Indiana
Indiana exhibits hub dynamics: more interstate intersections than any state, with Toyota, Subaru, and Eli Lilly anchoring manufacturing that's transitioning to EVs.
Indiana leverages its central location as the "Crossroads of America"—more interstate highways intersect in Indiana than in any other state. This geographic position made the state a natural manufacturing and logistics hub: factories ship to both coasts efficiently, while distribution centers serve the entire Midwest. The Indiana Toll Road, Interstates 65, 69, 70, and 74 create a network density unmatched in the region.
Manufacturing dominates: automobile assembly (Toyota, Subaru, Honda), steel production, and pharmaceutical manufacturing (Eli Lilly's global headquarters) provide middle-class employment at scale. The state has embraced automotive electrification—battery plants and EV component factories have announced billions in investment, positioning Indiana to survive the industry transition that threatens less adaptable Rust Belt neighbors.
The economic model carries costs. Indiana's low taxes and limited regulations attract business but constrain public services. Education funding lags peer states, potentially undermining the workforce quality that manufacturers require. Indianapolis has grown as a regional center, but smaller manufacturing towns face population decline as automation reduces factory headcounts. Indiana's crossroads position guarantees relevance in physical goods movement, but the state must evolve its workforce as the nature of manufacturing itself transforms.