County 88: Clark

My stop in Clark County for the One Southern Indiana Chamber luncheon marked my 26^th visit to the area since 2005. This visit was for a happier occasion than last time when I was on the ground in four communities after the severe tornado damage. As many families are still putting their homes and lives back together, they are on our minds as we continue to build a strong economy for all Hoosiers. 

Lt. Gov. Skillman talks with Tonya Fischer of One
Southern Indiana during the Chamber's luncheon.

I spoke to the Chamber about our state’s economic progress. With only three months left in office, Governor Mitch and I are still moving full speed ahead to help our people prosper and to maintain our competitive edge among the states.  Below are a few highlights of what I shared with folks at the Chamber luncheon.

• Indiana continues to be a leader in private sector job growth. So far in 2012, businesses working with the state have projected to create around 16,000 new private sector jobs with a private capital investment of nearly $3 billion.

• In the Clark County region, expansions and investments have come from Accent Marketing Services, Talon Logistics, Key Electronics, Flexible Materials and Idemitsu Lubricants.  These companies and more have committed to invest nearly $32 million, and that’s from only the companies who worked with the state.

• We continue to receive national and international recognition for the favorable business climate in Indiana.  This summer I lead my sixth international trade mission for the state, my second visit to China.  Business and government leaders in China continue to target Indiana as one of two states where they expect to invest.  

• We have kept our reputation as a fiscally responsible state with reserves intact, and a hard-won and maintained AAA credit rating by all rating agencies.  Hoosiers will actually see a taxpayer refund within this next year, due to a healthy surplus. 

• We also took steps to maintain our low cost of doing business.  We cut the corporate income tax by nearly 25 percent going forward, while other states have increased taxes. This means Indiana is not coming after business (the job creators) for a greater share of the tax burden.  That is perhaps even more important to the survival of small business.

• Clark and Floyd Counties received $104 million in grants, just from the five agencies of the lieutenant governor.  These highly competitive grants went to energy, housing, community and economic development projects.

To read more about my visit to Clark County, check-out what The News and Tribune wrote at http://newsandtribune.com/local/x403307846/Skillman-s-farewell-tour-stops-at-1si-event