Indianapolis to replace Develop Indy in effort to bolster business-attraction strategy
Under the plan, former Indiana Secretary of Commerce Jim Schellinger will lead a new organization that operates more like the Indiana Economic Development Corp.
Indy Chamber
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Indiana House committee votes to repeal downtown tax district, offers county-wide income tax as alternative
The Republican-controlled Indiana House Ways and Means Committee voted to advance a bill that would repeal the economic enhancement district that Democrat-controlled Indianapolis city government approved last month. The committee chairman offered a new Marion County income tax as an alternative.
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What business interests will be seeking in the 2024 legislative session
Reducing health care costs, pursuing tax breaks and preparing the next generation of Hoosiers for the workforce are among the top priorities of business leaders as state lawmakers return to the Indiana Statehouse Monday for the 2024 legislative session.
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Q&A: Indy Chamber’s new CEO Matt Mindrum
Matt Mindrum is a month into his new role and recently spoke with IBJ about his vision for the region’s growth, downtown vitality and his new insights into youth apprenticeships.
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Indy Chamber comes down against IPS tax increase as proposed
The business advocacy group questioned how the effort would improve academic performance and why students in the district’s Innovation charter schools wouldn’t receive an equal portion of the funding.
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Articles
City-County Council approves tax district for downtown enhancements
The taxing district is expected to generate about $4.65 million a year for downtown-focused efforts in Indianapolis, along with funding the operating costs of the low-barrier homeless shelter planned on the southeast side of downtown.
IU’s Whitten, Purdue’s Chiang urge business leaders to be part of post-IUPUI vision
The university presidents agreed that retaining students in Indiana requires a collaborative effort by universities and employers to channel students into enticing and promising jobs.
Indy Chamber announces leadership changes, promotion
The Indy Chamber on Tuesday announced several changes to its leadership ranks, including a new chief financial officer and vice president of government affairs.
Bill to undo Mile Square property tax passes House with support from Speaker Todd Huston
As an alternative, the House approved a separate measure that would allow the City-County Council to increase the countywide local income tax by .02% to help pay for the operating costs of a homeless shelter and various improvements in the city’s Mile Square.
Indiana coalition to invest in apprenticeship system
The coalition’s efforts build on 2023 legislation that was designed to jumpstart a statewide modern youth apprenticeship model in Indiana.
State lawmakers hear testimony on bill to repeal Mile Square tax
The majority of people who testified about the bill were against it, arguing that it would undo the work of corporate and civic leaders to boost perceptions of downtown in the aftermath of the pandemic and the 2020 protests for racial justice.
House speaker wants public hearing on Mile Square tax
New legislation would repeal language included in the 2023 state budget that gave the city of Indianapolis the authority to create a special Mile Square taxing district to pay for downtown enhancements and a low-barrier homeless shelter.
Less ‘aggressive’ legislative session coming, Statehouse leaders say
Leaders in the Republican-dominated Indiana Legislature say they’re not planning on taking on gambling expansions, water fights or costly initiatives during the shorter non-budget session, which begins in January and must end by mid-March.
Indiana delegation heading to Switzerland to learn about apprenticeship system
The trip comes as Indiana plans to roll out a new program allowing eligible high school students to receive up to $5,000 in state funding for “career scholarship accounts” that can be used to “shop” for work-based learning experiences.
INDOT seeking more public input on future of urban interstates
As they embark on a new vision for the interstates that run through Indianapolis, state transportation officials say they hope to learn from past mistakes by making community engagement a focal point of the planning process.
Proposal would let Indy impose tax on Mile Square properties for downtown enhancements
Under the proposal, the revenue could only be used in the Mile Square for services that are now provided by the not-for-profit Downtown Indy Inc., such as cleanliness initiatives, homelessness outreach and providing “safety ambassadors.”
Huber to leave Indy Chamber, join IU as vice president
Indiana University said Michael Huber—who previous served as former Mayor Greg Ballard’s deputy mayor for economic development—will lead government relations efforts at the state and federal level as well as economic engagement.
Indy Chamber exec joins developer working on Boone County innovation district
Ian Nicolini, who has served as Indy Chamber’s chief operating officer since October 2020, is leaving his position to join a commercial real estate developer working to recruit businesses to a high-tech research district planned in Boone County.
Defensive moves blocked most anti-business legislation, commerce leaders say
Business leaders say they had to play defense with the GOP-dominated state Legislature for most of this year’s legislative session but emerged mostly successful.
Programs aim to bring diversity to work-procurement table
Two new supplier-diversity programs are launching in Indianapolis as local companies and other organizations try to make good on their equity promises from last year.
Indianapolis group wants sections of I-65, I-70 underground
Rethink Coalition Inc, in partnership with the Indy Chamber, put together a $2.8 billion proposal to rebuild the “Inner Loop” partially underground, which the researchers say would connect communities and save far more room for economic development and green space.
Indy Chamber’s chief policy officer named CEO at Indiana Association of Realtors
In announcing Mark Fisher’s selection on Thursday, the Indiana Association of Realtors praised his experience in a wide range of policy matters important to the group and its members.
IBJ Podcast: Indy Chamber’s shift in focus pays dividends
Guest host Lesley Weidenbener interviews Indy Chamber CEO Michael Huber and the group’s director of economic development, Vincent Ash, about the programs that won it Chamber of the Year honors.
Michael Huber: Let’s use the tournament to sell Indy, attract talent
There’s a saying about successful college athletic programs: “They don’t rebuild, they reload.” After a year of unprecedented economic disruption and hardship, Indianapolis is well-positioned to both rebuild from COVID and reload with talent to drive our economy forward.