2026 Office Olympics

The 2nd Annual Office Olympics, presented by Garmong Construction, returns July 10 at the University of Southern Indiana for a day of competition, camaraderie, and workplace bragging rights. Teams from businesses across the region will test their skills in a variety of challenges, from cornhole and pickleball to wiffle ball, yoga, and more, all while building connections and celebrating community.

Gather your coworkers, form a team, and register today to see if your workplace has what it takes to bring home the gold!

River Vision

The Ohio River Vision & Strategic Plan has been recognized with the Best Practice in Planning award from the Economic Development Division of the American Planning Association.

Created through a collaborative effort between Sasaki, the Evansville Regional Economic Partnership, and regional stakeholders, the plan outlines a bold, implementation-ready vision to transform more than 50 miles of Ohio River frontage into a connected economic corridor.

Learn About the Ohio River Vision

Consolidated Grain and Barge Co. Plans $47M Expansion

Consolidated Grain and Barge Co. (CGB) recently broke ground on a $47 million expansion at Ports of Indiana–Mount Vernon, marking the largest investment at Indiana’s largest port in more than 20 years. The project will triple grain handling capacity for CGB’s soybean processing operations, increase storage by 4.25 million bushels, and significantly improve transportation efficiency for regional agricultural producers. The investment further strengthens the Evansville Region’s position as a key hub for agriculture, logistics, and global trade. READ MORE

Civics Bee

Three middle school students from the Evansville Region have advanced to the Indiana State Civics Bee after earning top honors at the inaugural Evansville Regional Civics Bee. Hosted by E-REP at the University of Evansville, the competition challenged students to demonstrate their civic knowledge, critical thinking, and ideas for strengthening their communities. The event highlighted the importance of civic engagement and showcased the next generation of leaders across the region. READ MORE

Belong Here

The Evansville Region was a top performer across all 118 MakeMyMove communities in April, highlighting continued momentum in the region’s talent attraction and relocation efforts.

Learn About Belong Here

Member Spotlight: Indiana Members Credit Union

Indiana Members Credit Union (IMCU) has proudly served its communities for 70 years, helping individuals, families, and businesses achieve their financial goals through trusted guidance and personalized service. As a member‑owned, not‑for‑profit financial institution, IMCU is rooted in a People Helping People philosophy, putting members and communities first while offering competitive financial solutions designed to support long‑term success.

In Southwest Indiana, IMCU is proud to serve members through its St. Joseph, Eagle Crest, and Newburgh branches. These locations provide a full suite of financial services, including personal and business checking and savings accounts, consumer and commercial lending, mortgage services, and access to investment and retirement planning resources. Their local teams are dedicated to building meaningful relationships and helping members navigate financial decisions with confidence, whether they’re buying a home, growing a business, or planning for the future.

Beyond banking, IMCU is deeply committed to strengthening the communities they serve. IMCU actively supports local organizations, schools, and economic development initiatives, and values partnerships like the Evansville Regional Economic Partnership that help foster growth and opportunity across the region. Through local service, community involvement, and a continued investment in Southwest Indiana, IMCU remains dedicated to being a trusted financial partner today and for generations to come.

Business Retention & Expansion

E-REP’s Business Retention & Expansion (BR&E) team recently visited regional employers LyondellBasell and Specialty Tooling, Inc. to strengthen relationships and better understand operational needs, workforce trends, and future growth opportunities across the Evansville Region.

These visits are part of E-REP’s ongoing efforts to connect businesses with resources and regional partnerships that support continued investment, workforce development, and long-term economic growth in Southwest Indiana.

E-REP Ambassador of the Month

Congratulations to Devon Tonkins of Banterra Bank, E-REP’s Ambassador of the Month!

E-REP Ambassadors play a vital role in strengthening connections across the business community by welcoming new members, celebrating milestones, supporting events, and championing regional growth.

Thank you, Devon, for your dedication to E-REP and your commitment to helping the Evansville Region thrive!

Indiana Small Business Development Center (ISBDC)

Evansville's Be Happy Pie Company was named ISBDC Entrepreneur of the Year. Known for its small-batch, made-from-scratch pies, cookies, cheesecakes, and classic baked goods, the company has grown from a home kitchen operation into a thriving regional brand.

After 13 years of dedicated service, the ISBDC and E-REP are celebrating the retirement of Business Advisor Doug Claybourn. During his tenure, Doug worked with 779 small business clients and helped facilitate more than $54 million in financing, making a lasting impact on entrepreneurs and small business growth throughout the region.

Plans were recently unveiled for The Republic, a $38 million mixed-use development coming to Evansville’s Promenade District. The project will include 153 market-rate apartments, commercial and restaurant space, and a range of modern amenities designed to support continued growth in one of the region’s premier live-work-play destinations. Construction is expected to begin in fall 2026, further advancing quality-of-place investments that help attract residents, talent, and private investment to the Evansville Region. READ MORE

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced that it is making $27.7 million in grants available through the Rural Business Development Grant Program (RBDG). This program provides funding for business and community initiatives that promote economic growth and job creation. MORE INFO

The State of Indiana has released resources on the updated Employer Child Care Expenditure Tax Credit, which may be useful for employers exploring ways to support access to reliable, affordable childcare for their workforce. MORE INFO