Over 200 people gathered last Tuesday at WestGate@Crane Academy for the Southern Indiana Business Report’s inaugural State of the Region: Defense Sector event, where defense companies and regional leaders shared major updates on growth at the WestGate Tech Park. Four defense firms — Kratos, Amentum, CACI, and Reliable MicroSystems — outlined progress on their multimillion-dollar projects. Kratos is currently building two major facilities: a hypersonic testing center and a radar integration complex, together expected to create 250 jobs. CACI reported rapid expansion, growing from $4 million to $300 million in annual work at Crane in just four years. Amentum and Reliable MicroSystems also discussed ongoing investments and workforce needs. A second panel featuring local government, utility, and economic development leaders highlighted the region’s challenges and opportunities as WestGate prepares for significant growth, including new housing demands and business development. Developers also shared details on a new $75 million munitions campus in Bloomfield expected to spur $600 million in private investment. Organizers say the turnout reflects strong regional momentum as Southern Indiana’s defense and technology sectors continue to expand.
