More so than other Midwestern communities, Johnson County, Indiana is bolstered by strong and vibrant communities, skilled workforce and an economy that provides opportunities for growth across industries. We believe these assets should be used as catalysts to spur further growth.
// Economic Development Strategic Plan
Aspire Johnson County’s 2030 economic strategic plan provides a roadmap for building on the county’s evolving economic foundation. It connects Johnson County’s people, assets, and ideas to its next stage of growth.
With a growing workforce, enviable infrastructure, and cutting-edge innovation centers, Johnson County is poised to welcome businesses seeking a community to start, expand, and succeed.
Connectivity is Johnson County’s distinct competitive advantage.
- A connected culture: enables the public and private sectors, powered by smart, innovative talent, to collaborate and drive business success.
- A connected infrastructure: puts 160 million consumers within a day’s reach via interstate, rail, and air service.
- A connected community: links residents to arts, sports, recreation, and entertainment throughout the greater Indianapolis region.
- A connected workforce: gives employers access to nearly one million people within a 40-minute drive.
The 2030 economy will build on shared guiding principles.
Integrate with Johnson County’s cities and towns while respecting each community’s distinct identity, assets, priorities and vision.
- Strengthen existing industry clusters by supporting workforce, supply chains, investment and growth:
- Process automation, instrumentation and measurement
- Prototyping and automotive manufacturing
- Professional services
- Construction and skilled trades
- Medical and healthcare
- Elevate high-growth target industries that align with Johnson County’s assets and competitive advantages:
- Defense
- Life sciences and cGMP manufacturing
- Leverage key assets, including:
- I-65, I-69 and U.S. 31 corridors
- Camp Atterbury and Muscatatuck Urban Training Center
- Innovation Park at Franklin College
- Pursue projects of opportunity that align with community values and:
- Increase resident wages
- Advance innovation and high-growth industries
- Strengthen industry clusters and economic resilience
- Attract and retain residents
- Create additional investment and growth opportunities
Johnson County’s key resources will support corporate investment and talent growth.
- Land: Shovel-ready and master-planned sites with greenspace.
- Utilities: Municipal, investor-owned, and cooperative utilities that continue to upgrade infrastructure.
- Transportation: Interstate corridors, two freight rail lines, rail-served sites, the Indy South Greenwood Airport’s 5,001-foot runway, and Indianapolis International Airport, with more than 140 daily flights to 54 destinations and FedEx’s second-largest hub.
- Water: Ample local aquifers for consumption and industrial processes.
- Talent: A population projected to grow 3% over five years, with 93% of adults holding a high school diploma and 43% at least an associate degree. Aspire’s School to Work program further strengthens the pipeline by connecting employers with K-16 students through career discovery and experiential learning.
To advance business and talent growth, we will stay connected with partners and leverage regional, state, and national initiatives.
- Area public and private K-12 schools; Franklin College, Ivy Tech, and the University of Indianapolis; and Indiana’s R1 research universities
- Central Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP), a coalition of industry, education, and philanthropic leaders
- Indy Partnership, our regional economic development organization
- Central Indiana Regional Development Authority (CIRDA)
- National and state drone development, testing, and deployment initiatives
- The U.S. Department of Defense’s Technology Readiness Experimentation program (T-REX) at Camp Atterbury
Goal: Increase direct lead generation within our target industries by 15% year over year.
Growth in direct leads shows that our relationships with site selectors and brokers are working. It means our story is resonating, decision influencers are reaching out, and Johnson County is top of mind when companies in our target industries have a need.
Goal: Increase average wages in the county by 25% over the next five years.
Our target industries create higher-wage career opportunities. Johnson County will prioritize companies that advance wage growth, workforce development, and long-term economic impact. Incentives will be used strategically and selectively for projects that deliver meaningful community value. This approach also supports upskilling the existing workforce for high-growth, innovation-driven industries.