Across the state, regional leadership bodies are discussing how best to address the requirements laid out in Governor Braun’s Executive Orders. These orders focus on two pillars: prioritizing job creation and wage growth and realigning how Indiana’s workforce and economic development regions are organized. To that end, Northeast Indiana leaders are preparing a coordinated regional SWOT analysis and a forward-looking strategic plan.
This isn’t just a compliance exercise—it’s a moment of self-definition. Governor Braun has consistently said he favors “bottom-up solutions” that the state can support. That philosophy aligns exactly with our approach. Economic resilience isn’t delivered from Indianapolis—it’s built in Angola, Auburn, Bluffton, Columbia City, Decatur, Fort Wayne, Huntington, LaGrange, Kendallville, Wabash, and Warsaw. It’s shaped by how we work together to understand our assets, face our weaknesses, and target the opportunities that will move our region forward.
Economic uncertainty is no longer a distant threat—it’s here, and it’s evolving. Nationally, the conversation has shifted from how long growth can last to how well regions can weather the next downturn. The Federal Reserve has forecast GDP growth of just 1.7% in 2025, consumer sentiment has fallen to its lowest point since late 2022, and the inverted yield curve—an often-cited harbinger of recession—remains in place.
All of this comes as the Indiana General Assembly passed a biennial state budget facing a projected $1.97 billion shortfall, signaling tighter fiscal conditions at a time when long-term investments are more necessary than ever.
These economic signals don’t just affect Wall Street or Washington—they shape our prospects right here in Northeast Indiana. In this moment, our response must be grounded in action. That means taking bold, local steps to prepare—not just for volatility, but for opportunity.
Regional alignment isn’t about bureaucratic restructuring. It’s about relevance, competitiveness, and speed. Investors, employers, and state leaders need to know who we are and what we stand for. That’s what this planning effort will help define.
In Northeast Indiana, where advanced manufacturing, MedTech and healthcare, logistics, agriculture and food production, and emerging tech industries intersect, the opportunity is enormous. But so is the need for deliberate coordination, especially when capturing these opportunities will require investment from state and local governments and the community at large. Disconnected or conflicting strategies cost us time, trust, and capital.
This is a defining moment for our region—not just for policymakers and economic developers, but for business leaders, educators, and civic institutions. We will need your input, your perspective, and your partnership to ensure the next plan is not only informed by data but driven by purpose.
Over the coming weeks, you’ll hear more about how this planning process will unfold. What’s clear now is that our success will depend on how we engage—how we come together not just around shared problems, but around shared solutions.
Let’s make sure Northeast Indiana is ready—not just to withstand uncertainty, but to lead through it.
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