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Advocacy Update | 03.06.25

by with No Comment Advocacy
Advocacy-Update-Email-Header2

This week, the Indiana General Assembly did not meet and no new bills were introduced. Therefore, there are not many updates to 1si’s Advocacy Update as we go into the second half of session next week.  

Check out upcoming deadlines to keep in mind as the session moves forward. One Southern Indiana continues to watch for bills that impact our current businesses and communities according to our 2025 advocacy agenda. Below, read more information about the bills and updates. 

  • Tuesday, April 15, 2025: Last day for House adoption of conference committee reports without Riles Committee approval 
  • Tuesday, April 15, 2025: Last day for Senate adoption of conference committee reports without Rules Committee approval. 
  • Tuesday, April 15, 2025: Last day for 3rd reading of House bills in the Senate. 
  • Tuesday, April 15, 2025: Last day for 3rd reading of Senate bills in House. 

 We invite you to learn more about local priorities at our Regional Leadership Luncheon Friday, April 11th, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The event is an opportunity for you to meet and greet local officials, ask questions, and hear about their priorities for our communities. 

Click here to register. 

Can’t wait until April 11th? Check out 1si News and see all of our advocacy updates. Stay up-to-date and informed. Check out our news page here. 

Current List of Bills 1si Supports:   

SB-463: Child Care Matters  

Explanation: Adds additional qualified childcare for purposes of the employer childcare expenditure tax credit and extends the credit availability through July 1, 2027. The bill will help support adequate funding and staffing for Indiana childcare centers. The bill strongly ties to 1si’s call to action which emphasizes the affordability and quality of childcare.  

Status:  

  • First reading: referred to Committee on Family, Children and Human Affairs 
  • Referred to the House 
  • 2/20/2025- House sponsor: Representative DeVon 
  • 2/20/2025- Third reading: passed; Roll Call 198 
    • Yeas: 44 
    • Nays: 5 
  • 2/17/2025- Amendment #1 (Garten) prevailed; voice vote  

SB-443: Business personal property tax  

Explanation: The bill proposed to increase business tax exemption by $20,000. This change should help reduce the administrative burden on small businesses, especially those with few fixed assets. However, the impact of the increase is expected to be minor, as it is a relatively small adjustment.  

Status:   

  • 3/3/2025- First reading: referred to Committee on Ways and Means 
  • 2/14/2025- Referred to the House  
  • 2/13/2025- House sponsor: Representative Snow  
  • 2/13/2025- Third reading passed; Roll Call 127: 
    • Yeas: 39 
    • Nays: 7  

 HB-1172: Office of entrepreneurship and innovation  

Status:  

  • 2/20/2025- First reading: referred to Committee on Commerce and Technology 
  • 2/12/2025- Referred to the Senate  
  • 2/11/2025- Senate sponsor: Senator Buchanan  
  • 2/11/2025- Third reading passed; Roll Call  
    • Yeas: 131  
    • Nays: 7  

HB-1248: Child Care and Development Fund  

Explanation: The bill will help prioritize foster parents to gain assistance through the Childcare Development Fund. The bill strongly connects to 1si’s call to action to increase the availability and affordability of childcare.  

Status:   

  • 2/21/2025- Referred to the Senate 
  • 2/20/2025- Senate sponsors: Senators Brown L and Charbonneau 
  • 2/20/2025- Third reading: passed; Roll Call 244 
    • Yeas: 89 
    • Nays: 0 
  • 2/19/2025- Second reading: ordered engrossed 

Current List of Bills 1si is Monitoring:  

Senate Bills:  

SB-1: Property Tax Relief  

Explanation: We are closely monitoring this bill because the changes to residential and personal taxes significantly impact infrastructure, municipal funding, and workforce education. Based on the reports from the Association of Indiana Counties, you can see the impact of SB-1 here. In light of the bill, we are strongly advocating for the clarity of the expected impacts of this bill on businesses and individuals from our local government officials and elected state officials. We strongly advise our members to understand the bill’s effect within our communities.  

Status:  

  • 3/3/2025- First reading: referred to Committee on Ways and Means 
  • 2/19/2025- Representatives Snow and Jordan added as cosponsors 
  • 2/18/2025- Referred to the House 

SB-314: Pass through entity tax  

Status:  

  • 3/3/2025- First reading: referred to Committee on Ways and Means 
  • 2/11/2025- Referred to House  
  • 2/10/2025- Third reading passed, roll call 90:  
    • Yeas: 45  
    • Nays: 4  
  • 2/10/2025- Senate Bills on Third Reading  

SB-423: Small modular nuclear reactor pilot program 

Status:  

  • 3/3/2025- First reading: referred to Committee on Utilities, Energy and Telecommunications 
  • 2/4/2025- Referred to House  
  • 2/3/2025- House sponsor: Representative Soliday  
  • 2/3/2025- Third reading passed; Roll Call 60  
    • Yeas 41  
    • Nays:7   

