Indianapolis, IN

Report: Indy tops Midwestern cities in three-year GDP growth – Inside INdiana Business

Published

2 years ago

January 5, 2024

Report: Indy tops Midwestern cities in three-year GDP growth – Inside INdiana Business

Indianapolis’ GDP growth has outpaced other midwestern metros, according to an analysis by economist Joseph Politano. (@JosephPolitano via X)

The Indianapolis metropolitan area surpassed its Midwestern peers in gross domestic product growth from 2019 to 2022, according to a report from a Washington, D.C.-based economist.

In a graphic posted on X, economist Joseph Politano showed Indianapolis outperforming peer cities including St. Louis and Cincinnati, as well as larger metropolitan areas like Minneapolis-St. Paul and Chicago. Using data from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Politano found that the Indianapolis metro’s GDP grew by $12.1 billion, or 8.4%, during that period.

The calculation was made using chained 2017 dollars, a measure which calculates “as if everything is at 2017 prices” in order to adjust for inflation, Politano told IBJ.

The post garnered attention from local officials and celebrities, from Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett to Indianapolis-based author John Green. By midday Thursday, it had been viewed by nearly 370,000 users.

Where other Midwestern metros had modest GDP increases, Indianapolis was an outlier.

“[Indianapolis] was like a bright spot in what is otherwise like a pretty gloomy recovery for the Midwest as a whole,” said Politano, who was a financial management analyst at the Bureau of Labor Statistics before starting his Apricitas Economics newsletter.

The GDP increase in Indianapolis was mostly stirred by white collar jobs, followed by construction. These industries have increased hiring over the past few years, Politano said, but both have slowed down.

The Indianapolis metropolitan area includes suburbs. But, Politano said the bulk of the area’s GDP growth came from its core, with roughly two-thirds from Marion County.

Local business leaders told IBJ the data is a credit to Indianapolis’ competitiveness among its peers.

Indy Chamber CEO Matt Mindrum said he was surprised by the magnitude of the metro’s growth, calling it a “tremendous validation of the work that’s been happening, and I think a tremendous indicator of what’s possible in the future.”

The growth wasn’t reliant on corporate giants such as pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly and Co., which Mindrum said was a credit to the breadth of local industries.

“It is pharmaceutical manufacturing, but it is more so professional services, finance, white collar jobs,” Mindrum said. “This is [spurred by] jobs, which I think is tremendous news, because if it’s jobs, it’s talent, and that is the kind of growth that’s going to be the most sustainable.”

The data also showed that Marion County was responsible for 25% of the state’s GDP growth, which Mindrum said is proof the state should “double-down” on the “economic driver,” or downtown Indianapolis. The economic enhancement district the state created for downtown Indianapolis is part of continuing that momentum, he said. The Indianapolis City-County Council approved the creation of the tax district last month.

It’s also proof to Mindrum that the metro’s fundamentals are solid.

“I don’t think we attracted that level of growth because Indianapolis across the country is perceived as the coolest and hippest place to be—I hope we’re going to get there over time—but I think this investment is business growth, this is talent growth.”

Gordon Hendry, managing director of real estate firm HRE, said the ranking “is really demonstrative of how Indianapolis is competing against our peer cities in the Midwest.” Outside of the Midwest, Seattle had a similar rate of GDP increase. Hendry said Indianapolis’ ability to compete with the base for tech giants including Amazon, Zillow and Microsoft shows Indy is excelling in the competitive landscape.

The graphic reflects “the Indianapolis story” of success despite the turbulence of the global pandemic, he added.

“We held our own, and rebounded strongly,” Hendry told IBJ.

Story Continues Below

Source link

Indianapolis, IN

HBCU All-Star Experience takes over Indianapolis – Indianapolis Recorder

Published

8 minutes ago

March 30, 2026

Press Room

HBCU All-Star Experience takes over Indianapolis – Indianapolis Recorder

College Access • Culture • Community Impact • Championship Energy

The 5th Annual HBCU All-Star Game Experience will bring a high-impact lineup of events to Indianapolis, connecting students, families, and the community to HBCU opportunities, while celebrating Black excellence during college basketball’s biggest weekend. Scheduled events are as follows:

TOP MEDIA MOMENT (FRIDAY):

WHAT: Kickoff Press Conference & Official Game Ball Presentation

WHO: Travis L. Williams, Founder & CEO, HBCU All-Stars, Mayor Joe Hogsett, Indianapolis City-County Councilor Keith Graves and members of the Indianapolis community.

