Indiana Coverage Area

With multiple service centers throughout Indiana, ArcBest^® offers transportation and logistics services across the state through our innovative ABF Freight^® network. To learn more about our wide array of solutions, call 800-610-5544.

Quick Facts

• Population — 6.6 million as of 2014
• State sales tax rate — 7 percent as of 2016
• Corporate tax rate — 6.25 percent as of 2016
• Projected job growth — 1.4 percent as of 2016
   

Economic Growth in the Hoosier State

Indiana is a manufacturing powerhouse and is the national leader in steel production. The steel industry alone employs more than 33,000 workers and produces more than 25 percent of the nation’s steel output. The manufacturing of electrical machines, metals and fabricated products, transportation equipment and chemical products are also important industries within the state.

Indiana also has a rich automotive history. It is the birthplace of the automobile gasoline pump, invented and sold by Sylvanus Bowser in Fort Wayne in September 1885. The automotive manufacturing industry remains a crucial element of the state’s manufacturing output, contributing more than $15 billion to the state’s gross domestic product each year. Indiana’s automotive manufacturing output is the second highest in the nation and the state’s manufacturing industry as a whole continues to grow.

Agricultural Impact

Although primarily a manufacturing state, the agriculture industry is both a major employer and a large financial contributor for Indiana. The state ranks fifth in the country in corn production and is also among the nation’s leaders in the production of soybeans, hay, popcorn, hogs and pork products, cattle and dairy products and eggs.

Importance of Tourism

Tourism is also big in Indiana and is lucrative for the state’s small businesses. A study by the Indiana Office of Tourism Development reported that travel, tourism and hospitality supported over 242,000 jobs and contributed $12.2 billion to Indiana’s economy in 2016. Visitors to the state reached a record 79 million.

Shipping Freight in Indiana

Indiana is a transportation hub with several major interstate highways traversing the state, connecting the state to the rest of the country — a distinction that has helped the state earn the nickname the Crossroads of America. The state has more than 12,000 miles of roadway, including 13 interstate highways and an extensive system of federal, state and county highways.

Rail

With more than 4,255 railroad route miles, Indiana offers businesses a variety of options for shipping goods. The rail routes here connect to major markets in Chicago and St. Louis and provide access to metropolitan areas along the East and West Coasts.

Water

As one of the eight states in the Great Lakes Region, water borders more than half of Indiana, and the state ships more than 70 million tons of water cargo a year. The Ports of Indiana is a system of three ports on the Ohio River and Lake Michigan. Indiana is positioned for global trade with a U.S. Customs Port of Entry location in Evansville.

Air

Indiana has four international airports — the Indianapolis International Airport, Fort Wayne International Airport, South Bend International Airport and the Gary/Chicago International Airport. These, along with several smaller airports, make it easy to get freight anywhere in the world.