Indiana’s is poised for more growth and development in the years ahead, especially across its built environment.
We asked AEC industry leaders across the state to identify the opportunities that matter most and what it will take to successfully navigate what comes next.
Here are their insights:
Glenn Peterson, Senior Civil Engineer/Project Manager
Short Elliott Hendrickson Inc. (SEH)
One of Indiana’s biggest opportunities over the next five years is being more intentional about how we plan for growth and how new development can deliver broader community benefits. It’s easy to look at a road, trail, park, or utility project as a stand-alone improvement, but the best projects happen when we look at how those pieces work together.
In my experience, that starts with bringing people to the table early and thinking beyond the immediate project. How will this investment serve the community 10 or 20 years from now? Can it improve connectivity, support future development, or make the community a better place to live?
For industry leaders, it comes down to planning ahead, collaborating early, and looking at the bigger picture. When infrastructure, development, mobility, and quality of life are considered together, communities can make investments that serve immediate needs while supporting long-term growth. At the end of the day, we’re not just building infrastructure. We’re helping shape the communities people call home.
Bill Browne, Principal / CEO
Like many businesses, AI is probably the biggest opportunity to advance the design profession and construction industry. AI is already creating efficiencies and will continue to do so. In the design profession, the greatest opportunity for efficiency will be in the production of documents, particularly those that are repetitive from project to project. We already have this to some extent with BIM, but AI will be able to improve this dramatically. AI is also a tool that can be utilized in the creative design process, but this will take more time to develop.
Embracing AI and not being afraid of it will be the best way to navigate this change.
Mike Sheetz, Regional Sales Director
One of Indiana’s biggest opportunities over the next five years will be continued growth in advanced manufacturing and the infrastructure that supports it, from manufacturing and distribution facilities to equipment storage and other commercial spaces.
At the same time, one of the greatest challenges will be getting those projects from concept to construction. Permitting and zoning requirements are becoming increasingly complex and unpredictable. Every municipality operates differently, timelines can vary significantly, and the process that worked on one project (or even in the past) may not be the process required on the next. There often isn't the same sense of urgency in processing that exists on the construction side, which can have a significant impact on project schedules.
Land availability adds another layer. In growing areas such as Cedar Lake, Lowell, Merrillville and Schererville, appropriately zoned commercial property can be difficult to find and expensive. Agricultural land may be available, but rezoning it for commercial use creates additional steps and uncertainty.
To successfully navigate that environment, our industry needs to prioritize relationships and collaboration with local government offices. Engaging municipalities earlier, understanding their requirements and building stronger working relationships can help identify challenges before they become roadblocks. The opportunity is there, but collaboration will be increasingly important in turning that opportunity into actual development.
Dennis Bane, Project Executive
Indiana’s greatest opportunity is to embrace a more holistic approach to urban planning design principles. As a team of owners, designers and builders, we have a tendency to focus on what is happening with our own project – “inside the property lines” without much consideration for how it fits within the greater urban fabric – “outside the property lines”. As this kind of mindset begins to take hold and the design evolves, other opportunities will present themselves such as, but not limited to, prioritization of total cost of ownership over the life of the building versus initial cost; designing to a higher standard of building codes versus settling for the minimum or “the worst building allowed”. Doing so will create a built environment that delivers greater long-term value for Indiana communities.
Adam James, Partner, CEO
I believe a significant opportunity in front of us as Hoosiers is translating the momentum we have into a focus on creating places that strengthen our communities and improving people's quality of life - which doesn't mean simply delivering more buildings. Being thoughtful and intentional about growing our communities and infrastructure that allows us to attract and retain our talent for the long haul should be a top priority - and clearing out the red tape that prevents it from happening.
Jeff Hagerman, Chairman
I think Indiana’s biggest opportunity is growth, but growth comes with a responsibility to make sure we’re building the infrastructure, communities, and workforce needed to support it. We’re seeing significant investment coming into the state, and that’s good for Indiana. The challenge is making sure we have enough skilled people and the right infrastructure in place to support that investment.
For those of us in the construction industry, that means we have to do a better job of developing people and bringing young people into our industry. The Hagerman Institute of Learning is one way we’re working toward that. We partner with schools to introduce students to construction through age-appropriate, hands-on activities that complement their curriculum. We also partner with colleges and universities, host interns, and work with community organizations to create awareness and interest in our industry.
At the same time, we need to embrace technology and new ways of working that make our people more productive, including innovations we’re involved with firsthand, such as Bolt-A-Blok and BrainLit. But technology isn’t going to replace good people. At the end of the day, successful projects still come down to people who know how to solve problems, communicate, and get things done.
Indiana has a great opportunity in front of it. We just need to make sure we’re building for the long term, not simply trying to keep up with the next project.
Steven Davidson, Chief Strategy Officer/Partner
Indiana has a unique opportunity to capitalize on the unprecedented investment and growth occurring across the state. From advanced manufacturing and logistics to technology, life sciences, and infrastructure, we’re seeing projects that will shape communities and economies for generations.
The greatest opportunity is not simply building more but building smarter, more resilient infrastructure. Transportation and utility networks are often the key differentiators in attracting and retaining businesses for long-term economic growth.
The trend we are seeing is multiple agencies and groups embracing collaboration to solve these complex challenges. Public agencies, private developers, designers, engineers, contractors, and community leaders are all working together with a shared vision. Delivering the large-scale projects needed to support growth across Indiana requires innovative thinking and planning from all parties to position the state for future success.
The state and local communities need to take the shared vision for economic development and growth and build for the future. Building for the future means growing the power grid, embracing next-generation power production like small modular reactors to produce clean energy to meet demands while keeping rates low. The state also needs to invest in water. Without additional water resources, there can be no continued growth, particularly in central Indiana where water is scarce.
Josh Schoon, Director Indiana Region
The most significant opportunity facing Indiana’s built environment over the next five years is the tremendous amount of investment and growth happening across the state. From advanced manufacturing and data centers to healthcare, education and community infrastructure, we have an opportunity to create jobs, strengthen our communities and position Indiana for long-term economic growth.
To take full advantage of that opportunity, our industry needs to make sure we have the people and resources to deliver it. That means investing in our workforce, strengthening partnerships with the trades and educational institutions, and bringing owners, designers, contractors, utilities and communities together earlier in the process.
The companies and communities that will be most successful are those that build capacity before they need it - developing the people, relationships and resources today that will allow us to capitalize on the opportunities ahead.