WHEN: Friday, April 3 | 2:00 PM

WHERE: Corteva Coliseum, Indiana State Fairgrounds

KEY EVENTS FOR COVERAGE:

HBCU Awards Ceremony & Reception

📍 Madam Walker Legacy Center

🗓 Thursday, April 2 | 7:30–9:00 PM

➡ Honors local community leaders and top HBCU student-athletes, coaches & leaders

College Admissions & Scholarship Fair (VISUAL + COMMUNITY IMPACT)

📍 Corteva Coliseum

🗓 Friday, April 3 (9 AM–1 PM, FREE)

🗓 Sunday, April 5 (12–4 PM, ticket required)

➡ Students meet HBCUs, explore scholarships and attend panels

➡ Friday includes Pro Day Viewing + Meet & Greet

Friday Fun Day (Community Outreach) (STRONG VISUALS)

📍 Sankofa School of Success + Windsor Village Park

🗓 Friday, April 3 | 4:00–6:30 PM

➡ Student-athletes mentoring youth + food distribution

Social Justice & Civil Rights Panel

📍 Madam Walker Legacy Center

🗓 Saturday, April 4 | 11:30 AM–2:00 PM

➡ Panelists include Sean Johnson & Dr. Heather Savage

Black Business Vendor Showcase (VISUAL + ECONOMIC IMPACT)

📍 Corteva Coliseum

🗓 Sunday, April 5 | 12:00–5:00 PM

➡ Black-owned businesses + community marketplace

🏀 HBCU ALL-STAR GAME (MAIN EVENT)

📍 Corteva Coliseum, Indiana State Fairgrounds
🗓 Sunday, April 5, 2026

Game Time: 1:00 PM EST
Doors Open: 12:00 PM EST

Location: 1202 E. 38th St., Indianapolis, IN 46205
Parking: $10 per vehicle at the Indiana State Fairgrounds

➡ Featuring top HBCU senior student-athletes from across the country
➡ High-energy, nationally recognized showcase of men’s basketball’s biggest weekend.
➡ Includes fan experiences, vendor activations, and community engagement

WHY THIS MATTERS:

Expands college access for local students

Showcases HBCU excellence nationwide

Drives economic impact + Black entrepreneurship

Combines sports, education, culture, and community

SOUND BITE:

“This is a can’t-miss moment for Indianapolis and for our future leaders. We’re bringing together the full power of HBCU excellence—education, opportunity, culture, and community—under one roof.”

— Travis L. Williams, Founder & CEO, HBCU All-Stars

🎤 MEDIA CREDENTIALS & ACCESS

MEDIA CREDENTIALS REQUIRED for access to:

HBCU All-Star Game

Courtside coverage of events at Corteva Coliseum

Press conference and select VIP programming

Tickets are still available and can be purchased by visiting the 2026 HBCU Experience. For more information about the HBCU All-Star Game and Experience, visit www.hbcuallstargame.com or follow @HBCUAllStars on Facebook and Instagram.

For more HBCU All-Star coverage, visit Indianapolisrecorder.com.

Noral Parham is the multi-media reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder, one of the oldest Black publications in the country. Prior to joining the Recorder, Parham served as the community advocate of the MLK Center in Indianapolis and senior copywriter for an e-commerce and marketing firm in Denver.

Source link

Indianapolis, IN

Neighbors share concerns after young male dies in shooting on Indy’s northeast side

Published

12 hours ago

March 29, 2026

Press Room

Neighbors share concerns after young male dies in shooting on Indy’s northeast side

INDIANAPOLIS — A young man has died following a shooting on the northeast side of Indianapolis on Saturday night.

WATCH FULL STORY BELOW

Neighbors share concerns after young male dies in shooting on northeast side

IMPD said it happened near the 3900 block of Rue Rabelais, which is an apartment complex off Binford Boulevard and 56th Street.

WRTV was in the surrounding neighborhood speaking with residents on Sunday, many of whom told us they were left saddened and worried following the incident.

“It just brings tears to my eyes,” Sheri Harley shared.

