AGP Executive Report

Disaster Response: Historic flooding across Indiana has killed at least six people, with the White River peaking in Indianapolis and more storms expected to bring additional flash-flood risk. The state says it’s reopening flood-control gates as waters recede, while FEMA and the White House approved emergency aid for affected counties. Public Health & Regulation: The FDA reported one Hamilton County-area company inspected in July (Reproductive Care of Indiana, PC) with “No Action Indicated,” while an Adams County popcorn maker (Amish Country Popcorn, Inc.) received a July inspection marked “Voluntary Action Indicated.” Environment & Development: IDEM rescheduled a virtual public hearing for a Hobart wetlands permit to Aug. 19 after power outages, with the project planned for warehouses near U.S. 30 and Colorado Street. Consumer Fraud: Chesterton tied for seventh among Indiana cities for July scam reports, logging six. Industry Watch: Nucor is expanding manufacturing in St. Joseph County, and Vulcraft is set for a $59M expansion tied to new jobs in DeKalb County.

Storm Relief: President Trump approved an Emergency Declaration for Indiana, unlocking up to $5 million in FEMA disaster aid for dozens of counties hit by Aug. 11 storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes and flooding—covering water rescues, sandbagging, evacuations, shelters and debris removal. Manufacturing Expansion: Vulcraft, a Nucor division, will invest more than $59 million to expand operations in St. Joe (DeKalb County), building a 127,000-square-foot facility and creating up to 20 high-wage jobs by end of 2027. Energy/Utilities: Gary says it’s increasing security for NIPSCO crews after a utility vehicle was hit by gunfire; work resumed later Saturday as police and state partners coordinate protection during restoration. Tech Supply Chain: U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told Apple to avoid sourcing memory chips from China, citing cost pressures tied to AI data-center demand and pushing Apple to shift more advanced manufacturing onshore. AI Policy: Sen. Jim Banks urged incentives for U.S. firms to build against Chinese open-weight AI models, warning the tech could be used against U.S. interests. Food Safety: Kettle Cuisine recalled 3,240 Marketside Tomato Bisque Soup Kits sold at Walmart stores across 29 states due to possible listeria contamination.

Disaster Relief: The White House signed an emergency disaster declaration for Indiana flooding, unlocking up to $5 million for eligible response costs; Gov. Mike Braun confirmed five weather-related deaths and said 72 Indiana National Guard personnel are activated. Infrastructure Disruption: INDOT reported flood damage forcing a left-lane closure on westbound I-70 near Reservoir Road, dropping traffic to one lane and setting up backups. Poultry Trade: Indiana regained highly pathogenic avian influenza-free status after 28 days without new detections, clearing surveillance and restriction zones and expected to ease international trade barriers for poultry producers. Energy & Transportation Costs: GasBuddy data showed Indiana fuel prices staying volatile, with E85 hitting $2.19 in St. Joseph County and diesel lows reported in multiple counties; the broader backdrop remains refinery outages and global oil-market swings. Consumer Safety: Indiana AG Todd Rokita warned of nearly 40 products recalled in July, while BBB Scam Tracker ranked South Bend among the state’s top cities for scam reports in July. Education & Workforce: Marian Catholic High School named its first director of strategic communications, and Indiana health officials announced efforts to improve rural ER obstetric and pediatric care.

Energy & Courts: Indiana’s energy future is under pressure as a lawsuit challenges the early closure of Rockport Generating Station units totaling 2,600 megawatts, with the state arguing demand growth from data centers and manufacturing makes the shutdown plan risky. Manufacturing Expansion: Vulcraft, a Nucor division, is investing more than $59M to expand its St. Joe operations, adding up to 20 jobs by 2027 and boosting downstream steel grating capacity. Steel Transition: A new report says direct reduced iron could cut emissions about 40% versus blast furnaces, with Northern Indiana included among key regions weighing the shift. Food Safety: Walmart-linked tomato bisque soup kits were recalled over possible Listeria contamination, adding to a busy stretch of FDA food alerts. Flood Recovery & Business Impact: Metamora businesses are starting cleanup after Whitewater River flooding, while U-Haul is offering 30 days of free storage and U-Box containers at Indiana locations. Trade & Tariffs: Some Indiana firms are seeing tariff refunds after a Supreme Court win, but smaller importers still face compliance gaps that can make costs harder to absorb. Logistics & Jobs: UPS driver Miguel Corral, based in Indiana, won the ATA National Truck Driving & Step Van championship, highlighting trucking talent and safety training. Local Business: The Paulding Area Chamber named Jen Rosebrook its new executive director, with a focus on listening to businesses and community partners.

