Noblesville State of the City address highlights city’s flood response, new Deer Creek District

Submitted by City of Noblesville

On Thursday, Sept. 10, Noblesville Mayor Chris Jensen delivered his seventh annual State of the City address to a sold-out crowd, hosted by the Noblesville Chamber of Commerce at Riverview Health Arena at Innovation Mile.

Mayor Jensen spoke about the city’s momentum, reflected on community support after the historic flood, and highlighted economic development opportunities, including Japanese investment, Ryan Fireprotection HQ2 expansion, and the brand launch for the Deer Creek District.

Flood relief

Mayor Jensen spoke about the historic flooding that devastated parts of Noblesville and Hamilton County and how the community showed up in force. SERVE Village quickly helped establish an emergency response center at the Hamilton County Fairgrounds, joined by Noblesville City Departments, Hamilton County Community Foundation, Hamilton County Harvest Food Bank, Good Samaritan Network, the American Red Cross, Hamilton County Emergency Management, and so many others who worked tirelessly to care for families facing some of their hardest days. The city will continue working with state and federal partners to secure the resources the community needs to recover, rebuild, and move forward together.

Deer Creek District

Mayor Jensen announced the launch of Deer Creek District, a new brand for one of Noblesville’s most vibrant and visible areas. Centered on the Exit 210 corridor, the brand brings together entertainment, hospitality, businesses, and attractions under a shared identity while honoring a name long woven into the community’s story.

Deer Creek District is the result of a partnership between the city and Hamilton County Tourism and supports a broader vision for the area’s future. As investment and development continue, the brand will help create a stronger sense of place, offering residents and visitors a recognizable gateway to experiences unique to Noblesville. It also provides a foundation for future marketing, placemaking, and development efforts.

“Deer Creek is a name that carries tremendous recognition and positive memories for so many people,” Mayor Jensen said. “Deer Creek District allows us to build on that legacy while creating something new. This brand is about celebrating where we’ve been, embracing where we are today, and creating a destination that will continue to grow and evolve for years to come.”

Ryan Fireprotection HQ2 announcement

Mayor Jensen had the privilege of announcing Ryan Fireprotection’s plan to build a new headquarters building, “HQ2,” next to its current HQ in Noblesville. Ryan Fireprotection came to Noblesville in 2001, and as the company has grown nationally, the city has remained home to its largest office.

The new headquarters represents the company’s continued investment in Noblesville and, most importantly, in its people. The expansion supports growth, collaboration, development, and the employee experience.

“Building HQ2 represents another major step forward for Ryan Fireprotection,” Ryan Fireprotection CEO Dan Ryan said. “As we continue to grow nationally, this new headquarters gives us the space to expand our capabilities and prepare to support what’s next. Noblesville has been a great home to Ryan, and we’re excited to continue investing in this community.”

Ryan Fireprotection President Kevin Ryan, who attended the State of the City, said, “Having the best people in our industry means creating an environment that reflects the caliber of talent we want to attract, develop, and keep at Ryan Fireprotection. This facility is an investment in that experience.”

Japanese investment & partnership

Mayor Jensen invited SMC Corporation of America’s President and CEO Kelley Stacy and Toyota Automated Logistics CEO Americas Aaron Jones for a fireside chat to discuss Japanese investment and partnership in Noblesville and beyond. Together, the two companies have over 400 acres and $400 million invested in America’s Hometown and are top private-sector employers in Noblesville, with over 2,000 employees combined.

In May, Mayor Jensen led an international economic partnership trip with a city delegation to Japan to visit SMC Corporation and Toyota Automated Logistics, part of Toyota Industries Corporation.

Both companies’ commitment and investment have had a significant impact on the city, state, and region, with the State of Indiana ranking first per capita for Japanese investment and over 70,000 Hoosiers working every day for Japanese companies.

Special thanks to Matthew Doudt Photography, Mork Productions for slideshow and videos, and Business Furniture + Co. for furnishing the stage.