Kelley School to present Futurecast 2026 economic outlook tour in 11 Indiana cities

NOTE: This media advisory featuring the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce, was originally published by Indiana University on Thursday, October 9th, 2025.

The 2023 Futurecast panelists at the Indianapolis ArtsGarden in downtown Indianapolis. Photo courtesy of the Indiana University Kelley School of Business

How will deregulation, artificial intelligence and U.S. tariffs affect economic growth and the rate of inflation in coming months? Will the Federal Reserve again cut rates, with some governmental data suggesting a softening labor market looming? Will the economic picture become clearer in 2026?

And how will the Indiana economy perform, in comparison with the nation? What will result from the state’s new economic development strategy?

Economists at the Indiana University Kelley School of Business will address these and other questions during their Futurecast 2026 economic outlook tour, which begins Oct. 29 in downtown Indianapolis. They will present economic forecasts for the nation, Indiana and communities across the state.
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Beginning with the 8 a.m. event at the Indianapolis Artsgarden, panelists will provide insights on predicted trends in gross domestic product growth, inflation, interest rates, employment and industry. They will evaluate the most likely scenarios overall for businesses and factors that may shape both the economy and financial markets next year.

Phil Powell. Photo courtesy of the Indiana University Kelley School of Business

Since 1972, the Kelley School has presented these forecasts around the state based on research from its Indiana Business Research Center, which is entering its centennial year. The center has provided crucial economic information needed by many Indiana businesses, government and nonprofit organizations since 1925.

“As we enter our next century of providing strategic guidance and data for businesses and policy-makers, events like the Futurecast tour and publications like the Indiana Business Review remain as relevant as ever,” said Phil Powell, clinical associate professor of business economics and public policy at the Kelley School and executive director of the school’s Indiana Business Research Center.

“A hundred years ago, when our center was established, people felt better about the economy than the data suggested,” he said. “Today, we have an inversion where many are more pessimistic about conditions than they really need to be.
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“Several uncertainties bear down on business, but the economy remains resilient in many surprising ways. Our panel will have much to discuss as we consider these facts.”

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Carol Rogers. Photo courtesy of the Indiana University Kelley School of Business

The forecast draws upon models developed by the Center for Econometric Model Research as well as the insights of Kelley faculty member panelists led by Powell and Indiana Business Research Center Director Carol Rogers.
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Rebecca Slotegraaf, associate dean for research, professor of marketing and the Neal Gilliatt Chair at the Kelley School, will moderate the Futurecast discussion in Indianapolis. Powell and Rogers will be joined on the panel by Kyle Anderson, assistant dean for academic programs clinical assistant professor of business economics and faculty chair of the Evening MBA Program in Indianapolis; and Russell Rhoads, clinical associate professor of financial management in Bloomington.

After the Indianapolis kickoff event, Kelley faculty will present their forecast in 10 other cities around the state. Panelists in some locations may also include experts from other IU campuses and other universities, as well as community leaders.

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Futurecast 2026 Tour schedule
Indianapolis

• When: 8 a.m. Oct. 29.
• Where: Indianapolis Artsgarden, 110 W. Washington St.
• Registration: Register for Indianapolis via My IU.
• Hosts: Co-hosted by the Indiana Business Research Center, Kelley School of Business and Kelley School of Business Alumni Association.

Bloomington

• When: 11:15 a.m. Nov. 4.
• Where: Shreve Hall at Ivy Tech, 200 Daniels Way.
• Registration: Register on the Bloomington Chamber website.
• Hosts: Bloomington Rotary Club and Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce.

Columbus

• When: 11:30 a.m. Nov. 5.
• Where: Nugent-Custer Performance Hall and Upper Lobby of The Commons, 300 Washington St.
• Register: Register on the Columbus Chamber website.
• Hosts: Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce and IU Columbus Division of Business.

Johnson County

• When: 8:30 a.m. Nov. 6.
• Where: The Sycamore at Mallow Run, 7070 W. Whiteland Road.
• Registration: Register on the Aspire Johnson County website.
• Hosts: Aspire Economic Development + Chamber Alliance.

Kokomo

• When: 7:30 a.m. Nov. 11.
• Where: Kelley Center Room 130, 2300 S. Washington St.
• Registration: Register via IU Kokomo.
• Host: IU Kokomo School of Business.

Anderson

• When: 11:30 a.m. Nov. 11.
• Where: Carriage House Community Room at Loose Funeral Home & Crematory,
  200 W. 53rd Street.
• Registration: Email Janet Brewer, [email protected].
• Host: Anderson Rotary Club.

New Albany

• When: 8 a.m. Nov. 12.
• Where: IU Southeast, Hoosier Room in University Center North, 4201 Grant Line Road.
• Registration: Register via IU Southeast.
• Host: IU Southeast School of Business.

Jasper

• When: 11:30 a.m. Nov. 13.
• Where: Thyen-Clark Cultural Center, 100 Third Ave., Suite A.
• Registration: Register for Jasper on the Rotary Club of Dubois County website.
• Host: Rotary Club of Dubois County.

South Bend

• When: 8 a.m. Nov. 18.
• Where: University Grill, 1700 Mishawaka Ave.
• Registration: Register via IU South Bend.
• Host: Judd Leighton School of Business and Economics, IU South Bend.

Richmond

• When: 7:30 a.m. Nov. 20.
• Where: IU East, Whitewater Hall, Vivian Auditorium, 2325 Chester Blvd.
• Registration: Register via IU East.
• Hosts: IU Alumni Association East Region, IU East Business and Economic Research Center and IU East School of Business and Economics.

Northwest Indiana

• When: 11:30 a.m. CST Nov. 21.
• Where: Avalon Manor Banquet Center, 3550 E. Lincoln Hwy. in Merrillville.
• Registration: Register for Northwest Indiana on the Legacy Foundation website.
• Hosts: IU Northwest School of Business and Economics and Legacy Foundation.

​The tour is sponsored by the Kelley School of Business and its Indiana Business Research Center, IU campuses and community organizations.