Weekly Legislative Update 3.3.25

Regional Chamber of Northeast Indiana • March 3, 2025

First Half of the 2025 Legislative Session
 
We have officially completed the first half of the 2025 Indiana Legislative Session!

All legislation has either been passed on a third reading vote in its chamber of origin or is now considered to be dead and no longer eligible for passage. 
 
For those keeping tabs at home, the House passed 178 bills and 1 joint resolution while the Senate passed 156 bills and 2 joint resolutions (for an overall 27% pass rate). Legislators have returned to their districts for a week of rest and will return on Monday, March 3rd to continue the legislative process. Once the bills have switched chambers, legislators in the receiving chamber act as “sponsors” (rather than authors) for legislation arriving from the other chamber. The sponsor acts on behalf of the author to get the legislation passed by their chamber.
 
Below, you’ll find a recap of some of the major bills that saw movement in the first half of this session.
 
Senate Republican Agenda
 
On the first day of session, Indiana Senate Republicans revealed an agenda that prioritized property tax reform, restraining Medicaid costs, lowering health care costs, responsible management of water resources and fiscal integrity and contract accountability. These priorities were filed as Senate Bills 1 – 5.
 
SB 1, Property tax relief  (Sen. Travis Holdman R-Markle) is an extensive, 91-page bill that seeks to reform property taxes. In its current form, SB 1 will allow counties to create a program that lets eligible homeowners defer up to $10,000 in property taxes. It also modifies property tax growth limits, adjusts tax deductions for seniors, veterans and expands a tax credit for first time homebuyers. Additionally, it changes how referendums on tax increases can be placed on ballots, restricts bond issuances, and establishes a property tax portal for taxpayers to compare potential tax changes. This bill includes language from Introduced SB6, SB8 & SB9. It passed the Senate with a vote of 37-10 and will be sponsored in the House by Rep. Jeff Thompson (R-Lizton), Rep. Craig Snow (R-Warsaw) and Rep. Jack Jordan (R-Bremen). Notably, Governor Braun has shown his displeasure with the changes the Senate made to the original version of the bill (which was Gov. Braun’s version of property tax relief). The governor has indicated that if additional relief is not added to SB 1 in the second half of the legislative session, he may use his veto power to attempt to bring legislators back to the drawing board.
 
SB 2, Medicaid matters (Sen. Ryan Mishler, R-Mishawaka) seeks to improve controls on Medicaid eligibility in the Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP), Indiana’s alternative to Medicaid expansion. SB 2 requires that the Office of the Secretary of Family and Social Services report Medicaid data to oversight committees and enforce a five-year lookback period. It prohibits marketing the Medicaid program, mandates eligibility redeterminations using federal and state data, introduces a part time work requirement for eligibility (with notable exceptions), and sets performance standards for hospitals handling presumptive eligibility. It also outlines corrective actions for hospitals failing to meet standards and specifies rules for the Healthy Indiana Plan. This bill passed the Senate 40-9 and will be sponsored by Rep. Brad Barrett (R-Richmond) and Rep. Jeff Thompson (R-Lizton) in the House.
 
SB 3, Fiduciary duty in health plan administration (Sen. Justin Busch, R-Fort Wayne) seeks to require that health plan intermediaries act in the best interests of Hoosier workers. The bill provides that a third-party administrator, pharmacy benefit manager, employee benefit consultant, or insurance producer acting on behalf of a plan sponsor owes a fiduciary duty to the plan sponsor. SB 3 passed the Senate unanimously 47-0 and will be sponsored by Representative Martin Carbaugh (R-Fort Wayne).
 
SB 4, Water matters (Sen. Eric Koch, R-Bedford) prohibits a water utility from building, buying, selling, or easing a long-haul water pipeline without first getting approval from the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC). Large water transfers out of a basin or from restricted areas require a permit from the Department of Natural Resources, which will only be granted if the transfer does not deplete water resources and is in the public interest. The department can issue penalties for violations, and permits can be renewed, revoked, or modified as required. This bill passed the Senate without any opposition with a vote of 48-0 and will be carried by Representative Ed Soliday (R-Valparaiso) in the House.
 
SB 5, State fiscal and contracting matters (Sen. Scott Baldwin, R-Noblesville) improve the State’s fiscal oversight of taxpayer dollars. It allows state agencies to use AI software for budget projections and requires agencies to report new federal funding requests to the budget committee if they involve state fund transfers. Vacant full-time positions must be reviewed after 90 days, contracts must be posted on the Indiana transparency website, and agencies must submit quarterly contract reports. Competitive procurement is required for all state-funded contracts, with existing nonpublic contracts terminating by the end of 2025, and stricter oversight is established for Medicaid financial reporting and trends. This bill passed the Senate unopposed 49-0 and will be sponsored in the House by Rep. Matt Lehman (R-Berne) and Rep. Craig Snow (R-Warsaw).
 
House Republican Agenda
 
Early in the second week of session, the House Republican caucus also released their agenda, which includes multiple bills focused on fiscal responsibility, reducing government regulations, lowering the cost of living, and strengthening our communities. You can read more about their legislative priorities here.
 
HB 1001, State Budget (Rep. Jeff Thompson, R-Lizton) was the top priority for the House during the first half of session. HB 1001 received the House Republican Amendment in Ways and Means, which was largely in line with Governor Braun’s proposed budget barring some of the governor’s proposed tax cuts. These items included a 2% increase in K-12 funding annually and the requested funding for the Medicaid forecast. Additionally, the budget expands the Indiana Choice Scholarship Program to all families in the state who wish to participate. The amended budget heard lengthy discussion from both the Republican and Democrat caucuses before ultimately being voted out of the House in a party line 66-28 vote. The Senate sponsors for the bill are Sen. Ryan Mishler (R-Mishawaka) and Sen. Chris Garten (R-Charlestown).
 
HB 1002, Education matters (Rep. Bob Behning, R-Indianapolis) is bill that seeks to clean up education language in Indiana Code removing around 35,000 words from Title 20 Education in the Indiana Code. The sweeping deregulation bill targets expired programs that are no longer being funded, as well as removing multiple may provisions throughout the code in an effort to establish more local control. The bill passed out of the House with a 75-16 vote and will be continuing its way to the Senate. The Senate sponsors for the bill will be Sen. Jeff Raatz (R-Richmond) and Sen. Linda Rogers (R-Granger).
 
HB 1003, Health matters (Rep. Brad Barrett, R-Richmond) focuses on improving transparency in healthcare pricing and billing. It also gives patients an increased say in their treatment options and gives them easier access to their health data. HB 1003 passed the House by a 66-32 vote. As the bill continues through the Senate, it will be sponsored by Sen. Ed Charbonneau (R-Valparaiso) and Sen. Tyler Johnson (R-Leo).
 
HB 1004, Nonprofit Hospitals (Rep. Martin Carbaugh, R-Fort Wayne) passed out of the House on third reading deadline last week with a vote of 68-26. Among its various provisions, HB 1004 will restrict what qualifies as community benefits for certain nonprofit hospitals and will impose stricter reporting and transparency requirements. In addition to this, the bill creates a new excise tax placed on the hospital if their hospital fee exceeds 265% of Medicare. Finally, the bill states that a hospital with commercial prices in excess of 300% of Medicare forfeit their nonprofit status. HB 1004 will be sponsored by Sen. Chris Garten (R-Charlestown), Sen. Justin Busch (R-Fort Wayne), Sen. Tyler Johnson (R-Leo), and Sen. Ed Charbonneau (R-Valparaiso) in the Senate.
 
HB 1005, Housing and building matters (Rep. Doug Miller, R-Elkhart) hopes to combat the lack of housing options available to Hoosiers. HB 1005 seeks to finance infrastructure projects that support residential housing. This will be done by expanding the Residential Housing Infrastructure Assistance Program (RIF). The bill was voted out of the House with a 93-0 vote. The bill will be sponsored in the senate by Sen. Linda Rogers (R-Granger) and Chris Garten (R-Charlestown).
 
