Toyota Announces $200 Million Investment at Toyota Indiana in Princeton

Toyota has announced a $200 million investment at Toyota Indiana in Princeton to expand production capacity for the Toyota Grand Highlander, strengthening its long-term commitment to Southwest Indiana.

The investment supports continued growth at the facility, which produces multiple vehicle lines and remains a key part of the region’s advanced manufacturing base. READ MORE

Polyram USA Expands Evansville Operations with $12M Investment

Polyram USA is expanding its Evansville operations, investing more than $12 million to grow capacity, strengthen logistics, and support continued growth in the Vanderburgh Industrial Park.

Since launching its first U.S. facility in Evansville in 2017, Polyram has continued to reinvest in the region, reinforcing the Evansville egion as a hub for manufacturing and logistics. READ MORE

READI 2.0: Lou Dennis Community Park Groundbreaking

The Town of Newburgh broke ground on a more than $2 million expansion at Lou Dennis Community Park, bringing new inclusive play spaces, outdoor fitness equipment, and expanded opportunities for families to stay active together.

Supported by a $1 million READI 2.0 investment, the project focuses on creating a welcoming, accessible park experience designed for everyone in the community.

Q1 Activity Report

The E-REP Q1 Activity Report highlights the work driving growth across the Evansville Region completed from January 1 to March 31, 2026.

The report provides an update on key initiatives, investments, and partnerships supporting economic development, business expansion, and long-term regional momentum.

Read the Report

Business Retention & Expansion

E-REP’s Business Retention & Expansion (BR&E) team and regional partners recently visited several key employers across the Evansville Region to strengthen relationships and better understand operations, workforce needs, and growth opportunities.

Visits included Green Plains Inc. in Mount Vernon, highlighting its role in supporting local agriculture and advancing renewable energy; EMI Quality Plating in Evansville, focusing on operations and workforce needs; and Alcoa Warrick Operations in Newburgh, reinforcing the importance of long-standing regional manufacturing employers. The Tri-State Manufacturers’ Alliance (TSMA) also toured SIGMA Group, gaining insight into its operations, services, and people-first culture.

These visits reflect ongoing efforts to connect employers with the right resources and partnerships to support continued growth and success across the region.

SIGMA Group visit on March 19

Alcoa Warrick Operations visit on April 22

EMI Quality Plating visit on April 2

Green Plains Inc. visit on March 27

The BR&E Q1 Report is available, offering a clear look at what employers across the region are experiencing right now.

Read the Report

E-REP’s Business Retention & Expansion (BR&E) team works directly with existing businesses across the Evansville Region to understand needs, identify opportunities, and connect companies with resources that support growth.

Schedule a Visit

Lean on TSMA: Peer-Led Problem Solving

Submit a Case

Share a real operational challenge your company is facing and receive free, peer-driven Lean consulting from the TSMA Lean Peer Group. This process is designed to help companies work through real issues and give Lean Peer Group members hands-on experience and greater exposure to the regional manufacturing community.

Selected submissions may lead to:

Collaborative site visits
Peer-led working sessions
Practical tools and improvement strategies

No formal Lean experience required — plain language is encouraged.

NEW: Workforce & Education Quarterly Newsletter

E-REP’s first Workforce & Education Quarterly Newsletter is now live. Created in response to growing interest from partners across the region, this new publication shares key data, highlights what’s working, and provides insight into emerging workforce and education trends shaping Southwest Indiana.

Sign up to stay informed on the latest updates, opportunities, and stories driving collaboration across our region’s talent and education landscape.

Sign-Up

Ambassador of the Month: Katrinka Rynder

We want to thank Katrinka Rynder of Chemo Buddies for her dedication and passion for our region. Join us in celebrating her as our Ambassador of the month!

Our Ambassadors are a driving force behind our success, and their commitment helps strengthen the work happening across the Evansville Region. LEARN MORE

I-69 Fly-In

Justin Groenert, E-REP Chief Strategy Officer, traveled to Washington, D.C. in late March to participate in the annual I-69 Fly-In on behalf of E-REP and BridgeLink.

Justin joined leaders from Michigan to Texas to emphasize the importance of completing I-69, with a specific focus on advancing the I-69 Ohio River Crossing project.

During the visit, he met with Senator Todd Young, Senator Jim Banks, Congressman Mark Messmer, Congressman James Comer, Congressman Jefferson Shreve, and the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs to discuss opportunities for federal collaboration to help move the bridge project forward as quickly as possible.

Southwest Indiana Small Business Development Center

The Small Business Assistance page on the E-REP website serves as a central hub for entrepreneurs and small businesses across the region. It highlights available resources, including the Find a Property tool, information about CDFI Friendly Evansville, and more.

The SBDC is hiring a full-time Business Advisor. Apply here!

ISBDC Spotlight: The Back Nine

After decades in professional sports and the golf industry, Matt Waller is channeling his passion into his own venture. The Back Nine is Evansville’s newest premium indoor golf simulator experience and the first franchise location in Southern Indiana.

Designed for the more avid golfer who wants to practice, improve, and compete, the Back Nine offers 24/7 access to state-of-the-art Full Swing technology, which is backed by Tiger Woods and other professional golfers competing on both the PGA TOUR and LIV Tours worldwide. The technology provides instant feedback on distance, spin, accuracy, and swing data and allows players to select from more than 60 golf courses, including Victoria National in Newburgh. READ MORE

A recent New York Times feature on the restoration of the historic revolving door at New York City’s Flatiron Building has placed an Evansville manufacturer at the center of a nationally recognized preservation project.

The story highlights the craftsmanship and expertise from the Evansville Region, showcasing the local company’s role in restoring one of New York City’s most iconic architectural landmarks. READ MORE

The Young Professionals Alliance has entered an exciting new chapter with a formal paid membership model in 2026. This next step will help us grow, elevate our programming, and create an even more impactful experience for every member. Every YPA membership includes a ticket to the YPA Conference and one admission to a Lunch & Learn event.

JOIN HERE