🧭 Employer Resource Navigator

Wagner-Peyser Employment Services

Free job matching, career services, and labor market resources for job seekers through WorkOne centers. Helps employers find workers and job seekers find jobs.

How to start: Create free account at IndianaCareerConnect.com or visit WorkOne Center. Call 888-436-9092.

DWD Federal Official page →

On-the-Job Training (OJT) — WorkOne

WorkOne reimburses employers up to 50% of a new employee's wage during a contracted training period. Minimum wage: $13.50/hr for adults, $11/hr for youth. WorkOne pre-screens and refers qualified candidates.

What you get: 50% wage reimbursement (up to 75% in exceptional cases). Only hours worked — no overtime, PTO, or commissions.

How to start: Contact WorkOne Center. Staff develop OJT contracts between participant and employer.

WorkOne Federal Official page →

Youth Work Experience (WEX) — WorkOne

Places youth ages 16-24 in employer worksites at ZERO cost to the employer. WorkOne pays all wages and workers' compensation. Youth attend weekly career workshops. Hamilton County contact: Dorothee Cooke.

What you get: WorkOne pays ALL wages + workers' comp. Zero cost to employer.

WorkOne Federal Official page →

Federal Bonding Program

Free fidelity bonds ($5,000-$25,000) for employers hiring individuals with barriers: ex-offenders, individuals in recovery, poor credit history, or dishonorable discharge. Covers first 6 months of employment.

What you get: Free fidelity bonds: $5,000 standard (up to $25,000 with justification). $0 deductible. Covers first 6 months.

How to start: Employer or job seeker contacts State Federal Bonding Program Coordinator by phone. Bond issued online, received by mail in 10 business days

USDOL/DWD Federal Official page →

Rapid Response Services — WorkOne

Early-intervention outplacement services for workers affected by layoffs or plant closures. On-site orientations covering UI filing, job search, resume/interview workshops, retraining, and community resources.

How to start: WARN notices submitted at in.gov/dwd/warn-notices. Non-WARN: contact local WorkOne Business Services team.

WorkOne Federal Official page →

Indiana Career Connect (ICC) — Free Job Posting

State's free online labor exchange platform. Employers post jobs, search resumes, screen applicants at no cost. Postings syndicated to the National Labor Exchange for broader reach.

How to start: Register at IndianaCareerConnect.com. If you've filed for UI, account already exists.

DWD State Official page →

Hiring Events & Job Fairs — WorkOne

WorkOne hosts, promotes, and manages hiring events at no cost to employers. Includes pre-screened candidates, social media promotion, and interview rooms/computer labs.

WorkOne Federal Official page →

Veteran Employment Services — WorkOne

Priority access for veterans in all DOL-funded programs. Includes Disabled Veterans Outreach Program (DVOP), Local Veterans Employment Representatives (LVER), and WOTC veteran credits up to $9,600.

What you get: WOTC veteran credits up to $9,600. Priority access to all WorkOne services.

How to start: Visit any WorkOne Center — veterans are served first.

WorkOne/DWD Federal Official page →

Hamilton County Data Hub (Alex)

Free access to IHC’s proprietary data intelligence platform combining 1,000+ datasets for evidence-based workforce and economic development decisions. Talent pipeline analytics, QoL scoring, and site selection data.

How to start: Contact Invest Hamilton County: investhamiltoncounty.com

IHC Local Official page →

WorkOne Interview Rooms & Computer Labs

Free employer access to WorkOne facilities for interviews, hiring events, skills testing, and computer labs. Professional setting at no cost.

How to start: Contact Kristal Heffley at WorkOne: 317-431-8383, kheffley@workonecentral.org

WorkOne Federal Official page →

WorkKeys Assessments

ACT WorkKeys skills testing validates job candidates’ workplace abilities in applied math, workplace documents, and business writing. Free through WorkOne for employers and job seekers.

What you get: Free for employers and job seekers through WorkOne. Certified NCRC credential for candidates who pass.

How to start: Contact WorkOne: 317-431-8383, kheffley@workonecentral.org

WorkOne Federal Official page →

InvestEd — K-12 Employer Engagement (via The Pursuit Institute)

Direct employer access to Hamilton County's 6 school corporations through The Pursuit Institute (TPI). Sponsor a Modern Youth Apprenticeship (MYA), host paid interns, mentor capstone projects, or run workforce-readiness sessions. 100+ apprentices currently placed; 9 active career pathways (450+ supporting courses).

What you get: No employer cost beyond wages. State CSA funding ($5,000/student) supports apprentice tuition. Indiana Workforce Ready Grant covers some training.

How to start: Email IHC Business Services (info@investhamiltoncounty.com) or contact The Pursuit Institute directly for pathway details.

IHC Local Official page →

Alex Site Intelligence — Free Workforce Dashboard

IHC's flagship workforce intelligence platform: 619 occupations across 23 SOC major groups, hiring/turnover data, education pipeline, commute flows, wage curves, career ladder networks. Live data updated monthly. Free to all Hamilton County employers via the City BRE add-on.

What you get: Free. No subscription, no credit card.

How to start: Email Alex Business Services to get access: info@investhamiltoncounty.com

IHC Local Official page →

Federal HUBZone Program — Government Contracting Set-Aside

Federal Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone) program reserves 3% of all federal contract dollars for qualifying small businesses. Hamilton County has multiple qualifying tracts. Once certified, you compete for set-aside contracts + receive 10% pricing preference in full-and-open competitions.

What you get: Direct contract opportunities. Indirect: makes you eligible for joint ventures with non-HUBZone primes.

How to start: Visit certify.sba.gov to start application. Use HUBZone Map (sba.gov/hubzone-map) to verify tract eligibility before applying.