Harley has lived on Circle Boulevard, which is one street over from the complex, for more than 20 years.

“We’re a very close-knit neighborhood,” Harley said. “I know everybody that lives here.”

That’s how she learned about what happened just down the road from her home on Saturday night.

“When I saw that there was police activity at the apartment complex, I contacted one of my neighbors, who lives across the fence,” Harley explained. “They didn’t really hear anything, but there were two young gentlemen who walked through their yard [that they got on camera].”

According to police, IMPD North District officers were dispatched to the 3900 block of Rue Rabelais around 7:19 p.m. Saturday on the report of a person shot. When officers arrived, they located a juvenile male near a playground suffering from injuries consistent with a gunshot wound.

The victim was taken to Riley Hospital in critical condition. IMPD confirmed the victim was pronounced deceased in the hospital.

“There is no known danger to the public at this time,” IMPD Night Watch Captain Richard Ray said during a media briefing. “It appears by the basic, limited information that we have at this time that this was a targeted incident.”

It’s the latest incident involving juveniles to concern Indianapolis residents.

“I was raised where you respect one another,” Harley said. “You don’t always have to get along, but now they’re just pulling guns on one another and shooting.”

For neighbors like Harley, they just hope it doesn’t continue.

“Parents, please take care of your kids. Watch them… It’s very disheartening,” she stated.

While we were out on Sunday, IMPD officers were going around asking neighbors to share any information they had about the incident.

“We’re asking any individual that might have been filming, that might have any doorbell cameras or anything like that to come forward and provide as much information as possible,” Ray said.

They have not yet identified any suspects in the case.

The Marion County Coroner’s Office (MCCO) will be assisting and will determine the exact manner and cause of death. The MCCO will release the decedent’s name once a proper next-of-kin notification has been made.

An investigation into this incident is underway. Anyone with information or doorbell footage is asked to reach out to IMPD Detective Christopher Williams at the IMPD Homicide Office at 317.327.3475 or e-mail the detective at Christopher.Williams4@indy.gov. Alternatively, they can call Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at 317.262.8477 or (TIPS) to remain anonymous.

—
Casey Zanowic is the In Your Community reporter for North Side Indy. She joined WRTV in July of 2025. Casey has a passion for storytelling and is ready to showcase impactful stories that make a difference in her community. Share your story ideas and important issues with Casey by emailing her at casey.zanowic@wrtv.com.

Source link

Indianapolis, IN

HBCU ALL-STAR Game Experience

Published

1 day ago

March 29, 2026

Press Room

Source: Instagram

HBCU ALL-STAR Game Experience

INDIANAPOLIS — At the 5th Annual HBCU All-Star Game Experience, organizers are bringing together student-athletes, civic leaders, and community advocates for a social justice-focused event in downtown Indianapolis.

The Social Justice & Civil Rights Luncheon and Panel Discussion is scheduled for Saturday, April 4, from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Madam Walker Legacy Center on Indiana Avenue.

The event will focus on the intersection of sports, equity, and social change, with organizers aiming to inspire civic engagement and community leadership among attendees. Participants will include HBCU student-athletes, coaches, and local leaders.

Two panel discussions are planned. The first will center on civic engagement, public safety, and police accountability, examining how voting, public policy, and community involvement shape law enforcement practices and justice systems. The second panel will focus on youth, education, and workforce development, highlighting ways to expand opportunities and strengthen career pathways for the next generation.

Organizers say the luncheon is designed to go beyond conversation and encourage action, using the influence of HBCUs to promote leadership and long-term community impact.

In addition to the discussions, Indianapolis teen DJ Reese Rayford will provide live entertainment. She has performed at several prominent venues across the city and is also scheduled to appear during other HBCU All-Star Game weekend events.

The luncheon is free and open to the public, though registration is encouraged. The event is part of a broader series of activities tied to the HBCU All-Star Game, which takes place during college basketball’s championship weekend and highlights talent from Historically Black Colleges and Universities while promoting education, economic empowerment, and social impact.
The event will focus on the intersection of sports, equity, and social change, with organizers aiming to inspire civic engagement and community leadership among attendees. Participants will include HBCU student-athletes, coaches, and local leaders.

Organizers say the luncheon is designed to go beyond conversation and encourage action, using the influence of HBCUs to promote leadership and long-term community impact.

Source link