The new, $1 billion Indianapolis International Airport is the 20th busiest cargo airport in the world and is home to the second largest FedEx hub and a U.S. Postal Service hub.
Indianapolis is a prime location for logistics and distribution businesses, offering superior accessibility and a strong workforce. The city's geographic and infrastructure advantages have made it a global distribution hub and a vital link in the global supply chain.
Factors that make Indianapolis an exceptional location for logistics, supply chain, and transportation businesses include:
Freight & Distribution Hubs
Considered the "Crossroads of America", Indianapolis is one of the nation's leaders in interstate access, rail miles, and air freight. It is home to the new $1 billion Indianapolis International Airport (the 20th busiest cargo airport in the world), the second largest FedEx hub, a U.S. Postal Service hub, and other commercial distribution centers.
Ground Transportation
The city boasts a superior highway system of five Interstates (65, 69, 70, 74, and 465) and five railroads (CSX, Norfolk Southern, The Indiana Railroad, Indiana Southern). More than 100 trucking companies offer access to the entire U.S. , Canada, and Mexico and 75% of the U.S. and Canadian population can be reached by a one-day drive.
Global Access
Indianapolis offers many international shipping advantages to manufacturers, cargo companies, and freight forwarders. For example, INzone's five foreign trade zones, including one at the Indianapolis International airport, provide third party logistics (3PL), warehousing, repackaging, and other services for global transportation needs.
Infrastructure Enhancement
Recent legislation allowed Indiana to develop the "Major Moves" program which will provide $12 billion in funding for comprehensive infrastructure improvements by 2015.
Workforce Development
Conexus Indiana is a state initiative dedicated to helping the region become the recognized global leader in advanced manufacturing and logistics. One of its directives is an aggressive outreach program to attract local young people to related fields. And, logistics curricula are offered by Ivy Tech Community College, Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis (IUPUI), and University of Indianapolis.
Business Incentives
The state provides a variety of competitive tax and financial incentives for distribution and manufacturing businesses including the lowest sales and use tax in the Midwest, no inventory tax, and corporate income tax based solely a company's sales in Indiana.
Logistics companies that call Indianapolis home include:
- Freight Carriers: FedEx, United Parcel Service
- Logistics Specialists: Celadon Group, Langham Logistics, BioStorage Technologies, Sentry Logistic Solutions
- Distribution Centers: CVS Pharmacy, Finish Line