Dax Norton, executive director of the Boone County EDC, revealed the theme for 2009 Wednesday evening at the Boone EDC’s annual meeting — a quote from comedian Milton Berle: “If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door.”
“That epitomizes everything we do with economic development,” Norton said. “We’re building doors on a daily basis.”
And the keynote speaker for the evening, Indiana Lt. Governor Becky Skillman, liked it.
“That’s the Hoosier spirit if I’ve ever heard it,” said Skillman, who spoke to community members at Ulen Country Club. “We will succeed in the end because Hoosiers work harder than anyone else.”
Norton shared some of the major successes from the 2008 years, such as business attractions like Amazon.com and US Cold Storage and the completion of the economic development strategic plan.
“That strategic plan isn’t just sitting on a shelf, collecting dust,” Norton said. “My wife will kill me if I read it one more time in bed. And those projects are quite substantial. We must maintain this momentum.”
Skillman addressed some of that major momentum. Since 2005, more than 2,800 jobs have been created in Boone County, she said, and eight business deals were sealed, totaling more than $268 million in investment.
The county is one of the top 10 in the state for new jobs per capita, she said.
And that was just the beginning of the good news Skillman had to share. CNBC reported Indiana as the most improved state for doing business, and ranked it third nationally for business friendliness. Forbes.com said it’s the best in the Midwest for the cost of doing business, Standard & Poor gave it a triple-A credit rating and it is one of only three states in the country to have a balanced budget and a surplus.
That, Skillman said, will make sure the stimulus money Indiana will receive will truly go into economic development.
“We’re in a good position to realize a boost from the stimulus plan money, if any state can,” she said. “The money from Washington will only be used to do more, faster.”
A good portion — $668 million — is coming into the state for highway projects, such as Major Moves, Skillman said. And a portion of I-65 in Boone County, from U.S. 52 to Ind. 28 in Clinton County, has been moved up on the time table.
“We want to make sure the assistance is broad-based and geographically spread,” Skillman said. “We want it to touch as many sectors as possible.”
The budget continued to be a topic of discussion, as Skillman explained how much trouble many states are having balancing theirs. Michigan and Kentucky, she said, have cut education funds by more than $100 million, many states have had to raise taxes and some are even releasing prisoners sooner just to pay bills.
“But that’s not happening in Indiana,” Skillman said. “The governor and I expect an honestly balanced budget with no tax increases, tricks or gimmicks.”
The budget will continue to be formed until the last day of session, April 29.
Local News
Related Photos
-
Reporter photo by Sarah Lang
Reader comments
Local EDC, state, building doors for development
- Local News
-
-
Staying the Course
The Gold Wings riders will put on a light show parade through town Saturday starting at 9 p.m. The public is invited back to the fairgrounds for a light show display and awards following the parade at around 10 p.m.
-
Police arrest bicyclist who shot at vehicle
Jeremy Steiman, 25, of Zionsville, was located and arrested Friday afternoon, three weeks after he put three .45 caliber bullets through the back windshield of a passing car while he was cycling on County Road 200 South near CR 700 East.
-
I-65 overnight closings start Monday night
The Indiana Department of Transportation announce there will be nightly 20-minute lane closures on Interstate 65 in both northbound and southbound lanes in Boone County from 9 p.m. until 6 a.m. beginning Monday, May 21, through May 30, weather permitting.
-
'Regrets Only'
Tickets are $12 or $10 for seniors and students. Call 765-894-5587 for reservations.
-
City OKs abatement for business addition
Lebanon Business Park tenant IBC Coatings Technologies, Inc., was approved for a 10-year tax abatement on a new 9,000-square-foot expansion to its building at 902 Hendricks Dr. by the Lebanon City Council at Monday’s meeting.
-
Zionsville school board votes to pursue full-day kindergarten
Full-day kindergarten may be coming to Zionsville Community Schools.
-
One airlifted after interstate crash
A New Jersey man was airlifted via Lifeline helicopter to St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis Wednesday afternoon, after a crash that closed both northbound and southbound lanes of Interstate 65 for more than an hour.
-
Lebanon to celebrate Poppy Day on Memorial Day
Lebanon Mayor Huck Lewis declared this Memorial Day, May 28, to be Poppy Day in Lebanon at Monday’s Lebanon City Council meeting.
-
LCSC honors its Teacher of the Year
Rachel Becker knows she was called to be a teacher.
-
State: 84 percent of 3rd-graders pass new reading test
Sixteen percent of Indiana third graders failed to pass a high-stakes reading proficiency test that could determine whether they can move on to the fourth grade.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Ravi Spared Prison in Rutgers Webcam Case
Miss. Prison Quiet After Riot; 1 Dead
Obama Confident Afghans Can Take Security Lead
Raw Video: Deadly Bombing at Yemen Parade Preps
Professor: Chinese Activist's 'Spirit Is Good'
Ring of Fire Eclipse Seen in U.S., Asia
Golden Gate Bridge Celebrates 75 Years
G-8 Seeks Unity on Euro-debt Crisis, Iran
Prosecutors: Trio Planned to Attack Obama's HQ
Obama: G8 Unified in Stance on Iran, Syria
