Indiana has long been known as the "Crossroads of America, and that old slogan has new meaning for job seekers in Indiana. Truckers and travelers aside, the "crossroads" also represents the perfect cross-section of big-city life, small-town life, and a state that's moving forward in business, technology, the arts and education.
Advanced Manufacturing
From motor vehicle production to innovative electronics, manufacturing leaders have chosen Indiana for their plans and corporate offices. With Purdue University's expertise in manufacturing nearby, Subaru chose a convenient location in Tippecanoe County. Toyota chose Gibson County for its fourth North American facility. Honda Motor Co. has announced that it will invest $550 million and will locate its new US manufacturing facility on 1,700 acres near Greensburg, employing 2,000 workers in 2008.
Agriculture
Indiana has more than 63,000 farms covering approximately 15.4 million acres. In 2004, crop sales, totoaling almost $4 billion, were ranked ninth in the United States. Indiana is a leader in the production of corn and soybeans and actively promotes the use of biofuels, including ethanol and blended biofuels derived from corn and soybeans.
Information Technology
Indiana invests heavily in information technology infrastructure. The state's fiber optic network is among the best in the nation, and Indiana's many educational institutions ahve innovative IT programs. In 2001, Indiana University acquired the largest university-owened super computer in the United States.
Life Sciences
BioCrossroads, Indiana's life sciences initiative, was formed in 2002 to encourage the growth of the life sciences industry in Indiana based on existing industrial assets. The privately funded stakeholder collaboration makes direct investments in new life sciences companies through its venture funds, the $73 million Indiana Future Fund and the $6 million Indiana Seed Fund. Indiana is one of the nation's top life sciences leaders, as defined by the number and concentration of life sciences-related jobs, according to a 2006 report by Battelle Memorial Institute and the Biotechnology Industry Organization. Nearly 5 percent of life sciences-related jobs in the United States are in Indiana, which also has at least 5 percent of th drugs and pharmaceutical employment nationwide.
Logistics
With eight major highways and 11,000 total highways miles, Indiana is accurately referred to as "The Crossroads of America." Indiana also ranks ninth among all states in railroad milage and 14th in water-borne shipping, with three modern aquatic ports on the Ohio River and Lake Michigan.
Motor Sports
With hundreds of open-wheel, stock and other auto racing events each year--including the Indy 500, the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard and the US Grand Prix, the only Forumla One race in America--Indiana could arguably be called a world leader in motor sports. Within the past year, both Indiana State University and Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana have announced programs concentrating on the business of motor sports.
Medical Devices and Equipment
Medical diagnostics, devices and equipment is a sizable industry in Indiana, which at least 3 percent of employment nationwide. Indiana is home to Cook Inc, Roche Diagnostics (North American headquarters) and the world-class orthpaedics cluster in Warsaw, anchored by Biomet, DePuy Inc. and Zimmer, Inc.
The Arts and Entrepreneurs
The arts play a significant role in Indiana's economic development. In major cities such as Indianapolis and Fort Wayne, the arts and related businesses rank among the top 10 industries for employment. In smaller cities, such as Rising Sun, the arts often serve as the foundation of the citiy's economic development initiative.