Food Safety: The FDA upgraded a salmonella-linked egg recall involving Midwest Poultry Services (North Manchester, Ind.) to a “Class 1” risk level, the agency’s most serious category, covering about 1.6 million cartons sold nationwide. Agriculture & Livestock: Jeffries Farms in New Castle hosted a Boer goat artificial insemination event with 70 does, drawing breeders from Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky and highlighting laparoscopic AI success rates. Local Infrastructure: Indiana Department of Transportation work will close eastbound lanes on Coliseum Blvd. in Fort Wayne from Aug. 14 night through Aug. 17 morning, with a longer traffic shift planned on the Maumee River bridge through Aug. 24. Regional Business Development: Hammond is positioned as the “sole focus” for the Chicago Bears’ proposed stadium, with environmental and soil testing at a Wolf Lake-area site still a key step before final decisions. Energy Costs: GasBuddy price reports show Indiana fuel pricing remains sensitive to broader refinery and oil-market conditions, with multiple Indiana counties tracking weekly lows across regular, midgrade, E15 and diesel.

Semiconductor Expansion Watch: SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won says the company is keeping the door open to building a front-end memory fab in the U.S. as AI-driven memory demand strains supply, with Indiana already in the mix for SK hynix’s back-end packaging build. Manufacturing Jobs: Vulcraft (Nucor) will invest more than $59 million to expand its St. Joe, Ind., steel operations, adding up to 20 jobs and new steel grating production. Data Center Governance: Murray City Council approved data center zoning regulations after a study group review, setting requirements on security, noise, landscaping, and utilities. Flood Response & Local Orders: Indiana communities continue cleanup after severe storms; Cambridge City issued a 7-day overnight emergency curfew, and Metamora began flood cleanup as more rain threatened. Food Safety: The FDA upgraded a multistate egg recall to Class I after Midwest Poultry Services pulled about 1.59 million dozen eggs tied to Salmonella risk. Energy Policy: West Virginia’s HOMES rebate program has entered a limited pilot phase, still without a statewide rollout timeline.

Flooding & Infrastructure: A section of I-70 in eastern Indiana near the Ohio line is closed indefinitely after heavy rain washed out westbound lanes near the Centerville Road exit in Wayne County; INDOT says eastbound remains open and drivers are detoured via U.S. 27/U.S. 36/Ohio 9 while crews assess damage. Energy & Industry: Nucor’s Vulcraft unit plans a $59 million expansion at its St. Joe manufacturing plant, adding a 127,000-square-foot facility for steel grating products and 20 jobs by end of 2027. Utilities & Regulation: AES Indiana asked the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission to pause action in a pending rate rehearing tied to the firing of commissioner Andy Zay, as the case moves toward a Sept. 8 decision deadline. Local Business & Growth: The Chicago Bears signaled their “sole focus” is a new stadium in Hammond, Indiana, with due diligence completed on one site and ongoing work on another—raising the stakes for Northwest Indiana’s development prospects. Consumer Watch: BBB Scam Tracker data shows Greenwood logged 1 scam report in July, ranking it among Indiana cities with low but persistent fraud activity. Public Safety: INDOT and Indiana State Police urged drivers to take this week’s flooding and severe weather warnings seriously and avoid high-water areas.

AI & Semiconductors: SK hynix will break ground Aug. 27 on a $3.87B advanced chip packaging plant in West Lafayette, aiming to deepen its AI supply chain ties (including Nvidia) and potentially spur more U.S. investment. Energy & Utilities: NiSource reaffirmed 2026 EPS guidance and flagged storm-driven costs, while also laying out a major capital plan through 2030 that includes data-center infrastructure. Local Infrastructure: INDOT held an open house for a new S.R. 257 bridge in Pike County to cut frequent flood closures and reduce long-term maintenance. Water & Wastewater: Fort Branch is weighing a $14M long-term water fix versus a $5M option to satisfy IDEM and avoid fines tied to stormwater capacity problems. Public Policy & Ethics: A new Indianapolis Public Education Corporation board discussed a draft ethics code and executive pay as it stands up operations amid budget pressure. Business & Community: Indy Parks opened a new signature playground at Garfield Park, funded by a $5.5M Lilly Endowment grant. Food Safety: Whole Foods recalled select jalapeño-containing prepared foods sold in Indiana and other states due to potential salmonella contamination. Weather Risk: Indiana officials warned that tornado risk is shifting eastward, raising insurance exposure in more populated areas.

