PLYMOUTH – Marshall County’s economy remains strong heading into the final quarter of 2026, but challenges are mounting.
That’s the takeaway from the Marshall County Economic Development Corporation’s third-quarter update, delivered by CEO Greg Hildebrand.
The numbers tell a story of strength and pressure. National unemployment stood at 4.2 percent in early October. Marshall County’s rate was even lower at 3.2 percent in August — below Indiana’s 3.6 percent. But the county’s labor force is down slightly from a year ago, and inflation remains a concern. Diesel is averaging around seven dollars a gallon locally, and 30-year mortgage rates have climbed to 7.28 percent nationally.
Hildebrand says leads from the Indiana Economic Development Corporation are picking up — a promising sign. MCEDC is collaborating with Purdue MEP on industrial training, conducting a countywide infrastructure study, and working on talent attraction.
But Hildebrand says workforce remains the central challenge. He emphasizes that quality-of-life amenities, housing, and educational access are now just as important as physical infrastructure in attracting investment.