SB-426: Water utility infrastructure 

Status:  

  • 3/3/2025- First reading: referred to Committee on Utilities, Energy and Telecommunications 
  • 2/12/2025- Referred to the House  
  • 2/11/2025- Third reading passed; Roll Call 108  
    • Yeas: 46  
    • Nays: 3  
  • 2/11/2025- Senate Bills on Third Reading  

SB-488: Skills training pilot program  

Status:  

  • 3/3/2025- First reading: referred to Committee on Employment, Labor and Pensions 
  • 2/21/2025- Referred to the House 
  • 2/20/2025- Third reading: passed; Roll Call 205: 
    • Yeas: 45 
    • Nays: 2 

SB-518: School property taxes 

Status: 

  • 3/3/2025- First reading: referred to Committee on Ways and Means 
  • 2/21/2025- Referred to the House 
  • 2/20/2025- Third reading: passed; Roll Call 210 
    • Yeas: 28 
    • Nays 21 
House Bills 

HB-1003: Health matters. 

Explanation: Addresses site-neutral payment requirements, burdensome 340B requirements, the extension of site-neutral payments to nonprofit hospital settings, and hospital billing requirements.  

Status: 

  • 3/3/2025- Pursuant to Senate Rule 68(b); reassigned to Committee on Health and Provider Services 
  • 3/3/2025- First reading: referred to Committee on Insurance and Financial Institutions 
  • 2/19/2025- Referred to the Senate 
  • 2/18/2025- Third reading passed; Roll Call 201 
    • Yeas: 66 
    • Nays: 32 

HB-1004: Nonprofit Hospitals

Education: Loss of non-profit status is any charge item is in excess of 300% of Medicare and includes an excise tax to be imposed upon a hospital each time the hospital charges a patient a facility fee that exceeds 265% of Medicare. 

Status: 

  • 3/3/2025- First reading: referred to Committee on Health and Provider Services 
  • 2/21/2025- Referred to the Senate 
  • 2/20/2025- Third reading: passed; Roll Call 239 
    • Yeas: 68 
    • Nays: 26 

HB-1214: Worker’s compensation  

Status:  

  • 2/18/2025- First Reading: Referred to Committee on Insurance and Financial Institutions  
  • 2/5/2025- Referred to the Senate  
  • 2/04/2025- Senate sponsor- Senator Zay  
  • 2/4/2025- Third Reading passed; Roll Call 85:  
    • Yeas: 89  
    • Nays: 0  

HB-1226: Medicare supplement insurance  

Status:  

  • 3/3/2025- First reading: referred to Committee on Insurance and Financial Institutions 
  • 2/18/2025- Referred to the Senate  
  • 2/17/2025- Senate Sponsors: Senators Walter K and Qaddoura  
  • 2/17/2025- Third Reading: Passed; Roll Call:  
    • Yeas: 94  
    • Nays: 0  
  • 2/13/2025- Amendment #1 (Dant Chesser) prevailed; voice vote  

HB-1347: Real estate matters 

Status:  

  • 2/18/2025- First Reading- Referred to Committee on Insurance and Financial Institutions  
  • 1/29/2025- Referred to the Senate  
  • 1/28/2025- Third reading: passed; Roll call 33:
    • Yeas: 91
    • Nays: 1   

You can find a copy of the 1si 2024 Advocacy Agenda by visiting https://1si.org/advocacy/ or downloading a PDF copy here.   

Thank You for Renewing Your Membership | February 2025

by with No Comment 1si NewsThank Your for Renewing Your Membership

One Southern Indiana would like to thank the following members for renewing their membership during the month of February 2025.

Quarter Century Club (25 years or more)Member Since
The Koetter Group1975
Indiana University Southeast1985
Junior Achievement of Kentuckiana1985
Altor Solutions1990
Amatrol, Inc.1990
Jeffersonville Township Public Library1991
Ironmark1992
Childplace1994
Indiana Land Co.1994
J. Rorrer & Company, CPA1994
Norton Healthcare1994
Land-Mill Developers, Inc.1998
Rock Creek Community Academy1998
St. Elizabeth Catholic Charities1999
  
Ten to 24 Years 
Voss Clark2001
The Grand2002
Business Health Plus, Inc.2003
German American Bank2003
Nicholson Insurance Agency2003
Budget Services & Supplies, LLC2004
Wellstone Regional Hospital2005
Cherry Bekaert (MCM CPAs & Advisors)2006
Leadership Southern Indiana2007
Nu-Yale2008
Scot Mailing and Shipping Systems2008
Environmental Compliance Source, LLC2010
Leadership Louisville Center2010
S & M Precast, Inc.2010
GHK Truss, LLC2012
Air Hydro Power2013
Discount Labels, Inc.2013
Schmitt Furniture Co.2013
Squire Boone Caverns2013
Stotts Orthodontics2013
Steel Dynamics, Inc.2014
Polaris Travel Experts2015
  
