AGP Executive Report

Data Centers & Power Demand: Amazon is planning a data center campus in Wheatfield, Indiana, with up to nine buildings on a 304-acre site near the Schahfer Generating Station, and says it will pay $1.25 billion to offset energy-cost impacts on local ratepayers. Workforce Development: Amazon also marked the first graduating class of its Work Based Learning Program at its Northern Indiana data center campus in New Carlisle, training 58 residents for data center operations and machine learning. Local Economic Development: The City of Butler can’t reach a deal to buy a former industrial site, putting nearly $2.4 million in READI demolition funding at risk and leaving the city to pursue code-violation and legal next steps. Education & Industry Talent: Indiana Tech industrial & manufacturing engineering professor Steve Dusseau was named Faculty of the Year for 2026. Manufacturing & Cleaning Industry: TruckMountForums acquired Indianapolis-based Bane-Clene Corporation, aiming to preserve the brand while expanding equipment, chemistry, and training through its community platform. Public Sector Cost Control: Northwest Allen County Schools is considering a maintenance staffing plan to cut outsourcing costs, with potential savings of more than $200,000 annually.

Data Center Push in Indiana: Amazon Web Services is planning a major data center campus in Wheatfield (Jasper County), with up to nine buildings on a 304-acre site near the Schahfer Generating Station, and estimates the investment at about $7 billion; AWS also says it will pay $1.25 billion to offset the energy-cost impact on local ratepayers. Coal Plant Scrutiny: A U.S. utility regulator forum tied to the Schahfer Generating Station renewal debate says coal units 17 and 18 are broken, as a DOE emergency order is expected to be renewed again on June 21. Local Infrastructure: Indiana DOT contractor Dave O’Mara Contractors will begin pavement patching on Ind. 46 in Batesville on or after June 8, with work between Huntersville Road and Merkel Road expected to run into late July. Workforce Development: The Indiana Construction Roundtable Foundation is expanding hands-on training to address Indiana’s skilled construction labor shortage, pairing youth tool clubs with adult safety and skills programs. Community Planning: Portage has kicked off its comprehensive plan update, launching a resident survey and setting a June 17 public meeting for input on growth and service priorities.

Indiana Crash: A 16-year-old from Decatur died after a semi-truck rear-ended a horse-drawn buggy in Adams County near SR 124 and County Road 200 E; the truck driver reported no injuries and the investigation is ongoing. Indiana Business & Growth: Greater Fort Wayne Inc. highlighted milestones at its annual meeting, including the 11 millionth GM truck built at the Allen County plant, plus continued migration and GDP growth. Local Manufacturing Sustainability: Subaru of Indiana Automotive says its 832-acre campus is a certified Backyard Wildlife Habitat and touts “zero landfill” waste practices. Indiana Economic/Workforce Spotlight: Indiana Fever’s Commissioner’s Cup turnaround win over Atlanta also underscored the league’s business momentum and star power around the state. Energy & Infrastructure: Indiana’s gas-tax holiday and broader fuel-price cooling remain in focus as national averages ease but stay elevated. Policy & Industry Watch: A proposed 400-megawatt hyperscale data center in west Louisville drew noise and pollution concerns, while Indiana’s own data-center boom continues to shape power and permitting conversations. Sports Business: Arrow McLaren named IndyCar veteran Ryan Hunter-Reay Sporting Director, signaling a push to connect on-track performance with commercial growth.

Sports & Business: Arrow McLaren named former IndyCar champion Ryan Hunter-Reay its Sporting Director, tasking him with boosting on-track performance and serving as a bridge between competition, engineering, the driver lineup and commercial partner efforts. Energy Policy: The Trump administration is set to push nearly $700 million into the U.S. coal industry using a Korean War-era Defense Production Act, including $425 million for 13 existing coal plants and $185 million in DOE grants tied to new builds and a restart near Cumberland, with Indiana among the beneficiary states. Fuel Prices: GasBuddy reported mixed pricing in the week ending May 30, with Indiana-area regular gas examples including Lawrence County at $3.79 (lowest reported) and statewide regular averaging $3.81, while diesel and midgrade figures varied widely by county. Entertainment & Gaming: Sweepstakes casino apps continue to expand as a mobile gaming alternative, with Indiana and other states facing potential rule changes that could reshape how these platforms operate. Infrastructure & Utilities: Separate coverage highlights ongoing utility and public-safety readiness for severe weather and local water issues, underscoring how operational disruptions can quickly affect residents and businesses.

