Nine counties. One region. Positioned to grow.
Position your business at the center of opportunity in East Central Indiana. Our nine-county region—Blackford, Delaware, Fayette, Grant, Henry, Jay, Randolph, Rush, and Wayne—offers a competitive business environment, strategic transportation access, a talented workforce, and an outstanding quality of life. With deep expertise in advanced manufacturing, agribusiness, and logistics, East Central Indiana is where businesses have the resources to grow, innovate, and thrive.
Transportation & Access
East Central Indiana is strategically located within 100 miles of four major metropolitan areas—Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Columbus, and Louisville—offering exceptional regional access. The area benefits from its proximity to key transportation infrastructure, including four international airports—Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, Dayton, and Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky—all within an hour’s drive. Additionally, the region is within two hours of three major ports, further enhancing its connectivity.
The region also boasts strong road access, with Interstates 65, 69, 70,
74, 75, and 465 nearby, facilitating efficient ground transportation. Complementing this robust network are Class I freight rail services provided by both Norfolk Southern and CSX, ensuring seamless logistics and distribution capabilities for businesses in the region.
Quality of Life
Success isn’t measured only by business growth—it’s also about the quality of life your employees enjoy. East Central Indiana offers the best of both worlds: welcoming rural communities, charming small towns, and vibrant mid-sized cities, giving residents the freedom to choose the lifestyle that fits them best. With a cost of living approximately 11% below the national average, shorter commutes, excellent schools and higher education institutions, quality healthcare, and abundant recreational and cultural opportunities, our region makes it easy to build both a successful career and a fulfilling life. It’s a place where businesses thrive because people love to live, work, and raise their families.
Talent Pipeline
With a population of nearly 395,000 people, East Central Indiana boasts a total workforce of 186,000. The region’s strong educational assets supplement this already talented workforce. Our higher education options range from four-year universities to technical colleges and include Ball State University, Indiana Wesleyan University, Taylor University and Earlham College.
Core Industries & Top Employers
The region boasts a legacy of strength in the advanced manufacturing, agribusiness and logistics industries, and continues to experience growth in the information technology and food processing fields. Bolstered by the region’s excellent transportation network, strong workforce and abundant commodities, East Central Indiana has attracted a number of nationally recognized companies in a variety of fields, including 3M, Blue Buffalo Pet Products, General Motors, CANPACK, Boar’s Head, Tyson, Diamond Pet Foods, and Berry Plastics. Companies from all over the world are taking notice of the resources and advantages the region has to offer. There are 25 businesses representing 9 different counties
in East Central Indiana.
Local Economic Development Organizations