SBA Federal Official page →

Indiana J-1 Visa Waiver Program (Conrad 30) — International Medical Graduate Recruitment

Allows Indiana healthcare employers to recruit international medical graduates by sponsoring a waiver of the J-1 visa's two-year home-residence requirement. Indiana receives 30 slots per year (44 applications competed for 30 slots in the 2026 cycle). Physician must commit to at least 3 years of full-time service at a HPSA/MUA/MUP site, beginning within 90 days of waiver approval. All specialties accepted but primary care prioritized.

How to start: 2027 cycle opens fall 2026. Application starts at IPHCA — contact Natalie Morrison. State review by Gabby Long at Indiana Office of Primary

IPHCA + Indiana DOH + USDOS Federal Official page →

Indiana CPA Society — Firm Administrator Hub & Career Center

INCPAS is the statewide professional society for CPAs and accounting firms. Membership unlocks the Firm Administrator Hub (practice management tools, peer benchmarking, HR templates), the INCPAS Career Center job board for recruiting accountants, the INCPAS Scholars Program (talent pipeline supporting accounting students), and discounted CPE/CE for the entire firm. Firm membership runs ~$330–$400/yr per CPA depending on tier; the Career Center allows non-member job postings on a per-post basis. Designed for CPA firms of any size, including the many <10-person firms in Hamilton County.

How to start: Join at incpas.org/membership or post a job at careers.incpas.org. Firm-wide CPE catalog and the Scholars Program are accessed once a CPA at

INCPAS Private Official page →

Indiana Bankers Association — Future Leadership Division & BankTalentHQ

The Indiana Bankers Association (rebranded indiana.bank) is the statewide trade association for Indiana banks. Member resources include the Future Leadership Division (next-generation banker development), the Commercial Lending School, Universal Banker Certification, a Soft Skills Webinar Series, the BankLEAD Internships student pipeline program, BankTalentHQ (the national banking job board), an annual industry compensation survey, and Google Groups peer-learning forums. Most resources are member-only; BankTalentHQ job postings are open to any banking employer. Built for community and regional banks of all sizes.

How to start: Visit indiana.bank to join, or post jobs directly at banktalenthq.com. Sign individual bankers up for the Future Leadership Division through

Indiana Bankers Association Private Official page →

Big I — Independent Insurance Agents Virtual University & Hires Toolkit

The Big I is the national federation of independent insurance agencies (IIABA), with an Indiana state affiliate. Member benefits include the Big I Virtual University (18,000+ pages of agency-specific reference content, on-demand webinars, and CE), Big I Hires (recruiting/onboarding/training toolkit), perpetuation and succession-planning resources for owner transitions, agency E&O coverage designed specifically for independent agencies, and the Young Agents emerging-leader network. Membership is per-agency through the state affiliate.

How to start: Join through Big I Indiana (the state affiliate). Members log in at independentagent.com to access the Virtual University, Hires toolkit, an

Big I / Big I Indiana Private Official page →

Homebase — Free Scheduling, Time Clock & HR for Small Hourly Teams

All-in-one team management platform purpose-built for small hourly employers (restaurants, retail, salons, fitness studios). Free forever for one location with unlimited employees: scheduling, time clock with web/mobile/POS punch-in, team messaging, labor cost tracking, and hiring (free job posts to Indeed, ZipRecruiter, Craigslist). Paid tiers add multi-location, advanced time tracking, HR & compliance pack with HR Pro on-call advisor, payroll integration, and labor-law-compliant scheduling alerts. Used by ~100,000+ U.S. small businesses.

How to start: Sign up free at joinhomebase.com — no credit card. POS integrations (Square, Clover, Toast, Lightspeed) one-click. HR Pro advisor add-on $99

Homebase Inc. Private Official page →

EARN Indiana (Work-Study Program)

State work-study program providing paid internships for students with financial need. Employers receive 50% state matching funds on the student's hourly rate.

What you get: Employers receive 50% wage reimbursement (up to $45,000/yr). Students paid directly by employers at 10-20 hrs/wk during school, 10-40 hrs/wk summer.

How to start: Create account at workandlearnindiana.com, check 'EARN Indiana' box

CHE State Official page →

Power Up Indiana

Reimburses companies up to $5,000 per trainee ($50,000 max per company) for employee training that results in industry-recognized credentials, cross-training/reskilling, leadership development, or registered apprenticeships. Minimum starting wage: $23.50/hr.

What you get: Up to $5,000 per employee trained, $50,000 max per employer per year. $10M total program funding.

How to start: 3-step process through Power Up Portal at in.gov/dwd/power-up

DWD State Official page →

Registered Apprenticeship Programs

Federal grant funding to support registered apprenticeship expansion, employer partnerships, and new apprenticeship pathways. Earn-and-learn model with DOL-registered credentials.

What you get: Power Up reimburses $5,000/apprentice. $6.25M federal expansion grant in Indiana. Veteran apprentices get GI Bill stipend. Average ROI: 44% ($144 per $100 inves

How to start: Use Standards Builder at apprenticeship.gov. Contact Indiana OWBLA.

DWD Federal Official page →

Vocational Rehabilitation Services

Helps individuals with disabilities achieve employment through personalized services, training, and employer partnerships.

How to start: Submit referral form online or contact one of 25 Area Offices statewide at in.gov/fssa/ddars/brs/

FSSA Federal Official page →

Skills Enhancement Fund (SEF)

Reimburses businesses (typically 50%) for eligible training costs over 2 years. Training must lead to postsecondary credentials, industry credentials, or specialized training resulting in wage increases. Tied to new capital investment.