Chicago Bears Stadium Move: The Bears’ board voted to advance plans for a new stadium in Hammond, Ind., with the exact site still to be selected—an escalation after Illinois lawmakers adjourned without a last-ditch bill that could have helped keep the team in-state. State Budget & Tax Policy: Indiana lawmakers are setting up interim study committees as the state weighs how to use a roughly $2 billion surplus—whether to restore agency funding or push more tax cuts. Data Privacy: Indiana lawmakers are proposing guardrails to limit sharing of license plate camera data as privacy concerns grow nationwide. Energy Costs & Grid Pressure: A new look at EIA data shows residential electricity prices rising fastest in some states, with Indiana up about 8.8% year over year—pressured by grid investment and demand, including data center growth. Healthcare Worker Safety: Indiana marked Hospitals Against Violence Day as a new law takes effect July 1 expanding protections for health care employees and increasing penalties for violent offenders. Local Community Impact: Fort Wayne residents are being asked for input on the Georgetown Blackhawk 2040 Neighborhood Plan, with a survey hub and public events.

Sports & Economic Development: The Chicago Bears took a major step toward relocating by voting to advance stadium development in Hammond, Indiana, after Illinois lawmakers failed to pass a bill that would have kept the team in-state. The Bears’ board action keeps Indiana in the lead, though the team still has options and hasn’t locked in a final site. Statehouse Politics: Sen. Chris Garten announced he’s stepping down as Indiana Senate Majority Floor Leader, citing a lack of alignment with current leadership direction—an internal shakeup that could reshape GOP strategy. Workforce Pipeline: Indiana Career and Technical Education enrollment rose to 259,789 students in 2025-26, up 2.65%, with more students completing work-based learning and earning postsecondary credentials. Energy & Policy: President Trump announced a $700 million push to revive and expand coal power, including about $425 million tied to modernizing 13 coal plants, with Indiana among the states listed. Public Costs & Consumer Impact: GasBuddy reported Henry County’s lowest regular price at $3.68 per gallon for the week ending May 30, while AAA said national fuel prices have stayed volatile amid refinery outages and global oil disruptions.

Energy Policy: President Trump announced nearly $700M in federal support for U.S. coal—backing upgrades at existing plants (including in Indiana) and funding a long-delayed export terminal at Oakland, aiming to bolster grid reliability and jobs. Infrastructure & Logistics: A new look at road conditions warns that major highways and bridges still need urgent repair, with funding set to expire in October 2026, raising stakes for shipping costs and safety. Insurance & Risk Management: A shift in how disputes are handled is putting appraisal front and center, with courts and “competency” expectations tightening as appraisal increasingly shapes outcomes before litigation. Indiana Business & Community: Greater Fort Wayne Inc. set its June 4 Business Excellence Awards agenda, highlighting local expansions and small-business manufacturing wins. Public Safety & Courts: A Crystal Lake teen faces serious charges after an alleged skateboard beating that left a victim with a fractured skull and brain bleed. Local Economy (Energy Costs): GasBuddy data shows Indiana regular prices averaging $3.81 for the week ending May 30, down from the prior week.

Energy Policy: President Trump is set to announce nearly $700 million in support for coal plants and a new export terminal, using the Defense Production Act to fund upgrades at 13 coal plants including one in Indiana, plus $75 million for an Oakland, Calif., terminal and additional DOE-backed plans for new plants in Alaska and West Virginia and a restart in Maryland. Utilities & Jobs: Alliant Energy (based in Madison, Wis.) is expected to be among the recipients, with the administration citing grid reliability and job creation across mining, rail, and construction. Indiana Transportation: Gov. Mike Braun signed a change letting Indiana teens get driver’s licenses at 16 starting July 1, shortening the current wait after turning 16 while keeping training and testing requirements. Environment: The Indiana Department of Environmental Management issued a statewide Air Quality Action Day for Thursday, warning ozone could reach unhealthy for sensitive groups. Community & Business: Lucas Oil was named a 2026 Community Impact Award winner by Culture of Good, Inc.

