Small Business

Fountain Square restaurant Magdalena to close Oct. 6, owner blames Shelby Street drainage project

Magdalena, a Fountain Square restaurant and cocktail bar, announced it will close on 2026-10-06 after nearly two years. Owner Nick Detrich attributed the decision to disruptions from a $14 million Shelby Street drainage improvement project and said he rejected an $8,000 settlement that would have waived future damage claims.

Braun's office launches Indiana Small Business Program

IU Northwest awarded $3 million grant from US Department of Labor, Education

Plymouth submits application for 2027 Community Crossing Matching Grant

Seymour farm wins $1,000 grant to relabel dog-treat business made from brewery mash

Purple Shamrock Farm owner Stephanie Strothmann of Reddington received a $1,000 Indiana Farm Bureau grant to update labels for her upcycled dog-treat line made from spent brewing mash. The Tribune reported Sept. 29, 2026 that she is one of 10 statewide recipients.

Hendricks County schools awarded more than $644,000 in state secured-school safety grants

Nine Hendricks County-area schools and school corporations were slated to receive more than $644,000 in matching grants from Indiana’s Secured School Safety Grant Program, funding security equipment, school resource officers, site assessments and bullying-prevention efforts.

Hamilton County schools receive nearly $1M in state safety grants; Noblesville gets $86K for SROs

Hamilton County school districts were awarded nearly $1 million from Indiana’s Secured School Safety Grant Program, part of more than $26 million in grants statewide to nearly 500 schools; Noblesville Schools received $86,000 to help pay for school resource officers.

South Adams' Grant Moser named 2026 'Coach of the Week' for Week 6

Gov. Braun announces Federal SPARK Grant to modernize Indiana power grid, lower costs for Hoosier ratepayers

Ghosts & Goblins 1M/5K on Oct. 24 to raise funds for Carmel Education Foundation

The Ghosts & Goblins 1-mile/5K returns Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026, for its 18th year to raise money for the Carmel Education Foundation’s grant and scholarship programs. Packet pickup is Oct. 23 (11:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m.); races begin at 9:00 a.m. (1-mile) and 9:15 a.m. (5K).

Indiana awards $13.1M GROW grant to Region 7 to expand rural healthcare services and workforce

Gov. Mike Braun announced on 2026-09-03 that south‑central Indiana’s Region 7 received $13.1 million in GROW grants to improve rural healthcare access across Brown, Crawford, Harrison, Jackson, Lawrence, Orange, Perry and Washington counties. The award is part of a nearly $207 million first‑year federal Rural Health Transformation Program grant to Indiana.

Nashville redevelopment commission may pledge up to $75,000 to unlock $750,000 OCRA stormwater grant

At its Sept. 14, 2026 meeting the Nashville Redevelopment Commission discussed potentially providing up to $75,000 as the 10% local match for a proposed $750,000 OCRA stormwater grant; no funds were approved and a formal request has not yet been made.

Eastside entrepreneur launches On The Bun hot-dog cart in Indianapolis after securing $15,000 small-business loan

On Sept. 24, 2026, 24-year-old Seth Callagy opened On The Bun, a hot-dog cart that will operate Thursdays 11 a.m.–4 p.m. at CSL Plasma (5550 E. Washington St.) and Fridays–Saturdays 6–11 p.m. at Necropolis Underground (7130 Western Select Drive); Callagy financed the launch with a $15,000 loan and $4,000 of his own money.

Indiana to get $175M federal SPARK grant for transmission upgrades; state says it will curb ratepayer costs

On Sept. 24, 2026, Gov. Mike Braun announced Indiana will receive more than $175 million from the U.S. Department of Energy’s SPARK program to fund upgrades to the state’s electrical transmission system, focusing on the PJM‑MISO seam and using reconductoring and other technology to raise capacity.

Senator Jim Banks Talks Inflation, Pell Grants & H-1B Visas

Hamilton County Community Foundation wins $375,000 Civic Hub grant to boost civic engagement in northern Hamilton County

Hamilton County Community Foundation was awarded $375,000 through a 2026 Civic Hub grant from the Trust for Civic Life, the foundation announced Sept. 24, 2026. The funding is intended to expand leadership opportunities, create spaces for community dialogue and support resident-led projects in northern Hamilton County.

Yellow Hat Consulting’s Kimberly Ransom took Indianapolis small‑business perspectives to Capitol Hill

Kimberly Ransom, founder and CEO of Yellow Hat Consulting, was one of five small‑business owners nationwide selected by JPMorgan Chase’s American Dream initiative to meet with congressional representatives in Washington, D.C.; the article reports she returned from the trip on Sept. 18, 2026.

$1.5 million grant extends IU language expertise from Bloomington to military classrooms

Hamilton County schools receive nearly $1M in state matching grants for safety upgrades

Hamilton County schools received nearly $1 million from Indiana’s Secured School Safety Grant Program, state legislators reported on Sept. 22, 2026. The matching grants can fund hiring school resource officers, vulnerability assessments, security equipment and bullying-prevention programs.

Elevate Ventures says new downtown Indianapolis office will serve as entrepreneurial hub

Elevate Ventures says its new downtown Indianapolis office will function as a hub where entrepreneurs across Indiana can work, collaborate, learn and connect. CMO Muhammad Yasin told WISH-TV the organization will continue focusing on innovation-based investments and sees shared space and technology as tools to free founders from administrative tasks.

Simply From Scratch: Noblesville entrepreneurs bridge the gap between farm and table

Carmel founder Jenna Burd becomes first Orr Fellow to run her own partner company while in the program

Jenna Burd, founder of Carmel-based Yalla Solutions, joined Orr Fellowship’s 2026 cohort while continuing to operate her company — the first time an Orr Fellow has participated as an owner of an Orr partner organization. She also launched the Orr Fellowship Foundry; applications for Orr’s 2027 cohort close Sept. 25, 2026.

IU professor launches Indianapolis startup Kovina Therapeutics to pursue HPV-related cancer treatments

Dr. Elliot Androphy, a professor in the IU School of Medicine, founded Indianapolis-based Kovina Therapeutics to develop small-molecule medicines that target HPV proteins and kill infected cells. IU has co-owned related patents and the startup has received university seed support, venture backing and NIH grants.

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.