Trades District Block Party Celebrates Innovation, Art, and Community
Bloomington's Trades District was the site of a community celebration on November 7, as residents, Indiana University faculty and students, and local business owners gathered for the inaugural Trades District Block Party. The event, hosted in partnership by Indiana University, the City of Bloomington, and The Mill, highlighted the district’s role as a growing hub for innovation, collaboration, and creative enterprise. It was supported through the College and Community Collaboration initiative, a $16 million grant-funded effort from Lilly Endowment Inc. designed to strengthen connections between the university and the city.
The event showcased arts and innovation projects by IU faculty and students. Projects included the Makerspace and Aerospace Systems Lab from the Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering which is filled with the latest technology to allow students to bring their ideas to life through a hands-on experience. The Lab is dedicated to the intelligent systems of engineering programs with a laser cutter, 3D printers and other prototyping equipment. Students from the Eskenazi School of Art showcased their comprehensive design work focused on the Trades District and students from the School of Education brought the Uplands Maker Mobile to offer a hands-on approach to maker education.
This event demonstrated the importance of partnership between IU, the Mill, and the City of Bloomington and highlighted how IU’s faculty, students, and schools are driving innovation and enriching local communities – connecting education, technology, and the arts to strengthen Indiana’s economic vitality.
Learn more about The Trades District
IU Vice President for University Relations to Become President of Indy Eleven
Indiana University Vice President for University Relations Michael Huber will step down, effective Dec. 31, to become president of Indy Eleven and senior vice president of the Keystone Group.
During his time at IU, Huber led the university’s government relations efforts, strengthening key relationships at the local, state and federal levels. He also guided its economic development initiatives, creating stronger linkages between the university’s research enterprise and Indiana’s key economic sectors in life sciences and technology, and expanding collaborations with local chambers of commerce and economic development initiatives.
IU will conduct a search for the next vice president for university relations. While the search is ongoing, Angela Smith-Jones will serve as interim vice president for university relations. She currently serves as the university’s associate vice president for state relations.
Learn more about Huber's career at IU
State Update
On November 18, the Indiana General Assembly reconvened for Organization Day to officially kick off the 2026 short session. This capped off a late summer and fall of interim study committee meetings in preparation for the legislative session, all overshadowed by the potential of reconvening early to redraw Congressional district maps.
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Federal Update
This week’s Federal Update covers Congressional and Executive Branch activities of interest in Washington, D.C.
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Previous Federal Reports
Economic Engagement Update
IMPACT advances bone and muscle health through research, technology and training
Increasing Hoosiers’ mobility so they can live more fulfilling lives is at the center of the Indiana Musculoskeletal Health Partnership for the Advancement of Care & Treatment mission. The statewide consortium, known as IMPACT, aims to restore the health of patients with osteoporosis, arthritis and other musculoskeletal disorders or injuries. This interdisciplinary partnership between Indiana University researchers and orthopedic industry titans is further cementing Indiana’s position as the epicenter of musculoskeletal health innovation.
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IU fuels Indiana’s next wave of industry growth
Indiana is entering a new era of dynamic growth led by the biosciences, manufacturing, artificial intelligence, healthcare and hospitality industries. Just last year, Indiana’s biosciences sector generated over $99 billion in economic activity, while its hospitality industry welcomed 30 million visitors who contributed $5.8 billion of economic impact. Increased demand presents opportunities to innovate, and Indiana University is rising to the occasion to help the state thrive.
Learn more about IU's impact to the state's industry growth
Hoosier businesses see rapid growth, create jobs thanks to Indiana University
Jaynne Rivas, associate professor of management at IU East, is an expert in public policy, economics and strategic management. Dr. Rivas leveraged a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to help entrepreneurs in Wayne County. Through the initiative, she has helped eight small businesses in Indiana thus far. She said that companies with fewer than 20 employees make up 89% of small businesses in the United States and play a critical role in stabilizing rural economies. This project is just one example of how IU partners with industry, business organizations and entrepreneurs to supercharge Indiana’s economic growth. The most recent IU economic impact study found that IU startup and spin-off companies added $106 million in income to the state’s economy.
Learn more about IU East's entrepreneurship efforts
IU in the News
Kelley Futurecast: AI and energy infrastructure may buoy US economy in 2026
The U.S. economy is expected to see continued growth, although at a lower level than in recent years at 1.8%. But it could be buoyed by continued investments in artificial intelligence and the corresponding energy infrastructure supplying it, according to an economic forecast from the Indiana University Kelley School of Business.
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IU breaks ground on IU Launch Accelerator for Biosciences
The new facility in the 16 Tech Innovation District will serve as the home of a first-of-its-kind academic-industry initiative that is harnessing the power of IU’s $1 billion research enterprise to strengthen Indiana’s $99 billion life sciences economy. IU leaders were joined by industry and community partners from around the state on Tuesday to break ground on the five-story, 150,000-square-foot facility, which is slated to open in 2027.
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IU expands free GenAI 101 course to more than 805,000 alumni worldwide
IU is expanding access to GenAI 101, its free virtual course that teaches essential skills in generative artificial intelligence, to its more than 805,000 alumni — the largest living alumni community in the nation. The extension demonstrates the university’s commitment to provide IU students, faculty, staff and alumni with a foundation in AI literacy that is critical for success in today’s workplaces. Alumni can access the course by logging in to their My IU account.
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Main Street makeover: Businesses in Shoals get boost from IU revitalization initiative
Small businesses along Main Street in Shoals, Indiana, recently received a boost thanks to a partnership with IU’s Rural Placemaking Studio. The Shoals Main Street Signage Project paired IU faculty and students with business owners to design and fabricate new signage. The goal was to improve each company’s branding and visibility while creating a cohesive aesthetic that reflects Shoals’ regional identity.
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IU Bloomington ranks fourth nationally, first in Indiana for number of students studying abroad
Indiana University Bloomington has maintained its decades-long legacy as a leader in study abroad participation, ranking first in the state and fourth nationally according to the 2025 Open Doors Report on International Educational Exchange. IU Bloomington has appeared in the top 20 universities for the past two decades, with roughly a third of students studying abroad during their education.
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