What you get: Typically 50% reimbursement of eligible training costs over a 2-year grant term

How to start: Apply directly to IEDC at iedc.in.gov

IEDC State Official page →

Education Readiness Grants (Industry 4.0)

Grants for Indiana secondary schools to purchase Industry 4.0 technologies (robotics, automation, cybersecurity labs) that prepare students for high-tech manufacturing careers. Students benefit through hands-on access.

What you get: Up to $100,000 per school. 2025: $1M awarded to 23 schools.

How to start: Applications open December-January annually via Conexus Indiana

CHE State Official page →

Work and Learn Indiana

Indiana’s work-based learning platform connecting students with employers for internships, co-ops, and other experiential learning opportunities.

How to start: Students and employers register at workandlearnindiana.com

CHE State Official page →

Employer Training Grant (Next Level Jobs)

Reimburses Indiana employers up to $5,000 per employee ($50,000 max) for training that results in industry-recognized credentials. Covers 6 priority sectors plus early childhood education.

What you get: Up to $5,000 per employee trained and retained 6 months. Up to $50,000 per employer. High school students: up to $1,000.

How to start: Apply online at in.gov/dwd/nextleveljobs/employer/. 3-step process: (1) review eligible credentials, (2) submit employer application, (3) su

DWD State Official page →

Section 127 Employer Educational Assistance

Employers can provide up to $5,250/year tax-free per employee for tuition, fees, books, and student loan repayment. Made permanent by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (July 2025). Indexed for inflation starting 2026.

What you get: Up to $5,250/year tax-free per employee for: tuition, fees, books, supplies, equipment, AND student loan repayment (made permanent July 2025). Indexed for infla

How to start: Employers: establish a written Section 127 plan. Employees: check with HR department about educational assistance benefits.

IRS Federal Official page →

Invest Onward (Rise & Reskill)

IHC’s own workforce training program offering employability skills, hospitality training, property maintenance certification, and resume building. Monthly cohorts with free enrollment for Hamilton County residents.

What you get: Free enrollment for participants. Employers get trained, work-ready candidates.

How to start: Contact Invest Hamilton County: investhamiltoncounty.com

IHC Local Official page →

OSHA Training & Compliance Resources

Free and low-cost workplace safety training, consultation, and compliance assistance. Indiana operates a State Plan through IOSHA with free on-site consultation for small businesses.

How to start: INSafe consultation: 317-232-2688 or insafe@dol.in.gov. National OSHA: 1-800-321-OSHA.

OSHA Federal Official page →

Alex Workforce Ecosystem — Industry & Occupation Intelligence

Deep occupation drill-down: industry-staffing patterns (NAICS → SOC), career ladders (Lightcast outbound + inbound), wage percentiles (BLS OES MSA-level), promotion uplift signals. Used by HR teams to plan hiring, design career-progression frameworks, and benchmark wages against the Indianapolis MSA.

What you get: Free. Bundled in City BRE add-on.

How to start: Visit Alex Site Intelligence → Workforce tab. Or email info@investhamiltoncounty.com.

IHC Local Official page →

Hamilton Pathways Lab (HPL) — K-12 Workforce Research Initiative

Research + branding initiative documenting Hamilton County's school-led work-based learning model. For employers interested in shaping the 2027 Indiana legislative session on WBL funding — or who want first-mover access to apprenticeship + intern pipelines being built right now.

What you get: Information access + early signal on Indiana state policy direction. No employer fee.

How to start: Email Mike Thibideau: mthibideau@investhamiltoncounty.com (HPL is currently CEO-led).

IHC Local Official page →

Apprenticeship.gov — Federal Registered Apprenticeship Sponsorship

Federal portal for sponsoring a Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP). Up to 12-month structured program with paid OJT + classroom instruction + portable industry-recognized credential. Tax-deductible employer wages, federal credits available, USDOL technical assistance included.

What you get: Federal tax credit for apprentice wages (state-by-state). Indiana also offers Workforce Ready Grant alignment for related instruction.

How to start: Visit apprenticeship.gov/employers → Express Interest in Starting a Program. USDOL Office of Apprenticeship contacts you within 5 business d

USDOL/ETA Federal Official page →

Ivy Tech Workforce Solutions — Hamilton County Custom Training

Ivy Tech Community College's employer-customized training arm. Builds short-term programs (4-12 weeks) tailored to your skills gaps. Eligible for Indiana Employer Training Grant ($5,000/employee). Hamilton County campuses: Fishers + Indianapolis.

What you get: Tuition discounted via state grants ($5K/employee Employer Training Grant; full Workforce Ready Grant for short-term certifications).

How to start: Visit ivytech.edu/workforce or email workforce-fishers@ivytech.edu (Fishers campus contact).

Ivy Tech State Official page →

Indiana Skills Enhancement Fund (SEF) — Training Reimbursement

Indiana state grant reimbursing up to 50% of training costs for new or incumbent workers (up to $5,000/employee). Stacks with WOTC + OJT. Best for technical training, certifications, leadership development. Application processed by IEDC; turnaround 30-60 days.

What you get: 50% training reimbursement up to $5,000 per employee. Annual cap per employer: typically $50K-$200K depending on workforce size.

How to start: Pre-application consultation with IEDC project manager required. Visit iedc.in.gov/programs-initiatives/business-incentives → Skills Enhance

IEDC State Official page →

IHA Management Institute — Healthcare Manager Certificate

A 35-year IHA + IU Paul H. O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs partnership. 10-course, six-month executive education program for emerging and experienced healthcare leaders covering team management, change management, financial management, HR practices, and conflict resolution. Participants completing 9 of 10 courses earn the Healthcare Manager Certificate; 6 CEUs awarded for full completion. Tuesdays 9 AM-4 PM on the IU Indianapolis campus.

