Issue Position: Local Economy and Jobs
Issue Position
Aggressively market our assets to attract new businesses and create jobs
Use our district's prime location as a hub for three interstate highways, railroad lines, and an international airport combined with Indy's leg-up as the most centrally situated of any U.S. city to attract and start-up new large and small businesses
Organize an Economy and Jobs Task Force comprised of district leaders from business, government, education and neighborhoods to develop a comprehensive strategic plan, target businesses to pursue (including high-tech manufacturing firms), and help make the sale
Partner with building owners to showcase vacant factories and empty office space that can be rehabilitated (another job creator) at low/competitive costs as part of the deal.
Invest in worker retraining for all ages and skill levels to help people find jobs
Make adult retraining programs a priority to help unemployed and re-entry workers of any age learn new skills to qualify for new and better jobs
Build partnerships between district high schools, colleges and businesses and target vocational training for all workers/students that parallel the hiring needs of local businesses
Accomplishment: Workforce Training Tax Credits
We expanded the funding assistance to new and existing businesses for the training and retraining of employees.
Give priority to small businesses as a source of new jobs
Develop and market programs that provide low-interest loans, skills training, and information services to strengthen existing small businesses and launch new ones, recognizing that two-thirds of Indiana jobs are created by small businesses
Create tax incentives for small businesses that hire unemployed Hoosiers
Keep jobs in Indiana and create jobs to rebuild our neighborhoods
Give Indiana businesses first crack at state and local contracts so our tax dollars create jobs here, not in China, India and other countries
Provide tax incentives for companies that (a) don't outsource jobs out of state and overseas and (b) make companies that do outsource pay the tax break back for each local job they eliminate
Invest in neighborhood redevelopment like demolishing/restoring abandoned homes; road, sidewalk, alley and drainage repairs/upgrades; and better mass transit to create jobs.
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