Articles
Governor Daniels' Weekly Wrap-up: 10/22/07
A look at news and events in the Daniels Administration
October 15-21, 2007
Trade mission results in more jobs for Hoosiers
Oct. 15, 2007- Governor Mitch Daniels joined executives from Toyota Boshoku Corporation to announce the company will locate a new seat frame production and assembly facility in
The
"Final agreement was reached during our recent trade mission, and Toyota Boshoku is the company.
Construction of the new facility is slated for early 2008 with hiring of new associates and production targeting to begin in 2009. The new seat frame facility will locate adjacent to Total Interior Systems -
INShape
Oct. 15, 2007- Nearly 600 people attended the third annual INShape Indiana Health Summit at
Opening remarks were provided by Governor Mitch Daniels, State Health Commissioner Judy Monroe and Purdue University President France A. Córdova, followed by a series of keynote speakers, exhibits and breakout sessions.
"The reason I am so excited about this third annual event is we are getting to the heart of the matter. As we move forward with INShape
Earlier this year, Governor Daniels signed into law a tax credit for small employers who recognize the importance of worksite wellness. Businesses with worksite wellness programs have a unique opportunity to use this tax credit and improve the lives of their employees. Details on what employers qualify for this tax credit and information on how to apply can also be found at http://www.in.gov/isdh/programs/wellness/index.htm
Governor attends kick-off to Youth Council on Drugs and Alcohol Abuse conference
Oct. 16, 2007- Governor Daniels joined young Hoosiers this week at the opening session of the Youth Council on Drugs and Alcohol Abuse conference. The purpose of the Youth Council is to encourage young people to identify county-specific issues regarding substance abuse and to establish successful drug prevention programs in their communities.
"The minds of young adults are endless resources of bright ideas and fresh views on today's important issues," said Daniels. "We must continue to call the next generation of Hoosier leaders to bring enthusiasm and excitement to reducing substance abuse in
The governor touched on various ways to get involved with his Youth Council and explained how to become a positive force behind his drug- and alcohol-free initiatives. He also met one-on-one with some of the student leaders in attendance.
"This event gave our group a chance to come together and open the lines of communication," said Daniels. "The young people of
A recent federal award provides five-year grants to 13
Global online retailer to locate new logistics hub in Munster
Oct. 16, 2007- Amazon.com announced it will locate a new 75,000 square-foot fulfillment center in
Operated by Amazon.com.kydc, Inc., the new center located will fill orders for Amazon's Media and Hardlines lines that include products ranging from office supplies to consumer electronics.
"Partnership with great global publicly traded companies are reenergizing our economy," said Governor Mitch Daniels. "With this new distribution facility, we strengthen the state's reputation as a logistics and distribution leader."
Water bottler to open facility in Northwest Indiana
Oct. 16, 2007- Canadian water bottler Ice River Springs announced it will locate a new water bottling operation in Kentland, creating up to 100 new jobs.
The Ontario-based bottler will invest more than $20 million to build and equip a 273,000 square-foot production and distribution center in the town's industrial park where it will manufacture and fill plastic bottles with water from a nearby spring.
"Ice River Springs heard our message that
business with access to key markets and a quality workforce," said Gov. Daniels.
IN THE NEWS
State gives $75M more under Major Moves
October 16, 2007
Another $75 million in Major Moves funds was distributed to communities in
State Auditor Tim Berry announced the new disbursement, which is in addition to the $75 million distributed in October 2006. In addition, $240 million was distributed in September 2006 to communities in the seven counties where the
"These dollars are now at work improving local roads and bridges across
The $390 million in local funding over the past two years is in addition to the nearly $12 billion the Indiana Department of Transportation is investing in the state's highways and bridges.
Indiana Toll Road plans additional lanes at Portage toll plaza
October 16, 2007
The private company that operates the
ITR Concession Co. infrastructure manager Samuel Wolfe says three new center lanes would be reversible, bringing to 15 the total number of lanes at the plaza. He says the new lanes will reduce backups at the toll plaza. Each lane will accept electronic tolls.
The toll road also plans to demolish an office building at the plaza and rebuild it nearby.
Wolfe says the expansion will be on the south side of the toll road, so the project won't move any closer to a residential area to the north.
Factory called fruit of trade missions
October 16, 2007
By Bryan Corbin
A long standing effort by state officials to forge business relationships with executives of Japanese companies culminated in Monday's announcement of Toyota Boshoku
"Especially with the Japanese in particular - and the way it should be in all companies - it's long-term relationship-building, what you do over a period of time. You go over there to get a better understanding of the company and how they operate and what opportunities might arise," said Greg Wathen, executive director of the Economic Development Coalition of Southwest Indiana. "It's not like a car dealership where you go in and it's, 'What can I do to sell this to you today?' It does not work in that manner; it is long-term relationship-building. It is different from American companies, where they look at quarterly returns."
Wathen has been to
This was the third
"It is from the great country of
According to the Indiana Economic Development Corp., Japanese companies have expanded 18 facilities and located 10 new ones in
Incentives offered by the state and
Mitch Frazier, spokesman for the Indiana Economic Development Corp., noted that the groundwork for this and other plant expansions had been laid in
"The biggest factor that has led to us courting significant Japanese investment is us being visible to them," he added, noting that
Wathen's organization assists Gibson, Posey, Vanderburgh and Warrick counties in economic-development efforts; and Wathen said he had been working with
Wathen observed that