Five to Nine Years 
Denton Floyd Real Estate Group2016
Family Ark2016
Our Lady of Providence High School2016
A. Rutz Law, LLC2017
Atlas Technical Consultants2017
Center for Lay Ministries, Inc.2017
Personal Counseling Services, Inc.2017
Premier Capital Corporation2017
Republic Services2017
Terracon Consultants, Inc2017
ARC Janitorial Supply2018
JPAR Aspire2018
Preferred Meats, Inc.2018
Ramiro’s Cantina2018
Arnold Painting, LLC2019
Floyds Knobs Water Company2019
Masters’ Supply, Inc.2019
Makarios Consulting, LLC2020
Premier Primary Care2020
Russell Cellular2020
SERVPRO of Floyd, Clark, Harrison, Perry, Crawford, Orange, Washington & Scott Counties2020
  
Two to Four Years 
CRG Automation2021
Destination Georgetown2021
Magnet Culture2021
Videobred, Inc.2021
Matrix Integration, LLC2022
Operation Parent Inc2022
Parkside Trace Apartments2022
Zach Wedding, Realtor- Six Degrees Real Estate2022
Covered Bridge Golf Club2023
Dock Seafood Inc2023
GelCraft Building2023
Kim Cruises, LLC2023
Louisville Paving and Construction2023
Norsemen Remodeling2023
O.K.I Furniture Fair2023
Open Door Youth Services2023
OVC Cabling LLC2023
Schindler’s Garage2023
Spray-Tec, Inc.2023
St. Mary’s Catholic Church2023
The Patch Boys of Southern Louisville2023
T-Mobile US 2023
  
One Year 
Ansert Foot & Ankle Center, PSC2024
Floor Coverings International Louisville East 2024
Floyd County Sheriff’s Office2024
HearingLife2024
Mirazon2024
Zachary Adams Home Services 2024

Welcome New Members | February 2025

by with No Comment 1si NewsWelcome New Members

One Southern Indiana would like to welcome the following new members that joined or rejoined during the month of February 2025.

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Advocacy Update | 02.26.25

by with No Comment 1si NewsAdvocacy

Advocacy-Update-Email-Header2

The Indiana Legislature is halfway through session!  

Our friends at the News & Tribune have reported the 2025 session of the Indiana General Assembly started with over 1,250 bills introduced. At the end of the first half of the session, about 340 bills remain to be considered in their second house.  

Check out upcoming deadlines to keep in mind as the session moves forward. One Southern Indiana continues to watch for bills that impact our current businesses and communities according to our 2025 advocacy agenda. Below, read more information about the bills and keep an eye out for more updates. 

  • Tuesday, April 15, 2025: Last day for House adoption of conference committee reports without Rules Committee approval 
  • Tuesday, April 15, 2025: Last day for Senate adoption of conference committee reports without Rules Committee approval. 
  • Tuesday, April 15, 2025: Last day for 3rd reading of House bills in the Senate. 
  • Tuesday, April 15, 2025: Last day for 3rd reading of Senate bills in House. 

Thank you to all our local elected officials, leaders, members, and supporters who attended our 5 O’clock Network event at Indiana American Water last week. At the networking event, our members had the chance to connect with local elected officials and learn their priorities. At 1si, we are committed to communicating with our local leaders and advocating for our region. 

Current List of Bills 1si Supports:  

SB-463: Child Care Matters  

Explanation: Adds additional qualified childcare for purposes of the employer childcare expenditure tax credit and extends the credit availability through July 1, 2027. The bill will help support adequate funding and staffing for Indiana childcare centers. The bill strongly ties to 1si’s call to action which emphasizes the affordability and quality of childcare.  

Status:  

  • First reading: referred to Committee on Family, Children and Human Affairs 
  • Referred to the House 
  • 2/20/2025- House sponsor: Representative DeVon 
  • 2/20/2025- Third reading: passed; Roll Call 198 
    • Yeas: 44 
    • Nays: 5 
  • 2/17/2025- Amendment #1 (Garten) prevailed; voice vote  

SB-443: Business personal property tax  

Explanation: The bill proposed to increase business tax exemption by $20,000. This change should help reduce the administrative burden on small businesses, especially those with few fixed assets. However, the impact of the increase is expected to be minor, as it is a relatively small adjustment.  