HB 1006, Prosecutors (Rep. Chris Jeter, R-Fishers) seeks to provide more funding to prosecutors via a newly established special prosecutor unit, a prosecutor review board, as well as the public prosecution fund. The bill also establishes guidelines where counties may be eligible for reimbursement for prosecution expenditures. HB 1006 passed out of the House with a 72-24 vote and will be sponsored in the Senate by Sen. Aaron Freeman (R-Indianapolis) and Sen. Cyndi Carrasco (R-Indianapolis).
 
HB 1007, Energy generation resources (Rep. Ed Soliday, R-Valparaiso) addresses the rising need for electricity due to the surge in energy demand to meet economic development opportunities while also modernizing the grid and reducing costs through the encouragement and upkeep of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). During committee, Rep. Soliday passed an amendment to provide a 20% tax credit to build SMRs in the state of Indiana and allowed Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission to qualify for an expedited process. The amendment also noted that IURC generators will be subject to review if they’re not producing 85% of peak demand. The bill was voted out of the House with a 67-25 vote. HB 1007 will be sponsored by Sen. Eric Koch (R-Bedford) during the second half of the session.
 
HB 1008, Indiana-Illinois boundary adjustment commission (Speaker Todd Huston, R-Fishers) would create the commission to evaluate the possibility of Indiana taking in 33 counties that wish to secede from Illinois rather than the counties forming a new 51st State. The bill which drew national attention was ultimately voted out of the House with a 69-25 vote. Senator Scott Baldwin (R-Noblesville) will be sponsoring the bill in the Senate.
 
Education Legislation
 
SB 146, Teacher compensation (Sen. Linda Rogers, R-Granger) is the bill that will increase the minimum salary for a teacher employed by a school corporation to $45,000 (current law requires $40,000). It also increases the required portion of state funding that schools must spend on teacher salaries from 62% to 65% and requires the Department of Education to report on the feasibility and cost of expanding school employee health plan options by November 1, 2025. This bill passed the Senate 50-0 and will be sponsored by Representative Jake Teshka (R- North Liberty) in the House.
 
SB 287, School board matters (Sen. Gary Byrne, R-Byrneville) requires a candidate for school board to declare a political party. Candidates must be nominated like all other elected officials, replacing the current nomination process. It also increases school board member pay from $2,000 to up to 10% of the district’s lowest starting teacher salary. This bill narrowly passed the Senate with a vote of 26-20 and will be sponsored by Representative J.D. Prescott (R-Union City). Notably, Rep. Prescott’s companion bill, HB 1230, School board elections, died in the House on last week’s Third Reading Deadline when it was not called down for a final vote.
 
SB 518, School property taxes (Sen. Linda Rogers, R-Granger) requires that starting in May 2025, school corporations that pass new property tax levies for projects, safety, or operations must share revenue with charter schools in their district. By 2028, all school corporations must also share revenue from their operations fund levy, with a phased-in approach. This bill will also adjust charter school governance, set rules for their closures and link grant funding to property tax revenue received from school corporations. This bill is highly controversial due to the changes in school funding. SB 518 narrowly passed the Senate 28-21 and will be sponsored in the House by Rep. Jeff Thompson (R-Lizton), Rep. Bob Behning (R-Indianapolis), Rep. Andrew Ireland (R-Indianapolis) and Rep. Jake Teshka (R-North Liberty).
 
SB 523, School chaplains, (Sen. Stacey Donato, R-Logansport) allows public and charter school principals or superintendents to hire or approve volunteer school chaplains if they meet certain requirements. Chaplains may offer secular support and, under specific conditions, religious guidance. In most cases, student communications with a chaplain are confidential. This bill passed the Senate 32-16 and will be sponsored by Rep. Julie McGuire (R-Indianapolis), Rep. Michelle Davis (R-Whiteland), and Rep. Jake Teshka (R-North Liberty) in the House.
 
HB 1041, Student eligibility in interscholastic sports (Rep. Michelle Davis, R-Whiteland) would prohibit transgender women from participating in women’s sports at the collegiate level. HB 1041 expands on legislation from 2022 that banned participation at the K-12 level. The bill was voted out of the House with a bipartisan 71-25 vote. The bill will be sponsored by Stacey Donato (R-Logansport) in the Senate.
 
HB 1498, School accountability (Rep. Bob Behning, R-Indianapolis) seeks to improve the system, for measuring and providing ratings to the schools throughout the state to designate their performance. This would end the current practice of assigning an A-F letter grade to schools. The bill received the support of Secretary of Education Katie Jenner who testified and helped present the bill in committee. The bill passed out of the House with a 62-28 vote and will be sponsored in the Senate by Sen. Spencer Deery (R-West Lafayette) and Sen. Greg Goode (R-Terra Haute).
 
Other Notable Legislation
 
SB 43, Study of relocation of gambling operations (Sen. Andy Zay, R-Huntington) requires the Indiana Gaming Commission to hire an independent research firm to study and identify the top three regions for relocating a riverboat casino. The commission must present the study's findings to the state budget committee by October 1, 2025. SB 43 is a follow up to Sen. Zay’s SB 293, Relocation of riverboat gambling operation (Sen. Andy Zay, R-Huntington), which would have allowed the licensed owner of a riverboat casino in Rising Sun to relocate gaming operations to a casino in New Haven. SB 293 did not receive a vote in the Senate Public Policy Committee. SB 43 passed the Senate 33-16 and will be sponsored by Representatives Ethan Manning (R-Logansport), Garrett Bascom (R-Lawrenceburg) and Alex Zimmerman (R-North Vernon).
 
SB 306, Film and media production tax credit (Sen. Andy Zay, R-Huntington) takes an existing tax credit and makes it transferrable to help the film and media industry to boost investment in the state. This bill passed the Senate 49-0 and will be sponsored in the House by Rep. Chris Judy (R-Fort Wayne), Rep. Bob Morris (R-Fort Wayne) and Rep. Lorissa Sweet (R-Wabash)
 
SB 346, Rural business growth (Sen. Brian Buchanan, R-Lebanon) creates a state tax credit for certain capital investments in rural funds. The legislation requires a capital investment firm to invest $100 million in rural businesses, $60 million of which is provided by the state in tax credits. The tax credits are subject to recapture if the investment threshold is not met and requires annual reporting to the IEDC. This bill passed the Senate 47-2 and will be sponsored in the House by Rep. Shane Lindauer (R-Jasper), Rep. Jack Jordan (R-Bremen) and Rep. Jeff Thompson (R-Lizton)
 
SB 480, Prior authorization (Sen. Tyler Johnson, R-Leo) establishes rules for utilization review entities that require prior authorization for health care services. It also ensures that reimbursement claims cannot be denied solely because the referring provider is out of network. This bill passed the Senate with a vote of 47-2 and will continue to the House. The sponsors for the bill are Rep. Brad Barrett (R-Richmond), Rep. Martin Carbaugh (R-Fort Wayne), Rep. Julie McGuire (R-Indianapolis), and Rep. Joanna King (R-Middlebury).
 
HB 1393, Immigration notice (Rep. Garrett Bascom, R-Lawrenceburg) would require law enforcement agencies to notify the proper authorities if they have probable cause to believe that the suspect of a felony or misdemeanor arrest is not a legal citizen of the United States. The bill heard a large amount of testimony and was ultimately voted out of the House with a 61-28 party line vote. The bill will be sponsored by Sen. Aaron Freeman (R-Indianapolis) and Sen. Randy Maxwell (R-Guildford) in the Senate.
 
HB 1461, Road funding (Rep. Jim Pressel, R-Rolling Prairie) provides new and expanded options for state and local road funding, including incentives for improvements, increases in county transportation tax limits, expanded access to bonds for road construction, potential tolling of interstate lanes, and enables adjustments to grants and matching funds based on local needs. The bill was passed out of the House with a 72-21 vote. Senate sponsors for the bill are Sen. Michael Crider (R-Greenfield) and Sen. Blake Doriot (R-Goshen).
 
