Three decades ago, Indiana prospered as the nation's leading manufacturing state with relatively high per capita incomes. The abundance of production jobs offered Hoosiers lucrative wages while requiring little in the way of educational attainment.

But gradually the economic picture changed, and the state's quality of life changed with it. During the recent recession alone, Indiana lost more than 128,000 jobs--80,000 of them in manufacturing. Over the past 30 years, the state's per capita personal income dropped from 17th in the nation to 33rd.

Many of our cities and towns lost population, schools lost students, and voters lost a seat in Congress. Indiana's college graduates have of necessity continued to migrate to other parts of the country because of the state's limited job opportunities in professional occupations.

Among all states, Indiana has recently ranked...

• 33 in per capita personal income
• 49 in educational attainment among residents over 25 years old
• 38 in the number of scientists and engineers
• 38 in venture capital spending
• 31 in research and development spending
• 32 in high-tech employment
• 15 as a potential entrepreneurial hot spot
• 5 in the number of 18- to 24-year-olds with bachelor's degrees

Reversing the Trend
Renewing Indiana's prosperity and reversing the "brain drain" in the 21st century will require entrepreneurial vision and spirit. Our state must rebuild its economy upon a modernized industrial base balanced with a new mix of innovative enterprises in information technology, services, and life sciences.

On the front line of this transformation will be the state's hundreds of cities and towns, which must become vital, appealing communities in order to attract and retain new investment, jobs, and educated, energetic workers. Progressive community leadership will be essential for boosting Indiana's economic future.

To prosper, Indiana must...

• identify leaders willing to embrace change
• improve K-12 school systems
• develop community-based plans
• create new knowledge-based careers and businesses
• diversify the economic base
• strengthen the manufacturing sector

Ball State University is helping the state meet this challenge. Learn more about our commitment to building better communities across Indiana.