Status:   

  • 3/3/2025- First reading: referred to Committee on Ways and Means 
  • 2/14/2025- Referred to the House  
  • 2/13/2025- House sponsor: Representative Snow  
  • 2/13/2025- Third reading passed; Roll Call 127: 
    • Yeas: 39 
    • Nays: 7  

  HB-1172: Office of entrepreneurship and innovation  

 Status:  

  • 2/20/2025- First reading: referred to Committee on Commerce and Technology 
  • 2/12/2025- Referred to the Senate  
  • 2/11/2025- Senate sponsor: Senator Buchanan  
  • 2/11/2025- Third reading passed; Roll Call  
    • Yeas: 131  
    • Nays: 7  

 HB-1248: Child Care and Development Fund  

Explanation: The bill will help prioritize foster parents to gain assistance through the Childcare Development Fund. The bill strongly connects to 1si’s call to action to increase the availability and affordability of childcare.  

Status:   

  • 2/21/2025- Referred to the Senate 
  • 2/20/2025- Senate sponsors: Senators Brown L and Charbonneau 
  • 2/20/2025- Third reading: passed; Roll Call 244 
    • Yeas: 89 
    • Nays: 0 
  • 2/19/2025- Second reading: ordered engrossed 

Current List of Bills 1si is Monitoring:  

Senate Bills:  

SB-1: Property Tax Relief  

Explanation: We are closely monitoring this bill because the changes to residential and personal taxes significantly impact infrastructure, municipal funding, and workforce education. Based on the reports from the Association of Indiana Counties, you can see the impact of SB-1 here. In light of the bill, we are strongly advocating for the clarity of the expected impacts of this bill on businesses and individuals from our local government officials and elected state officials. We strongly advise our members to understand the bill’s effect within our communities.  

Status:  

  • 3/3/2025- First reading: referred to Committee on Ways and Means 
  • 2/19/2025- Representatives Snow and Jordan added as cosponsors 
  • 2/18/2025- Referred to the House 

SB-314: Pass through entity tax  

Status:  

  • 3/3/2025- First reading: referred to Committee on Ways and Means 
  • 2/11/2025- Referred to House  
  • 2/10/2025- Third reading passed, roll call 90:  
    • Yeas: 45  
    • Nays: 4  
  • 2/10/2025- Senate Bills on Third Reading  

SB-423: Small modular nuclear reactor pilot program 

Status:  

  • 3/3/2025- First reading: referred to Committee on Utilities, Energy and Telecommunications 
  • 2/4/2025- Referred to House  
  • 2/3/2025- House sponsor: Representative Soliday  
  • 2/3/2025- Third reading passed; Roll Call 60  
    • Yeas 41  
    • Nays:7   

SB-426: Water utility infrastructure 

  Status:  

  • 3/3/2025- First reading: referred to Committee on Utilities, Energy and Telecommunications 
  • 2/12/2025- Referred to the House  
  • 2/11/2025- Third reading passed; Roll Call 108  
    • Yeas: 46  
    • Nays: 3  
  • 2/11/2025- Senate Bills on Third Reading  

SB-488: Skills training pilot program  

Status:  

  • 3/3/2025- First reading: referred to Committee on Employment, Labor and Pensions 
  • 2/21/2025- Referred to the House 
  • 2/20/2025- Third reading: passed; Roll Call 205: 
    • Yeas: 45 
    • Nays: 2 
 House Bills 

HB-1214: Worker’s compensation  

Status:  

  • 2/18/2025- First Reading: Referred to Committee on Insurance and Financial Institutions  
  • 2/5/2025- Referred to the Senate  
  • 2/04/2025- Senate sponsor- Senator Zay  
  • 2/4/2025- Third Reading passed; Roll Call 85:  
    • Yeas: 89  
    • Nays:0  

HB-1226: Medicare supplement insurance  

Status:  

  • 3/3/2025- First reading: referred to Committee on Insurance and Financial Institutions 
  • 2/18/2025- Referred to the Senate  
  • 2/17/2025- Senate Sponsors: Senators Walter K and Qaddoura  
  • 2/17/2025- Third Reading: Passed; Roll Call:  
    • Yeas: 94  
    • Nays: 0  
  • 2/13/2025- Amendment #1 (Dant Chesser) prevailed; voice vote  

HB-1347: Real estate matters 

Status:  

  • 2/18/2025- First Reading- Referred to Committee on Insurance and Financial Institutions  
  • 1/29/2025- Referred to the Senate  
  • 1/28/2025- Third reading: passed; Roll call 33:
    • Yeas: 91
    • Nays: 1   

You can find a copy of the 1si 2024 Advocacy Agenda by visiting https://1si.org/advocacy/ or downloading a PDF copy here. 

President and CEO Lance Allison honored in Louisville Business First’s Power 50 2025 

by with No Comment 1si News1si Press Release

New Albany, IN. (Feb. 24, 2025) 

Lance Allison, President and CEO of One Southern Indiana Chamber and Economic Development (1si) has been named in Louisville Business First’s Power 50. Power 50 is Louisville Business First’s annual listing of the most influential business and civic leaders in the region. One Southern Indiana is honored to have Lance Allison earn the recognition on behalf of the organization and the region.  

