Gov. Mike Braun invited representatives from Indiana’s entrepreneurial and business community to the Indiana Statehouse on Aug. 17, awarding the Governor’s Century and Half Century Business Award to 34 Hoosier businesses.
According to a statement, the Governor’s Century and Half Century Business Awards honor Hoosier businesses and organizations that have remained in operation for a minimum of 100 or 50 consecutive years, respectively, and have demonstrated a commitment to community service. More than 1,300 Indiana companies have been recognized during the award’s 34-year history.
“Today is a celebration of these Indiana businesses and a recognition of the dedication and resilience they have shown over the past 50 or 100 years,” Braun said. “These 34 businesses have been powering Indiana’s economy for decades and are true examples of the Hoosier spirit and work ethic, demonstrating a remarkable commitment to their crafts, their customers and their communities.”
2026 Century Award honoree, El Popular, was also featured in this list of awardees. El Popular is a fourth-generation family-owned business in East Chicago and is regarded as one of the oldest Mexican-owned companies in the United States.
The company was founded in 1925 by Vincente F. Garza after he immigrated to Indiana from Monterrey, Mexico, bringing with him traditional family recipes and a strong entrepreneurial vision. Today, the company’s s authentic Mexican foods are available in more than 10,000 locations nationwide.
Other 2026 Half Century Award honorees like Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance and American Structurepoint were also among the businesses included from Marion County.
Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance was established by the Indiana Farm Bureau in 1934 to provide Hoosier farmers with better insurance options. The company offers home, auto, life, farm and crop, business and renters’ insurance, as well as other financial products to all Hoosiers, with agents and employees in all 92 counties.
A brief list of the businesses included is located below.
2026 Century Award honorees:
- Charles C. Brandt Construction Co. (CCB) Founded in 1907; Marion County
- El Popular Founded in 1925; Lake County
- Glovers Ice Cream Founded in 1925; Clinton County
- LigTel Communications Founded in 1896; Noble County
- Lutheran Child and Family Services of Indiana/Kentucky Inc. (LCFS) Founded in 1883; Marion County
- Smith & Butterfield Founded in 1866; Vanderburgh County
- The Smith Sawyer Smith Agency Founded in 1925; Fulton County
- Thiele Heating and Air Conditioning Founded in 1883; Marion County
2026 Half Century Award honorees:
- 4C Health Founded in 1975; Miami County
- A-1 Realty Founded in 1971; Dubois County
- American Structurepoint Founded in 1966; Marion County
- Ancon Construction Founded in 1975; Elkhart County
- Aurora Emergency Rescue Founded in 1950; Dearborn County
- Back Door Quilts Founded in 1973; Johnson County
- The Big Squirt Founded in 1968; Decatur/Shelby County
- Brand Electric Founded in 1973; Tippecanoe County
- Engineering Concepts Unlimited Inc. Founded in 1975; Hamilton County
- Eye Physicians Inc. Founded in 1972; Howard County
- Harding, Shymanski & Company Founded in 1975; Vanderburgh County
- Hi-Way 3 Hardware Founded in 1955; Delaware County
- Hoffman Lake Campground Founded in 1964; Kosciusko County
- Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance Founded in 1934; Marion County
- Jasper County Community Services Founded in 1974; Jasper County
- Kokomo Glass Shop Founded in 1949; Howard County
- Lohmeyer Plumbing Founded in 1926; Bartholomew County
- Market Square Lanes Founded in 1961; Tippecanoe County
- Newton County Community Services Inc. Founded in 1974; Newton County
- Nuway Construction Founded in 1975; Elkhart County
- Perkins & Adley Founded in 1965; Fulton County
- Plymouth Foundry Inc. Founded in 1946; Marshall County
- Pulaski County Abstract Company Inc. Founded in 1973; Pulaski County
- Pulaski County Human Services Founded in 1975; Pulaski County
- Star Photo Digital Arts Founded in 1934; Madison County
- Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) Central Indiana Founded in 1947; Delaware County
To learn more about the many resources available to Indiana entrepreneurs and small businesses, visit iedc.in.gov/entrepreneurship.
Contact Staff Writer Malik Simon at 317-762-7847.
Malik Simon is a Staff Writer for the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper. Originally from Memphis, TN, he graduated from Mississippi Valley State University with a Bachelor of Arts in General Studies concentrating on journalism. Before joining the Recorder, he wrote for the Devil’s Gazette newspaper at MVSU and served as a freelance content and video editor. He seeks to use media to help communities flourish through literacy and factual reporting.
