The actions stem from growing concerns over how the state conducts economic development activities, how much it spends on those activities and how transparent it is about its business.
The new budget proposal provides more funding for operations and business-promotion support for the Indiana Economic Development Corp., but cuts five funds and programs totaling $35 million.
Gov. Mike Braun confirmed Tuesday he is arranging for an independent audit of Indiana Economic Development Corp.’s spending and accounts, just weeks after he ordered more transparency for the agency’s nonprofit foundation.
There’s much more work to be done to assure transparency throughout the rest of state and local government.
The Governor’s Office singled out the Indiana Economic Development Foundation, which supports IEDC travel and business-attraction efforts, for failing to produce years of transparency reports.
Critics of the Indiana Economic Development Corp., which receives hundreds of millions in tax dollars each year, have wondered whether the agency has been transparent and fiscally responsible enough.
The LEAP Research and Innovation District, led by the Indiana Economic Development Corp., is among the costliest economic development projects Indiana has attempted. But the agency’s structure obscures its spending and who benefits.
After a year of public scrutiny of the Indiana Economic Development Corp.’s operations, state lawmakers have filed bills seeking to increase transparency and oversight at the agency.
Indiana’s Ethics Commission on Thursday unanimously approved post-employment waivers for four agency heads moving on from state government as Gov.-elect Mike Braun takes over. That includes David Rosenberg, president and CEO of the controversial Indiana Economic Development Corporation.
A pair of recently filed bills seek to limit the state from making deals and contracting with businesses located in countries considered to be foreign adversaries.
Commerce Secretary David Rosenberg withdrew his request to waive job change conflict-of-interest requirements midway through a State Ethics Commission meeting Thursday. A spokeswoman for his agency acknowledged the commission found his ask “premature” in comments to the Capital Chronicle.
Indiana’s State Budget Committee on Thursday approved a combined $101 million for a water pipeline, land and infrastructure for a controversial industrial park.
Three new signs declaring key state slogans are now up on several Indiana state government center buildings in downtown Indianapolis. The total cost was about $820,000. Not all was taxpayer money.
The South Korean company’s announcement made waves across Indiana, but so did a decision by Minnesota-based SkyWater Technology to cancel its project at Purdue after not receiving hoped-for federal funding.
State Sen. Spencer Deery said he plans to reintroduce similar legislation in 2025. From his viewpoint, the agency has become too focused on big deals.
Indiana’s House Republicans will prioritize boosting retirement benefits for public employees and banning antisemitism in public educational institutions, alongside bills on job training and administrative law. Democrats, meanwhile, focused on accountability.
Gov. Eric Holcomb defended the timeline process for a water pipeline from Tippecanoe County to Boone County for a massive, high-tech development grounded by a multibillion-dollar investment from Eli Lilly.
A Boone County judge has thrown out a lawsuit filed by a group of landowners against the city of Lebanon over the municipality’s decision to annex 5,200 acres of land and create a new zoning district for the LEAP Lebanon Innovation District.
A state task force focused on land use delved into site readiness, regulation challenges and demographic changes during its first meeting Friday.
Ending weeks of speculation, former Indiana Secretary of Commerce Brad Chambers filed formal paperwork Thursday to launch his campaign for the 2024 governor.