FLASHBACK: Around this time last year, Chairman Kyle Hupfer met with former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel, one of Indiana's global partners.

It's been a big week for Indiana — and with the 106th running of the Indianapolis 500 this weekend, it's only going to get bigger!

If you haven't heard (and as you'll read in more detail below), there were two major economic development announcements this week totaling over $4.6 billion in capital investment and the creation of up to 1,900 jobs in central and north central Indiana. Announcement like these are becoming more frequent as Gov. Holcomb and our supermajorities in the General Assembly continue to cultivate an economic environment that breaks records year after year.

And folks around the world are taking notice.

In fact, yesterday marked the beginning of Indiana's inaugural Global Economic Summit, a four-day event that will showcase leading-edge thinking from Indiana and the world. The Summit will provide an opportunity for Indiana to foster more global relationships for innovation and collaborate on new ideas the will help us continue to build an economy of the future. Over 800 people — including 30 international delegations from countries like the United Kingdom, Ukraine, and Israel — will be in attendance. And like a lot of Hoosiers, they'll spend some time at the Indianapolis 500 too! 

With Republicans at the helm, Indiana is waving the checkered flag over and over again.

Enjoy this week’s newsletter and share it with a friend, remembering that we are the home of the free because of the brave.

I hope you will join me on Monday, May 30 — Memorial Day — praying for the families of those who have lost a loved one in the line of duty. We are forever indebted to them.

Sincerely,

Chairman Kyle Hupfer

On Tuesday, Gov. Holcomb joined Secretary of Commerce Brad Chambers and executives from Stellantis and Samsung SDI to announce the joint venture’s plans to invest over $2.5 billion to build a new electric-vehicle battery manufacturing facility in Kokomo. To support the operation, the companies will create 1,400 new, high-wage jobs in Howard County. This project will establish Samsung SDI’s first presence in Indiana and its first manufacturing operations in the U.S.

“It’s another incredibly exciting day to be back in Kokomo celebrating such a transformational investment from Stellantis and our new partners at Samsung,” said Gov. Holcomb. “Today’s announcement is another step toward positioning Indiana as a leader in the future of mobility, battery technology and clean energy.”

Then on Wednesday, Gov. Holcomb joined Secretary of Commerce Brad Chambers and Eli Lilly and Company CEO and Chair Dave Ricks to announce the company’s plans to invest $2.1 billion to further expand operations in Indiana. The investment will support two new manufacturing sites, and the creation of up to 500 new jobs in central Indiana.  

“Lilly has been an anchor in Indiana’s economy for generations, and this announcement means they will continue to be here for generations,” said Gov. Holcomb. “I am incredibly proud Lilly continues to make exciting investments in Indiana that will better the lives and opportunities of Hoosiers for decades to come. And in turn, the very research and pharmaceutical manufacturing spearheaded here in our state will improve lives worldwide.

This week, U.S. Senator Todd Young delivered remarks on the Senate floor and paid tribute to fallen service members ahead of Memorial Day. 

Young shared the story of Sergeant Charles Garrigus, a native Hoosier who paid the ultimate price during the Korean War and never returned home to Indiana.

“The rows of headstones speak to us of sacrifice for common good; they remind us the price at which our freedom was won; of the too-often smallness of our divisions; of the many reasons for faith in our fellow Americans, no matter how strained our bonds be; of the blessings we share, even if they are obscured; and of our ability to pass through any trial, no matter how daunting.

“When we listen to them, I believe, we will lift our heads from today’s anxieties and face the future optimistically. As the story of Sergeant Garrigus shows, we Americans have refused to let far greater obstacles deter us, or accepted that more difficult problems can’t be solved,” said Senator Young.

You can watch a video of his full remarks by clicking above.

Out annual Spring Dinner, featuring former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Kelly Craft, is less than two weeks away! 

You can hear from Craft about her experience in international affairs and promoting American strength and ideals abroad on June 9, 2022, at the JW Marriott in Indianapolis, Ind. Individual tickets are $150; tables of 10 and VIP options are available as well. For more details, click here.

We are so grateful for the many men and women in uniform who have given their lives to make sure that America remains the greatest, freest country on this earth.

Gov. Holcomb wasn't lying when he said our economy is "humming like an Indy car engine."

Excerpts from the Shelbyville News:

"Indiana’s unemployment rate remained at a record-low level as the state continues to show one of the best jobless recoveries in the nation from the COVID-19 pandemic.

"'Indiana is the state with the third-best unemployment rate recovery. It registered an almost 87% decrease in unemployed people compared to the beginning of the pandemic in April 2020, which is the biggest drop nationwide,” said Jill Gonzalez, an analyst at WalletHub. “When compared to April 2021, Indiana had nearly 48% fewer unemployed people, the second-biggest decrease in the country.'

"At the same time, a new FitchRatings report lists Indiana as one of only 13 states in the country that have more jobs now than before the pandemic."

On Saturday, May 21, the Platform Committee convened and voted unanimously to recommend the 2022 Indiana Republican Party platform draft, with 29 of 33 members present.

The draft will now go before the Resolutions Committee before being presented to delegates at our convention on June 18, 2022.

The 2022 Indiana Republican Party State Convention will take place on June 17-18, 2022, at the Crown Plaza Hotel and Indiana Farmer's Coliseum in Indianapolis, Ind., for the purpose of nominating a candidate for secretary of state, auditor of state, and treasurer of state.

For hotel accommodation information, delegate counts by county, to pay a guest fee and more, click the button below.

Stay up-to-date on commentary and updates from Chairman Kyle Hupfer by following him on Facebook and Twitter.

This week: Pushing back on the White House's ridiculous spin on the latest bad poll numbers for Joe Biden.

Saturday, May 28: St. Joseph County Lincoln Day Dinner

Saturday, June 4: 8th District Candidate Forum

Thursday, June 9: 2022 Spring Dinner

Tuesday, June 14: Southern Indiana Republican Golf Outing

Wednesday, June 15: 32nd Annual Henry County Republican Party Open

Friday, June 17 - Saturday, June 18: 2022 State Convention

Friday, June 24: Jasper County Republican Party Golf Outing

Governor Eric Holcomb speaks at the opening of the inaugural Indiana Global Summit

Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch speaks at the American Legion Indy 500 Memorial service

Treasurer Kelly Mitchell joins state treasurers from other states to discuss women in public finance

Auditor Tera Klutz shares plan for the special tax refund

Secretary of State Holli Sullivan shares measures Indiana is taking to enhance election security

Attorney General Todd Rokita marks his 500th day in office

Senator Todd Young presses the U.S. Department of State’s Special Envoy for Iran on why the Biden Administration trusts Iran 

Senator Mike Braun spends morning meeting with veterans from Northeast Indiana during their honor flight to our nation’s capital

Congresswoman Jackie Walorski co-sponsors the Babies Need Formula Now Act

Congressman Jim Banks visits with this year's Indiana Leadership Forum class while in D.C.

Congressman Jim Baird discusses critical issues at the southern border

Congresswoman Victoria Spartz calls out Biden's energy crisis

Congressman Greg Pence tours NetPower's carbon capture pilot project in Houston with other members of Congress

Congressman Larry Bucshon meets with employees at the DMS Evansville plant

Congressman Trey Hollingsworth meets with leaders of the Kentucky-Indiana Chapter Paralyzed Veterans of America