Lance Allison shares, “I am humbled and honored to be a part of the Power 50. Our work is representative of the collective initiative of the Southern Indiana region. My part in our work wouldn’t be possible without our staff, members, sponsors, and supporters. Since joining 1si a year ago, I would have not imagined I’d be here today. Thank you to 1si and the region for giving me the opportunity and platform to uplift our communities.” 

All of the 2025 class, Hall of Famers and honorees will be profiled in the March 28 edition of Louisville Business First and online around that time. Honorees are also invited to an invite-only Power 50 reception. Congratulations once again to Lance, 1si looks forward to years of successful leadership ahead. 

See full Power 50 article here. 

About One Southern Indiana 
One Southern Indiana (1si) was formed in July of 2006 as the economic development organization and chamber of commerce serving Clark and Floyd counties. 1si’s mission is to help businesses innovate and thrive in the Southern Indiana / Louisville metro area via the three pillars of Business Resources, Economic Development, and Advocacy. For more information on One Southern Indiana, visit www.1si.org.  

 

Contact: 

One Southern Indiana 
Ellinor Smith | Content Marketing and Media Relations Manager 

EllinorS@1si.org | 217-320-4832 

Economic Update | The Economy Pivot

by with No Comment 1si NewsEconomic Development

submitted by
Uric Dufrene, Ph.D., Sanders Chair in Business, Indiana University Southeast

The consumer represents 2/3rds of the economy, and despite record-high inflation, has been the major driver of the macroeconomy’s economic growth. Preliminary estimates show, for example, that the last quarter of 2024 would have seen negative growth had it not been for the robust consumer. Even with consumer sentiment hitting lows that previously were associated with recessions, the consumer was not deterred, and the economy forged ahead. Our last Economic Update introduced the possibility of fading consumer optimism and the impact on the overall economy. For example, small business optimism saw one of the largest increases following the election. More recent surveys are now pointing to a decline in optimism, and more troubling, is a significant spike in uncertainty.      

The most recent consumer sentiment survey showed a further decline in consumer optimism, along with expected price increases a year out, the highest reading since 1995.  Sentiment data have shifted to the expectation of higher prices, added confirmation with the release of the most recent Consumer Price Index (CPI) report showing hotter than expected inflation. As Economic Update pointed out last year, we will likely see fewer interest rate reductions this year, if any. The latest inflation data, inflation expectations, and the labor market have pushed any rate changes back until the earliest of the 4th quarter of this year.    

Are we about to see a pivot with consumers and the recent behavioral patterns connected to consumer optimism?  The last retail sales report saw one of the steepest drops in retail spending since 2020. Walmart, the nation’s largest retailer, saw sales and earnings per share come in weaker than expected.  More alarming, however, was the guidance issued expressing concerns with uncertainties in consumer behavior, global economic conditions, and geopolitical factors. Walmart stock plummeted as investors reacted to the slower growth forecasts.   

Emerging from the pandemic, the goods economy was quite strong. Goods spending boomed, and manufacturing benefited as a result. Indiana and Kentucky saw strong growth in payrolls. Since then, goods spending subsided, manufacturing entered a slump, and the service side of the economy propelled growth. Cracks are beginning to surface with services, the engine of the overall economy. A recent survey of purchasing managers saw the largest decline in the index since mid-2022.  The index remains above 50, indicating expansion, but the magnitude and abruptness of the decline could indicate an emerging shift in the economy. While the overall index signifies overall expansion in the economy, the services component of the index showed contraction. If there was a silver lining, pricing in the service sector cooled, with prices showing the smallest monthly increase since the pandemic.   

Closer to home, Louisville Metro ended the year with a gain of 6,000 plus payrolls and an unemployment rate of 4.4%, close to the Economic Update forecast of 8,000 payrolls and an unemployment rate of 4.5%. These data are preliminary, but the takeaway is that payroll growth was softer in 2024 than prior years. Healthcare led to all job gains, and without the sector’s strong growth, Louisville would have seen flat to negative job growth. 

The Economic Update outlook was favorable for 2025 and expecting stronger growth from 2024. That will likely change, as the economy pivots, perhaps unexpectedly, to a self-inflicted slower growth phase, along with sticky prices. Not a good combination for consumer optimism.   

1si President Lance Allison says opportunities in Southern Indiana are ‘wide open’ 

by with No Comment 1si News

By: Andrew Harp at News and Tribune 

See full story here. 

SOUTHERN INDIANA — By mid-March, it will have been one year since Murray, Kentucky native Lance Allison was hired as the new president/CEO of One Southern Indiana. 

