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Noblesville leaders spotlight SMC’s 950+ jobs, $200M investment and Toyota Automated Logistics’ $165M campus

At his Sept. 10, 2026 State of the City address, Noblesville Mayor Chris Jensen hosted executives from SMC Corp. of America and Toyota Automated Logistics to highlight continued Japanese investment in Noblesville, including SMC’s more than 950 full‑time employees and $200 million invested since 2009 and TAL’s $165 million campus announced in 2024.

Noblesville proposes $143.5M 2027 budget; public safety pension and retiree health costs drive base growth

The City of Noblesville unveiled a $143.5 million proposed 2027 budget at the Sept. 15 council meeting, including $107.1 million for core operations and $20.6 million in capital projects. City officials say a mandatory $922,000 pension contribution increase and about $400,000 in retiree health costs are primary drivers of base growth. The council will discuss and vote at 6 p.m. Oct. 27, 2026.

Slick City opens 55,000‑sq‑ft Geist action park at former Marsh, training new staff

Slick City Indianapolis opened on Sept. 1, 2026, in a renovated 55,000‑square‑foot former Marsh at 11625 Fox Rd. The indoor action park includes slides, air courts, a zipline and a Hypergrid; management said the first week was busy as new employees trained.

Braun visits Anderson to assess flood recovery, discusses state and FEMA assistance for Madison County

The governor’s office said on Sept. 15, 2026 that Gov. Mike Braun toured flooded areas in Anderson and met with Mayor Thomas Broderick and Madison County leaders to review cleanup and recovery needs, including state and FEMA assistance for affected families.

Purdue and Pacers Foundation dedicate refurbished Tarkington Park courts honoring Fever legends

On Sept. 16, 2026 Purdue and the Pacers Foundation joined community partners to dedicate two refurbished basketball courts at Tarkington Park in the Butler‑Tarkington neighborhood, named for Indiana Fever figures Tamika Catchings and Stephanie White. The courts are intended to serve the neighborhood and central Indianapolis community.

Taco Bell Foundation awards $25,000 to Noblesville Boys & Girls Club; local franchisee K‑MAC nominated recipient

The Tom & Soni Sheehan Boys & Girls Club of Noblesville was named a $25,000 Community Grant recipient from the Taco Bell Foundation to support its Teen Center programs focused on character and leadership development, according to The Reporter on Sept. 17, 2026.

Zionsville Lions Club launches $2.6M campaign to upgrade Lions Park, seed $1M maintenance endowment

The Zionsville Lions Club launched a $2.6 million capital campaign at its Sept. 11–13, 2026 Fall Festival to fund Lions Park upgrades and a five-acre expansion; organizers reported about $1.3 million raised so far and plan to place $1 million in a legacy fund at the Community Foundation of Boone County.

Fonseca Theatre Company to host free Rice and Beans Festival in Haughville on Sept. 19

The free Rice and Beans Festival is set for Sept. 19, 2026, from noon to 4 p.m. at Fonseca Theatre Company, 2508 W. Michigan St. The community event will feature international rice-and-beans dishes and performances by local musicians.

Marian University names COO Kenith C. Britt as president; Daniel Elsener to step down June 30, 2027

Marian University announced on Sept. 16, 2026 that President Daniel J. Elsener will leave the presidency on June 30, 2027 and become president emeritus, and the Board has unanimously selected Chief Operating Officer Kenith C. Britt as his successor.

Docs: Colts’ Keenan Allen Faces OWI Charges

Court records say Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Keenan Allen was stopped Aug. 30, 2026, in downtown Indianapolis and faces two misdemeanor OWI charges after a breath test registered 0.224%. A Sept. 16, 2026 hearing was waived; the next court appearance is set for Oct. 26, 2026, remotely.

IU police warn students about online scams

The Indiana University Police Department reported three online extortion incidents and one online fraud case in September. The fraud involved a fraudulent job offer, a fake check and a request to return funds via CashApp; suspects remain unknown.

Edinburgh Courier (Sept. 16, 2026)

EPA backs Indiana takeover of coal-ash permitting; 60-day comment period opens Sept. 16, 2026

Federal EPA officials announced on Sept. 15, 2026 a proposed approval of Indiana’s coal combustion residuals (CCR) permit program; the proposed rule will be published in the Federal Register on Sept. 16, 2026, opening a 60-day public comment period. IDEM estimates about 100 CCR units would require permits and forecasts $1.3 million in personnel costs.

