The state’s economic development leaders and Gov. Mike Braun remain hard at work to improve the climate for Hoosier businesses.
Governor Braun recently launched the much-anticipated new Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation and appointed Brian Schutt, co-founder of Refinery46, as its executive director.
This office takes over entrepreneurship programs previously managed by the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC), including certified technology parks. Its focus is on expanding support to Main Street entrepreneurs across urban and rural Indiana, with priorities on wage growth and broad-based job creation is a shift from policy priorities of previous administrations that centered around high-tech, high-growth entrepreneurship.
Additional changes are afoot within Gov. Braun’s “commerce vertical,” which is led by Secretary of Commerce David Adams. In early June, Secretary Adams’ chief of staff, Josh Richardson, was announced as the new commissioner at the Department of Workforce Development and will be tasked with leading initiatives relating to modernizing workforce services and supporting employers, job seekers and communities across the state. Richardson is anticipated to excel in this role as his years of proven leadership and experience will complement Gov. Braun’s mandate to measure economic progress via wage growth and job creation.
Also in June, Gov. Braun appointed nine new members to the IEDC’s board of directors. In his announcement, Gov. Braun stated: “These appointments … embody the Freedom and Opportunity agenda for IEDC: They hail from communities all around our state, bring experience from across the range of Indiana’s key industries and each of them knows the importance of growing wages and creating job opportunities for Hoosiers because they’ve done it in their own communities.”
The day after the IEDC Board was replaced, Secretary Adams announced that his Commerce office awarded $925,107 in grant awards to accelerate entrepreneurial activity and resources statewide through its Community Collaboration Fund. The grants will support 28 community-led projects that focus on entrepreneurial education, connection and acceleration across Indiana.
While the full picture of Indiana’s economic development future remains somewhat unclear, it is certainly coming into focus. Moves made over the past 60 days are consistent with Gov. Braun’s campaign promises that included reimagining the IEDC and focusing on Main Street entrepreneurship. The Chamber looks forward to continuing its partnership with the Governor’s administration to make Indiana the best state in the country to live, work and start and grow a company.
