Over the last decade, major steps have been taken to bring in high-tech, high-paying jobs. Many efforts have been and continue to be made by our state and local governments to attract organizations that provide these positions. However, this goes beyond tax incentives, but also includes our infrastructure, location and our education systems. One of our strongest selling points is that many of our communities lay directly by the intersections of major highways running north, south, east and west. Because of this highway access, we are only a few short hours away from other key cities such as St. Louis, Nashville, Cincinnati, Louisville and Indianapolis, making it easy for companies to locate in Evansville and the surrounding area as a central location to their other holdings. Second, our education system is top-notch and we can directly provide a quality workforce. The University of Southern Indiana, University of Evansville, IVY Tech and ITT Tech are all local and help to provide the organizations that move here with the well-trained, highly educated individuals they need to run a successful business; specifically, in the health care and science industries. Finally, Southwest Indiana has an excellent tradition of being able to provide a building trade workforce that does work in a timely manner. And most importantly, they often are able to complete work under-budget. In December Warrick County opened the Warrick Wellness Trail. If you’re unfamiliar with the project, it’s a 1,400 acre medical district that is intended to serve a 38 county area in Indiana, Kentucky and Illinois. It’s already attracted several organizations including a senior living facility by Leo Brown Group that created more than 150 medical jobs in our community, and Solarbron will be opening another facility, as well. The Warrick Wellness Trail is just one example of the excellent opportunity we have to continue expanding jobs in the health care and science industries that are high-paying, quality jobs. Southwest Indiana families and its economy alike have benefitted from these efforts. I know that I, and many others, will continue to work on our local economic development and advocate for organizations to make Southwest Indiana their home, as well. Bacon's Legislative Thoughts, Bringing high-tech, high-paying jobs to SW Ind., 4-12-12.docx |