HB 1601, Quantum research tax incentives (Rep. Ed Soliday, R-Valparaiso) will change the tax exemptions to benefit and encourage the creation of a quantum corridor that would stretch throughout the state to connect various higher education institutions, military bases, research laboratories, and military defense agencies. The quantum corridor would lay the base for a possible multibillion dollar return on investment for the state once it comes to fruition. The bill applies the existing state and local exemptions to data centers to quantum research infrastructure. This bill passed out of the House with a 76-18 vote. It will be sponsored in the Senate by Sen. Travis Holdman (R-Markle), Sen. Eric Koch (R-Bedford), Sen. Brian Buchanan (R-Lebanon).
 
Dead Bills

Not every bill makes it through the legislative process – some stall in committees, whilst others fail to garner enough votes to be approved by the full body. Here is a look at some key bills that met their demise in the first half of this session.
 
SB 201, Closed primary elections (Sen. Mike Gaskill, R-Pendleton) this bill allows individuals to choose a political party affiliation when registering to vote, with a specific question and space on the registration form. Voters must affiliate with a party at least 119 days before a primary election to vote in that party's primary, though exceptions are made for new Indiana residents or young voters reaching voting age. It also allows voters to change party affiliation close to the primary if they move districts and requires provisional voters to declare their party affiliation on an affidavit. This bill was voted out of the Senate Elections Committee, but did not receive a vote on the Senate floor.
 
SB 284, Early voting (Sen. Gary Byrne, R-Byrneville) would have reduced the period during which in-person absentee voting may occur at the office of the circuit court clerk or a satellite office established by the county election board to a 14-day period ending at noon on the day before election day. Similar to SB 201, this bill was voted out of the Senate Elections Committee, but did not receive a vote on the Senate floor.
 
SB 317, Health care debt and costs (Sen. Fady Qaddoura, D-Indianapolis) sought to increase the options for payment plans and protections when facing medical debt. SB 317 would have required that hospitals offer payment plans, provide charity care program information, and include financial assistance details on billing statements. Hospitals with at least $20 million in annual patient revenue must also notify patients about eligibility for payment plans or charity care. Additionally, health care debt cannot be garnished or attached as a lien on the consumer's home for individuals meeting income eligibility requirements. This bill was defeated on the Senate floor 23-26 after Republicans argued that the bill went too far in its reforms.
 
HB 1136, School corporation reorganization (Rep. Jake Teshka, R-North Liberty) was assigned to House Education but never received a hearing. This bill ultimately would have dissolved five Indiana school districts, including Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS), turning their schools into charter schools.
 
HB 1233, Local government reorganization (Rep. Karen Engleman, R-Georgetown) would have dissolved township governments in the state in all counties except for Marion County. Their duties would have been shifted to the county. The bill was assigned to House Local Government but never received a hearing.
 
HB 1432, Various gaming matters (Rep. Ethan Manning, R-Logansport) was a robust bill that would have authorized iGaming and iLottery, established a new responsible gaming program through the state, and made changes to casino revenue sharing. HB 1432 was amended multiple times, including an amendment to increase the sports wagering tax. The bill was passed out of the House Public Policy Committee but did not receive a hearing in Ways and Means after being recommitted due to its fiscal impact.
 
HB 1502, State employee health plan payment limits (Rep. Julie McGuire, R-Indianapolis) was a bill that aimed to curb rising healthcare costs in relation to the state employee health plan. The bill would have done this by capping payments to hospitals at 200% of the Medicare reimbursement rate for any individual covered under the state employee health plan. The bill was not engrossed on second reading before the deadline.
 
HB 1561, Tax increment financing (Rep. Ed Clere, R-New Albany) was a bill that sought to change the way that Tax Increment Financing (TIF) worked in the State. Despite making it out of the Ways and Means Committee, the bill was not called down for final third reading vote on the House floor.
 
HB 1662, State and local policies on homelessness (Rep. Michelle Davis, R-Whiteland) would have prohibited an individual from camping or sleeping on land owned by the state or a political subdivision. This bill was not called down for a third reading before the deadline last week.


Governor’s Office
 
Governor’s Inauguration
On January 13, Mike Braun was inaugurated as Indiana’s 52nd Governor. In his inaugural address, Governor Braun honored the state’s history of hardworking pioneers and entrepreneurs and emphasized the need to continue that legacy through bold leadership and innovation. Braun called for reducing government inefficiencies, lowering healthcare costs, empowering education, and fostering small business growth. Braun’s tone was optimistic and determined to take action-driven leadership to ensure Indiana remains a land of opportunity and prosperity.
 
State of the State
Governor Mike Braun addressed a Joint Session of the General Assembly for his State of the State address on January 29. The Governor highlighted Indiana’s resilience despite economic struggles and rising costs and emphasized the need for decisive action to improve the state. His agenda focuses on tax relief, government efficiency, public safety, economic growth, healthcare reform, and education. Some key proposals include property tax cuts, reducing regulations, supporting law enforcement, securing the southern border, incentivizing workforce training, lowering healthcare costs, and expanding school choice (most already introduced by legislators, and signed executive orders). Furthermore, Governor Braun called for bipartisan collaboration to seize opportunities and make Indiana a national leader in innovation and prosperity. He concluded his speech with a message of unity and determination to build a stronger future for Hoosiers. Read more here.
 
Executive Orders 
In the first half, Governor Braun signed several Executive Orders (all of which can be found here) that had targeted effects on the following:
 
Cabinet Structure: Governor Braun has ushered in a new Cabinet structure in the executive branch, which he says seeks to model “efficiency, accountability, and communication in state government.” State agencies have now been assigned to “verticals”, or policy areas, which are led by secretaries who have been appointed by and report directly to the governor.
 
Streamline State Government and Boost Efficiency: Governor Braun signed a flurry of orders that focused on government efficiency, fiscal responsibility, and regulatory reform. Some key actions include creating a public database for executive orders, enforcing budget discipline (with performance-based incentives), prioritizing skills-based hiring over degree requirements, reducing regulations, and replacing DEI with Merit, Excellence and Innovation (MEI). Furthermore, Governor Braun directed state agencies to return to pre-pandemic in-office work, streamline professional licensing and enhance their cyber security and finally implement performance-bonus for improved government operations.
 
Healthcare: Governor Braun released a series of executive orders last month targeting the rising healthcare costs in the state of Indiana. These executive orders seek to improve transparency in costs and ensure financial responsibility and efficient use of taxpayer funds. The orders also encourage the use of data to improve health outcomes and government efficiency. Additionally, they examine hospital tax exemptions to protect taxpayers and ensure appropriate charity care. Ultimately, these measures collectively strive to enhance the healthcare system for Hoosiers
 
Immigration: Governor Braun also released an executive order supporting the new federal immigration policies. The order directs law enforcement agencies to fully cooperate with federal immigration authorities. The order also emphasizes the importance of sharing information and intelligence regarding criminal and terrorist activity with the Indiana Intelligence Fusion Center. Overall, this executive order focuses on cooperation between state and federal entities to enforce immigration laws and improve public safety within Indiana.
 
Second Half of Session
 
The House and Senate will both reconvene at 1:30 pm on Monday, March 3 to begin the second half of the 2025 Legislative Session. No committees have been scheduled at this time.
 
Here are a few important dates to be aware of in the coming weeks:

  • April 10 - Committee Report Deadline
  • April 14 – Second Reading Deadline
  • April 15 – Third Reading Deadline
  • April 16 – Conference Committees begin
  • April 29 – Sine Die (statutory)

This part of the legislative session, especially the conference committee period, often brings the most significant developments. During a conference committee, bill language can be swiftly added or removed as conferees work to reach an agreement. Typically (not always), only language that previously passed at least one chamber during the same session can be included in the final conference committee report. At this stage, legislation can change drastically—some bills may be entirely rewritten, with their original content replaced, while others may fail due to unresolved differences between the House and Senate version. 
 
We will continue to provide you with the most up-to-date information throughout the second half and recommend that you continue to closely monitor your individual bill tracking lists provided below.
 
On behalf of Team Catalyst, thank you for allowing us to be your advocate in the Indiana General Assembly. We are excited to begin the second half of the legislative session and will fight tirelessly to ensure your voice is heard!

