AGP Executive Report

AI Infrastructure & Jobs: Meta is launching its $115 million America’s Workforce Academy in Indiana (plus Louisiana, Ohio and Texas), offering a free 4-to-5-week skilled-trades training with job guarantees for graduates building data centers. Energy & Utilities: Indiana’s new heat-day utility shutoff protections apply only to customers who qualify through the state-administered LIHEAP program, leaving some households exposed. Big Tech Capital Spending: AWS is proposing a major data center campus in Wheatfield, Indiana, with an estimated $7 billion investment and a $1.25 billion payment aimed at offsetting added electricity demand for ratepayers. Healthcare Finance: IU Health is partnering with Ensemble to scale its revenue cycle operations, aiming to reduce inefficiencies and improve long-term cost structure. Economic Development: TaylorMade broke ground on a new Evansville distribution center expected to create up to 50 jobs as it ramps up shipping for its golf brands. Education Policy: A new report finds only about half of teacher preparation programs align with the science of reading, with many still teaching outdated methods. Local Governance & Schools: Indiana districts are likely to see more school tax referendums on the November ballot as state law changes tighten funding timelines and referendum placement rules. Sports Media: Pat McAfee is reportedly in talks for a major ESPN contract extension that could top $60 million a year.

Data Centers & Energy: Amazon Web Services is proposing a major data center campus in Wheatfield (Jasper County), with up to nine buildings on a 304-acre site near NIPSCO’s Schahfer Generating Station, and says it will invest about $7 billion while paying $1.25 billion to offset the added electricity cost burden on local ratepayers. Workforce & AI Infrastructure: Meta is rolling out a $115 million America’s Workforce Academy, offering free, five-week skilled-trades training with job guarantees for graduates; Indiana is one of the pilot states. Antitrust & Big Tech: Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita’s office joined a broader push in the Meta antitrust fight, filing a brief in the FTC monopolization case. Semiconductors & Exports: U.S. senators, including Indiana Republican Jim Banks, are urging tighter rules for contract chipmakers to prevent advanced AI chips from reaching Chinese firms’ overseas subsidiaries. Local Business & Costs: Salsarita’s on Morgan Avenue in Evansville has permanently closed, citing years of inflated utilities, rent, taxes, labor, food and insurance costs. Public Safety & Health: Fort Wayne announced cooling center locations and hours through Sept. 1, as extreme heat remains a growing concern. Education: A new report finds teacher prep programs are improving on “science of reading” methods, but many still fall short—especially for English learners and students with disabilities.

Bears Stadium Shuffle: The Chicago Bears’ board voted to move forward with a multi-billion-dollar stadium project in Hammond, Ind., after Illinois lawmakers failed to pass stadium financing legislation—leaving the exact site still to be named but positioning the team to keep operating in the Chicago market under Indiana’s business and tax framework. Data Center Economics: Amazon Web Services is planning a major data center campus in Wheatfield, Ind., with an estimated $7 billion investment and a reported $1.25 billion payment aimed at offsetting energy-cost impacts on local ratepayers. Local Incentives: Madison City Council approved tax abatements and related funding mechanics for an 82-room Hampton Inn, including city support tied to water infrastructure improvements. Community Pushback on Industry: A Jefferson County town hall heard concerns about a proposed data center at the Jefferson Proving Ground, following a zoning appeal denial and amid safety concerns raised by opponents. Workforce & Education: Indiana’s Kids Count report shows the state’s overall ranking slipping to 29th, with education scoring as the weakest domain. Public Safety Online: The FTC warned Hoosiers about fake CAPTCHA scams that trick people into running commands that can steal banking and email logins.

Data Centers & Power: Amazon Web Services is planning a major data center campus in Wheatfield, Indiana, with up to nine buildings on a 304-acre site near NIPSCO’s Schahfer Generating Station, and says it will invest about $7 billion while paying $1.25 billion to offset the energy-cost impact on local ratepayers. Workforce Development: Amazon also marked progress at its New Carlisle campus by celebrating the first graduating class of 58 local residents from its Work Based Learning Program, training them for data center and machine-learning roles. Local Economic Development: The City of Butler can’t reach a deal to acquire a former industrial site, putting nearly $2.4 million in READI demolition funding at risk and raising questions about the city’s next steps. Education Budgeting: Northwest Allen County Schools is weighing a maintenance staffing plan that could cut outsourcing costs and save more than $200,000 a year. Politics & Statehouse: Indiana Democrats announced Jessica Bailey and Coumba Kebe as candidates for state comptroller and treasurer. Business Deal: TruckMountForums acquired Indianapolis-based Bane-Clene Corporation, pairing a long-running cleaning-equipment and chemistry maker with the large online professional cleaning community. Federal Legal/Markets: President Donald Trump granted a full pardon to former Indiana Rep. Stephen Buyer, convicted of insider trading tied to the T-Mobile/Sprint merger.

