Add the jobs you hire for and every tool in this journey computes on them: your wages, your competition, your talent shed.
Find hiring, training and incentive programs
Every hiring, training and incentive program open to Hamilton County employers, organized by what you need. Eligibility is set by each program.
Built from The county's hiring, training and incentive programs, with eligibility as each program publishes it
Eligibility is set by programs, not by us. The navigator tells you who to ask and what they require, and stops short of promising an outcome only the program can give.
You are on Free. 2 of 11 tools in Resources and IHC services are open to you. See what the other 9 add.
Show me resources for
-
Federal tax credit for hiring people from certain groups, such as veterans, SNAP recipients and people with a conviction. It applies only to people who began work on or before December 31, 2025. Congress has not renewed it for later hires as of September 2026.
Who qualifies: Employer hires from targeted groups. Ten target groups under 26 USC 51(d) (veterans are split into five sub-groups with different wage caps), includin… What you get: Only for hires who began work by December 31, 2025: usually up to $2,400 per hire (40% of up to $6,000 in first-year wages), and up to $9,600 for certain veterans. Hires starting in 2026 do not qualify unless Congress renews the credit. How to start: IRS Form 8850 completed ON or BEFORE job offer date. Submit Form 8850 + DOL ETA Form 9061 to state workforce agency with… Rules checked: 2026-09-23, against IRS, Work Opportunity Tax Credit (page updated 2026-07-20). Not tax advice.
-
IHC’s disability workforce program connecting employers with qualified candidates with disabilities. Partners with Vocational Rehabilitation and the Federal Bonding Program. WOTC applies only to hires who began work by December 31, 2025.
Who qualifies: Any Hamilton County employer interested in inclusive hiring practices. Pairs with Vocational Rehabilitation referrals and Federal Bonding. How to start: Contact Invest Hamilton County: investhamiltoncounty.com
-
Re-Entry Workforce Initiative · Justice-Involved + Recovery Hiring IHC Local Hire from Special Populations Compare
IHC's flagship re-entry program connecting Hamilton County employers with workforce-ready candidates exiting jail, in substance-use recovery, or under Community Corrections supervision. Funded by Hamilton County Commissioners + Council. Includes intake screening, employer placement support, recovery-friendly workplace certification path.
Who qualifies: Any Hamilton County employer willing to consider candidates with justice involvement, recovery status, or under Community Corrections. Federal Bonding… What you get: No employer fee. May be used alongside the Federal Bonding Program. WOTC applies only to hires who began work by December 31, 2025. How to start: Email IHC Business Services to start: info@investhamiltoncounty.com
-
Recovery Ready Workplace Initiative (Wellness Council of Indiana) Wellness Council of Indiana Private Hire from Special Populations Compare
Indiana's employer recognition for recovery-supportive workplaces, often called a recovery-friendly workplace designation. Run by the Wellness Council of Indiana, a subsidiary of the Indiana Chamber of Commerce. Employers work through an internal readiness checklist, then apply for the Recovery Ready Workplace badge. The initiative provides awareness resources, policy guidance and tools to reduce stigma around substance use disorder and support people in recovery.
Who qualifies: Any Indiana employer committed to recovery-supportive policies. What you get: Recovery Ready Workplace badge on approval. The program page lists no fee; confirm current terms with the Wellness Council. How to start: Complete the Internal Readiness Checklist on the program page, then submit the badge application. Questions: info@wellne… Rules checked: 2026-09-24, against Wellness Council of Indiana, Recovery Ready Workplace Initiative page (retrieved 2026-09-24). Not tax advice.
-
Job Accommodation Network (JAN) · Free Disability Accommodation Help USDOL/ODEP Federal Hire from Special Populations Compare
Federally-funded free consultation service for employers navigating ADA accommodations, accessible job design, or disability-inclusive hiring. Confidential phone/email/chat advice. The single best free resource for any employer hiring or accommodating people with disabilities.
Who qualifies: Any employer. Confidential, no enrollment. What you get: Completely free. Federally funded by USDOL Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP). How to start: Call 1-800-526-7234 or visit askjan.org
-
Indiana Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) · Disability Hiring Partnership FSSA/VR State Hire from Special Populations Compare
Indiana state VR provides FREE candidate sourcing, job-coaching, on-site support, and post-placement follow-up for employers hiring people with disabilities. ~95% of VR candidates have completed assessment + skills evaluation. Vocational rehabilitation referrals are a WOTC target group, but the credit applies only to hires who began work by December 31, 2025.
Who qualifies: Any Indiana employer. No size minimum. What you get: Free. For hires who began work by December 31, 2025, WOTC may add up to $2,400 for a vocational rehabilitation referral, or more for some veterans. How to start: Visit in.gov/fssa/ddrs/vr/ → Employer Services. Or call Indianapolis VR district office.
-
SBA Learning Platform · Free Online Business Courses SBA Federal Hire from Special Populations Compare
The U.S. Small Business Administration's free 24/7 online learning platform offers 30+ self-paced courses covering hiring your first employee, employment law basics, marketing, financial management, cash flow, business planning, customer service, and pricing. Includes specialty tracks like Boots to Business (veterans), Ascent (women-owned), and T.H.R.I.V.E. (emerging leaders). Courses average 30 minutes each with downloadable worksheets. No employer size limit and no cost.
Who qualifies: Open to any U.S. small business owner, prospective owner, or employee. No revenue, size, or industry restriction. How to start: Go to sba.gov/sba-learning-platform, create a free account, select a course, complete at your own pace. Certificates of …
7 of 100 programs shown, curated and reviewed quarterly by the Invest Hamilton County team. External links open the program's own site in a new tab. Spot something out of date? Tell us.
Analyst Coach
Ask about the local labor market in plain language, on top of your dashboards. Answers carry their sources and point to the tools for the math. It is an AI coach, your chats are private, and they are never used to train anything.
In crisis? Call or text 988, free, 24/7.
Built by Alex, the Hamilton County Data Hub, from BLS wage records, Census commuting and business patterns, O*NET skill profiles, and licensed Lightcast postings. Wages are set by employers. Ranges, never promises.