Coffee with the County - The Trickle Down of Psychological Commerce

By Sara Patrick • December 1, 2025
My mind has always been piqued by the unique processes that happen in the brain. Why do people decide what they do, and how do they reach that conclusion? How do some people relate to a certain thing or activity in a certain way? And, why? In my undergraduate studies, I very happily took a Minor in psychology, and I went on my merry way into courses like Abnormal Psychology, Sociology, and Interpersonal Communication. It was–in the most nerdy way I can say this–riveting and educational. So many components of my coursework apply to my everyday life–both personally and professionally. Even more so, as we commemorate Small Business Season and focus on the value of shopping local, the trickle down of psychological workings applies. This month, you could very easily grow tired of how much I talk about shopping local. But, how we shop local looks very different, depending on our generation (another facet of psychology I love to delve into). Allow me to divulge my nerdy findings: understanding these generational differences can help us better support our hometown differences–and help our small business owners meet changing expectations. Let’s take a quick look at how the generations are interacting with local shopping habits. Gen Z (ages ~18-27) Shop online more than any other generation. Online purchases are growing nearly twice as fast as other age groups. Willing to support small businesses, but they expect convenience. 73% of Gen Z say they would shop small more often if the experience was as easy as shopping large chains. Gen Z is also the most supportive of diverse ownership: 29% support women-owned businesses, and 27% support minority-owned businesses. Millennials (ages ~28-43) Convenience is key. 50% say they’d rather drive less if alternative ways to shop were available. 75% of Millennials would shop small more often if it felt as easy and streamlined as large retailers. 60% say they actively try to patronize small businesses, especially online. Gen X & Boomers (ages 45+) They still make up 56% of all in-person shoppers at small businesses. Millennials and Gen X are leading the way when it comes to online support–45% are willing to shop local online. Personal relationships and familiarity still matter the most to this group. So what does this mean on the local frontier? It’s quite simple, yet entirely complex: Small Business Season isn’t one-size-fits-all–and our strategies shouldn’t be either. Every generation has buying power, but they use it differently. That’s an advantage if we know how to tap into it. If you’re reading this as a small business owner or employee of a local establishment, consider these quick and easy tips to implement and improve the local commerce experience this Small Business Season: Think convenience. Offer clear hours, easy contact info on all of your material (online and otherwise), consider providing online ordering, or offer pre-order and pickup options. Be visible online. Especially within the retail sector, the world wide web is your business’s front door. Millennials and Gen X are willing to support local businesses online–if they can find them. Tell your story! Gen Z values mission and identity. Highlight women-owned, family-owned, minority-owned, or longtime local roots. Give options: Curbside pickup, pre-orders, call-ahead, gift bundles, mobile payment links–these help bridge the gap between generations. And if you’re reading this as a local consumer, ready to fulfill your Christmas shopping season, consider these easy and applicable tricks to support local this Small Business Season: For Gen Z & Millennials: Explore small businesses online–social media, websites, and mobile ordering are growing fast locally. Before you head out or pull up your Amazon app, check out the local scene online. Gen X & Boomers: Introduce a young shopper to your favorite local store, and share with them the value of knowing the owner and his/her team. Shop with a friend or family member and make it an experience. Embrace the things you love about shopping local, and bring others along with you. Everyone (yes, everyone!): Commit to spending your first $20 locally before shopping online or at national chains. We can all do it, and imagine the transformation it will do to our local economy! This Small Business Season, we don’t just need one way to shop local–we need many ways. When small businesses meet people where they are, every generation can have a seat at the table, and that’s how local prosperity multiples. Let’s shop smart, shop creatively, and shop hometown-first this season. Happy shopping!

Coffee with the County - Supporting Your Neighbors this Small Business Season

By Sara Patrick • November 26, 2025
Happy Turkey Week! As you prepare to put on your stretchy pants and gobble down some roasted turkey (pun totally intended), first lean in to some quality considerations at the beginning of Black Friday deals and festivities.  I will continue to beat my Small Business Season drum to share the value around keeping our dollars local, especially during the holidays. 2025 is no different, and the opportunities to shop local continue to grow here in LaGrange County. More small businesses opened their doors in 2025, giving us even more chances to shop for loved ones and give the perfect gift on Christmas morning. As we commemorate all that makes Small Business Season special, and as we prep our budgets for Black Friday deals stacked as high as the Eiffel Tower, allow me to introduce you to my friend Tobi Oxenrider, Director of the Shipshewana Retail Merchants Association, as well as a small business owner in Shipshewana. Recently, she was aired on our latest Chamber Chat Podcast episode to share all about what it means to shop local this Christmas season. Here’s an excerpt from our conversation. Chamber: Let’s talk about Small Business Season. When I took this role at the Chamber, I didn’t fully understand what it means to shop local. It was and is so easy to shop on Amazon–one click, and it’s done. But when we start really understanding what it means when we spend our dollars outside of our community, it’s a much bigger picture. When we talk about the impact our tax dollars have when we keep them local–and what that means for our public safety, for public health, for education, for infrastructure, all those things–it’s much bigger than just supporting a business. I’d love for you to talk about that as a local business owner and the SRMA director, and about the local shopping scene here in Shipshewana. Tell us why the Small Business Season is so important, especially within the retail scene here in Shipshewana. Tobi Oxenrider: Yeah, it’s about taking the time to see that, sure, you’re not going to find an XBox here, or the next iPhone, but if you’re looking for baby clothes, socks, a book, food, furniture, whatever it is…There’s a beauty that comes when you take the time to walk through somebody’s shop who took the time to build this business, stock the shelves, their heart and soul that goes into that…When you walk into that, you see something there that connects you to your community. You see something on Amazon that is quick and easy, it doesn’t connect you to your community. Here, you can see products, touch them, and connect with the business owner who I see at the grocery store or church or wherever–those products I can buy locally are supporting their family. I think we just need to take the time to think about the balance that comes with supporting who we see in our community. When you shop small, it not only does something for the shops, it also feels so good when you have something purchased in your store. I mean, sure, did I save $2 or spend more than $5? Sure. But at Christmas, I mean, the impact you can make on not just that person, but also yourself and your community just feels awesome when you take the time to do it. C: I think one of the unveiling moments for me was when I continued learning about tax implications when considering shopping local versus big box stores. I came in with this perspective that if I buy from a big box store, I could get a good deal and save $5 or $10 on the same product I could find at a small local retailer that maybe adds an additional $5 or $10 on top of that product cost. But when we consider spending something that is a few dollars less in a big box store instead of local to save the extra dollars, we’re also sending some of our dollars away from our community. And so not only does it impact the local business where they’re losing money to large competitors, we’re also losing tax revenue that supports local government and infrastructure and road updates. If we don’t want to have rough roads, shop local. If we want to have good education systems, shop local. If we want to have great public safety and a police and fire department that is able to withstand our population, shop local. All of these things have a snowball effect. And when we don’t support local businesses, businesses close down and then our towns start to look a little shabby because of empty storefronts. There’s so much that goes into shopping local, and if we can collectively get to a place where we can shift our mindset, it’s not just one thing we’re doing (i.e., saving money), it’s so much bigger. Let’s talk about Wana Night Out. Last year, my husband and I went for the first time. We walked into one of the stores in Shipshewana because they had a discount they were offering. We walked in and I thought, what in the world! It drew me into a store I had never been in before, and I was amazed–the inventory that was available to me because I stepped foot in this store was unreal. There were shoes, boots, clothing items, toys, books for my kids. I got a bunch of Christmas gifts for my family that night, because it was kind of like a Black Friday in Shipshewana. It was equally really neat because I was shopping alongside neighbors and people I know locally too. Share a little bit about Wana Night Out and why that night is special. TO: It’s been going on for many years, and for many local people, it’s their favorite event. For the locals, it’s their opportunity to get in the shops that are here and some of their favorite places to go and have that experience with their neighbors. You get to see people you don’t always get to see, and it’s just so cool to see the local people out shopping. C: If you have never been, you have to experience it at least once. You get to go into store you don’t always get to go in during the work week. Hours are extended, and there is something for everyone! TO: There really is, and I think people forget that. You may not get everything under one roof, but you are going to have such a nice evening out, getting in your community, and supporting your neighbors. To hear the full episode from our latest Chamber Chat Podcast conversation, head to our website, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify. And this weekend, after your tummy is full of good eats, head out to your local retailers and remember to shop local. Our community is counting on it!

