This week on Inside INdiana Business with Gerry Dick, downtown Indianapolis scores big as the Pacers advance to the NBA Finals, boosting the city’s $4 billion sports tourism economy. Pacers Sports & Entertainment CEO Mel Raines shares what this moment means for the franchise, the fanbase and Indiana’s basketball legacy.

Also in this episode:

• Indianapolis lands the 2028 U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials at Lucas Oil Stadium.

• Life sciences leaders from around the globe descend on Fishers during the Global Entrepreneurship Congress.

• Indiana’s first adaptive mouth guard could revolutionize concussion prevention.

• The Damien Center opens a new $29 million HIV and wellness campus on Indy’s Near East Side.

• Richmond and Bloomington break ground on revitalization efforts.

• Eye on Education: Ivy Tech cuts 200+ jobs amid state budget reductions.

• Catholic entrepreneur Scott Williams creates socks and merch inspired by the new Pope — with a Hoosier twist.

This week on Inside INdiana Business with Gerry Dick, we reflect on the life and legacy of Colts owner Jim Irsay, who passed away just days before the 109th running of the Indy 500. Former head coach Rick Venturi shares personal stories from four decades alongside Irsay — highlighting his passion for football, music, and the city of Indianapolis.

Also in this episode:

A behind-the-scenes look at his legendary rock and roll memorabilia collection, including the $4.8 million Kurt Cobain guitar.

The Pacers, IMS, and city leaders honor Irsay on the national stage during a historic week in Indiana sports.

Plus:

Gary wins a $200 million convention center deal — a project expected to generate $74 million in economic impact.

Honda expands in Greensburg with a new CR-V hybrid.

Sony DADC in Terre Haute joins the semiconductor supply chain.

Visually impaired students find confidence and career skills in Indiana’s first adaptive kitchen.

(I) on Education: USI President Steve Bridges discusses tuition pressures amid budget cuts.

In the final installment of our “Business at the Brickyard” series, Inside INdiana Business with Gerry Dick wraps up the month of May from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway—where racing, culture, and commerce collide.

In this episode:

On this week’s Inside Indiana Business with Gerry Dick, we continue our “Business at the Brickyard” series from the newly renovated Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum. The $60 million overhaul is already drawing crowds and boosting memberships, with new interactive exhibits, STEM learning opportunities and a major spotlight on Roger Penske’s legacy.

Penske Entertainment’s Allison Melangton joins Gerry to discuss how IndyCar is strengthening its connection to fans across Indiana — from porch parties and statewide fan fests to collaborations with the arts community.

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As the Indy 500 approaches, we spotlight the people, companies and communities fueling Indiana’s motorsports economy.

In this edition of Inside INdiana Business with Gerry Dick, the business of motorsports is in full throttle as Business at the Brickyard continues. From Gasoline Alley to global headquarters for brands, we explore why Indiana is one of the top three motorsports hubs in the world. Veteran executive Rollie Helmling breaks down the industry’s $1 billion impact, and why Indy’s brand is key to future growth.

Plus:

• The hidden economic engine inside IndyCar: $100 million in cars, $350K chassis, $1M engines, and elite STEM careers.

• An Italian racing school plants roots in Indianapolis, training the next generation of mechanics and engineers—including a Hamilton Southeastern grad.

• IMS revs up sustainability: composting, recycling, and new initiatives to reduce waste from 300,000 race day fans.

• Eli Lilly breaks ground on its $4.5 billion Lebanon Medicine Foundry, creating 400 jobs in the LEAP Innovation District.

• Aer Lingus launches a transatlantic connection from Indianapolis to Dublin.

• Anne Frank trees grown in Jackson County head to schools across the U.S.

• Kyle Cummins keeps Hoosier dirt track tradition alive with a sprint car career rooted in small-town Indiana grit.

The Month of May is just heating up. We’ll be at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway all month with exclusive coverage of Indiana’s most iconic economic driver.

In this Inside INdiana Business with Gerry Dick special edition, the month of May roars to life at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway with the kickoff of Business at the Brickyard. As the 109th running of the Indy 500 approaches, we explore how motorsports is fueling Indiana’s economy to the tune of more than $1 billion annually. From Victory Circle to the new IMS Museum, the Speedway is more than just a race—it’s an economic engine.

From dirt tracks to Victory Lane, Inside INdiana Business will be on-site all month long with stories from every corner of Indiana motorsports.