Manufacturing & M&A: Kimball Electronics reported Q4 and full-year results for fiscal 2026, highlighting organic sales growth and the accretive impact of its Helvoet acquisition, while also pointing to improved adjusted operating income and cash used to pay down debt. Public Health: Indiana and IU School of Medicine are launching a $30 million, five-year readiness program to improve rural ER obstetric and pediatric care, aiming to close maternal and child outcomes gaps. Agriculture & Data: Indiana Corn Growers Association and Indiana Soybean Alliance leaders joined USDA’s NASS “lockup” to see how market-moving crop reports are built, with the August Crop Production release including producer-reported yield information. Energy & Infrastructure: Warrick County became the first Indiana county to pass a data center ordinance that pauses permits and sets up a committee for deeper review. Transportation & Construction: INDOT will host an open house on the Indiana 48 road project in Hymera to gather public feedback on paving and sidewalk plans. Safety: A Wolcott resident died in a two-vehicle crash in Benton County involving an INDOT construction zone.

EV Battery Deal: Samsung SDI will buy GM’s 49.99% stake in their Indiana battery joint venture, ending the partnership as the companies cite slower-than-expected EV demand. Energy Regulation: The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission rejected NIPSCO’s $741 million, five-year natural gas improvement plan, saying the utility didn’t provide enough support that each project is cost-justified. Housing & Infrastructure: Allen County received nearly $9.9 million in low-interest state funding to expand housing in the Fort Wayne area, targeting new single-family lots and multifamily rentals tied to infrastructure upgrades. Logistics & Trade: Ports of Indiana-Burns Harbor earned a “Pacesetter” award for growing international shipments, underscoring continued momentum in regional freight. Construction & Public Works: A major dredging operation is set to begin at Toledo Harbor in September, aiming to keep Great Lakes shipping moving by removing about 750,000 cubic yards of sediment. Local Business: Sahm’s Hospitality Group plans to open Mamacita, a tacos-and-cocktails concept, in Fort Wayne this November. Food Safety: Taylor Farms expanded jalapeño-related recalls tied to salmonella risk, with downstream impacts for retailers and consumers. Indiana Agriculture: Keystone Cooperative Day returns to the Indiana State Fair, spotlighting 4-H livestock exhibitors and Indiana agriculture.

Utility Regulation Fight: Fired Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission Chair Andy Zay sued Gov. Mike Braun, arguing his removal was “unlawful” and asking for reinstatement as the IURC weighs a rehearing tied to an AES Indiana rate increase. Higher Education Appointments: Braun named Amber R. Van Til, CEO of the Indiana Bankers Association, to the Indiana Commission for Higher Education through 2030, aiming to align postsecondary training with workforce needs. Severe Weather & Power: A derecho and storms pushed through the Midwest, leaving more than 125,000 homes without power across the Tri-State and triggering tornado warnings and flooding threats that also hit parts of Indiana. Food Safety & Agriculture: Taylor Fresh Foods recalled jalapeño products tied to a multistate salmonella investigation, adding to fallout from earlier cyclospora-linked lettuce concerns and boosting attention on farm-to-retail supply chains. Energy & Transportation Funding: Indiana road groups warned the extended gas tax holiday is creating a long-term funding cliff, even as drivers see savings at the pump. Local Government & Infrastructure: Jeffersonville’s mayor and Kentucky officials traded claims over scheduling and messaging around the 2nd Street Bridge lane-reduction plan. Workforce/Health Services: LifeSpan Resources expanded “Rides to Go!” transportation access for Jeffersonville and Clarksville residents, targeting medical and essential appointments.

EV Batteries in Indiana: Samsung SDI is ending its GM battery joint venture in New Carlisle, buying GM’s 49.99% stake and taking full ownership, while still teaming up on next-generation prismatic EV batteries. The move reflects weaker-than-expected EV demand and shifts the plant’s focus toward broader battery uses, including energy storage. Local Infrastructure & Traffic: INDOT says the Lloyd Expressway West Side will see another traffic shift as workers move into the “final phase,” with both directions reduced to one lane between Posey County Line Road and near Red Bank Road. Energy Policy: Gov. Mike Braun renewed Indiana’s statewide gasoline tax suspension through Sept. 5, citing new disruptions to global fuel supply and aiming to keep prices down. Local Governance & Development: Indianapolis city-county council advanced a temporary data center moratorium, while Dubois County residents raised concerns about a commercial solar ordinance and proposed solar projects. Public Safety: Indiana State Police and INDOT reminded drivers of school bus stop rules as the school year begins. Food Safety: USDA ordered a recall of ready-to-eat pastrami and corned beef products due to possible Listeria contamination.