Data Center Watch: Amazon Web Services is planning a major data center campus in Wheatfield, Indiana, with an estimated $7 billion investment and a $1.25 billion payment aimed at offsetting the energy-cost impact on local ratepayers, while the company says it will rely on natural air cooling for most of the year to limit water use. Local Zoning Tension: In Munster, town officials are weighing whether to allow data centers as a special exception at the former Lansing Country Club site, reflecting how communities are trying to balance potential investment with concerns about the footprint of large computing facilities. Energy Costs Context: Nationally, fuel prices have been pressured by spring 2026 supply disruptions, including refinery outages affecting the Midwest, with Indiana mentioned among states tied to reduced fuel production capacity. Transportation & Growth: Burns Harbor and Porter held a long-awaited groundbreaking for the Marquette Greenway Trail, a roughly two-mile project that underscores ongoing infrastructure spending tied to regional development.

Indiana Health Care: CMS gave Majestic Care of Bloomington a 3-star rating for Q1 2026 in Monroe County, matching the facility’s for-profit nursing home profile and showing no fines or penalties in the quarter. NBA/Indiana Sports Business: A hypothetical trade buzz says the Bucks could send Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Pacers for Pascal Siakam, Jarace Walker and future picks—highlighting how Indiana’s “win-now” window could hinge on offseason moves. Obesity Drug Watch (Lilly): Eli Lilly reported Phase 3 results for retatrutide, saying the weekly injection cut moderate-to-severe sleep apnea severity by 60.6% and improved knee osteoarthritis pain, as the company pushes deeper into the obesity market. Air Travel & Tourism: Southwest launched nonstop Indianapolis–San Juan service, adding seats and expected economic impact for Puerto Rico’s tourism push. Politics & Elections: Beau Bayh won the Democratic nomination for Indiana secretary of state, setting up a November race focused on accountability and election integrity. Local Economy/Chamber: Greater Fort Wayne Inc. highlighted regional growth metrics and milestones at its annual meeting, including strong GDP and construction-permit activity. Sports Stadium Fallout: The Bears’ Hammond stadium advance continues to ripple through Indiana/Illinois business and political conversations.

Local Business Spotlight: PNC and the Fort Wayne TinCaps named Copper Spoon and Three Rivers Electric as the 2026 “Going To Bat For Small Business” winners, each getting a marketing package worth more than $10,000, including local TV/radio promotion and in-game recognition. Public Safety & Justice: Marion County prosecutors charged a 14-year-old in the fatal shooting of Indiana University Kelley graduate Brett Scrogham, with prosecutors seeking to move the case from juvenile to adult court amid national scrutiny over youth crime and firearm access. Energy Costs: GasBuddy reported scattered low-price points in the broader U.S. market for the week ending May 30, while AAA and Reuters tied recent price pressure to spring 2026 oil-market tensions and refinery outages, including production capacity losses tied to Illinois and Indiana. Sports Business: The Chicago Bears advanced their Hammond, Indiana stadium plans, with Indiana officials framing it as momentum toward a multibillion-dollar relocation effort.

Bears Stadium Push: The Chicago Bears moved a key step forward on a new stadium in Hammond, Ind., with the board voting to advance the project and select the exact site later, after Illinois incentive talks stalled; Gov. Mike Braun and Northwest Indiana leaders framed it as an economic win for the region, while Illinois Republicans blamed Springfield for driving the team away. Energy Policy: President Trump announced $700M for building or refurbishing coal power infrastructure, citing Defense Production Act authority and claiming job and energy-cost benefits, with Indiana among states listed for coal-plant funding. Animal Welfare & Business: West Lafayette-based Inotiv filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy to restructure about $326M in debt, as animal-rights groups press creditors to address past violations tied to its Envigo unit. Health Coverage Pressure: Indiana hospitals report rising emergency-department use as more Hoosiers lose insurance coverage, with advocates warning of delayed care and more medical debt. Data Privacy: Indiana lawmakers are weighing guardrails on sharing license-plate camera data amid growing scrutiny of automated surveillance. Grants & Community Health: St. Joseph Community Health Foundation approved $673,570 in grants across prenatal/infant care, refugees/immigrants, food insecurity, and affordable healthcare. Electricity Costs: New EIA-based analysis shows Indiana residential electricity prices up 8.8% year over year, with demand and grid investment cited as drivers.