How to start: Register online at the IU O'Neill registration link (deadline July 10, 2026). Direct registration — no formal employer nomination required.

IHA + IU O'Neill Private Official page →

Indiana Health Care Association (IHCA) — Long-Term Care Workforce & Training

Trade association for nursing homes, assisted living, and post-acute care providers in Indiana. Workforce program portfolio includes CNA & QMA training (online + clinical), Activity Director Certified (ADC) course, Health Facility Administrator (HFA) and Residential Care Administrator (RCA) leadership courses, Preceptor Online Course, Gero Nurse Prep, AAPACN tools for SNF nurses, Infection Preventionist Specialized Training, and the 'Mastering Recruitment & Retention' webinar series. Member discounts apply across the catalog.

How to start: Contact IHCA at (317) 636-6406 or communications@ihca.org. Course catalog and registration at ihca.org/our-services/workforce/.

IHCA Private Official page →

Coursera Career Academy — Free Courses & Google/IBM Career Certificates

Coursera Career Academy aggregates 60+ entry-level professional certificates from employer-recognized providers (Google, IBM, Intuit, Microsoft, Meta, Salesforce). Thousands of individual courses are free to audit (no certificate). Full Career Certificates run $49/month via Coursera Plus subscription; most certificates take 3-6 months to complete part-time. For HC professional-services and finance employers, the most relevant certificates include Google Project Management, Google Data Analytics, IBM Data Analyst, Intuit Bookkeeping, Google Cybersecurity, Google Digital Marketing & E-commerce, and Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst. Coursera for Business offers team licenses; Coursera also partners with WIOA workforce boards (including Indiana DWD) for tuition-free access in some cases.

How to start: Employees enroll directly at coursera.org/career-academy. Employers can license Coursera for Business at coursera.org/business for team dash

Coursera, Inc. Private Official page →

Hospitality Indiana — Membership + ServSafe Training

Hospitality Indiana — the rebranded Indiana Restaurant & Lodging Association — is the state trade association for hotels, restaurants, and food/beverage employers. Membership unlocks discounted ServSafe Food Manager and Food Handler certification (in-person classes are offered throughout Indiana including the Indianapolis MSA), Indiana ProStart workforce pipeline access for high schools, ServSafe Workplace harassment-prevention training, RestaurantOwner.com discount, telemedicine for staff, and a member directory. Membership pricing is set on a contact basis; ServSafe Manager retail certification typically runs $125-$179 per attendee with member discounts.

How to start: Call 317.673.4211 or use the membership form at hospitalityindiana.org/join. ServSafe class registration available directly via the events c

Hospitality Indiana Private Official page →

ServSafe Food Manager & Food Handler Certification

ServSafe is the National Restaurant Association's nationally recognized food safety certification — the de facto standard most Indiana health departments accept for the required Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) on premises at every food establishment. Online Food Handler course is roughly $15 per employee; Manager certification (online or instructor-led, with proctored exam) runs $125-$179. Required compliance for any HC food employer per Indiana 410 IAC 7-24.

How to start: Visit servsafe.com, select Food Handler or Manager, choose online self-paced or 'Find a Class' for instructor-led. Pay per seat. Manager exa

National Restaurant Association Private Official page →

Indiana DWD Office of Work-Based Learning & Apprenticeship (OWBLA)

Indiana's central hub for Registered Apprenticeship (RAP), Certified Pre-Apprenticeship, and State Earn and Learn (SEAL) program creation. Hospitality and food service employers can register custom 'earn-and-learn' programs (line cook, hospitality manager, certified hospitality supervisor) with no cost to register. Employers may qualify for Workforce Ready Grant tuition reimbursement, federal Apprenticeship Tax Credit, and Employer Training Grant funding. OWBLA staff help draft the work-process schedule and Related Technical Instruction outline. As of 12/31/2025: 930+ active RAPs, 1,584+ occupations, 86,500 cumulative apprentices since 2014.

How to start: Submit an inquiry through the contact form at in.gov/dwd/owbla, or call 1-800-457-8283. OWBLA assigns a regional consultant who walks the em

Indiana DWD State Official page →

AHLEI START — Hotel Line-Staff Certification

American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute's six-track entry-level certification program for front-line hotel staff: Front Desk Representative, Guest Room Attendant, Maintenance Employee, Restaurant Server, Kitchen Cook, and Public Area Cleaner. Used by Hamilton County's existing Hospitality Training Program (run with Janus Developmental Services). Each track is a self-paced workbook + online exam ending in an AHLA-endorsed industry credential. Cost is roughly $50-$95 per learner depending on track and bulk discount. Helps small hotels and B&Bs in HC standardize onboarding without building training from scratch.

How to start: Order workbooks and exam vouchers directly from ahlei.servsafebrands.com. Volume discounts via Hospitality Indiana (member benefit). Or part

AHLEI Private Official page →

Visit Hamilton County Tourism — Partner Program

Hamilton County Tourism (HCT) is the county's destination marketing organization and offers a tiered partner program for restaurants, hotels, attractions, retail, and event venues across Carmel, Fishers, Noblesville, Westfield, and the Northern Towns. Partner benefits include listing on visithamiltoncounty.com (3M+ annual visits), inclusion in the Visitors Guide and itineraries, social media amplification, group/meeting RFP referrals, co-op advertising buys, and access to HCT's quarterly Hospitality Summits and workforce summits. HCT also hosts the Hamilton County Hospitality Training Program in partnership with Janus Developmental Services.

