CIRDA adopts Catalyze Plan to position Central Indiana for next wave of life sciences investment

The Central Indiana Regional Development Authority (CIRDA) has adopted its Catalyze Plan, a regional strategy uniting 32 communities to attract investment, strengthen the region’s life sciences ecosystem, and create higher-wage career opportunities for Hoosiers.

This marks a major milestone in a year-long effort to unite regional assets, investment opportunities, and leadership behind a shared vision for Central Indiana’s economic future.

The Catalyze Plan takes a comprehensive view of life sciences, spanning human, animal, and plant health, and recognizes the strategic connections among life sciences, agriculture, advanced manufacturing, and logistics. This broad approach positions the region to leverage its interconnected industries, coordinate investment priorities, and pursue opportunities that can deliver economic benefits throughout Central Indiana.

This plan comes at a pivotal moment for the region. Life sciences companies are investing billions of dollars and making long-term decisions about where to locate research operations, expand manufacturing, develop next-generation products, and build distribution capacity.

These decisions can take years to translate into facilities, investment, and jobs. By aligning regional priorities and strengthening its competitive position now, Central Indiana can be better prepared to attract and capture these opportunities.

The Catalyze Plan also builds on Governor Mike Braun’s $1 billion investment in life sciences, reinforcing the region’s readiness to compete for new research, development, manufacturing, commercialization, and distribution activity.

At its core, the plan is about maximizing Central Indiana’s collective strengths for lasting economic impact and creating pathways to higher wages and better opportunities for Hoosiers.

“Central Indiana has the research institutions, industry leaders, talent, manufacturing capabilities, and logistical advantages to compete for the life sciences investments that will shape our economy for decades to come,” said CIRDA Board Chair Scott Fadness, Mayor of Fishers. “The Catalyze Plan reflects a year of thoughtful planning and regional collaboration in order to determine how we can better connect these assets and close critical gaps.”

Developed with input from a CIRDA committee representing the entire region, the plan recognizes that Central Indiana’s competitive advantage lies in the breadth and connectivity of its life sciences ecosystem.

From discovery and innovation to commercialization, production, and distribution, the region has capabilities that extend across all 32 CIRDA member communities.

“When we align our economic development efforts regionally, every community gains a competitive edge,” said CIRDA Board Member Andrew Greenwood, Town Council President of Bargersville.

With adoption of the Catalyze Plan, CIRDA establishes a shared regional framework for building on existing strengths, addressing critical gaps, and preparing Central Indiana to compete for the next generation of life sciences investment. The ultimate goal is to translate regional collaboration into sustained economic growth, stronger communities, and higher-wage opportunities for Hoosiers.

To learn more about CIRDA’s and read the Catalyze Plan, visit centralindianarda.org/catalyze-central-indiana.