Aberdeen, Indiana Local Business Exchange

Indiana artists and creative entrepreneurs can apply for a statewide business development program that combines entrepreneurship training with an opportunity to pursue up to $2,000 in project funding.

The Indiana Arts Commission opened applications for its 2027 On-Ramp Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator on October 26, 2026. Applications for the initial workshop cohort are due January 15, 2027, at 4:30 p.m. Eastern.

The program is intended to help individuals build sustainable creative careers by developing business skills, identifying customers, improving marketing strategies, and planning for long-term financial stability.

Up to 30 individual artists will be selected to participate across three regional workshop cohorts.

Business Training for Creative Professionals

On-Ramp includes an intensive three-day workshop focused on the business considerations involved in maintaining a professional creative practice.

Participants will examine how to communicate the value of their work, identify potential customers, develop marketing strategies, manage expenses, and generate revenue.

The curriculum also addresses business relationships, resource planning, and protecting creative assets.

The program emphasizes building a career that may involve multiple sources of income rather than relying on one activity.

For example, a creative professional might combine commissioned work, product sales, educational services, and other projects into a broader business model.

The training is designed to help participants evaluate opportunities and develop practical plans suited to their own creative work.

Three Regional Workshops Scheduled

Indiana has scheduled three regional workshop sessions for selected applicants.

The southern Indiana workshop will take place April 19–21, 2027, in Bloomington, with support from Indiana University’s Center for Rural Engagement.

The central Indiana workshop is scheduled for April 28–30 in Indianapolis.

The northern Indiana workshop will take place May 12–14 in South Bend, with the North Central Indiana Small Business Development Center serving as a local host.

Applicants will be considered through a competitive selection process.

The commission expects to notify selected participants during the week of March 8, 2027.

Who Can Apply?

Applicants must be individual artists who are at least 18 years old, are U.S. citizens, and are full-time Indiana residents.

Participants must remain full-time Indiana residents through September 1, 2028.

Organizations are not eligible to apply, and individuals who previously participated in On-Ramp cannot apply again.

Eligible creative disciplines include visual arts, music, dance, theater, photography, literature, crafts, design, media arts, and several other artistic fields.

The program is particularly suited to emerging and early-career creative professionals who have already developed a body of work and want to strengthen the business side of their careers.

Selected Participants May Pursue Fellowship Funding

After completing the workshop, selected participants will have an opportunity to apply for a separate fellowship offering up to $2,000.

The fellowship application period is scheduled for May 18 through June 1, 2027.

Eligible project expenses may include marketing, supplies, equipment, workspace rental, professional development, and other approved activities supporting creative career growth.

Certain expenses are subject to limits. For example, no more than half of the grant funds may be used for capital equipment, and administrative overhead is limited to 25%.

Fellowship funding is competitive and is not automatically awarded to workshop participants.

The commission describes the assistance as reimbursement-based, with payments tied to grant requirements and reporting.

Applications Due January 15

Interested creative entrepreneurs can review the program guidelines and submit applications through the Indiana Arts Commission’s online grant portal.

The initial application deadline is January 15, 2027, at 4:30 p.m. Eastern.

The program provides a structured opportunity for Indiana creative professionals to develop business skills, connect with peers, and potentially obtain financial assistance for eligible ...

Indiana has launched a new aviation technology testing initiative in Terre Haute, creating a resource for businesses developing drones, autonomous aircraft systems, and related technologies.

Governor Mike Braun announced the opening of the Midwest UAS Test Site on October 30, 2026.

The initiative will provide access to testing resources, technical partners, and coordinated flight operations.

According to the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, the facility is now accepting members and supporting flight-test activities.

New Testing Network Supports Drone Development

The Midwest UAS Test Site is part of a network of uncrewed aircraft systems testing facilities designated by the Federal Aviation Administration.

Indiana officials identify it as one of nine FAA-designated UAS test sites.

The program connects testing locations, designated airspace, and technical organizations involved in aviation research.

Participating businesses can work with the test site to identify appropriate testing resources and coordinate the approvals required for flight operations.

The initiative is intended to support technology development, testing, and eventual commercialization.

Membership Open to Startups and Established Companies

One notable feature of the new initiative is its availability to businesses at different stages of development.

Indiana officials confirmed that membership is open to startups, component suppliers, and established aerospace and defense manufacturers.

Organizations developing aviation technologies can explore opportunities to participate in testing activities.

The initiative also serves public-safety agencies, researchers, and other organizations involved in uncrewed aircraft systems.

However, the October 30 announcement does not identify specific membership fees or guarantee that every proposed testing activity will be approved.

Participation arrangements will depend on the needs of individual organizations and applicable operating requirements.

