Indiana Business Research Center enters its second century of providing crucial insights
In March 1926, a new research center at Indiana University published the first edition of a periodical called the Indiana Business Review to inform the state’s business and government leaders about economic conditions and trends.
That first issue presented gains in Indiana’s banking activity, industrial production, electricity generation, building-stone production and employment. It also featured summaries of economic conditions in several of the state’s key cities. It was the first publication devoted solely to a review of business conditions in a single state.
Today and 100 years later and still published by the Indiana Business Research Center in the IU Kelley School of Business, the Indiana Business Review continues to provide analysis and insight on economic and demographic issues in Indiana.
The Kelley School is marking the centennial year for the IBRC through a celebration luncheon on Thursday, March 12 at The Heirloom at N.K. Hurst in downtown Indianapolis.
“For a century, the Indiana Business Research Center has been the trusted compass guiding Indiana’s business and government leaders through every economic storm and opportunity,” said Pat Hopkins, dean of the Kelley School and the James R. Hodge Chair of Excellence.
Like the rest of the Kelley School, the IBRC has initiated several firsts – such as digitizing and taking its data online in the early 1970s via terminals in the Indiana State House and in public libraries throughout the state.
Since 2022, the IBRC has been home to the Brave-Butters-Kelley Indexes, which offer policymakers, analysts, and businesses a timely and frequent indicator of economic conditions and turning points in the business cycle. It previously was produced by the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago.
In addition to Bloomington, the IBRC has offices in Indianapolis, where it recently moved to the 16 Tech Innovation District to be part of the “newly evolving economic epicenter of the city,” and to be closer to the Launch Accelerator for Biosciences – better known as IU LAB.
Learn more about the IBRC’s Centennial Anniversary
Learn more about the IBRC
Read the latest edition of Indiana Business Review
IU Adopts Chicago Principles, Affirming University’s Commitment to Free Expression, Academic Freedom
Governor Mike Braun honored Indiana University football Coach Curt Cignetti for his inspirational leadership and service to the state of Indiana with the 2026 Sachem Award, Indiana’s highest honor.
Governor Braun also awarded every member of the undefeated 2025 championship-winning Indiana Hoosiers team with the Sagamore of the Wabash, accepted by Coach Cignetti and IU President Pamela Whitten.
“Never daunted, Coach Curt Cignetti represented the state of Indiana on the national stage and showed the world that the Hoosier values of grit, perseverance, and no-excuses hard work are the way to victory,” Governor Braun said. “I’m honoring Coach Cignetti with Indiana’s highest award, and awarding the whole championship Hoosiers team with the Sagamore of the Wabash to celebrate their historic achievement for our state.”
First Lady and Indiana University alumna Maureen Braun helped Governor Braun deliver the award. She graduated from IU in 1976, the last time a Hoosiers team went undefeated.
The Sachem is reserved for individuals who have profoundly shaped Indiana through character, leadership, and service. Only one award is presented per year, chosen by Indiana’s Governor.
Learn more about Indiana Governor’s Sachem Award
State Update
The 2026 short session of the Indiana General Assembly adjourned “sine die” 15 calendar days early as planned (to account for the two weeks the body met in December 2025) before their statutory Saturday, March 14th deadline. Of the 452 House bills filed, 18% passed. Of the 290 Senate bills, 28% passed. Adjournment also marked the end of 14 legislators’ careers who are either not seeking re-election or seeking other offices. Indiana Gov. Mike Braun has signed the vast majority of bills sent to his desk, but for the remaining few, the Governor must decide whether to sign, veto or allow bills to become law without his signature.
This will be the final weekly State Update until the beginning of the 2027 budget session. An archive of previous Statehouse Updates can be found here.
Read the State Update
Federal Update
This week’s Federal Update covers Congressional and Executive Branch activities of interest in Washington, D.C.
Read the Federal Update
Economic Engagement Update
Registration Open for 2026 IU Founders & Funders Network Venture Summit
IU Ventures will welcome IU-affiliated entrepreneurs, innovators, investors and others to the Indiana University Bloomington campus for the fifth annual IU Founders & Funders Network Venture Summit on May 21-22 in Bloomington.
Registration for the event - a unique opportunity to connect with IU’s global network of founders and funders – is now open. Registration is $100 and includes all summit programming.
Featured speakers will include prominent IU alumni Todd Wagner, a tech entrepreneur and philanthropist; David Krane, CEO and managing partner of Google Ventures; Scott Dorsey, Managing Partner of High Alpha; and Scott Dolson, IU vice president and director of intercollegiate athletics.
The summit’s presenting sponsors are Western Alliance Bank, a leading financial resource to innovative companies nationwide, and Amundsen Davis, one of the fastest growing law firms in the Midwest. Other summit sponsors include Amplify Bloomington and The Trades District, Elevate Ventures, Gutwein Law, HCC a division of One Digital, Limestone Strategic Partners, Spokenote, TechPoint and Venture Club of Indiana.
The Summit’s keynote address will be delivered by Dr. Richard Gunderman, an IU alumnus and Chancellor’s Professor of Radiology, Pediatrics, Medical Education, Philosophy, Liberal Arts, Philanthropy, and Medical Humanities and Health Studies at the IU School of Medicine.
Register for the 2026 IU Founders & Funders Network Venture Summit
IU in the News
IU partners with 15 more rural organizations on new public art and design projects
Fifteen rural Indiana organizations will collaborate with Indiana University for the 2026 Rural Placemaking Studio, working alongside IU faculty and students to enhance their communities through creative design and public art projects.
Launched in 2024, the Rural Placemaking Studio is a collaborative initiative of the IU ServeDesign Center at the Eskenazi School of Art, Architecture + Design and the IU Center for Rural Engagement. The studio partners with rural Indiana communities to design vibrant, welcoming and sustainable public spaces that celebrate local identity and strengthen community connections through art.
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Nursing Students Learn Community Health on the IndyGo Bus
What can a city bus teach future nurses about patient care? For students in Indiana University School of Nursing’s Healthy Populations course, the answer is clear. By stepping aboard Indianapolis’ IndyGo bus, they experience the daily reality of many of their future patients and gain insight into how transportation and access shape health outcomes.
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New IU Research Could Improve How We Predict Drought Resilience
For decades, scientists have relied on a chemical fingerprint inside water molecules to determine where plants get their moisture. The method shaped our understanding of drought resilience, groundwater use and ecosystem survival. But there was a problem. The fingerprints didn’t always match. Around the world, researchers reported subtle yet persistent mismatches between the water inside plants and the water in surrounding soils.
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