Governor Braun Launched Indiana Small Business Program
The initiative expands state procurement opportunities for local small businesses through new residency and investment criteria.
Updated on Oct. 3, 2026 in Jobs — General
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Governor Mike Braun has introduced the Indiana Small Business Program to increase the volume of goods and services the state procures from local businesses. This new initiative expands upon the existing Buy Indiana program to provide enhanced opportunities for qualifying firms.
Why it matters
The program aims to strengthen the state's small business environment by providing technical assistance and training. By creating new procurement pathways, the state intends to bolster the competitiveness of Indiana-based enterprises.
Eligible participants must generate no more than $10 million in annual gross receipts averaged over two years. Businesses must meet at least one of four specific residency or capital investment criteria to qualify for the new procurement advantages.
The players
Mike Braun
Mike Braun is the Governor of Indiana who officially introduced the new small business procurement initiative.
The details
The program utilizes a scoring system that grants participating small businesses points during the procurement process. While this program launches under new guidelines, the state continues to operate the existing Indiana Veteran Owned Small Business Program alongside these changes.
Timeline
July 2026 marked the end of race- and sex-based contracting preferences in Indiana.
Governor Mike Braun officially launched the Indiana Small Business Program on October 3, 2026.
Market Landscape
This initiative represents a strategic shift in state-level economic policy by replacing broad contracting mandates with targeted small business support. It follows the recent discontinuation of race- and sex-based preferences, signaling a pivot toward residency-based economic development.
Small business owners meeting the $10 million revenue cap may gain a competitive edge in bidding for state contracts through the new point system. Local vendors should review the four residency and investment criteria to determine their eligibility for these expanded opportunities.
The takeaway
Small business owners should audit their residency and investment records to ensure they qualify for the new state procurement points. This policy change emphasizes local roots and capital investment as the primary metrics for state contracting success.
Further reading
For more on the current labor and employment environment in the state, visit the Jobs — General section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by InkFreeNews.
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