How to start: Contact Katy Cavaleri at kcavaleri@hamiltoncountytourism.com or call 317-848-3181. Application reviewed within 2 weeks; partnership begins o

Hamilton County Tourism Local Official page →

EDGE Tax Credit (Economic Development for a Growing Economy)

Refundable Indiana tax credit for companies creating new jobs — up to 100% of projected payroll tax withholdings from new positions for up to 20 years. Indiana’s primary job creation incentive.

What you get: Refundable tax credits calculated as a percentage of projected payroll tax withholdings from new jobs. Credits awarded over agreed-upon period (up to 20 years).

How to start: Apply through IEDC. Requires formal proposal including job creation targets, wage commitments, and capital investment plans.

IEDC State Official page →

Indiana R&D Tax Credit

State tax credit of 15% on the first $1 million in qualified research expenses plus 10% above $1 million for companies conducting R&D in Indiana.

What you get: 15% of first $1M in qualified research expenses + 10% of QREs above $1M. Non-refundable, 10-year carryforward.

How to start: Claim on Indiana corporate income tax return.

DOR State Official page →

Hoosier Business Investment (HBI) Tax Credit

Indiana tax credit for businesses making capital investments that support job creation. Non-refundable credits certified over 2 years based on eligible investment amount.

What you get: Non-refundable income tax credits as a percentage of eligible capital investment, certified over 2 years. Amount negotiated with IEDC based on project scope.

How to start: Apply directly to IEDC. Requires formal proposal with investment plan and job creation targets.

IEDC State Official page →

Headquarters Relocation Tax Credit (HQRTC)

Up to 50% of relocation costs for businesses moving corporate headquarters, division offices, or research centers to Indiana. Small HQRTC available for venture-backed companies.

What you get: Up to 50% of relocation costs including capital investment. Small HQRTC: refundable, $5M statewide cap/year.

How to start: Apply to IEDC with relocation proposal

IEDC State Official page →

Indiana Redevelopment Tax Credit (RTC)

Assignable state income tax credit for redevelopment of vacant or underutilized land and buildings. IEDC sets the credit percentage per project, up to a 30% statutory ceiling. IC 6-3.1-34.

What you get: Qualified investment × an IEDC-determined percentage, not to exceed 30%; an additional 5% may be awarded if the project is located in a federal Opportunity Zone

How to start: Apply through the IEDC before making the investment (iedcportal.iedc.in.gov/rtc-program). IHC Business Services can help scope whether a Ham

IEDC State Official page →

IEDC Business Incentives Portal — Indiana State Tax Credits + Grants

Indiana Economic Development Corporation's full incentive catalog: EDGE, HBI, R&D, HQRTC, Skills Enhancement Fund, IndianaINvests grants, SEF training grants. Single front door for all state-level incentives. Application process is consultative — IEDC project managers guide qualifying employers through stacking + sequencing.

What you get: Highly variable. Common stacks for HC employers: EDGE ($25-100K credit) + HBI ($50-200K) + SEF ($5K/employee) for medium-sized expansions.

How to start: Visit iedc.in.gov/programs-initiatives/business-incentives. Or work through IHC Business Services for warm IEDC introduction.

IEDC State Official page →

Guideline — Small Business 401(k) Plans

Guideline is a low-cost 401(k) administrator built for small employers. Plans start at $49/month base + $8/employee/month, no AUM fees, and integrate with major payroll providers (Gusto, ADP, Paychex, QuickBooks). Includes plan design, IRS/DOL compliance testing, Form 5500 filing, fiduciary services (3(38) investment fiduciary), and employee onboarding. Eligible employers can claim the SECURE 2.0 startup tax credit covering up to 100% of plan costs (up to $5,000/yr for 3 years) for employers with <50 employees.

How to start: Get a quote at guideline.com. Set-up takes 2-4 weeks; payroll integration auto-handles deferrals. Tax credit captured by the firm's CPA at y

Guideline, Inc. Private Official page →

IRS Small Business and Self-Employed Tax Center

The IRS SB/SE Tax Center is the consolidated landing page for federal tax compliance and free tax-credit reference materials targeted at firms with assets under $10M. Includes employment tax guidance (Form 941, 940, W-2/W-3, 1099-NEC), retirement plans for small entities (SEP-IRA, SIMPLE IRA, Solo 401(k)), small business tax credits reference (R&D credit, WOTC, Disabled Access Credit, Pension Plan Startup Cost Credit / Form 8881, Small Employer Health Insurance Credit / Form 8941), and the IRS Small Business Tax Workshop video series. Free and authoritative for any HC employer's CPA or in-house bookkeeper.

How to start: Browse irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed. Subscribe to the IRS e-News for Small Businesses for weekly updates on compliance

IRS Federal Official page →

ACA Employer Mandate Guidance

Compliance guidance for businesses with 50+ full-time equivalent employees. The Affordable Care Act requires applicable large employers to offer minimum essential coverage or face penalties.

How to start: Consult with benefits broker or HR advisor. IRS resources at healthcare.gov/employers.

IRS Federal Official page →

FMLA Compliance Resources

Compliance guidance for employers with 50+ employees within 75 miles. The Family and Medical Leave Act requires 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave for qualifying reasons.

How to start: DOL compliance assistance: 1-866-487-9243. Free employer guides at dol.gov/agencies/whd/fmla.

USDOL Federal Official page →

Indiana Department of Insurance — Producer & Agency Licensing

IDOI is the state regulator overseeing insurance producer and agency licensing in Indiana. Free agency-facing resources include the Licensing FAQ, license reporting requirements for producer/agent/agency/adjuster, license reinstatement and transfer guidance, the Find an Agent/Agency/Company database (useful for verifying competitor agencies and recruiting licensed staff), CE Advisory Council guidance for compliance with continuing-education requirements, and Veteran Test Fee Reimbursements for veterans entering the industry. All resources free to any Indiana-licensed insurance employer.

