Indiana has always been a place where hard work, opportunity and community matter. From our manufacturing roots to our growing cities and thriving small businesses, Hoosiers have helped build a state that competes with the best in the nation. Today, Indiana continues to stand out in the Midwest, with a strong business climate, a skilled workforce and a commitment to creating opportunities for families.
Under Republican leadership, Indiana has focused on maintaining a low-tax, affordable environment, supporting responsible fiscal policies that protect taxpayers and connecting Hoosiers with the skills they need to succeed. These priorities help make Indiana an attractive place to start of business, invest in communities, build a career and raise a family. The state added nearly 39,000 residents in 2025, leading the Midwest in population growth. At the same time, Indiana's GDP has grown faster than our neighboring states and the national average. Indiana was also ranked second in the nation as "Best State to Start a Business in" by Forbes in 2024.
A strong economy depends on more than businesses choosing to locate here. It depends on Hoosiers having opportunities to work, develop new skills and build a better future. Indiana's unemployment rate was 3.3% in August 2026, below the national rate of 4.1%. The state is also investing in pathways that help workers get ahead, from registered apprenticeships to career training. In federal fiscal year 2026 ending in September, 27,441 apprentices participated in registered apprenticeship programs located in Indiana – more than any state in the country. More Hoosiers are seeking jobs, with the number of workers looking to reenter the labor force increasing by 28.4% since December 2024. And we have strong outcomes for veterans: Indiana’s veteran unemployment rate was 1.7% in 2025, compared with 3.5% nationally.
Our state's strengths extend beyond the workplace. Indiana's communities offer a mix of thriving urban centers, growing suburbs and strong connections to the industries that power our economy. From Fort Wayne and Northwest Indiana to the suburbs of Indianapolis and across rural Indiana, our communities are consistently ranked in the top places to live in the nation and the best cities for first-time homebuyers and housing markets. Hoosiers are building businesses, raising families and creating opportunities for the next generation.
We also have a strong commitment to opportunity in the classroom. Our state is home to nationally recognized public universities that prepare students to lead, innovate and meet the needs of a changing landscape. Both Purdue University and Indiana University repeatedly rank nationally for best public universities. Indiana has also made it a priority to freeze tuition for two consecutive years now, expanding opportunity for education and career investment. Ten Indiana high schools are listed among the top 500 schools in the country, with Evansville's Signature School ranking second.
There is still work to do, and economic success must translate into real opportunity for Hoosier families. Affordability has been the main focus of House Republicans and will continue to be as we head into the 2027 legislative session. By continuing to support policies that lower costs, strengthen our workforce and make it easier to succeed, House Republicans are working toward a state where opportunity is not limited by a person's ZIP code.
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