BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Will a recent drop in inflation and interest rates lead to a “soft landing” for the U.S. economy? Has unemployment bottomed out, and will it rise with more balanced labor market conditions? How will the Indiana economy perform in 2025, in comparison with the nation?
Economists at the Indiana University Kelley School of Business will address these and other questions during their Futurecast 2025 economic outlook tour, which begins Oct. 30 in downtown Indianapolis. They will present economic forecasts for the nation, Indiana and communities across the state.
Beginning with the 8 a.m. event at the Indianapolis Artsgarden, panelists will provide insights on likely trends in gross domestic product growth, inflation, interest rates, employment and industry trends. 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, clinical associate professor of business economics and public policy at the Kelley School and executive director of the school’s Indiana Business Research Center, said Futurecast 2025 provides context for Hoosiers to evaluate factors that may shape the state economy and financial markets for the coming year.
“Emotions are high this election year,” Powell said. “Markets have transitioned out of the pandemic. Our Futurecast offers data and facts so that Hoosiers gain unbiased understanding of how their local, state and national economies will evolve in 2025.”
The Kelley School has presented these forecasts around the state since 1972, based on research from its Indiana Business Research Center. The center has provided crucial economic information needed by many Indiana businesses, government and nonprofit organizations since 1925. The forecast draws upon models developed by the Center for Econometric Model Research and the insights of a select panel of Kelley faculty members led by Powell and Indiana Business Research Center Director Carol Rogers.
Ash Soni, dean of the Kelley School and the Sungkyunkwan Professor, will moderate the Futurecast discussion in Indianapolis. He will be joined by Julie Manning Magid, vice dean for Kelley Indianapolis and executive and academic director of the Randall L. Tobias Center for Leadership Excellence. Powell and Rogers will be joined on the panel by Kyle Anderson, assistant dean for academic programs in Indianapolis, clinical assistant professor of business economics and faculty chair of the Evening MBA Program; and Russell Rhoads, clinical associate professor of financial management.
After the Indianapolis kickoff event, Kelley faculty will present their forecast in 10 other cities around the state. In some locations, they may be joined by local panelists from other IU campuses and other universities, as well as community leaders.
The tour is sponsored by the Kelley School of Business and its Indiana Business Research Center, IU campuses and community organizations.
Futurecast 2025 Tour schedule
Indianapolis
- When: 8 a.m. Oct. 30.
- 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.
Johnson County
- When: 8:30 a.m. Nov. 7.
- Where: The Sycamore at Mallow Run, 7070 W. Whiteland Road.
- Registration: Register on the Aspire Johnson County website.
- Hosts: Aspire Economic Development + Chamber Alliance.
Bloomington
- When: 11 a.m. Nov. 7.
- 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.
Kokomo
- When: 7:30 a.m. Nov. 12.
- 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. 12.
- Where: Anderson Country Club, Stillwell Room, 602 Northshore Blvd.
- Registration: Email Janet Brewer, jlbrewer@anderson.edu.
- Host: Anderson Rotary Club.
New Albany
- When: 8 a.m. Nov. 13.
- Where: IU Southeast, Hoosier Room in University Center North, 4201 Grant Line Road.
- Registration: Register via IU Southeast.
- Host: IU Southeast School of Business.
Columbus
- When: 11:30 a.m. Nov. 13.
- 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 Indiana University Columbus Division of Business.
Jasper
- When: 11:30 a.m. Nov. 14.
- 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.
Northwest Indiana
- When: 11:30 a.m. Nov. 15.
- Where: Avalon Manor Banquet Center, 3550 E. Lincoln Hwy.
- Registration: Register for Northwest Indiana on the Legacy Foundation website.
- Hosts: IU Northwest School of Business and Economics and Legacy Foundation.
South Bend
- When: 8 a.m. Nov. 19.
- Where: University Grill, 1700 Mishawaka Ave.
- Registration: Register through the IU South Bend site.
- Host: Judd Leighton School of Business and Economics, IU South Bend.
Richmond
- When: 7:30 a.m. Nov. 21.
- Where: IU East, Whitewater Hall, 2325 Chester Blvd.
- Registration: Register for Richmond via Eventbrite.
- Hosts: IU Alumni Association East Region, IU East Business and Economic Research Center and IU East School of Business and Economics.