How to start: Visit in.gov/idoi/licensing for forms, FAQs, and license-status lookups. Call 1-800-457-8283 for licensing questions.

Indiana Department of Insurance State Official page →

AICPA Private Companies Practice Section (PCPS) — Free Toolkits for Small Firms

The Private Companies Practice Section is AICPA's resource hub for small and mid-size CPA firms. Free downloads include the PCPS Burnout Prevention Toolkit, the AICPA Small Firm Generative AI Policy Template, Small Firms Solutions practice-management articles, the 'Transforming: Tales of Business Evolution' podcast, and access to PCPS Networking Groups (peer cohorts of similarly-sized firms). PCPS membership ($35/yr per CPA on top of AICPA membership) unlocks deeper member-only toolkits including HR policy templates, succession planning tools, and the firm-of-the-future content library.

How to start: Browse aicpa-cima.com/topic/firm-practice-management for free resources. Add PCPS through AICPA member portal for full toolkit access.

AICPA & CIMA Private Official page →

DOL FirstStep Employment Law Advisor

Free interactive online tool from the U.S. Department of Labor that walks small employers through which major federal employment laws apply to their business based on industry, employee count, and other factors. Three companion advisors: the main FirstStep (which laws apply), the FirstStep Recordkeeping/Reporting/Notices Advisor (what to document), and the FirstStep Poster Advisor (which workplace posters are required, with downloadable PDFs). No information entered is recorded. Ideal for HC small firms (<50 employees) without a dedicated HR/legal function.

How to start: Visit webapps.dol.gov/elaws/firststep/ and answer the guided questions. Print or save the customized compliance summary at the end. Use the

USDOL Federal Official page →

Center for Creative Leadership — Free Leading Effectively Library

CCL is one of the world's top-ranked leadership-development providers. The Leading Effectively article library is free and open: hundreds of research-backed articles, downloadable guides, white papers, the Lead with That podcast, and free webinar series. Designed for managers and emerging leaders at any size organization. CCL's paid programs (coaching, 360 assessments, leadership academies) start in the thousands of dollars per participant; the free library is an excellent low-budget alternative for HC small firms wanting research-grounded content for internal lunch-and-learns or 1:1 manager coaching.

How to start: Browse ccl.org/articles/leading-effectively-articles/ or subscribe at ccl.org/subscribe/ for ongoing research-based content. Register for fr

CCL Private Official page →

SHRM Toolkits & Ask an HR Advisor

SHRM is the largest HR professional association in the world. SHRM members access an extensive library of free toolkits (sample policies, I-9 audit checklist, job analysis toolkit, performance review templates, employee handbook templates), the Ask an HR Advisor service (unlimited phone/email questions answered by a certified HR consultant), the Vendor Directory for HR tech selection, and the SHRM Foundation's free workforce-development research. Professional membership ~$264/yr; one membership covers an HR practitioner who can serve a small firm with no dedicated HR staff.

How to start: Join at shrm.org/membership for full access. Browse free SHRM Foundation research at shrm.org/foundation without membership.

SHRM Private Official page →

OSHA On-Site Consultation (Section 21(d)) — Indiana INSafe

Free, confidential workplace safety and health consultation for small and mid-size employers (under 250 workers, or under 500 corporate-wide). A consultant from Indiana INSafe (the state's OSHA 21(d) partner inside the Indiana Department of Labor) walks the workplace, identifies hazards, recommends fixes, and helps build a written safety program — all at no cost and separate from OSHA enforcement. Findings are not shared with OSHA inspectors. Particularly valuable for restaurants, hotels with kitchens, fitness studios, salons, and small construction firms with chemical/slip/equipment exposures.

How to start: Request a visit through osha.gov/consultation 'Book a No-Cost Consultation' or contact Indiana INSafe directly at 317-232-2688. Visit typica

USDOL/INSafe Federal Official page →

USDOL Wage & Hour Division — Compliance Assistance for Tipped Employers

Free FLSA compliance toolkit specifically built for restaurants and small employers with tipped staff. Includes plain-English fact sheets (Fact Sheet #2 Restaurants, Fact Sheet #15 Tipped Employees, Fact Sheet #15A Dual Jobs/80-20 rule), required-poster downloads, the elaws FLSA Advisor, free phone consultations through the Indianapolis WHD District Office, and on-request employer compliance seminars. Helps small employers calculate proper tip credit, overtime on the regular rate, recordkeeping, and posting requirements without paying for outside HR counsel.

How to start: Browse fact sheets and tools at dol.gov/agencies/whd/compliance-assistance. For free phone help, call the Indianapolis District Office at 31

USDOL Federal Official page →

Indiana DOR — New & Small Business Education Center

Free Indiana Department of Revenue resources for small employers managing sales tax, withholding, food & beverage tax (Hamilton County imposes 1% F&B on top of 7% sales tax), and county innkeeper's tax (5% in HC). Includes the New & Small Business Center education portal, the Business Owner's Guide PDF, free INTIME e-filing portal training, the Business Education Outreach Program (free webinars and in-person workshops), and a Business FAQ knowledge base. All Indiana businesses are required to file electronically and submit zero-dollar returns even with no activity — DOR resources help employers stay current and avoid the 20% late penalty.

How to start: Visit in.gov/dor for the Small Business Center, register for INTIME at intime.dor.in.gov, and sign up for free outreach workshops via the Bu

Indiana DOR State Official page →

Benefits Intelligence — Employer Gap Reports

Custom benefits gap analysis comparing your benefits package to the Hamilton County market across 28 BLS-tracked benefit categories. Shows where you're competitive, where you're underwater, and which specific benefits would close the biggest retention gaps. Free for HC employers.