$100M Thomasson gift to IU will rename Kelley graduate school, expand Lilly School scholarships

On Sept. 16, 2026 Indiana University announced a $100 million gift from Jeffrey H. and Benita L. Thomasson that names the Kelley School’s graduate division and funds graduate education initiatives, while a $5 million pledge expands scholarships at the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy.

Westfield's $141.5M 2027 Civil City budget proposal prioritizes police, fire; final adoption tentatively Oct. 12, 2026

The City of Westfield introduced its proposed 2027 operations budget of $89,392,368 and a Civil City budget of $141,525,099 at a Sept. 14, 2026 City Council meeting. More than half of the recommended spending is dedicated to the Westfield Police and Fire departments; final adoption is tentatively scheduled for Oct. 12, 2026.

Carmel schedules Sept. 17 block party to mark reopening of College Avenue, thanking nearby businesses

The City of Carmel will hold a free block party on Sept. 17, 2026, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at Rosie’s Gardens & Hughes Landscape (10402 N. College Ave.) to celebrate completion and reopening of the College Avenue reconstruction project. The event will feature Mayor Sue Finkam’s Neighborhood Pop-up activities, remarks and a live set by the Naptown Hepcats.

Hamilton County opens new 146th St. & Allisonville Rd. interchange; awards $39.9M Hazel Dell contract to Carmel-based Gradex

Hamilton County held a ribbon-cutting on Sept. 14, 2026, for the new grade-separated interchange at 146th Street and Allisonville Road, which has been open to traffic for several months. County officials also awarded a $39.9 million contract to Carmel-based Gradex to build the next grade-separated interchange at 146th and Hazel Dell Parkway, with work set to begin in fall 2026 and continue into 2029.

DataOne seeks Frankfort approval for $7.5B, 115‑acre AI data center campus that would add ~200 on‑site jobs

DataOne has asked the City of Frankfort to approve a $7.5 billion, 115‑acre “AI factory” at the Logix Innovation Campus that the company says would include an 800,000‑square‑foot facility, generate significant construction work and about 200 permanent on‑site jobs. Two community open houses are set for Sept. 21–22, 2026.

MDC approves $4.3B Sabey data center incentives, secures at least $29.8M for Decatur Township

On September 16, 2026 the Metropolitan Development Commission approved an Economic Revitalization Area and deal terms for Sabey Data Center Properties LLC, enabling execution of a Memorandum of Agreement with the city. The package includes property abatements, job and wage commitments, and guaranteed community investments for Decatur Township.

Silver Companies holds Sept. 15 ribbon-cutting for nearly $100M Silver Collection at Saxony in Fishers

Silver Companies held a ribbon-cutting Sept. 15 for its Silver Collection at Saxony in Fishers. The developer says the nearly $100 million, market-rate luxury apartment project was funded with 100% internal equity and intended as a long-term legacy asset.

Keep Indianapolis Beautiful launches $4M campaign to build $2M westside workforce center on West Morris Street

Keep Indianapolis Beautiful kicked off a $4 million fundraising drive in early September 2026 to upgrade 65+ green spaces, build three new sites and construct a $2 million urban ecology and workforce development center along West Morris Street in West Indianapolis. The group says it has raised about $3.6 million and needs $400,000 by Dec. 31, 2026.

Boone County Solid Waste Management District accepting grant applications

The Boone County Solid Waste Management District is accepting applications for its 2027 Community Grant Program, offering awards up to $5,000 to Boone County nonprofits, schools, libraries, civic groups, clubs and eligible private businesses. Applications are on boonecountysolidwaste.com and must be submitted by Sept. 30.

Lebanon Refuge Girls Academy Closes While Still Facing Lawsuit

Refuge Girls Academy (formerly Central Indiana Teen Challenge) ceased operations at 1015 N. Lebanon Street on 2026-09-10 and the property has been placed for sale while a federal civil lawsuit alleging human trafficking, forced labor and severe institutional abuse involving 35 former minor residents proceeds.

Local Wine, Women & Shoes fundraiser raises more than $350,000 for Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital

A Wine, Women & Shoes fundraiser held at Lucas Estate raised more than $350,000 for Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital, Current Publishing reported on Sept. 15, 2026. The event was organized by Called to Care and featured vendors, a silent auction and a fashion show.