STATEHOUSE (April 6, 2017) – The Indiana House of Representatives recently passed State Rep. Doug Miller’s (R-Elkhart) amendment to allow for Elkhart to be a part of an entrepreneur and enterprise district pilot program.
According to Miller, an enterprise district is property where local officials are planning to invest in order to attract businesses, create jobs and build a community-driven atmosphere.
Senate Bill 514 would establish entrepreneur and enterprise district pilot programs in Lafayette, Fort Wayne and Indianapolis. After the mayor and city council establish a board of directors for the enterprise district, the board can then apply for a matching grant from the Indiana Economic Development Corporation. This grant can be put toward advancing innovation and entrepreneurship within the enterprise district.
Miller’s amendment would add Elkhart as a fourth city to be eligible for the pilot programs and the IEDC matching grant.
“This pilot program fits well with the mindset of Elkhart and the desire for innovation,” Miller said. “The matching grant could encourage growth and redevelopment, while providing revitalization to the aging real estate and infrastructure in the area. This tool should be available to Elkhart, and I believe Mayor Neese and the board of directors could implement and use this to support the entrepreneurial spirit of our great city.”
Miller said since this is a pilot program, data would be collected by the state to assess the impact and effectiveness of the grant and program.
Senate Bill 514 passed unanimously out of the House and the bill now moves back to the Senate for consideration.
-30-
State Rep. Doug Miller (R-Elkhart) represents House District 48, which includes portions of Elkhart County
A high-resolution photo of Miller can be downloaded by clicking here.