Coffee with the County Column - It's Not Calculus

By Sara Patrick • November 19, 2025
A little over a week ago, I had the annual privilege of joining my family in attending the Shipshewana Light Parade and Lighting Ceremony. It was a beautiful sight! Floats, trucks, and people (believe it or not!) decked out in Christmas lights of every color, marching with holiday cheer plastered all over their faces. After Santa and Mrs. Clause close out the parade each year, we follow close behind and walk into downtown Shipshewana to join a crowd of literally thousands of people, singing Christmas carols, listening to the Christmas story, and ending with a countdown turning on all of the lights of the quaint town. It’s quite a celebration, and it ends with people dancing in the streets to upbeat Christmas tunes, turning the hearts of people into the holiday spirit.  This event–for me–kicks off the season. It commemorates the joy that is easily felt as we enter into Thanksgiving and Christmas, where families come together, gifts are shared, and fellowship is rich and inviting. As the Chamber of Commerce, it equally kicks off another season–Small Business Season. While we love to celebrate our small businesses and the local commerce opportunities galore around year-long, this holiday season allows us the chance to really hone in on why it’s important to shop local. When Amazon Prime came into existence, I was one of the first to hop on the bandwagon. I remember the anticipation of clicking a button on my phone only to get exactly what I ordered (which can be just about anything) delivered right to my doorstep. How convenient! But not until I took this role did I really comprehend the negative impact that has on my own community. By shopping entirely online and with big box stores, I was sending my sales tax dollars out of state. I was removing any kind of relational shopping from my Christmas experience. I was forgetting about what it means to support local and support neighbors–those people I see, know, and love. Shopping local this holiday season is about so many things. Consider these statistics: $68 of every $100 spent locally stays in the community. Small businesses donate more 250% more to local causes that impact our own LaGrange County people. Nearly half of workers are employed by a small business. Communities with thriving small businesses see stronger job creation and resilience. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: “When you shop local, you’re not just making a purchase, you’re fueling jobs, supporting dreams, and keeping more money in our community.” Consider this cycle: You take an extra $20 to tip your waiter at the local joint. That waiter then goes down the street or to the next town over to get his hair cut. The barber of your waiter then takes his income to grab a coffee at the next door coffee shop. Then, in turn, the coffee shop–being a community-focused small business–donates to youth sports uniforms, not only empowering families but also supporting the next generation of LaGrange County. It’s not calculus. It’s simple local support. Imagine what can happen when we all buy in to this small business season movement! Here are a few practical ways to get involved this holiday season: Everyone has practical needs throughout the year. Stuff your family’s stockings with gift cards from the local mechanic, barber, grocery store, or gas station! Have a sweet tooth in your family? Snag some homemade goodies at the local chocolate stores, coffee shops, and grocery stores. (Bonus points if you purchase goods that are made in LaGrange County!) Hosting a family gathering but tired of cooking? Let a local establishment help! From one-person options to full-scale meals with all the fixings, it’s available here! Tired of the materialistic gifting process each year? Gift an experience with your family! From family photo sessions to hands-on animal experiences, from a carousel ride to live shows, you can gift it all! Here are a few things to remember as we officially launch Small Business Season: Wana Night Out, LaGrange County’s holiday shopping treasure: Happening on Tuesday, December 2, head over to Shipshewana to shop local deals and discounts. (Hint: Last year, my husband and I nearly completed our entire Christmas shopping in Shipshewana on this one day!) Learn more at www.visitshipshewana.org. Shop Local & Win! New this year, submit your receipts on any $25+ purchase made in LaGrange County for a chance to win prizes this holiday season! You’ll receive bonus entries when you shop at a Chamber member’s business! Learn more and submit your receipts by visiting www.lagrangecounty.org/shoplocal. It’s not hard, but it does take all of us. Don’t forget to shop local this holiday season!

Coffee with the County Column - Homegrown LaGrange County

By Sara Patrick • November 12, 2025
Homegrown. It’s a word that gets tossed around a lot in economic development, tourism, and placemaking circles. In today’s world, people crave authenticity, and if “homegrown” is slapped onto a product or experience, people seem to salivate! The irony for me, as a “homegrown” LaGrange gal myself, is that the word just plainly describes our way of life around here. Gardens are galore, crops and livestock are raised, products are handmade, and we generate what we need for a solid quality of life. As I continue to come face-to-face with other communities across the state and country, I am reminded of just how special it is to live in a “homegrown county.”  So often, I equate homegrown to homemade: cookies, bread, quilts, furniture, you name it. But if we consider homegrown and homemade in the terms of people, it brings to light an entirely new meaning. We (the Chamber) talk a lot about workforce. I’ve come to understand and appreciate that our local workforce is unique. Because we are not home to big cities or large amenities (which is quickly equated to big box stores), we are prone to experience a hemorrhaging of our young people once they finish school. “There’s nothing for me here” is something I’ve heard one too many times. Too often, our young people think that, in order to find success, they have to get to the greener stuff on the other side of the fence. When we spin that apparent weakness into a strength, we begin to see that our community is homegrown to its core. I challenge you: consider how many family-owned, multigenerational businesses and organizations you see around you. From nonprofits led by second-generation leaders to small businesses operating in second- or third-generation owners, our county just knows how to pass the baton. They understand how to train, raise up, and develop in order to build a lasting legacy. Our county thrives because of the homegrown. We lean into generational prosperity that doesn’t end with just one. This year, the Chamber has partnered with the Economic Development Corporation (EDC) to host another cohort of Leadership LaGrange, our local leadership development program. The fellowship delivers top-of-the-line training on topics like conflict resolution, ethical leadership, communication, healthy habits, visioncasting, and civic leadership. And we’ve been privileged to host folks from all industries, generations, and backgrounds this year. Some were invited by their employer, and some joined with a hunger to grow themselves. This cohort is, in essence, raising “homegrown leaders” for the future of LaGrange County. This is just one example of homegrown. And creating a homegrown environment doesn’t stop. It takes work, and it takes people who are willing and committed to the future of our community–committed to the cultivation of places and spaces that our people “salivate” over. One opportunity that we get to connect our Leadership LaGrange graduates to is the long list of opportunities to serve and lead in our community. From county government boards (drainage, alcoholic beverage, emergency management advisory, zoning and appeals, library, parks and recreation, redevelopment, and more) to non-profit organizational boards (work advocating on behalf of people with disabilities, the animal shelter, women in domestic violence situation, unplanned pregnancy support, children in foster care, and more), there is a place for everyone–yes, everyone–to get involved. Homegrown means nurturing and raising up our own, and it also means connecting them to the harvest of opportunities to serve. It doesn’t stop at a leadership development program; the chance to make a difference as a homegrown leader beckons to you and me as well. How will you lean in and be a part of what makes LaGrange County great? To learn more about opportunities of service, please visit our website at www.lagrangechamber.org, or send me an email at sara@lagrangechamber.org. It takes all of us to continue supporting a “homegrown” LaGrange County. And to conclude, I would be remiss if I didn’t nod to the real homegrown leaders celebrated on yesterday’s national holiday. To those who have stepped up to serve in our military, and put their lives on the line–our veterans–we thank you and commemorate your homegrown service to LaGrange County, Indiana, and the United States of America. Happy Veterans Day!