“It’s been an incredible year,” he said. 

Allison said the first few months of his tenure involved getting onboarded with 1si so he can learn about the organization and the processes. 

He said he also asked questions about things he needs to know to be an effective leader. 

“It’s just starting to feel more comfortable each month that goes by,” he said. 

This process also includes meeting a lot of people including chamber members, community members and attending various events. 

“Even though I’ve only been here for a year, it really feels like I’ve been here for a long time … it’s surprising that a year has already gone,” he said. 

Going forward, Allison said while he doesn’t want to necessarily change the course of the organization, he does want to find ways in which they could “evolve” it. 

He’s thankful for the previous 1si president/CEO, State Rep. Wendy Dant Chesser, who he said built the foundation of the organization. 

“I’m truly grateful for her and what she did prior to me coming here, because it allows us to do that evolution,” he said. 

In the next few months, before the next fiscal year in July, Allison said 1si will start to look at the evolution of economic development in the area to see where it’s going and by expanding and retaining that presence. 

He said as the River Ridge Commerce Center continues to fill up and will eventually become full, they’re looking for where other opportunities might be in 1si’s service area of Floyd, Clark and Scott counties. 

From the perspective of the chamber itself, he said they need to discuss and ask if their programming is meeting the needs of the members, whoever they are. 

“Everything right now is kind of in its development stages, but I would really like to see us add on to what we’re doing great now with something that’s truly impactful to every member,” he said. 

Overall, he said the people in Southern Indiana have been welcoming and friendly. He said he’s particularly impressed with the local elected officials. 

“The partnerships that we’ve created with all of the townships, with all the cities, with all the counties, have been really great,” he said. 

He said with 1si, they want to work with each community and recognize the trends that may be happening in each one and work with them to achieve that. 

“I think the opportunities are wide open,” he said. 

Allison said there has been $2.4 billion in capital investment for economic development in the area the past 16 months. 

He said challenges in the future will include that as industry grows, how will the outer areas grow with it in terms of housing, infrastructure, stores, services and other structures. 

“The challenge then becomes making sure that you have that healthy ecosystem of businesses to support that growth,” he said. 

About One Southern Indiana 
One Southern Indiana (1si) was formed in July of 2006 as the economic development organization and chamber of commerce serving Clark and Floyd counties. 1si’s mission is to help businesses innovate and thrive in the Southern Indiana / Louisville metro area via the three pillars of Business Resources, Economic Development, and Advocacy. For more information on One Southern Indiana, visit www.1si.org. 

 

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Advocacy Update | 02.19.25

by with No Comment 1si NewsAdvocacy

Advocacy-Update-Email-Header2

Our latest updates in advocacy are here! Check out deadlines to keep in mind as the session moves forward. One Southern Indiana Chamber of Commerce continues to watch for bills that impact our current businesses and communities according to our 2025 advocacy agenda. Read below for more information about the bills and keep an eye out for more updates. 

  • Thursday, February 20, 2025: Last day for third reading of House bills in House. 
  • Thursday, February 20, 2025: Latest day session must reconvene (IC 2-2.1-1-2) 

Join 1si February 20th for our 5 O’clock network where you will meet with local elected officials, discuss the matters you and your business find important, and learn how you can advocate for the benefit of our region. You can register here. 

Current List of Bills 1si Supports: 

SB-463: Child Care Matters 

Explanation: Adds additional qualified childcare for purposes of the employer childcare expenditure tax credit and extends the credit availability through July 1, 2027. The bill will help support adequate funding and staffing for Indiana childcare centers. The bill strongly ties to 1si’s call to action which emphasizes the affordability and quality of childcare. 

  • Status: 
  • 2/17/2025- Amendment #1 (Garten) prevailed; voice vote 
  • 2/17/2025- Second Reading: amended, ordered engrossed 
  • 2/13/2025- Senate Committee recommends passage, as amended 

SB-443: Business personal property tax 

Explanation: The bill proposed to increase business tax exemption by $20,000. This change should help reduce the administrative burden on small businesses, especially those with few fixed assets. However, the impact of the increase is expected to be minor, as it is a relatively small adjustment. 

  • Status:  
  • 2/14/2025- Referred to the House 
  • 2/13/2025- House sponsor: Representative Snow 
  • 2/13/2025- Third reading passed; Roll Call 127:
    • Yeas: 39
    • Nays: 7 
  • 2/13/2025- Senate Bills on Third Reading 
  • 2/11/2025- Second reading amended, ordered engrossed 
  • 1/13/2025- Read first time and referred to Committee on Tax and Fiscal Policy 

 HB-1172: Office of entrepreneurship and innovation 

  • Status: 
  • 2/12/2025- Referred to the Senate 
  • 2/11/2025- Senate sponsor: Senator Buchanan 
  • 2/11/2025- Third reading passed; Roll Call 
    • Yeas: 131 
    • Nays: 7 
  • 2/11/2025- House Bills on Third Reading 
  • 2/10/2025- Second reading ordered engrossed 
  • 2/10/2025- House Bills on Second Reading 
  • 2/6/2025- Committee Report amend do pass, adopted  

HB-1248: Child Care and Development Fund 

Explanation: The bill will help prioritize foster parents to gain assistance through the Childcare Development Fund. The bill strongly connects to 1si’s call to action to increase the availability and affordability of childcare. 

