Top Southern Indiana Towns for Commercial Growth in 2025 (And What That Means for Builders)
Southern Indiana is on the rise. Towns across the region are growing fast—thanks to new business parks, downtown updates, and smart investments in roads and infrastructure.
For commercial builders, this means opportunity. Whether you're in concrete, steel erection, site work, or general contracting, understanding where growth is happening can help you win more work and plan smarter.
In this guide, you’ll find the top Southern Indiana towns for commercial growth in 2025—and what those trends mean for construction teams, developers, and investors looking to get ahead.
IN THIS ARTICLE:
Top Southern Indiana Towns for Commercial Growth in 2025
Why These Towns Are Growing: What’s Behind the Boom
What This Means for Commercial Builders in 2025
Southern Indiana - Commercial Growth FAQs
Final Thoughts: Build Where the Growth Is Happening
Jeffersonville: Southern Indiana’s Industrial Powerhouse
If you’re looking for big industrial work, Jeffersonville should be at the top of your list. Located just north of Louisville, it has easy access to I-65, I-265, and multiple rail lines.
At the center of it all is River Ridge Commerce Center—a massive 6,000-acre industrial park that’s home to companies like Amazon, Medline, and OptumRx. This site has created thousands of jobs and continues to expand.
What Builders Should Know:
Tilt-up and metal buildings are in high demand
Site work and flatwork crews are needed for new roads, drainage, and loading zones
River Ridge is a shovel-ready site, which means quick approvals and fewer delays
Evansville: Growing Across Healthcare, Education, and Downtown
As the largest city in Southern Indiana, Evansville is a regional center for healthcare, finance, and manufacturing. It also offers great transportation options with I-69, river ports, and a regional airport.
The city is investing heavily in downtown projects, with new office space, apartments, and mixed-use buildings on the way. The Fifth + Main redevelopment and the Stone Family Center for Health Sciences are two examples of how the city is transforming.
Construction Opportunities:
Adaptive reuse of older downtown buildings
Medical office construction near Deaconess Hospital and IU Health campuses
Concrete, framing, and elevator shafts for mixed-use buildings
Jasper: A Manufacturing Hub Reinventing Its Downtown
Jasper is a smaller city, but it’s doing big things. Known for its manufacturing history (home to Kimball International), Jasper is now focused on downtown revitalization and quality-of-life projects.
Major projects include the River Center mixed-use development, the Thyen-Clark Cultural Center, and upgrades to The Parklands—a large public park system.
Work for Builders Includes:
Remodeling downtown storefronts
Infill construction like offices over retail spaces
Site work in Jasper’s Business Park East, which has land ready to build
Jasper also offers façade improvement grants, which create ongoing opportunities for local contractors doing masonry, windows, or exterior upgrades.
Washington & Shoals: Rural Growth Fueled by New Investment
Washington and Shoals are two rural towns working with Indiana University’s Center for Rural Engagement to create long-term development plans. Both have grant funding and community support to bring new life to their downtown areas.
Washington is focusing on redeveloping old rail corridors for business and light industrial use, while Shoals is building a plan for walkable downtowns and mixed-use zoning.
Project Types to Watch:
Renovation of older commercial buildings
New builds on empty lots near downtown
Energy upgrades and ADA improvements for small businesses
Builders who work in remodeling, concrete, or framing can expect steady work as these towns move forward.
Bloomington Uplands Region: Growing With Innovation
The Bloomington Uplands Region covers parts of Monroe, Dubois, and Lawrence counties. The area is using regional funding (READI grants) to support small business, startups, and new construction.
Towns like Bedford, Mitchell, and French Lick are starting to convert old retail spaces into office, light manufacturing, or co-working hubs. In Bloomington, The Mill has become a key startup incubator that’s helping fuel this trend.
What Builders Can Expect:
Office and retail conversions in small downtowns
Steel and wood framing for light industrial buildings
Demolition and reconstruction in underused commercial areas
These areas are ideal for builders who work on flexible building systems or smaller commercial projects.
Why These Towns Are Growing: What’s Behind the Boom
Several key factors are pushing growth in these towns:
New highways like I-69 are connecting Evansville to Indianapolis and making nearby towns more accessible
Affordable commercial land compared to metro areas like Louisville and Indy
Incentive programs like TIF districts and tax abatements that attract developers
Universities and hospitals in Evansville, Bloomington, and Jasper that bring jobs and population growth
Understanding these drivers helps builders stay focused on areas with long-term potential—not just short-term projects.
What This Means for Commercial Builders in 2025
These aren’t just ideas—they’re real jobs, funded projects, and places that need your services.
Most In-Demand Builds:
Warehouses and industrial buildings in Jeffersonville and Evansville
Medical and professional offices in Jasper and Evansville
Storefront upgrades and small business spaces in Shoals and Washington
Office-to-flex conversions in towns like Bedford and Mitchell
Where to Look for Work:
Public bid opportunities through the Indiana Gateway portal
Local redevelopment commissions and Main Street groups
Towns that are part of READI, Stellar Pathways, or TIF-supported districts
Builders who know where growth is happening—and how to align with local plans—will have more chances to win bids and grow their business in 2025.
Southern Indiana - Commercial Growth FAQs
Which Southern Indiana towns are growing the fastest for commercial work?
Jeffersonville, Evansville, Jasper, and Bedford are seeing the most consistent growth based on land sales, public projects, and active development plans.
Where should general contractors focus?
Mid-sized towns with active downtowns and redevelopment programs are best. Look at places like Jasper, Washington, and Evansville’s TIF zones.
Are there programs that support new commercial construction?
Yes. River Ridge (Jeffersonville) and Jasper Business Park are shovel-ready. Many towns offer tax breaks, grants, and faster permitting for commercial work.
Final Thoughts: Build Where the Growth Is Happening
Southern Indiana is full of towns that are ready for growth—and they’re looking for builders who can make it happen.
Whether you specialize in site prep, steel erection, remodeling, or new commercial construction, these towns are planning now and building next. With funding in place, zoning support, and demand rising, 2025 is the time to move.
Keep your eye on the towns making moves. The opportunities are real—and the work is already lining up.