Indiana Launches Keep IN to Protect $206 Billion in Aging-Owned Business Revenue

2 articles · Updated · Indiana Capital Chronicle · Aug 17

$206 billion in annual private-sector revenue is tied to Indiana businesses owned by people 55 or older, prompting the state to launch Keep IN to push succession planning and business sales over closures.
State-backed research estimates Indiana could lose $191 billion in output, 834,000 jobs and $56 billion in labor income if 92% of those firms shut instead of transferring ownership.
Keep IN pairs free Chamber of Commerce webinars with an SMB.co pilot in three regions, giving owners anonymous guidance on exit readiness, timelines and business valuation.
Officials say weak preparation is the main risk, while entrepreneurs who have sold companies point to stronger leadership benches, documentation and values alignment as keys to preserving firms and sale prices.