  • Status:  
  • 2/17/2025- Committee Report: Amend do pass, adopted 
  • 1/29/2025- Amended, reported—Do pass. Referred to Committee on Ways and Means pursuant to Rule 126.3. 

 

Current List of Bills 1si is Monitoring: 

Senate Bills: 

SB-1: Property Tax Relief 

Explanation: We are closely monitoring this bill because the changes to residential and personal taxes significantly impact infrastructure, municipal funding, and workforce education. Based on the reports from the Association of Indiana Counties, you can see the impact of SB-1 here. In light of the bill, we are strongly advocating for the clarity of the expected impacts of this bill on businesses and individuals from our local government officials and elected state officials. We strongly advise our members to understand the bill’s effect within our communities. 

  • Status: 
  • 2/17/2025- Committee Report amend do pass, adopted 
  • 2/17/2025- Third Reading: Passed; Roll Call 132: 
    • Yeas: 37 
    • Nays:10 
  • 2/13/2025- Amendment #4 (Young M) failed; Roll Call 119: 
    • Yeas: 16 
    • Nays: 30 

SB-20: Economic development and foreign trade 

  • Status: 
  • 1/8/2025- Referred to Senate Homeland Security and Transportation 

SB-93: Common Construction wage 

  • Status: 
  • 1/8/2025- Read first time and referred to committee on Pensions and Labor 

SB-212: Natural Gas and Electric Utility Infrastructure 

  • Status: 
  • 1/8/2025- Read first time and referred to Committee on Utilities 

SB-251: Indiana Economic Development Corporation 

  • Status: 
  • 1/13/2025- First reading and referred to Committee on Commerce and Technology 

SB-305: Rural communities 

  • Status: 
  • 1/13/2025- First reading and referred to Committee on Agriculture 

SB-314: Pass through entity tax 

  • Status: 
  • 2/11/2025- Referred to House 
  • 2/10/2025- Third reading passed, roll call 90: 
    • Yeas: 45 
    • Nays: 4 
  • 2/10/2025- Senate Bills on Third Reading 

SB-347: Indiana Economic Development Corporation 

  • Status: 
  • 1/13/2025- Referred to Senate Tax and Fiscal Policy 

SB-377: Funding for regional economic development 

  • Status: 
  • 1/23/2025- Senate Appropriations, bill scheduled for hearing 
  • 1/13/2025- First reading referred to Committee on Appropriations 

SB-423: Small modular nuclear reactor pilot program 

  • Status: 
  • 2/4/2025- Referred to House 
  • 2/3/2025- House sponsor: Representative Soliday 
  • 2/3/2025- Third reading passed; Roll Call 60 
    • Yeas 41 
    • Nays:7 
  • Senate Bills on Third Reading 

SB-426: Water utility infrastructure 

  • Status: 
  • 2/11/2025- House Sponsor: Representative Soliday 
  • 2/11/2025- Third reading passed; Roll Call 108 
    • Yeas: 46 
    • Nays: 3 
    • 2/11/2025- Senate Bills on Third Reading 
  • 2/10/2025- Amendment #1 (Koch) prevailed; voice vote 

SB-488: Skills training pilot program 

  • Status: 
  • 2/18/2025- Senate Bills on Third Reading 
  • 2/17/2025- Senate reading ordered engrossed 
  • 2/17/2025- Senate Bills on Second Reading 
  • 2/13/2025- Committee Report amend do pass, adopted 

 

House Bills 

HB-1021: Training in human trafficking 

  • Status: 
  • 1/8/2025- Read first time and referred to Committee on Courts and Criminal Code 

HB-1151: Advanced practice registered nurses 

  • Status: 
  • 1/8/2025- Read first time and referred to Committee on Public Health 

HB-1154: Behavioral health preceptorship tax credit 

  • Status: 
  • 1/8/2025- Referred to Committee on Ways and Means 

HB-1180: Mental health care for veterans with PTSD 

  • Status: 
  • 1/8/2025- Read first time and referred to Committee on Veterans Affairs and Public Safety 

