2026 Economic growth predicted to be flat in Bartholomew County

Professors with the IU Kelley School of Business and the IU Columbus Division of Business say that the economic outlook for next year is unpredictable due to tariffs and a slump in manufacturing of durable goods. But Bartholomew County is expected to lag behind the rest of the state in growth next year.

The experts held their annual Economic Outlook panel at The Commons yesterday giving their best predictions on what the economy will look like next year, nationally, locally and on a state level. All of the four experts touched on the uncertainty that national level policy decisions will have across the economy.

Phil Powell, head of the Indiana Business Research Center and with the Kelley School of Business, said that Indiana is a beacon in the region and nation due to manufacturing growth largely driven by life sciences and non-durable goods such as food production.

Steven Mohler, an associate professor of management in the IU Columbus Division of Business, said that with Bartholomew County’s heavy reliance on building durable goods, the community will likely lag behind the rest of the state next year.

The annual panel discussion is organized in partnership with the Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce, the IU Kelley School of Business, and Centra Credit Union.

Proceeds from the Columbus event support scholarships for business students at IU Columbus.

WRB Photo: From left to right, Jennifer Lynn Rice, with the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University; Ryan Brewer, head of the division of business at IU Columbus; Phil Powell head of the Indiana Business Research Center and with the Kelley School of Business  and Steven Mohler with the IU Columbus division of business.