Chicago Bears Stadium Move: The Bears’ board voted to advance a new stadium project in Hammond, Indiana, with the exact site still to be selected, after Illinois lawmakers adjourned without passing a last-minute incentives plan—an update that puts the team on track to play home games out of state for the first time in franchise history. Gov. Braun Welcomes It: Indiana Gov. Mike Braun quickly framed the decision as a major economic opportunity for Northwest Indiana, pointing to jobs, investment, and long-term growth. Local Impact Watch: The Bears’ statement says the Hammond project would connect the region via a “Loop” concept, but officials note it’s not a done deal and site details remain fluid. Public Health Alert: Citizens Energy issued a precautionary boil water advisory for northwest Indianapolis after a water main break, with customers advised to boil water for 72 hours. Energy Costs Context: GasBuddy reporting shows continued regional fuel price volatility heading into summer travel, tied to refinery outages and global oil disruptions.

Coal Policy Push: President Trump announced nearly $700 million to revive the U.S. coal industry, using Cold War-era Defense Production Act authority to support 13 coal plants, back upgrades, and fund new coal export infrastructure—aimed at protecting thousands of jobs and lowering energy costs. Local School Finance: In Indianapolis, Marion County taxpayers weighed a potential new school funding referendum as the current 2018 measure expires, with proposed rates that could raise annual bills for homeowners. Energy & Grid Reliability: The White House framed the coal plan as a reliability move for the electric grid, tying federal support to longer operating lives for coal-fired power. Cybersecurity: Cisco warned that next-generation agentic AI is accelerating vulnerability discovery, pushing enterprises to close trust gaps before attackers do. Public Health Privacy: RFK Jr. is seeking access to Americans’ identifiable medical records through state data systems, reigniting legal and privacy concerns. Indiana Business Pulse: Gov. Braun highlighted major private-sector expansion news, including a $138M Boston Scientific distribution operation in Indiana.

Indiana Business & Economy: Energy costs & supply: GasBuddy price reports show spotty, county-by-county variation in fuel costs nationwide, with the week ending May 30 featuring examples like $3.67 regular in St. Clair County and $4.49 regular in Washington County—while broader pricing pressure is tied to spring 2026 refinery outages and Middle East shipping disruptions. Local business growth: Retail expansion: Gross Lighting and Home rebranded its Castleton showroom in the Indianapolis market with a grand opening, signaling continued investment in the Midwest. Community finance literacy: Banking & nonprofits: First Financial Bank collected 2,264 books at Southeast Indiana locations in May for financial literacy, donating to multiple local organizations. Public safety: Missing person update: A Silver Alert for a missing 15-year-old in southeast Indiana was canceled. Sports & media business: Broadcast tech backlash: ESPN is evaluating whether to keep using AI-generated moving portraits after online backlash over an AI-altered Tony Parker image during the NBA Finals. Regional sports infrastructure: Bears stadium uncertainty: The Northwest Indiana Pro Sports Commission is pausing major planning decisions for a proposed stadium while awaiting the Bears’ relocation call.

Amazon Data Center Push: AWS is opening access to its new New Carlisle campus and is also planning a major Wheatfield, Indiana build—up to nine buildings on 304 acres—with an estimated $7B investment and a $1.25B payment to offset energy-cost impacts for local ratepayers. Workforce & Regional Growth: Gov. Mike Braun will keynote Innovate Southwest Indiana on June 9 at the University of Evansville, focusing on business expansion, tech hubs, and talent pipelines. Housing & Public Assets: Indianapolis Public Schools will transfer seven unused properties to Habitat for Humanity to support up to 16 homes for IPS employees, with homes targeted at families at or below 80% of area median income. Local Economy & Real Estate: A new report says the Indianapolis Cultural Trail has generated about $3B in assessed property value along its 10-mile route and boosted nearby retail and population growth. Road Affordability: Braun extended Indiana’s gas tax holiday again, keeping both major fuel taxes fully suspended through late July. Teen Driving Rule Change: A new Indiana law lets 16-year-olds get driver’s licenses on their birthdays starting July 1, while keeping learner’s permit, education, supervised driving, and testing requirements.