Terre Haute Regional Airport Serves as Operational Hub

Terre Haute Regional Airport is serving as one of the initiative’s operational hubs.

The broader program is designed to connect testing resources across the Midwest and Great Lakes region.

Additional operational hubs are expected to be announced in the coming months.

The initiative is led by the Applied Research Institute and the Indiana Economic Development Corporation.

Supporting organizations include Purdue University, Pierce Aerospace, Windracers, the Indiana National Guard, and Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane.

The participating organizations bring together academic, commercial, and government capabilities.

Testing Supports Commercial Technology Development

Uncrewed aircraft systems are used in a variety of commercial and institutional applications.

Potential applications include infrastructure inspection, agricultural monitoring, mapping, surveying, emergency response, and specialized transportation activities.

Developing these technologies can require flight testing, equipment evaluation, and compliance with aviation regulations.

The new testing network is intended to help participating organizations coordinate those activities.

Companies may also use testing results to evaluate product performance and identify additional development requirements.

However, access to an FAA-designated testing network does not automatically authorize unrestricted commercial drone operations.

Applicable federal aviation requirements continue to govern individual activities.

New Resource for Indiana’s Technology Industry

The Midwest UAS Test Site adds another resource for companies involved in aviation engineering, software development, electronics, and advanced manufacturing.

Its launch may also create opportunities for technical collaboration between established manufacturers and smaller technology developers.

The state announcement does not establish a specific number of new jobs or identify additional private investments directly resulting from the facility’s opening.

Those developments will depend on future participation and commercial activity.

Companies Can Explore Membership

Businesses interested in participating can review membership, testing services, and partnership information through the Midwest UAS Test Site.

The initiative is already accepting members, making the October 30 opening an operational development rather than a proposed future facility.

For Terre Haute and Vigo County, the launch establishes a new regional resource supporting aviation technology development and collaboration.

For ...

A newly established recreational vehicle manufacturer has begun production in Bristol, Indiana, with plans to expand its workforce to as many as 115 employees by the end of 2028.

Governor Mike Braun announced the development October 28, 2026.

Boundless Recreation, founded in 2025, has invested approximately $2 million to establish manufacturing operations in Elkhart County.

The company has already hired 45 employees and began initial production during October.

New Company Establishes Manufacturing Facility

Boundless Recreation operates from a 104,000-square-foot industrial facility at 705 Maple Street in Bristol.

The company is equipping the location with manufacturing machinery and other equipment required to produce recreational vehicles.

Its initial products include fifth-wheel recreational vehicles, with travel trailers expected to follow.

Fifth-wheel recreational vehicles are towable units designed to connect to specialized hitches mounted in pickup truck beds.

Travel trailers use different towing arrangements and are available in a variety of sizes and configurations.

The company intends to focus on product design, manufacturing quality, and long-term serviceability.

Startup Founded by Experienced Industry Professionals

Boundless Recreation was established by a group of recreational vehicle industry professionals.

Company founder and president Nate Nickell identified product quality, component selection, and customer support as priorities for the business.

The company’s approach emphasizes building vehicles that can be maintained and serviced over time.

These priorities form part of the manufacturer’s business strategy as it enters an established recreational vehicle market.

The October 28 announcement does not identify specific sales totals or customer order volumes.

45 Employees Already Hired

Boundless Recreation has hired 45 employees since establishing operations.

The company expects its workforce to grow to as many as 115 employees by the end of 2028.

Indiana officials reported that the anticipated positions will offer average salaries equivalent to approximately 125% of the Elkhart County average.

That figure represents an average compensation comparison rather than a guaranteed salary for every employee.

The company plans to continue recruiting for various positions as manufacturing activity expands.

Specific vacancies and employment requirements should be confirmed directly with the manufacturer.

Bristol Is Part of a Major RV Manufacturing Region

Elkhart County and surrounding northern Indiana communities have an established recreational vehicle manufacturing industry.

According to the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, the broader South Bend-Elkhart region produces approximately 80% to 88% of recreational vehicles manufactured in the United States and Canada.

The region includes manufacturers, component suppliers, transportation providers, and businesses supporting recreational vehicle production.

Establishing operations in Bristol places Boundless Recreation within that existing industrial environment.

However, the state announcement does not identify specific supplier contracts associated with the new company.

New Business Adds to Regional Manufacturing Activity

Boundless Recreation’s launch represents the establishment of a new manufacturing business rather than an expansion of an existing large employer.

The company has moved beyond initial planning and has begun producing vehicles.

Its next development milestones include expanding production, introducing additional product models, and recruiting employees.

For Bristol and Elkhart County, the project represents a $2 million manufacturing investment involving an operating startup with 45 employees already hired and additional employment planned through 2028.