What you get: Free. Brochure-style PDF report delivered within 5 business days of intake.

How to start: Route through Kate Walters: kwalters@investhamiltoncounty.com

IHC Local Official page →

Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC)

Federal tax credit of $2,400 to $9,600 per qualified hire from targeted groups: veterans, TANF/SNAP recipients, ex-felons, vocational rehabilitation referrals, empowerment zone residents, and others.

How to start: IRS Form 8850 completed ON or BEFORE job offer date. Submit Form 8850 + DOL ETA Form 9061 to state workforce agency within 28 days of hire s

DWD/IRS Federal Official page →

Invest Ability

IHC’s disability workforce program connecting employers with qualified candidates with disabilities. Partners with VR, Federal Bonding, and WOTC for comprehensive inclusive hiring support.

How to start: Contact Invest Hamilton County: investhamiltoncounty.com

IHC Local Official page →

Re-Entry Workforce Initiative — Justice-Involved + Recovery Hiring

IHC's flagship re-entry program connecting Hamilton County employers with workforce-ready candidates exiting jail, in substance-use recovery, or under Community Corrections supervision. Funded by Hamilton County Commissioners + Council. Includes intake screening, employer placement support, recovery-friendly workplace certification path.

What you get: No employer fee. Stacks with WOTC + Federal Bonding Program for risk mitigation.

How to start: Email IHC Business Services to start: info@investhamiltoncounty.com

IHC Local Official page →

Job Accommodation Network (JAN) — Free Disability Accommodation Help

Federally-funded free consultation service for employers navigating ADA accommodations, accessible job design, or disability-inclusive hiring. Confidential phone/email/chat advice. The single best free resource for any employer hiring or accommodating people with disabilities.

What you get: Completely free. Federally funded by USDOL Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP).

How to start: Call 1-800-526-7234 or visit askjan.org

USDOL/ODEP Federal Official page →

Indiana Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) — Disability Hiring Partnership

Indiana state VR provides FREE candidate sourcing, job-coaching, on-site support, and post-placement follow-up for employers hiring people with disabilities. ~95% of VR candidates have completed assessment + skills evaluation. Reduces hiring risk + WOTC-eligible.

What you get: Free. Stack with WOTC ($1,200 vocational rehab target group + potential disability-veteran categories up to $9,600).

How to start: Visit in.gov/fssa/ddrs/vr/ → Employer Services. Or call Indianapolis VR district office.

FSSA/VR State Official page →

SBA Learning Platform — Free Online Business Courses

The U.S. Small Business Administration's free 24/7 online learning platform offers 30+ self-paced courses covering hiring your first employee, employment law basics, marketing, financial management, cash flow, business planning, customer service, and pricing. Includes specialty tracks like Boots to Business (veterans), Ascent (women-owned), and T.H.R.I.V.E. (emerging leaders). Courses average 30 minutes each with downloadable worksheets. No employer size limit and no cost.

How to start: Go to sba.gov/sba-learning-platform, create a free account, select a course, complete at your own pace. Certificates of completion available

SBA Federal Official page →

SBA 7(a) and 504 Loan Programs

Federal loan guarantee programs for small businesses. 7(a) loans up to $5M for working capital/equipment; 504 loans for major fixed assets and real estate with below-market rates.

What you get: 7(a): Up to $5M, flexible use (working capital, equipment, debt refinancing). 504: Up to $5.5M for major fixed assets, 10-25 year terms, below-market fixed rate

How to start: Apply through SBA-approved lenders. Find local lenders at sba.gov/lender-match. Indiana SBDC provides free application assistance.

SBA Federal Official page →

Opportunity Zone Investment Guidance

Tax incentives for investments in designated Opportunity Zones within the Indianapolis MSA. Hamilton County has no OZ tracts, but 47 exist in the MSA (primarily Marion County) for expansion projects.

What you get: Capital gains tax deferral until 2026, plus permanent exclusion of gains on OZ investments held 10+ years.

How to start: Establish or invest in a QOF. IHC can provide MSA Opportunity Zone mapping.

IRS Federal Official page →

Alex CRE — Commercial Real Estate Intelligence

Hamilton County's CoStar alternative — built from free public sources. 6,433 commercial + industrial parcels with assessed values, ownership, TIF districts, vacancy, and small-business CRA lending data. Free for site-selection, real-estate diligence, expansion planning.

What you get: Free public-aggregate access. Parcel-level data free with IHC access code.

How to start: Visit alex-economic-impact.onrender.com/alex-cre.html or email info@investhamiltoncounty.com for access code.

IHC Local Official page →

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) — Indianapolis District Office

Federal lending + business advisory for HC small businesses. SBA 7(a) loans (up to $5M), 504 loans (real estate + equipment), HUBZone certification, government contracting prep. Indianapolis district office covers Hamilton County; Fishers + Carmel SBDC chapters provide free 1:1 advising.

What you get: 7(a) up to $5M (typical $250K-$1M for HC small biz). 504 up to $5M for real estate/equipment.

How to start: Visit sba.gov/district/indianapolis or contact Indianapolis SBDC for free advising before applying to a partner bank.

SBA Federal Official page →

Workforce Retention & Recruitment Program

Indiana statute (IC 36-1-29.5) authorizes local governments to establish workforce retention and recruitment programs. Hamilton County has not yet enacted this program — listed here for awareness.

DLGF State Official page →

Indiana SBDC (Small Business Development Center)

Free confidential business advising, training workshops, and up to $15,000 in professional services through the INTAP program. 10 regional offices across Indiana.