Coffee with the County Column - The Learning Curve of My Life

By Sara Patrick • November 5, 2025
In one of my first “professional” positions–AKA, my first big girl job–I was tasked with overseeing a team of volunteer leaders. These volunteers in turn led a larger pool of volunteers who ran the operations of the organization. As a naive youngblood, I thought, “No big deal!” Little did I know, I was in for the learning curve of my life.  While I stumbled (many times) along the way, I learned invaluable lessons about leadership, interpersonal relationships, and multi-generational operations. Of my time in that position, it wasn’t until four years later where I finally felt like I accomplished something: I earned the respect of an older leader (equipped with approximately 35 years more experience than I). He shared that when I first started, he was bound and determined not to be led by me, a young whipper-snapper. But, as time progressed, and as I made mistakes and learned from them, I demonstrated the soft skills he looked for in those who led him. In my position at the Chamber, the phrase “soft skills” gets tossed around often, especially when it comes to the younger generations. I hear the old adages, “Those kids don’t know how to work!” or, “These young people today just don’t want to work!” But if there’s anything I’ve learned, it’s that generations come with different expectations and varying workflows, and when they elevate each others’ strengths, a great workspace is created. So what are “soft skills” and what are “hard skills”? By definition, hard skills are those teachable, often measurable abilities that typically are job-related. They are often learned through education, training, and experience. They are technical by nature. Conversely, soft skills are the personal attributes that enable someone to interact with those around them. In a professional or employment setting, these may include things like communication, teamwork, problem solving, adaptability, time management, and emotional intelligence (self-awareness, empathy, and the ability to understand and manage one’s own emotions). It is pretty easy to prove why hard skills are important in the workplace. If you can’t perform the task, you can’t do the job. (Duh, right?) But oftentimes, soft skills aren’t hired or reviewed alongside the technical ones. So, why are soft skills “talked up” so much in today’s workforce, and why do they matter? Consider this scenario: You work alongside a new employee who is 110% proficient at the job. He is able to produce precise outcomes every single time, and his calculations are nearly perfect. He has more degree certificates than can hang on the wall, and enough experience to put him at the top of the totem pole. However, this coworker comes in every day, sits down at his workspace, and only stands to go to lunch or find the bathroom. His productivity is often late and you rarely see him working with anyone else. He seems to be as rigid as a board, and doesn’t like facing any sort of conflict in your workplace. Would you choose to continue working alongside this person, or would you prefer to transfer to another department (or another job)? In a perfect world, hard skills go hand-in-hand with soft skills. They produce a professional, yet relatable coworker. When they’re married together, they ensure that the workplace production level is consistent, successful, and held together by the people who make up the team. Teamwork is at the top of the board, deadlines are met, and coworkers are able to proficiently face conflict when it arises so that it doesn’t interfere with the organization’s success. As you step into your workflow this week, consider how these soft skills can intertwine with your own and your team’s success: Emotional Intelligence Tip: Listen before reacting. Encourage others to pause before responding. Tip: Notice non-verbal cues. Body language and tone often reveal more than words. Tip: Practice empathy daily. Even small gestures–like offering to help, thanking someone, or checking in–build trust. Time Management Tip: Prioritize tasks and plan the day. Make a simple “top 3 things to accomplish” list. Tip: Start early on deadlines. In rural and small-business settings, being reliable and timely is more valued than perfect execution. Tip: Respect others’ time. Being punctual and prepared shows maturity and reliability. Teamwork and Cross-Generational Collaboration Tip: Communicate openly and clearly. Avoid assuming others “know what you mean.” Tip: Value mentorship. Pair younger workers with seasoned employees–they can model behavior, soft skills, and reliability. Tip: Use stories, not lectures. Younger generations respond better to examples and lived experiences than abstract rules. Tip: Model patience and respect. Different generations have different work habits–get to know the others around you, and identify the strengths in their workflow. Whether you’re like me in my first professional position–swinging at all the learning curveballs being thrown at you–or whether you’re a seasoned professional who’s been through a few experiences of your own, engage with your team and learn how you can grow. I admit, I still find myself tripping over my own opportunities for growth, and it’s a lifelong lesson to be learned. Soft skills are important, and when we intentionally look for them and for ways to get better, the entire organization flourishes. Interested in learning more? A quick online search will give you access to many examples of how soft skill development creates a competitive advantage, not just for yourself, but for your business. Check out resources like Harvard Business Review, the US Department of Labor, and Yale University.

Coffee with the County Column - The Invisible LaGrange County Affliction

By Sara Patrick • October 29, 2025
When businesses, community, and resources all collide, something wonderful happens. True, generational impact unfolds, and it happens every year in our communities. The Chamber has been a longstanding host of an annual event called Power of the Purse, where we simply hold a space for businesses, employees, and local individuals to participate in a live-auction and raffle event. The day is created to raise funds (and awareness) of an issue we don’t talk enough about: food insecurity. Those two words were unfamiliar to me until I stepped into an economic and community development role that I now hold. The plaque–that is, that folks in our own backyards don’t have enough food to keep their bellies full–is something that often goes unnoticed or unattended to, because it’s something we don’t see with the naked eye (oftentimes anyway). Fortunately, our county is home to many non-profit organizations fighting afflictions just like this. In this week’s column, allow me to introduce you to Sonja Giggy, our latest podcast guest and the Director of LaGrange County Hope, the organization providing meals and additional sustenance to the doors of children and families who need it in our communities.  Chamber: Would you tell the story–from the idea of starting this organization, to where you are now? (LaGrange County Hope) Sonja Giggy: We started in 2020 out of a question between myself and my sister. We knew there were food insecurity things happening in the schools because of COVID, and we wondered what summer was going to look like for those kids who depended on food during the school day. We started at Topeka Elementary School because of our relationships there. We decided that we were going to pack food and deliver to kids who would sign up for that program. It kind of just started organically in our kitchen. I’m not sure either of us thought we were going to grow to where we are now. We ended up putting information in with the Boomerang Backpack program at the schools (the weekend food program). We simply said, “We have food for you if you’re food insecure, and we will deliver it. All you have to do is call or text a number.” Just in that first year in Topeka, we served 36 or 37 kids. And we’ve just grown every year since then as doors have opened. We’ve had people come to us asking about partnering and expanding the program to the entire school district, and then across the county. This was our 6th year doing the program, and we were able to deliver food to 477 kids countywide. Our bags are easy to prepare with individually-packaged items. They get 5 meals and 8 snacks each week. We find that so many of the kids we’re serving are actually home alone because their parents are working, so that’s why we do the individually-packaged items. We have learned that the key to this program has been the delivery piece. There are a lot of wonderful programs that offer food to kids and adults, where those things need to be picked up at a certain location. I think our growth has come because of our delivery piece in all of this. We’re finding that either parents are working and can’t pick up, or they simply might not have money for the transportation to drive there. The delivery piece is key. In 2022, we ended up forming a board and we are now a registered 501(c)3 non-profit. We saw that the need wasn’t going to go away, and our organization needed to stay in place. Last year we acquired a building in LaGrange–the Garage Community Center–and that is where our food is currently packed. We have since partnered in a way with the Community Harvest Food Bank out of Fort Wayne, where we find locations to distribute their food to youth within LaGrange County. We’ve also received some grant money two years ago for what we call our Emergency Food Fund. It is not youth-specific, but is for anyone who finds themselves in a position where they need emergency food assistance. It is a one-time resource, where we then connect them to other resources from there. C: We can talk a lot about different societal or community problems, if you will. We can talk about poverty, unemployment, and those types of things, because we can see them. When we can see them, we tend to be a bit more aware of the problem. In taking this role, it’s become quite evident that food insecurity is something we often don’t see. I think that’s why what you do is so vital. You’re fulfilling a problem that is oftentimes unseen. With all that said, can you share a little bit about your growth and the sobering statistics this year? SG: The way we look at statistics for LaGrange County, we use an organization called Indiana Youth Institute. LaGrange County has right around 43% of students on free and reduced lunches, which surprises us. We aren’t even tapping 5% of those kids with our summer program. I believe there have been a lot of things over the last couple of years that have led to our growth. There have been factories shut down. There have been funding declines for a summer food voucher program, which provided for about 7,000 kids statewide. I think some people find it surprising that a majority of our households have two working parents. There are some single parents, and several households in which grandparents are raising kids, so that adds another aspect to it regarding income level. I think the cost of living, housing, and food costs married with the declined benefits have really struck our local people. Typically we have a “soft” deadline for signing up so that we can get a general idea of how many kids we’d have each week. I would generally have one or two families add on last-minute to that deadline. This summer, I had families adding on every single week. C: What is one thing you would share about LaGrange County Hope and our local food insecurity affliction? SG: I think so many of us hesitate to get involved because we feel like it’s a huge jump to do that. Really, it’s just taking a step. You don’t have to build a bridge, you just have to take that first step. And, trust that, together, if everyone does that, and works together on this, imagine what could happen. Don’t be afraid to take a step, and reach out with any questions. Because we’ll help you take that step. What a challenging (and convicting!) podcast interview this was for me–and I hope for you too, all because two people saw a need, and took a step to build the solution. This week, I hope you can take away something new about the invisible affliction of LaGrange County, and are inspired to take a step to be a part of the solution. To hear the full episode, head to Spotify, Apple Podcasts, our website, and look for “LaGrange County Chamber Chat.” And, it’s not too late to get involved in this year’s Power of the Purse event on November 4! Head to our website or call our office to learn more about how you can get involved to ensure that “no tummy goes hungry” in LaGrange County.

