There’s no better place to be in the country than Indiana in May and I'm glad this May is starting to feel normal. Normal because I’ve been getting back out of central Indiana to meet with our grassroots leaders. Normal because the roar of engines at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is being heard. And normal because big job investments keep coming to our state. In fact, Governor Holcomb participated in two groundbreakings just this week!

Indiana is back. Our unemployment rate and workforce participation numbers are almost back to our record, pre-pandemic lows. Another sign of getting back to normal is the return of our annual spring dinner. More information on that is below. Needless to say, it will be great to get together again in the same room (not over Zoom) and celebrate our Republican victories over the last several months. I hope to see several county parties at the dinner and am looking forward to seeing everyone on June 11 in Indianapolis!

Thanks

Kyle

Photo: Chairman Hupfer meets with Allen County GOP Chairman Steve Shine earlier this week in Fort Wayne

 

Continuing to Break Records

On Tuesday, Governor Holcomb joined executives from Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (RLL) to break ground on the company’s new state-of-the-art global headquarters in Zionsville. This $20 million investment will also create new high quality Hoosier jobs. Indiana is globally known as the Racing Capital of the World, and RLL Racing's investment continues to solidify that position.

Governor Holcomb also joined executives from Five Below to announce the company's plans to locate its Midwest distribution center in Indiana. The Philadelphia-based company plans to invest more than $100 million to establish distribution and e-commerce operations and create over 470 new jobs.

Under Governor Holcomb's leadership, Indiana has broken economic development & jobs records year after year. Thanks to the business friendly environment he has created and our pipeline of talented Hoosiers, Indiana will continue to see investment and job creation for years to come!

Photo: Governor Holcomb breaking ground on RLL Racing's new HQ in Zionsville

 

2021 Session: Breaking Records for Economic Development

“The sky’s really the limit for where we end up in 10 or 20 years and that’s what we’re planning for.” -Governor Holcomb.

• Throughout the pandemic, Governor Holcomb has been focused on balancing lives and livelihoods.
  • Indiana remained mostly open during the pandemic and business leaders and job creators took notice.
  • In 2020, during a global pandemic, Governor Holcomb’s administration set an all-time record for job commitments.
    • In fact, Governor Holcomb has set a job commitment record every year he’s been in office.
  • One of the first bills the legislature passed and Governor Holcomb signed was to provide COVID liability protections for schools and businesses.
    • Protects businesses and schools from frivolous lawsuits.
       

“Get “READI” for the future, because that’s what this is all about. It’s about talent attraction, retention, building good quality of place all over the state.” -Governor Holcomb.
 

• Perhaps the biggest game changer to come from the session is the creation of the Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI).
  • This was part of Governor Holcomb’s agenda and he spoke about this program during his 2021 State of the State Address.
  • State is investing $500 million in this program.
  • READI Grants are designed to support collaboration between communities across the state.
  • Encourages innovative policies that will spur population growth and job creation.
  • Attracts additional investment from community.
  • READI Grants will spur investment and innovation in every region of our state and will have an impact for years to come.
     

“READI is about harnessing that synergy whether it’s rural, urban or suburban. It’s about thinking outside of the lines—county lines, political lines—erase those and start thinking bigger.” -Governor Holcomb.
 

• Governor Holcomb and Republican legislators also dedicated $60 million for Hoosier Hospitality Small Business Restart grants.
  • Supports Hoosier entrepreneurs and small businesses.
  • Provides working capital to eligible companies by reimbursing certain expenses incurred during and related to global pandemic.
  • Grant program is high-octane fuel for small businesses that will help accelerate their recovery and growth.
     

“We’re looking at billions of dollars in investment as folks look at Indiana becoming a destination to work, play, and ultimately stay.” -Governor Holcomb.
 

• Indiana also increased the Venture Capital Investment tax credit cap to $20 million per year.
  • Established a bonus credit for investments in minority and women-owned businesses.   
• $10 million per year for manufacturing readiness grants;
  • Will cement Indiana’s position as the #1 manufacturing state in the country per capita.
• $250 million for broadband expansion
  • Expanding broadband connectivity remains a major priority of Governor Holcomb’s.
  • Internet access is as important today as roads and telephone lines were a century ago.
     

“Hope is alive and dirt is turning.” -Governor Holcomb.

You don’t have to take it just from me. Governor Holcomb sat down with Gerry Dick from Inside Indiana Business a few days ago to talk about invest and jobs in Indiana. You can watch the interview here:
 

When it comes to the race for jobs and investment in Indiana, we’re competing against ourselves at this point, but we can’t rest on our laurels or take our foot off the gas. The results of the 2021 Legislative Session will create more separation between us the 49 other states we’re competing against.

Records were made to be broken and under Governor Holcomb and Republican leaders, you ain’t seen nothing yet!