How to start: Contact your regional SBDC center at isbdc.org or call for an appointment.

SBA/IEDC Federal Official page →

Alex Business Services

IHC’s consulting platform providing market intelligence, competitive landscape analysis, strategic growth guidance, and B2B lead matching for Hamilton County businesses.

How to start: Contact Invest Hamilton County or OneZone Chamber

IHC Local Official page →

Hercules Culture & Performance Toolkit

Research-grounded culture diagnostic + performance operating system: 4-shift framework, decision rights, meeting architecture, team agreements, quarterly facilitated deep-dives. Grounded in Edmondson, Brown, Grant, Scott, Buckingham, Lencioni. For employers wrestling with morale, retention, supervisor capability, or training that didn't stick.

What you get: Tiered pricing — diagnostic engagements $5K, full transformation $15-20K. (Free for partner cities under City BRE add-on.)

How to start: Email IHC Business Services for an intake call: info@investhamiltoncounty.com

IHC Private Official page →

OneZone Chamber Programming — Hamilton County Networking

OneZone Chamber serves Carmel + Fishers + Northern HC (1,200+ members). Networking events, leadership programs (Manager Accelerator), advocacy on local business issues, professional development. Best general-purpose chamber for HC small/mid businesses needing peer networks + visibility.

What you get: Member benefits scale with tier. Most-cited value: peer connections + Manager Accelerator.

How to start: Visit onezonecommerce.com → Membership.

OneZone Private Official page →

FSSA HCBS Direct Service Workforce Investment Grant

Indiana FSSA dedicated $130M to direct-service workforce grants for HCBS Medicaid providers, requiring 95% of awarded funds pass through directly to direct-service workers as compensation, retention bonuses, or wraparound benefits. The first round (January 2023) awarded 826 HCBS providers; FSSA continues the Direct Service Workforce strategy under the broader HCBS spending plan, with future rounds tied to the HCBS Provider Readiness Grant program.

How to start: Monitor secure.in.gov/fssa/home-and-community-based-services-spending-plan/ for current funding rounds. Email hcbs.spendplan@fssa.in.gov for

Indiana FSSA Federal Official page →

7shifts — Restaurant Scheduling, Time Clock & Tip-Pool Software

Restaurant-specific workforce management platform (scheduling, time clock, team chat, tip pooling, labor budgeting, hiring) used by 50,000+ restaurants. Free 'Comp' tier supports unlimited shifts at one location for up to 15 employees with scheduling, availability, time-off requests, and one-way announcements — fits the median HC independent restaurant. Paid tiers ($39.99 / $79.99 / $134.99 per location/month) add time clock, tip pooling, labor compliance alerts, payroll integration, and engagement scoring. Built for the restaurant tip-credit edge cases DIY scheduling tools miss.

How to start: Sign up at 7shifts.com — no credit card required for the Comp tier or the 14-day Pro trial. Self-serve setup takes about an hour; full POS i

7shifts Inc. Private Official page →

Toast Restaurant Resources Hub — Free Operator Guides & Templates

Free library of restaurant operator guides, templates, benchmarks, and on-demand webinars from Toast, available without being a Toast POS customer. Topics include hiring (interview questions, job descriptions for FOH/BOH), staff retention, tip-pooling models, labor cost benchmarks, food cost calculators, employee handbook templates, opening checklists, and the annual Restaurant Industry Report. Built for operators who can't afford a consultant but need the playbook.

How to start: Browse pos.toasttab.com/resources. Most guides download with an email address; webinars register free. No purchase obligation.

Toast, Inc. Private Official page →

OneZone Chamber of Commerce

Hamilton County’s premier business chamber (1,200+ members in Carmel, Fishers, and northern HC). Networking events, advocacy, business development, and exclusive member resources.

How to start: Visit onezonecommerce.com or call 317-436-4653

OneZone Local Official page →

Indiana Manufacturers Association — Manufacturing-Specific Resources

State trade association serving Indiana manufacturers (1,000+ members). Workforce pipeline programs (Dream It. Do It.), legislative advocacy on manufacturing policy, technical training partnerships, member-only benchmarking + cost-saving programs. Best for HC manufacturers wanting industry-specific support.

What you get: Member-tiered services. Some programs (Dream It. Do It. cohort sponsorship) have additional fee.

How to start: Visit imaweb.com → Membership.

IMA Private Official page →

Indiana Hospital Association (IHA) — Membership & Endorsed Business Partner Program

Indiana's hospital trade association serves 164 hospitals and 23 health systems statewide, including community mental health centers. Membership delivers advocacy, workforce data, the IHA Endorsed Business Partner Program (vetted workforce/revenue cycle/operations vendors like Medical Solutions for healthcare staffing), patient safety initiatives, and a member portal with employment-opportunity listings. Membership dues are tiered by hospital size; partner programs are free for members to use as procurement shortcuts.

How to start: Contact IHA membership at (317) 633-4870 or info@ihaconnect.org. Visit ihaconnect.org/about for tiered dues and benefit catalog.

IHA Private Official page →

Economic Impact Engine — Project Modeling

I-O economic impact modeling for development proposals. Direct/indirect/induced jobs, earnings, output via Type II multipliers (946 Lightcast industries, 92% confidence). Plus fiscal impact (DLGF property tax, LIT, permit fees → net city/county revenue) and school impact (per-pupil cost by district). Used by IHC for any deal needing IMPLAN-style analysis.

What you get: Free for HC employers. Custom report turnaround: 2-5 business days.

How to start: Email IHC Business Services with deal summary: info@investhamiltoncounty.com

IHC Local Official page →