STRAIGHT FROM THE SENATE
EFFORTS TO PROTECT, CREATE GOOD JOBS ARE PAYING OFF
Economic development expected to be top priority again next session.
Protecting and maintaining high-paying jobs for hard-working Hoosiers remains a top priority for Senate Republicans. We continue to work with Gov. Mitch Daniels to bring new jobs to Indiana and our efforts are paying off. Indiana’s unemployment rate remains the lowest in the six-state Midwest region at 4.6 percent and below the national average of 4.8 percent.
Today, 100,000 more Hoosiers are employed than in 2005. Efforts by the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC), which Daniels and lawmakers created, helped close nearly 400 business deals that brought $12 billion in new investments and more than 43,000 new, high-paying jobs for Hoosiers.
Economic development and job creation are expected to be top priorities during the upcoming legislative session. We hope to build on the progress to date – especially that experienced here in the Fort Wayne area.
Locally, Allen County was cited recently by The Fort Wayne Business Journal for leading the northeast Indiana area in 2007 with 12 economic development and job creation projects which generated $66.7 in investments, resulting in 451 new jobs and 1,471 jobs retained.
Here recently, efforts like these have produced 149 jobs at HSAC Acquisition Corporation, 115 jobs at Tri-Co Solutions, 68 jobs at Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream and 55 jobs at Baekgaard LTD of Indiana.
I look forward to joining my colleagues in exploring new ways to encourage economic development in our state. Teamwork with Hoosier entrepreneurs will bring even more jobs to Indiana and our area.
As the “Crossroads of America,” Indiana is an ideal location to open and grow a business. Indiana has lower business costs, a highly-skilled workforce, a competitive tax structure, strong economic incentives and shovel-ready sites awaiting development. High-tech jobs are bolstered through technology parks, incubators and top-notch colleges and universities.
If you are interested in expanding or starting an Indiana business, you can reach the Business Development Division of the IEDC at 1-800-463-8081 or online at www.in.gov/iedc/ In addition, information on venture capital is available on the Ball State University Toolbox Guide to Development Funds, assessable at www.bsu.edu/cecd/toolbox/ online.
Sen. David Long (R-Fort Wayne) is President Pro-Tem of the Indiana Senate. He serves District 16, which includes portions of Fort Wayne.
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