U.S. defense contractor to build 4,000-worker advanced manufacturing facility in central Ohio
Republican Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said it is the largest single job-creation and payroll project that Ohio has ever announced.
Government & Economic Development
Articles
IRS has improved taxpayer services but has been slow to resolve ID theft, independent watchdog says
IRS Commissioner Daniel Werfel said the agency is seeing higher numbers of theft victims overall since before the pandemic, in part because scammers are increasingly moving to online schemes.
Road funding, venture capital, workforce development top Indy Chamber agenda
Heading into a packed legislative session at the Indiana Statehouse, the Indy Chamber plans to focus its lobbying efforts on quality-of-place and human resources issues.
Trump announces $20B data-center investment by Emirati businessman
The promised investment feeds into an existing boom for constructing data centers used in the development of artificial intelligence and expansion of cryptocurrency.
Two Indianapolis lobbying firms join forces
Health care-centric lobbying firm KWK Management Group merged with the wide-ranging 1816 Public Affairs Group at the start of the year, the companies announced Tuesday.
State’s big, bold LEAP District play draws some reflection
The state has spent more than $690 million so far establishing the LEAP Research and Innovation District. Outgoing economic leaders say the project is a huge success, but some political leaders are cautious.
Gov. Holcomb’s accessibility, personal touches shape economic legacy, colleagues say
Holcomb’s administration has focused its economic strategy on courting new companies and investing in those already here.
Manufacturers weigh potential impact of Trump tariffs promise
Incoming President Donald Trump’s pledge to impose tariffs on goods from Canada and Mexico has caught the attention of Indiana companies, which stand to experience a significant impact if new or expanded tariffs are imposed.
Economic development overhaul gives Mayor’s Office more control
The plan is meant to streamline discussions among the city, existing businesses and companies considering Indianapolis for expansion or relocation.
Planned low-barrier homeless shelter raises hopes and concerns
The city is preparing to break ground in the next few months, but some housing-first advocates say the shelter doesn’t further the housing-first goal because it won’t include permanent-housing options.
Indy councilors each have a $1M allocation to make improvements in their districts
Allowing each councilor to choose an improvement project is part of an initiative by Mayor Joe Hogsett’s administration to invest in roads, parks and dangerous intersections throughout Marion County.
Trump comments have semiconductor chip industry anxious
Comments about the CHIPS and Science Act by President-elect Donald Trump and U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson before the election have raised questions about whether the president and Congress are fully committed to the law that Indiana is deeply invested in.
Biden EPA to charge first-ever ‘methane fee’ for emissions waste by oil, gas companies
The new fee is intended to encourage industry to adopt best practices that reduce emissions of methane—the primary component of natural gas—and thereby avoid paying.
Food truck operators feel regulatory pinch
All 92 counties in Indiana have their own fee structures and procedures for licensing, and some municipalities charge permitting fees, as well.
By city’s own standards, pay rate fails to measure up
Across Indianapolis city-county government, 166 employees earn less than $18 an hour, the benchmark that some groups consider a living wage, including the city’s economic development arm.
FTC adopts rule to make it easier for consumers to cancel unwanted subscriptions
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce criticized the administration’s approach, saying in August that “heavy-handed regulations that micromanage business practices” will lead to higher costs for consumers.
Indianapolis takes cue from South Bend on infill housing
Indianapolis planners are trying to streamline the process for developers to build multi-unit affordable-housing options on vacant city-owned lots.
Carmel Clay Parks needs new funding source soon
Parks Director Michael Klitzing told IBJ the department over the next 10 years will need $6.5 million per year in capital funding to maintain its current assets and $11.5 million per year in capital funds to develop new parkland.
Braun, think tank join forces to chart conservative path
Not-for-profit Hoosiers for Opportunity, Prosperity & Enterprise seeks to become a major player in Indiana’s political ecosystem by developing a framework of conservative policy that lawmakers can deploy at the Statehouse.
Noblesville, Westfield lead the effort for sports district changes
The cities are set to ask state lawmakers to change the rules that govern how and when cities can benefit from taxes generated by sports-related projects.