Workforce & Retirement: A new analysis finds 18.7% of Americans age 65+ were working in 2025, with big state-by-state swings (Nebraska highest, Washington lowest), underscoring how retirement-age employment remains a real economic factor. Indiana Education & Youth Policy: Gov. Mike Braun signed a law letting Indiana teens get driver’s licenses at exactly 16 starting July 1, with requirements unchanged; meanwhile, schools are scrambling to meet new state accountability standards. Local Government & Infrastructure: Porter is paying $197,000 for a key parcel at the Waverly Road/U.S. 20 intersection to extend a trail, while Portage delayed signing fiscal and public-comment policies after state audit findings. Indiana Business & Health: IU launched its Washington, D.C. “Capital Campus,” and Boston Scientific is moving ahead with a $138M medical device facility in Indiana. Consumer & Labor Watch: At Walt Disney World’s Cake Bake Shop, at least 11 former employees filed wage complaints alleging minimum-wage and side-work violations.

Supplier & manufacturing: 20/20 Custom Molded Plastics, an Inteplast Group company with Indiana operations in Bluffton, won a Yamaha Supplier Award for quality and on-time delivery, adding to prior wins in 2011 and 2014. Energy & safety: NIPSCO is urging Hoosiers not to DIY electrical and natural-gas home projects, warning that improper installs and gas leaks can create serious hazards. Housing finance: Indianapolis City-County Council backed two affordable housing projects under a PILOT framework, but developers still need state approval for Low Income Housing Tax Credits before construction can move forward. Immigration enforcement: Gov. Mike Braun ceremonially signed Indiana’s FAIRNESS Act, requiring compliance with ICE detainer requests, tightening sanctuary restrictions, and adding employer enforcement rules. Data centers: Amazon Web Services is in talks with Wheatfield and Jasper County about a data center near NIPSCO’s Schahfer Generating Station, with AWS estimating $7 billion in construction spending. Local business contracting: Evansville will host a “Doing Business with the City” event to help small firms navigate procurement and connect with city buyers. Transportation & public safety: A report highlights a sharp drop in truck-safety enforcement cases in Indiana, raising concerns about road oversight.

Indiana Banking Oversight: The FDIC and Indiana’s Department of Financial Institutions issued a consent order against Bloomfield’s Farmers and Mechanics Federal Savings Bank over unsafe practices and capital/earnings weaknesses, requiring higher capital ratios and a profitability plan. Aquaculture Expansion: Superior Fresh is preparing its first commercial harvest at its Albany, Indiana Atlantic salmon facility after buying the site from AquaBounty for $9.5 million and investing in upgrades to boost output. Purdue Leadership Change: Purdue named Mark Lundstrom dean of the College of Engineering after Arvind Raman left for a U.S. Commerce post tied to standards and technology. Minimum Wage Patchwork: A new overview shows more than 20 states raised minimum wages in 2026, while the federal floor remains $7.25, widening pay differences across state lines. Local Business Support: Evansville is hosting a free event to help small businesses navigate city contracting and procurement. Industrial Rail Safety: Railserve launched YardGUARD™, a real-time railyard safety system aimed at reducing switching incidents. Food & School Nutrition: Monroe County schools are weighing whether to serve whole and two percent milk under new USDA rules.

Local Tax & Roads: Indianapolis City-County Council advanced a road-funding plan that would raise revenue via a flat $240 wheel tax and a flat $100 vehicle excise surtax, aimed at unlocking up to $50 million a year in state matching funds for repairs. Utilities Safety: NIPSCO urged Hoosiers not to DIY electrical or natural gas work during National Safety Month, warning about carbon monoxide risks, gas-leak signs, and the need to call 811 before digging. Broadband Investment: AT&T said it has poured $1.9 billion into Indiana networks since 2021, highlighting fiber, 5G, and FirstNet upgrades across major markets. Workforce/Legal Access: The Allen County Bar Foundation announced Legal Opportunity Scholarships for students with ties to Allen County, targeting Indiana’s attorney shortage. Community Finance Oversight: Starke County was declared “unauditable” by the Indiana State Board of Accounts after unresolved reconciliation issues, raising questions about lending and bonding. Education Pivot: Montezuma Elementary reopened as a tuition-free, agriculture-focused charter school after community action. Business Tech in Retail: Kroger is rolling out inventory-tracking robots in Indiana stores, using Tally systems to collect shelf data. Sports Business Angle: Colts QB Daniel Jones progressed to 7-on-7 work in Achilles rehab, a reminder of how roster health drives team economics.