Indiana is Open for Business: October's Jobs and Wages Wins
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Indiana Economic Development CorporationINDIANAPOLIS (Nov. 5, 2026) – Indiana Governor Mike Braun wrapped up another month of significant milestones and wins today that will increase jobs and wages for Hoosiers. In October, the governor celebrated investments across advanced manufacturing, agriculture, defense and logistics that are set to create nearly 500 new, high-wage jobs for Hoosiers.
Additionally, in October, Gov. Braun highlighted Indiana’s strengths in defense and national security as well as sports, championing recent momentum and opportunities for growth. The governor also discussed the importance of regional collaboration and long-term economic, community and talent development strategies in Bloomington and South Bend.
The following major announcements were made in October 2026.
Nucor Plans Another Indiana Expansion, Growing Recent Investment to Nearly $600M
Nucor Corporation, the largest U.S.-based steel producer, is growing in Indiana again. In October, the company announced plans to expand its Towers & Structures manufacturing operations in Crawfordsville, investing $105 million and creating up to 100 new jobs at its Montgomery County production operation. The expansion, which is expected to break ground in early 2027, will increase the company’s production of engineered utility structures to support electrification initiatives, such as grid hardening, renewable energy projects and a nationwide grid of EV charging stations.
This marks Nucor’s fifth major investment in Indiana in recent years, totaling $597.5 million and 400 new jobs. The company employs more than 2,600 Hoosiers at more than a dozen locations in Indiana.
Indiana-Founded Small Business & Defense Contractor Plans 70+ Jobs in Batesville
Med-Mizer, an Indiana-founded medical device company and defense contractor, is growing in Batesville, investing $9 million and add more than 70 new team members to increase production of its innovative hospital beds and safe patient handling solutions. The growth is being driven in part by a five-year contract with the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs to provide at-home hospital beds, support surfaces and related accessories to Veterans nationwide.
Kratos Breaks Ground on Odon Campus Expansion to Power Warfighter
Gov. Braun broke ground on the latest expansion for Kratos Defense & Security Solutions Inc. in Daviess County that will deliver two new facilities to advance the company’s defense capabilities and continue growing its Odon campus and workforce. The company is investing $35 million in two distinct, purpose-built complexes: the Indiana Radar Integration Complex to support the U.S. Navy’s AN/SPY-1 radar system, and the Helios Arc Jet & Laser Facility to advance next-generation directed energy technologies.
These new facilities will complement the company’s hypersonic facility, which was completed this summer, and are part of Kratos’ broader commitment to establish and grow its Indiana campus, creating up to 628 new, high-wage jobs by the end of 2029.
Indiana Defense Takes Off, Positioning the State for Investment, Innovation & Jobs
Gov. Braun highlighted the incredible momentum happening in Indiana’s defense sector this year, as his efforts to grow defense and national security continue to pay off. The state’s defense sector has attracted $2.5 billion in committed capital investment since 2020 while defense contracts have increased 24% during that same period.
In 2026, Indiana was awarded an Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Test Site by the Federal Aviation Administration. This drone test site allows private sector companies, defense organizations, public-safety agencies and researchers to develop and test the next generation of drones and autonomous aviation technologies. The Department of War announced the planned installation of the State of Indiana's first advanced nuclear Micro Modular Reactor (MMR) at Naval Weapons Station (NWS) Crane no later than September 2028 and Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao announced that the Navy is seeking private-sector proposals to install small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) at four naval installations, including Naval Weapons Station (NWS) Crane.
Additionally, the private sector continues to grow. In addition to October expansion announcements made by Kratos and Med-Mizer, companies like Rolls-Royce, GovParts, Redwire Corporation and Prometheus Energetics are investing in Indiana and creating new jobs.
Haynes International Breaks Ground on $172M Expansion, Powering Aerospace Sector
Haynes International broke ground on a $172 million expansion in Kokomo in October, bolstering its ability to supply products for the aerospace and industrial gas turbine markets. The company is constructing two new facilities – a vacuum induction melting facility and an SMS rotary forge building – that will create more than 100 new jobs in Howard County.
The company, which was recently acquired by Spain-based Acerinox, expects its business to be at least 50% bigger in the next five years.
