| Start Date: | 2/4/2011 | All Day | | | End Date: | 2/4/2011 | | |
I have spoken to numerous constituents over last couple months discussing jobs, education reform, and the economy. The economy is strengthening as Indiana received a shot in the arm with state revenues $41 million above the forecasted projections for January and the unemployment rate decreased to 9.5%. Indiana continues to stand out in the Midwest as we remain firm on our stance to not raise taxes while Illinois steams ahead with drastic tax increases. The governor of Illinois signed a 66% tax increase on personal income and its 45% tax increase on corporations in January reiterating Hoosier values: fiscal responsibility and sound policies. These tax hikes will likely benefit northern Indiana and more specifically, Elkhart.
According to Indiana Economic Digest, James Hamilton, president of Colbert Packaging said, "Any possible expansions and new equipment might go to the Elkhart operation instead of the plants in Illinois." This expansion could lead to 500 new jobs in Elkhart. This is a promising sign for Elkhart and northern Indiana as we continue to rebound from the recession. The policies put in place by Governor Daniels and Indiana legislators have Indiana not only more firmly positioned than our neighboring states, but nationwide.
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation has said they will be running an "aggressive campaign" to attract companies to Indiana. Sixth in the nation according to Area Development magazine's Top States for Doing Business study, Indiana is prime real estate for job creation and growth.
A recent article from the Times of Northwest Indiana stated that Gov. Mitch Daniels said, "We already had an edge on Illinois in terms of the cost of doing business, and this is going to make it significantly wider."
"Folks in Illinois eventually have to decide: Is this working well enough for us or do we want something different?" he continued. "Point one of our anti-recession strategy here is to avoid doing what they've now decided to do."
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