In this episode of Inside INdiana Business with Gerry Dick, global innovation arrives in a bigger way in Indiana. Silicon Valley-based Plug and Play is expanding to the new IU Launch Accelerator at 16 Tech, aiming to recruit and grow life sciences startups in Indianapolis and connect them with Warsaw’s growing medtech hub. CEO Saeed Amidi says Indiana’s combination of university talent and global companies like Eli Lilly makes it a powerful new frontier for innovation.

Plus:

How the new IU Health incubator at 16 Tech could transform Indianapolis into a national player in biosciences.

Roche Diagnostics and Eli Lilly announce major U.S. manufacturing expansions, with the potential for Indiana to land more investment.

Community Health Network opens the first phase of its Westfield campus, featuring AI-assisted patient care.

A new Ronald McDonald Care Mobile rolls out in Evansville to combat Indiana’s high infant and maternal mortality rates.

Also in this episode:

Ports of Indiana-Mount Vernon launches a new railroad to drive economic development.

Terre Haute’s Hulman Field Air Base plans a new $13 million small arms training range.

Fort Wayne breaks ground on an 8,400-seat soccer stadium ahead of joining USL League One.

A Noble County fire department auctions off a pumper truck to fund new equipment.

Gaylor Electric becomes the first company to twice win National Contractor of the Year honors.

IU Indianapolis expands STEM research space with a new lab building at 16 Tech.

Ball State completes a $60 million renovation of Cooper Science Building.

Indiana Tech launches a new advanced manufacturing innovation center at Electric Works in Fort Wayne.

And:

Hud Mellencamp and Hard Truth Distilling launch a new whiskey celebrating Indiana farmers and the Mellencamp legacy.

The Pacers surge ahead in the NBA Playoffs as Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever prepare for a historic season.

Inside INdiana Business previews next week's kickoff of Business at the Brickyard coverage at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

In this episode of Inside INdiana Business with Gary Dick, military might meets rural transformation. A $600 million private investment is on the horizon near the Naval Surface Warfare Center in Crane, Indiana, as 16 companies commit to a new munitions campus in Bloomfield. The project could bring thousands of jobs to southern Indiana and redefine economic growth in the region.

Plus:

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In this episode of Inside INdiana Business with Gary Dick, we take off with big news in Indiana aviation: Carmel-based Republic Airways is merging with Mesa Air Group to form the second-largest regional airline in the U.S. The deal brings a major boost to Republic’s Carmel headquarters, a massive training center in Indianapolis, and continued momentum for Indiana’s aviation sector.

Plus:

Also in this episode:

In this special episode of Inside INdiana Business with Gerry Dick, we take you inside the newly reimagined Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum, which has just completed a $60.5 million renovation—and the results are nothing short of historic.

From race cars to rocket science, the museum now blends tradition with innovation, creating an immersive, interactive experience that tells the story of the Indy 500 like never before. And with more than 250,000 visitors expected annually, it’s on pace to become one of Indiana’s most iconic year-round destinations.

Plus:

The museum’s new “Starting Line Experience” offers a 360° audio-visual journey into what it’s like to be trackside on race day.

Education gets the green flag: A new Innovation Lab and hands-on exhibits are inspiring students to pursue careers in motorsports, engineering, and manufacturing.

Accessibility upgrades: The renovated museum features ADA-compliant ramps, elevators, and a wheelchair-accessible racing simulator, ensuring all guests feel welcome.

The Penske Gallery honors the legacy of Roger Penske and his 20 Indy 500 wins with legendary cars, engines, rings, and one-of-a-kind memorabilia.

Also in this episode:

Indiana’s talent pipeline: Ivy Tech reports 82,000 Hoosiers gain new credentials each year—meeting the demands of healthcare, advanced manufacturing, and logistics.

Bloomington-based Singota Solutions expands in Switzerland, growing Indiana’s life sciences footprint abroad.

Drone-powered agriculture: Indiana’s first licensed aerial spraying contractor is revolutionizing how Hoosier farmers care for their crops.

Sprint car spotlight: Small-town Indiana tracks like Kokomo Speedway are featured in this year’s Business at the Brickyard coverage, highlighting racing’s grassroots.

Whether it’s on the track, in the classroom, or across the globe, Indiana is racing ahead. Join us all May long as we continue Business at the Brickyard—bringing you stories of innovation, community, and legacy from the Racing Capital of the World.