Coffee with the County Column - The LaGrange County Lunch Pale

By Sara Patrick • October 22, 2025
Picture it: A warm, sunny day, around 1:00 in the afternoon. You follow a truck that slowly declines speed, only to stop in the middle of the road. You question what is going on, and raise an eyebrow at the audacity of this truck who stopped mid-journey. But before you can even ask the question, the passenger door opens, and a young Amish man hops out with his jacket and lunch pale in hand. A quick wave and a shut of the door, and he runs across the road to his home, while the truck begins the last leg of his drive.  I’ve been in this scenario a few times. And the uniqueness of this scene is described in more than a few words. It tells the story of our workforce: Neighbors helping neighbors. Early morning work hours closing down just after the noon bell. Lunch packed for the day in the age-old bi-color plastic cooler. Amish and non-Amish working alongside one another. And work getting done, just to start more work at home. LaGrange County’s labor landscape does not compare to others across the state. Not only is our makeup of people different, but so are our hours, jobs, and industries. And when we look into our community’s future, our workforce is central. It is made up of the people who fix machines, serve customers, build homes, care for others, and keep our community alive. To grow strong, we must develop talent–and protect it. Allow me to showcase some of our local workforce, by the numbers: LaGrange County’s civilian labor force in June 2025 was about 19,169 people. The local unemployment rate started out strong at the beginning of the summer with a 3.0% rate in May. In July, this rate saw a significant bump to 4.6% before declining by a whole percent the following month. Manufacturing is the dominant sector locally, with about 36% of non-ag employment in the county falling within this industry. The most recent data shows that the top employment industries in LaGrange County were manufacturing, followed by retail trade and construction. Small businesses are the backbone of our communities. The most recent data confirms that 73.4% of our businesses employ less than 10 people. Women’s labor participation in LaGrange County is about 54.9%, but when considering those who have children under the age of 18, that rate drops significantly, to 37.9%. At the state level, Indiana’s labor force participation rate is about 63.6% as of August 2025. I’m not much of a numbers gal, but numbers do tell a story. In this case, these data confirm that LaGrange County employment is performing well. The flip side of that coin, though, is that competition for workers is tight, and there are untapped pools of people not fully engaged in the workforce. For example, consider our local manufacturing scene. It has deep roots and a long history in our county, especially of niche markets like recreational vehicles and pre-fab housing. But, on a statewide level, Indiana reports that there are frequent skilled labor shortages, especially as automation, robotics, and smart-factory technology is adopted. The presence of many small companies means local training and adaptability matter–bringing the skills to people, and not always requiring travel to big urban centers. We are fortunate to be served by multiple accessible institutions. Freedom Academy, located in Kendallville, provides local certificate programs in fields like welding, industrial maintenance, HVAC, CNC, and quality systems–all aligned with real employer needs. Ivy Tech Community College–Indiana’s largest community college and the nation’s largest singly accredited statewide community college system–is a well-known partner offering credit and non-credit pathways, as well as apprenticeships and stackable credentials in our region. Glen Oaks Community College–just across the state border in Centreville, Michigan–is another nearby option. It offers more than 40 certificate and degree programs to help students either enter the workforce or transfer to four-year schools. These institutions work alongside our local employers to offer “learn-to-earn” models, short-term credential options, and training that targets real jobs. The key is coordination: connecting these opportunities to the unique, lunch pale workers of our communities. With unemployment fairly low and business workforce demand high, our greatest limitation is talent availability. To remain competitive, LaGrange County must commit to a a few things: We must engage more of our community, particularly, women, those who wish to return to the workforce, and underemployed individuals (which could include those working below their skill level, those working fewer hours than they want, or those in unstable or low-wage positions without benefits). Supports like childcare, flexible hours, family-friendly supports, and wrap-around services will bolster these efforts. We must expand capacity in technical and practical training. In order to do this, we need to focus on skills relevant to local industries: advanced manufacturing, woodworking, TV and home-building trades, machinery maintenance, and other hands-on work. We must be willing to deepen partnerships with local trainers and continuing education institutions, like Freedom Academy, Ivy Tech, Glen Oaks, local school systems, and other employers. This will ensure that their curricula aligns with employer needs, and that we can remove as many barriers to entry as possible. We must promote apprenticeships and on-the-job learning. Learning while earning is ideal for many in our community, allowing workers to build skills and income simultaneously, often without the need for long-term classroom commitments. Our county’s numbers are solid. But they also show that sustaining growth depends on people. How we train them, engage them, and welcome them into meaningful work that will last a lifetime in LaGrange County. With both local and regional resources available, now is the time to act to ensure that we’ll be seeing many lunch pales after a long day’s work for many years to come.

Coffee with the County - More Than a Directory

By Sara Patrick • October 15, 2025
When you think about what keeps LaGrange County moving forward, it always comes back to our people–the innovators, the makers, the dreamers, and the doers. The Chamber’s role is to connect and champion them, providing the support to live out and leave a multi-generational LaGrange County legacy.  Every business, organization, and individual who joins the LaGrange County Chamber becomes part of something bigger–a network built to foster community connections and drive business success. Our members are more than names in a directory; they are our Chamber Champions, and they’re powering economic vitality across our community every single day. When I took the role of Executive Director at the Chamber, I put on a new perspective. I learned that a Chamber of Commerce is much less like the Chamber of Secrets (here’s to you, Harry Potter fans), and much more about empowering, equipping, and connecting our local leaders and doers so that great things can happen. It’s really a spectacular sight to behold when people and businesses come together to bring positive change for a better future in LaGrange County. If you’re still unsure about who we are and what we do as the Chamber of Commerce, allow me to introduce you. Here’s how we’re working for our members through our three strategic pillars: Next-Level Workforce Our employers need people–skilled, engaged, ready to work and ready to grow. We’re helping build that bridge between education and industry through initiatives like our Career Expo, Coffee with the County, and roundtable conversations that connect schools, businesses, and workforce partners. We’ve launched a brand-new program this year–the Student Chamber–designed to practically connect juniors and seniors with real-world experience through work-based learning, all while streamlining our future workforce right into the workplaces of our local employers. Chamber members help shape these efforts and benefit from a stronger talent pipeline in return. One of my favorite stories in my role thus far within this work was from our inaugural Field of Dreams Career Expo. We hosted around 40 employers from the county, many of whom are recognizable to the masses. One student came up to our Chamber table while perusing the employers. I sparked a conversation with him, asking him what he wanted to do after high school. Very confidently, he shared that he couldn’t do what he wanted to do in LaGrange County. (Cue my own Chamber confidence.) I challenged him, asking him what it was he wanted to do. He shared that his dream was to be an actor on stage. I asked him if he was aware of Blue Gate Musicals in downtown Shipshewana, and he asked, “What is the Blue Gate?” I shared a little, and then asked, “What school corporation do you attend.” “Westview,” he replied. I was dumbfounded. Our work is so much more than showcasing cool things to students; it is connecting them to real-life opportunities, and keeping the workforce local for long-term economic success. Advocacy We believe a strong business voice makes for a strong community. Through our advocacy work, we elevate member perspectives to local, regional, state, and federal leaders, keeping LaGrange County’s priorities front and center. Whether it’s engaging policymakers, hosting community forums, or keeping you informed about the issues that matter most–we’re working every day to make sure your voice is heard and your business is supported. As we prepare for next year and beyond, we’ve opened the door for local businesses to share their voice through our 2026 Legislative Priorities survey. Once compiled and completed, we’ll unveil our 2026 Legislative Priorities Agenda at our January Annual Meeting, and will use it to leverage positive policy change on behalf of LaGrange County on all levels of government. To learn more about this work, visit www.lagrangechamber.org/advocacy_corner. Local Commerce The Chamber connects people–and that connection drives commerce. Through events, marketing opportunities, and our “shop local” initiatives, we keep dollars circulating right here at home. Membership opens the door to visibility, collaboration, and community impact–helping businesses not only grow, but thrive. Our social media pages (@LaGrangeCCC) are a great space to connect with our work in this realm, and soon, you’ll see that work in action through our Shop Local & Win campaign, with chances for everyone to win local prizes! When you join the Chamber, you’re not just signing up for benefits–you’re investing in the future of LaGrange County. Together, we’re shaping the next generation of workforce, advocating for what matters, and fueling a vibrant local economy. To our Chamber Champions: thank you for believing in this community and in one another. And to those who haven’t joined us: this is your invitation. Be part of the work that matters. Let’s build a stronger LaGrange County–together. Visit www.lagrangechamber.org or reach out to us to learn more about how you can join the movement.