100+-year-old River View Farms Growing in Orange County, Adding Jobs & Opportunities for Indiana Farmers
River View Farms, a fifth-generation family-owned agricultural business, is expanding its egg and swine operations in Orleans, creating up to 63 new jobs by the end of 2029 in rural Orange County. The company’s growth will also create additional opportunities for local growers and increase the company’s local grain purchases, bolstering Indiana’s agricultural ecosystem.
River View Farms is part of a robust agriculture industry in Indiana that supports more than 53,500 farms and contributes $35.1 billion to the state’s economy each year.
New RV Manufacturer Launches in Bristol, Creating 115 High-wage Jobs
Boundless Recreation, a boutique, customer-centric recreational vehicle (RV) manufacturer, launched production in Elkhart County in October. The company, which was established in 2025 by a team of seasoned RV industry professionals, is investing $2 million to start and scale its operations in Bristol, offering fifth wheels and travel trailers. Boundless Recreation has already created 45 new jobs and plans to grow its team to 115 by the end of 2028.
The new company will strengthen Indiana’s robust RV industry in northern Indiana that produces approximately 80-88% of all RVs manufactured in the United States and Canada.
Sweetwater Celebrates $36.7M Distribution Center in Fort Wayne
Indiana-based Sweetwater marked a major construction milestone of its distribution center expansion in October. The company hosted a topping-off ceremony, placing the final structural beam on the 170,000-square-foot expansion that will expand Sweetwater’s existing 524,363-square-foot distribution facility. The addition is part of a $36.7 million investment in the distribution center and U.S. 30-related campus changes and improvements in Fort Wayne.
The expansion, which signals Sweetwater’s continued commitment to growing and investing in Allen County, is expected to be completed next summer.
O&K American Corp. Investing $9M in Seymour
Chicago-based O&K American Corp., which manufactures cold heading steel wire for screws, nuts, bolts and other parts, plans to expand its operations in Seymour, investing $9 million in interior modifications and equipment to increase production.
The company cited the quality of the region’s workforce as a primary reason for its investment in Seymour. The company employs nearly 75 workers in Jackson County and expects to create another five with this growth.
Indiana’s Sports Economy Takes Center Stage
Gov. Braun highlighted Indiana’s robust sports economy sector in October, delivering a video address on the economic engine that supports jobs and drives economic impact statewide. The state is proud to host professional and semi-professional sports teams, multiple national sport governing bodies, and major sporting destination assets that help attract a variety of tournaments and events, from youth sport conventions and championships to professional events like the NCAA Men’s Basketball Final Four earlier this year.
Additionally, the state continues to attract major investments and job growth plans from companies in the sports sector, including Andretti Global, Feenix Sports and JD America, and continues to invest in sporting destinations and assets, including NexusPark in Columbus and the Indiana Sports Complex in Shelbyville, through READI.
Gov. Braun Highlights Economic Growth at IBJ Innovate Indiana Events in Indiana Uplands, South Bend-Elkhart Regions
Gov. Braun addressed hundreds of local and regional leaders across government, academic and industry in Bloomington and South Bend in October, headlining events hosted by IBJ Media as part of its Innovate Indiana series. The governor highlighted the importance of regional-driven strategies for long-term community and economic development and congratulated the Indiana Uplands and South Bend-Elkhart regions on their efforts to grow opportunities for Hoosiers. Gov. Braun outlined recent economic wins, initiatives geared toward growing innovation and entrepreneurship, community development milestones through READI, and talent development partnerships that are benefitting Hoosiers.
Indiana Uplands: Click here to watch a video highlighting the region’s achievements and initiatives and read more about the region’s successes here.
South Bend-Elkhart: Click here to watch a video showcasing the region and read more about recent momentum, milestones and achievements here.
About the Indiana Office of Commerce
The State of Indiana’s Office of Commerce was created by Governor Mike Braun to align and accelerate the state’s economic development efforts and is led by Indiana Secretary of Commerce Chuck Goodrich.
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Media Contact:
Hope Orono (IEDC) – 317.671.1796 or hoorono@iedc.in.gov
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