Data Centers & Tech: AWS opened access to its first New Carlisle, Indiana data center campus to media, highlighting modern infrastructure and its Work Based Learning Program tied to a broader $2.5B skills-training push. Public Works & Utilities: Citizens Energy Group is replacing lead service lines in Indianapolis’ near northwest-Riverside neighborhood, following earlier lead-line work in Martindale Brightwood. Health & Food Safety: The FDA is investigating two fresh foodborne illness outbreaks—Listeria and Cyclospora—while also continuing work on multiple Salmonella cases linked to moringa supplement capsules. State Policy & Transportation Costs: Gov. Mike Braun extended Indiana’s gas tax holiday again, keeping both the gasoline usage and excise taxes suspended through July 7. Local Business & Construction: The Town of Monon is seeking bids for wastewater utility improvements, including a new oxidation ditch WWTP and UV disinfection system. Workforce & Education: Purdue athletic director Mike Bobinski plans to retire Dec. 31 as Purdue begins a search for his successor. Healthcare Innovation: IU researcher Rita Patel is developing a wearable to diagnose exercise-induced laryngeal obstruction in younger athletes.

Indiana education & workforce: Perry Township Schools will run its 4th annual Girls Construction Camp (June 8-12), pairing students with local architecture/engineering firms and industry partners as they build greenhouses and auction models to support the Perry Township Education Foundation. Higher ed expansion: Indiana University officially opened its new IU Capital Campus in Washington, D.C., a permanent eight-story hub for classes, research collaboration, and policy partnerships near major government and nonprofit institutions. Manufacturing & labor: Auto supplier American Axle/Dauch workers in Three Rivers, Michigan, are on strike, underscoring wage gaps between unionized parts suppliers and automakers that ripple through the broader supply chain. Tech & nuclear industry: Indiana-based NX Atomics and Sciaky (Chicago) are partnering to 3D-print nuclear reactor components using EBAM, aiming to cut lead times and unit costs for small modular reactors. Local business & real estate: eXp Realty says 146 of its agents and teams placed on the NAHREP Top 250 Latino rankings, highlighting continued growth in Indiana-area and national brokerage competition. Environment & infrastructure: Amazon announced a new water replenishment project in Northwest Indiana, targeting habitat restoration in Bogus Run to improve water retention and biodiversity.

Energy & Data Centers: Amazon Web Services held an open house in Wheatfield to discuss a potential data center on NIPSCO-owned land near the Schahfer Generating Station, with plans for up to nine buildings on a 304-acre site and thousands of construction jobs plus long-term operations work. Local Housing Finance: Indianapolis City-County Council backed two affordable housing projects, but developers still need state approval for Low Income Housing Tax Credits before they can move forward. Utilities Safety: NIPSCO urged Hoosiers during National Safety Month to avoid DIY work on natural gas and electrical equipment, stressing proper installation and leak response. Healthcare Purchasing Tech: Peterson Philanthropies is funding a new public-benefit company, Peterson Health Analytics, to help self-insured employer groups analyze claims and steer providers toward better price/quality outcomes. Roads & Construction: INDOT announced lane closures on I-70 eastbound near Terre Haute for spill cleanup, and additional U.S. 31 pavement work in Sellersburg will close Prather Street for up to two weeks. Trucking Policy: Indiana lawmakers are weighing repeal of the federal excise tax on heavy trucks, aiming to reduce costs and encourage newer, safer fleets.

Road & Construction Disruptions: INDOT is warning of a week of major intersection restrictions at Burkhardt Road and the Lloyd Expressway starting June 15, including left-turn bans and no through-movement on Burkhardt Road, plus a separate State Road 62 closure in Warrick County near Degonia Springs starting June 8 for a box structure replacement. Statehouse Project Costs: Indiana’s Statehouse roof and dome maintenance is running over both schedule and budget, with $14.1M paid so far against $15.4M allotted and a new mid-October completion target. Permitting Fight: West Virginia AG J.B. McCuskey is leading a 21-state push at the U.S. Supreme Court to protect state authority from activist groups suing to halt federal permitting before state review. Industrial Rail Safety: Railserve launched YardGUARD™, a railyard safety system built to add real-time engineered controls to switching operations. Purdue & Workforce: Purdue named Mark Lundstrom dean of engineering after Arvind Raman’s move to the U.S. Commerce Department, and launched a new Purdue gaming engineering program in partnership with Xbox. Ag Economy Signals: A Purdue/CME survey found Indiana-area farmers facing persistent high input costs, with sentiment slipping in May. Indiana Education Nutrition: Monroe County schools are weighing whether to offer whole and two percent milk under new USDA rules, starting June 8.