Coffee with the County - Quiet Fuel

By Sara Patrick • October 7, 2025
Social media is a black hole of digital socialization, often painted full of “memes” - images or photos meant to send (oftentimes a humorous or sarcastic) message, whether in part or fully truthful. One such meme I’ve seen circulate the internet that draws attention says something like this: “Paying taxes on the money you make. Paying taxes on the money you spend. And paying taxes on things you own that you already paid taxes on with already-taxed money.” Nobody wakes up excited to pay taxes. (If you are, then I want to meet you.) Whether we’re talking about LaGrange County, the broader Northeast Indiana region, or the state as a whole, taxes are one of the most important tools we have to keep our communities running. They are the dollars that pave the roads we drive on, fund the teachers who educate our children, provide for our first responders, maintain our parks, and even keep the lights on in local government buildings. In plain terms, taxes are a shared investment. Instead of each of us paying individually for things like fire trucks, school buses, or snowplows, we pool our dollars together so that everyone has access to essential services. (Because let’s be honest, if we each tried to provide our own fire trucks or school buses, you’d have a city full of Tonka Trucks.) This is how small communities like ours can support big needs. Here’s a simple breakdown of how those dollars flow: Property taxes are one of the largest local revenue sources. They primarily support schools, libraries, police, fire departments, and county and township government services. Income taxes (paid to the state, with a portion returned locally) help fund county government, local roads, and other public services. Sales taxes (collected at the state level, and often derived from visitors in our thriving tourism industry) go into Indiana’s general fund, which is redistributed for things like Medicaid, higher education, and infrastructure. Recently, Indiana has been making adjustments to the way property taxes are structured, including realignments that affect how dollars are shared between different levels of government. The Indiana Legislature passed Senate Enrolled Act 1 (SEA 1, 2025), which is a sweeping property tax reform package. Here are some key changes: 10% Homestead Credit begins in 2026, and is capped at $300 per household The Supplemental Homestead Deduction is expanded, gradually increasing from 37.5% to 66.7% New deductions will be available for certain residential (non-homestead) properties The Local Income Tax cap is lowered to 2.9%, limiting how high counties and towns can raise income tax rates What does this mean for you? Well, in some cases, homeowners will see some relief, especially those with modestly valued homes. Local governments, including schools, will need to adjust budgets to reflect reduced property tax revenue, or at the very least, get creative in how budgeting processes are finalized. In some cases, services may shift funding sources, or communities may explore referenda to make up gaps. (That’s not to say these will be the ultimate solutions for LaGrange County, but they may be explored opportunities across the state.) The big picture is this: when we pay local taxes, the money doesn’t disappear into some far-off account. It stays here, in LaGrange County and Northeast Indiana, working for us. Every time you drive down a cleared road in winter, see an ambulance arrive quickly, or walk into a well-maintained library, you’re seeing your tax dollars at work. As residents, it’s important to understand both sides of the equation: yes, we all want to keep our tax burden manageable, but we also want the strong public services that make our community safe, livable, and prosperous. Finding that balance is the work of local government, and staying informed is how we, as taxpayers, make sure our voices are heard. Next time you see a school bus pass by or a sheriff’s deputy on patrol, take a moment to remember–you helped make that possible. Taxes may not be exciting, but they are the quiet fuel that keeps our community moving forward. If you’d like to know more about the recent legislation change in property taxes, visit iga.in.gov and search for Senate Bill 1. 

Coffee with the County - Purpose-Driven LaGrange County: Meet Paul Miller

By Sara Patrick • October 1, 2025
As a natural part of my role here at the Chamber, I have the pleasure and privilege of serving on various boards and committees that relate to our work. One such seat is on a local Credit Union Foundation’s board of directors, on which I was onboarded just earlier this year. As we walked through the preliminary meetings establishing expectations, responsibilities, and vision for the future, we ended one such conversation with the board chair posing a very contemplative question: “How has your purpose defined your service here?” As I listened to story after story from my fellow board members, many of whom were just as new as I, I heard narratives of how faith, community, and doing the right thing molded so many individuals’ work. It was inspiring and stirring all at once.  This very life vision–that of working for the betterment of the people and places around you–is quite common in our parts. Our Chamber team is offered the luxury of hearing and seeing so many of these stories, businesses, and individuals through our work as an organization. This week’s edition is dedicated to one such leader. Allow me to introduce you to Paul Miller from Decron in Shipshewana. Here is his story. Paul’s journey began in the floor department of an RV factory, where he learned to weld while repairing frames. A tour of several frame and jack suppliers introduced him to the powder coating process, sparking a curiosity that would grow into a lifelong business. In 2003, he began tinkering with metal in a small garage, making lawn and garden items that sold to local stores. Soon, he was asked to create wrought iron railings and fences, and the RV industry approached him for custom parts. Initially called Custom Steel Designs, the business grew over the years, expanding facilities and equipment, serving both custom clients and RV factories. By 2018, Paul and his team refocused entirely on repeatable production items for RVs, adopting the name Decron–short for DEcorative, CReative, ON Time. Today, the company operates out of 40,000 square feet with 55 employees, all while remaining family-owned and involving all five of Paul and Regina Miller’s children. Their growth has been powered by investments in advanced equipment, including a powder-coating system, CNC laser cutting machine, angle rolls, tube benders, CNC brake presses, and more. Decron also functions as a manufacturer and fulfillment center, with a dedicated facility for packaging and shipping, offering clients a true one-stop solution for metal fabrication needs. What sets Decron apart is not just their technical capabilities but their approach to service. “We attribute the growth and loyalty of our business as simply doing to others as we would like to have done to us,” Paul notes. “We get our customers one part at a time, and just serving them well keeps them returning.” Their guiding principles focus on faith, safety, and improving both customer service and the standard of living for employees. The business philosophy–treat others as you would want to be treated–is simple yet powerful and integrative. Every decision, every process, every part delivered reflects that commitment. Paul and his business have been a member of our Chamber of Commerce for over 15 years. Initially, Paul joined the Chamber to advertise the business. Today, he values membership as a way to support and stay connected to the community, attending luncheons, networking, and championing local initiatives whenever possible. Stories like Paul’s remind us that the strength of our community is shaped by business owners and leaders who serve not just their business, but their employees and the greater community. They invest in people, purpose, and process–always with an eye toward making life better for those around them. Through hard work, vision, and dedication to both craft and community, Paul, Regina, and the Decron team show us what it means to lead with heart, integrity, and excellence. It’s a privilege to celebrate their story and the countless ways local businesses in LaGrange County continue to inspire, grow, and serve. If you’re reading this column as a business owner, I challenge you to evaluate your company’s “why.” Why do you do what you do? What does it matter? And why does it get you out of bed day after day? If you’re reading this as a local resident or employee, I challenge you to ask that question the next time you step into a local business. Learn more about their business, what they do, and why they do it. Where does their passion come from–and to go back to the question in my onboarding meeting for the Credit Union Foundation’s board of directors–how has their purpose defined their service here? LaGrange County business is more than making money. It’s driven by hard work ethics, family-driven values, and community found in the depths of our neighborhoods. Lean in, and be a part of purpose-driven LaGrange County.