Food Safety & Recall: Taylor Fresh Foods recalled jalapeño-containing dips, salsas, guacamole and other prepared products after a salmonella outbreak tied to Mexican-grown jalapeños; the FDA/CDC say 345 people in 27 states are sick, with major retailers including Walmart, Target, Kroger, Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods affected, including distribution into Indiana. Regulation & Energy: A coalition of 21 states led by West Virginia AG J.B. McCuskey backs EPA’s push to speed National Environmental Policy Act reviews, arguing today’s process fuels delays and litigation risk for infrastructure and energy projects. Statehouse & Utilities: Fired Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission commissioner Andy Zay sued Gov. Mike Braun, claiming he was removed without proper “cause” and without notice or a chance to respond to allegations. Local Business & Growth: Toyota Material Handling opened a $100M forklift factory in Indiana, adding manufacturing capacity. Transportation & Infrastructure: INDOT announced chip-and-seal road closures in Greene County for Aug. 17, with detours in place for U.S. 231/State Road 67 and State Road 57. Public Safety: Indiana State Police are investigating a multi-agency police action shooting in Daleville after an armed standoff and hours-long negotiations. Real Estate Earnings: Simon Property Group reported Q2 funds from operations of $1.25B (above expectations) and reiterated full-year FFO guidance of $13.20 to $13.30 per share.

Energy & Grid Policy: Indiana’s Ag Policy Summit put the spotlight on rising power demand from data centers and manufacturing, with farmers and utility leaders debating affordability and reliability as aging gas and transmission infrastructure drives costs. Ag & Food Supply Chain: Midwest growers are navigating disease and weather swings, with Indiana seeing low tar spot pressure and only limited southern rust pockets, while farmers weigh fertilizer timing after earlier price spikes. Workforce & Education: A report from Indiana-focused higher-ed advocates highlights “brain drain” concerns and points to how colleges can better retain college-educated talent. Business & Logistics: Toyota Material Handling opened a $100M electric forklift factory in Columbus, and Hansol Logistics launched a battery cell logistics business from its Kokomo hub. Public Health: A multistate Salmonella outbreak tied to jalapeños has triggered recalls of ready-to-eat meat and poultry products sold in Indiana. Mining: Galantas Gold expanded its Indiana drill program to 12,500 metres as it seeks extensions at its Chile-linked project. Consumer Costs: A new study says Trump-era tariffs cost the average Indiana household $2,600 and hit manufacturing jobs.

Indiana Policy Roundtable: Lawmakers debated Medicaid waiver redetermination delays for children with disabilities, Gov. Mike Braun’s extended gas tax holiday, and a controversial firing at the state utility regulator, with critics saying families are forced to constantly chase paperwork for life-sustaining care. Public Safety at the State Fair: Indiana State Police arrested a 37-year-old man after he allegedly slashed a co-worker at a third-party food vendor booth at the Indiana State Fairgrounds; the 20-year-old victim was seriously injured and preliminary charges include attempted murder. Regional Planning: The Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission is updating its NWI 2050+ plan and is asking residents for input through November, including on transportation priorities and transit-oriented development around major corridors. Energy & Costs Watch: Fuel prices remain in focus as Midwest refinery outages tied to broader global disruptions continue to affect gasoline and diesel availability and pricing. Business/Tech Finance: RadNet reported record second-quarter revenue and adjusted EBITDA, raised 2026 guidance, and highlighted growth in its Digital Health segment. Manufacturing/Workforce: Indiana’s industrial hiring and expansion headlines included new factory and operations investments, underscoring ongoing demand for skilled labor.

Broadband Expansion: Indiana is preparing to roll out BEAD, a federally funded rural broadband push expected to bring high-speed service to about 123,000 homes and businesses across 91 of 92 counties. Food Safety & Recalls: Albertsons recalled jalapeño-containing salsa and salad products tied to a Taylor Farms supply-chain issue that could involve salmonella; separate USDA action also flagged frozen swai fish products sold in Indiana and other states due to an ineligible country of production. Manufacturing Safety: A death investigation is underway at Ryobi Die Casting in Shelbyville, with state safety agencies responding as authorities work through equipment cooling delays. Local Business Resilience: After June flooding destroyed Lanesville Youth League ballfields, volunteers, donors, and neighboring leagues helped rebuild; a “Lanesville Strong” benefit is underway to finish recovery. Energy Policy: Multiple reports highlight Gov. Braun’s renewed “energy emergency” moves tied to extending Indiana’s gas tax holiday.