By Victoria Meldrum, Ball State CBER—
MUNCIE, IN — Registration is now open for the Indiana Economic Outlook, Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026, at the Horizon Convention Center. In its 30th year, this popular event for the Muncie business community will offer breakfast, an economic forecast for the state and nation by Ball State University professor Michael Hicks, and a panel discussion on the challenges facing Indiana manufacturing firms with keynote panelists Steven Smith and Scott Buehrer.
The Center for Business and Economic Research, a unit in the Miller College of Business at Ball State University, has organized the annual Indiana Economic Outlook forecasting breakfast since 1996.
Registration for the 2026 Outlook closes Dec. 21. All attendees must register online at https://bsu.edu/cber/outlook. No walk-ins will be permitted. Price includes breakfast and event seating. A variety of sponsorship opportunities are available.
About the Speakers
Michael J. Hicks is the director of the Center for Business and Economic Research at Ball State University and the George & Frances Ball distinguished professor of economics in the Miller College of Business. He has presented his forecast at the Indiana Economic Outlook for nearly 20 years.
Scott Buehrer is president of two manufacturing firms in Wabash — B. Walter & Co. and Vigor Therapy Equipment — and he has more than 35 years of experience in the manufacturing industry. Vigor Therapy Equipment produces physical therapy exercise equipment, and B. Walter & Co. specializes in fabricated metal products.
Steven M. Smith is chief executive officer of Mid-West Metal Products Co., a Central Indiana company producing fabricated and formed metal products from wire, tubular, and sheet metals. Smith has five decades of experience in the industry.
