preservation Program is changing leadership as Eunice Trotter steps down and André Myers takes over. Fuel Prices Watch: GasBuddy reports show Indiana-area prices remain volatile, with regular gas lows like $3.83 in Johnson County and $3.99 in Pulaski County for the week ending Sept. 19.

Energy & Utilities: Indiana Michigan Power’s Cook Nuclear Plant Unit 1 has started its refueling outage, with power to customers not expected to be disrupted; the work includes reactor refueling, major turbine/generator maintenance, and upgrades to safety-related systems. Workforce & Economy: Orange County’s unemployment rate fell to 3.3% in July, staying below Indiana’s statewide rate, with the county’s labor force and job counts shifting modestly year over year. State Government & Privacy: The Indiana BMV is rolling out an optional mobile driver’s license that lets residents verify age or identity via a phone app using digital biometrics, aiming to reduce what third parties can see. Education & Grants: A rural middle-school collaborative in south central Indiana won a Next Generation School Improvement Grant, with planning funding followed by multi-year implementation dollars aimed at closing middle-school learning gaps. Business & Food Safety: Walmart is recalling Bettergoods frozen lemon alfredo fettuccine due to possible listeria contamination, affecting specific lots nationwide. Infrastructure & Traffic Safety: Eastside Indianapolis is testing tactical urbanism on 10th St. to calm traffic and improve pedestrian safety ahead of any permanent changes. Regional Growth: Indiana’s data-center debate continues as communities push back and officials weigh impacts on electricity and water.