Bears Stadium Standoff: Illinois lawmakers adjourned without passing a bill to keep the Chicago Bears in-state, but a late Senate push would have let Cook County cities create stadium authorities that could keep the team from paying property taxes on the stadium itself—leaving the Indiana option (Hammond) still very much alive. Construction & Infrastructure: Terre Haute crews continue work near the Vigo County Courthouse with lane restrictions and a rebuild expected to finish by September. Education & Workforce Pipeline: Montezuma Elementary is reopening as a tuition-free, agriculture-focused charter school after community action. Data Centers & Local Concerns: Residents near Microsoft’s Granger project say dust from construction is visible and are demanding answers about dust controls. Energy Costs: Indiana’s average residential electricity price rose to 17.85 cents per kWh in March, up 8.84% year over year. Retail Tech: Kroger is rolling out Tally inventory robots in Indianapolis stores. Community Health Funding: St. Joseph Community Health Foundation awarded $673,570 in 2026 grants across prenatal care, refugees/immigrants, food insecurity, and affordable healthcare.

Manufacturing & Logistics: Packer Fastener opened a new Indianapolis distribution center in Lebanon, expanding a ~40,000-square-foot supply hub for contractors and fast-growing sectors like data centers, renewable energy and power generation. M&A: Foundral acquired Fort Wayne mechanical contractor A. Hattersley & Sons, adding long-running commercial, industrial and institutional expertise to its union-backed platform. Construction & Real Estate: Evansville’s Promenade District is set for “The Republic,” a $38 million mixed-use project with 153 apartments and retail/restaurant space, scheduled to start in fall 2026. Workforce & Community Resilience: IU’s Environmental Resilience Institute is helping nine Indiana local governments build urban-forest master plans, pairing technical training with embedded IU climate fellows. Public Safety: An Indianapolis man accused in a double murder case waived a jury trial; a bench trial is set for Nov. 9. Infrastructure Updates: Ind. 121 will close for about two weeks starting June 4 in Franklin County for pipe replacement. Regulatory Watch: HVACR contractors are tracking evolving PFAS rules and A2L refrigerant building-code changes. Health Alert: Illinois issued an early ozone Air Pollution Action Day affecting millions, including Northwest Indiana.

Public Safety & Environment: A National Dam Safety Awareness Day spotlight on Indiana’s low-head dams highlights why groups like the Sam Shine Foundation back removals to reduce “drowning machine” risks and improve river ecosystems. Consumer Watch: The U.S. CPSC says about 1,200 Giantex lounge chairs sold on Amazon are recalled after a reported finger amputation during adjustment. Local Construction & Housing: South Bend-area firm Acculevel expands foundation repair and waterproofing services as homeowners increasingly seek help for cracking, seepage, and uneven floors. State & Community Services: Indiana’s 2026 Summer Food Service Program opens access to free meals at nearly 1,000 sites statewide for kids 18 and under. Indiana Business & Infrastructure: A river barge carrying major equipment for the Brent Spence Companion Bridge reached Cincinnati after a 600+ mile trip, supporting work toward a 2031 opening target. Sports Business: The Pacers discuss adding Ivica Zubac for defense and rebounding as they shape their near-term roster.

Healthcare & Biotech: Eli Lilly says its Phase 3 LIBRETTO-432 trial of Retevmo (selpercatinib) as adjuvant therapy cut the risk of disease recurrence or death by 83% in early-stage RET fusion-positive lung cancer, with results headed to the New England Journal of Medicine and ASCO in Chicago. Community & Workforce: Purdue University Northwest’s Society of Innovators hosted a SPARK Summit for about 150 Northwest Indiana high school students, while the Northwest Indiana Business RoundTable named its 2026 executive committee officers focused on safety and workforce development. Indiana Business & Infrastructure: Indiana State Police report I-65 in Jackson County fully reopened after a fatal multi-vehicle crash near Seymour, though nearby ramp closures and cleanup caused lingering congestion. Local Nonprofit Spotlight: Girl Talk Inc. marked 10 years helping girls ages 10-18 build confidence and skills, including mentoring, tutoring support, and an Empower Her Academy with business fundamentals. Policy Watch (Regional): Illinois lawmakers hit the final stretch of session with major budget and Bears-stadium negotiations still unresolved, shaping cross-border economic development conversations.