'The Hoosier state's free enterprise-friendly policies have made it a more attractive place to do business,' Says Spellings
Governor Mitch Daniels joined the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's National Chamber Foundation (NCF) and the Indiana Chamber of Commerce today for the third in a series of nationwide roundtable discussions with governors on the importance of free enterprise to economic growth and job creation. At the event, held at the offices of email marketing provider, ExactTarget, the U.S. Chamber released an expanded Indiana profile, an addition to the Enterprising States report released in May 2010. This report highlights how state and local policies play an essential role in creating an environment that encourages job creation and economic growth.
"The Hoosier state's free enterprise-friendly policies have made it a more attractive place to do business," said Margaret Spellings, executive vice president of NCF. "In particular, the state's low tax rate has attracted businesses and allowed for the private sector to add 55,500 jobs in 2010. That's four times faster than the national average."
Governor Daniels welcomed the report's expanded Indiana profile today at the event and discussed many of the economic initiatives outlined.
"We appreciate the fact that when the U.S. Chamber looked across the country they noticed that some things are going right in Indiana," said Governor Mitch Daniels. "Improving our business climate is a central part of our administration."
The report's Indiana-specific profile looks at how Indiana has implemented the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC), a public-private partnership with the goal of growing Indiana businesses and attracting new out-of-state companies to the state.
The Enterprising States report was released in May 2010 during a bipartisan summit of governors hosted at the U.S. Chamber in Washington D.C. The report highlights six factors that drive job creation: innovation; productivity through investments in workforce development and training; science and technology; infrastructure; exporting; and competitive tax rates. The report found that states are much more active than the federal government on the job creation and economic development fronts. While state priorities vary considerably, there is renewed focus among states to create more favorable conditions for businesses to grow.
The state-specific roundtable series continues the Chamber's escalation of its Campaign for Free Enterprise campaign by spreading the message about bipartisan state and local policies that have proven to help create jobs. The Chamber's nationwide campaign, an effort to spur the creation of 20 million jobs over the next decade, was the driving message of the governor's discussion.
The expanded Indiana profile is available here: http://www.freeenterprise.com/facts-about-your-state/indiana/
American Free Enterprise. Dream Big. is the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's comprehensive, multiyear campaign to support free enterprise through national advertising; grassroots advocacy; citizen, community, and youth engagement; and research and ideas leadership.
The National Chamber Foundation (NCF), a non-profit affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, is dedicated to identifying and fostering public debate on emerging critical issues. We provide business and government leaders with insight and resources to address tomorrow's challenges.