HB-1214: Worker’s compensation 

  • Status: 
  • 2/18/2025- First Reading: Referred to Committee on Insurance and Financial Institutions 
  • 2/5/2025- Referred to the Senate 
  • 2/04/2025- Senate sponsor- Senator Zay 
  • 2/4/2025- Third Reading passed; Roll Call 85: 
    • Yeas: 89 
    • Nays:0 

HB-1223: Tourism development projects 

  • Status: 
  • 2/3/2025- Amended, reported – Do Pass. Referred to Committee on Ways and Means pursuant to Rule 126.3. 
  • 1/9/2025- Referred to House Government and Regulatory Reform 
  • Will be redirected somewhere else 

HB-1226: Medicare supplement insurance 

  • Status: 
  • 2/18/2025- Referred to the Senate 
  • 2/17/2025- Senate Sponsors: Senators Walter K and Qaddoura 
  • 2/17/2025- Third Reading: Passed; Roll Call: 
    • Yeas: 94 
    • Nays: 0 
  • 2/13/2025- Amendment #1 (Dant Chesser) prevailed; voice vote 

HB-1247: Prohibited food ingredients 

  • Status: 
  • 1/9/2025- Read first time and referred to Committee on Public Health 

HB-1296: Artificial intelligence and policies 

  • Status: 
  • 1/13/2025- Read first time and referred to Committee on Education 

HB-1347: Real estate matters 

  • Status: 
  • 2/18/2025- First Reading- Referred to Committee on Insurance and Financial Institutions 
  • 1/29/2025- Referred to the Senate 
  • 1/28/2025- Third reading: passed; Roll call 33: yeas 91, nays 1  

HB-1402: Local government finance 

  • Status: 
  • 1/13/2025- Referred to House Ways and Means 

HB-1408: Regional innovation development 

  • Status: 
  • 1/13/2025- Referred to House Ways and Means 

 You can find a copy of the 1si 2024 Advocacy Agenda by visiting https://1si.org/advocacy/ or downloading a PDF copy here. 

Nonprofit Spotlight | New Hope Services, Inc.

by with No Comment 1si NewsNonprofit Spotlight

New Hope Services, Inc.
725 Wall Street
Jeffersonville, IN  47130
812-288-8248
www.newhopeservices.org
Contact Person:
Elizabeth Boyd, SVP/COO

Please use 300 words or less to describe your agency and your impact in the community. 

Based in Jeffersonville, Indiana, New Hope Services has a rich history of meeting human services needs for the past 65 years. We are one of the largest and most successful nonprofit organizations in the region, with services in 24 counties across Indiana. 

New Hope’s focus is in three primary divisions: Ability Services, Family Services, and Affordable Housing. Our incredible clients include families, seniors, and adults with developmental disabilities. Learn more about our programs here: www.newhopeservices.org  

Agency Mission Statement or Description:  

Year established: 1958 

Counties/regions serviced: Bartholomew, Clark, Clay, Fayette, Floyd, Franklin, Dearborn, Decatur, Harrison, Jackson, Jennings, Jefferson, Madison, Ohio, Parke, Pike, Ripley, Rush, Scott, Spencer, Switzerland, Union, Vermillion, Washington 

Focus areas: Family Services, Ability Services, and Affordable Housing 

Impact in community: New Hope Services serves approximately 16,000 individuals each year across 24 counties in Indiana. 

How 1si members can help your organization: Come take a tour and learn more about New Hope! Sign up for the tour here: https://www.newhopeservices.org/sign-up-for-a-tour/  

Advocacy Update | 02.12.25

by with No Comment 1si NewsAdvocacy

Our latest updates in advocacy are here! Check out deadlines to keep in mind as the session moves forward. One Southern Indiana Chamber of Commerce continues to watch for bills that impact our current businesses and communities according to our 2025 advocacy agenda. Read below for more information about the bills and keep an eye out for more updates.

  • Thursday, February 20, 2025: Last day for third reading of House bills in House.
  • Thursday, February 20, 2025: Latest day session must reconvene (IC 2-2.1-1-2)

Join 1si February 20th for our 5 O’clock network where you will meet with local elected officials, discuss the matters you and your business find important, and learn how you can advocate for the benefit of our region. You can register here.

Current List of Bills 1si Supports: 

SB-463: Child Care Matters 

  • Status: 
  • 1/29/2025- Reported favorably—Do pass; reassigned to Committee on Appropriations 
    • Explanation:
    • Adds additional qualified childcare for purposes of the employer childcare expenditure tax credit and extends the credit availability through July 1, 2027. The bill will help support adequate funding and staffing for Indiana childcare centers. The bill strongly ties to 1si’s call to action which emphasizes the affordability and quality of childcare. 

HB-1172: Office of entrepreneurship and innovation 

  • Status: 
  • 2/6/2025-Amended, reported—Do pass.  

HB-1248: Child Care and Development Fund 

  • Status: 
  • 1/29/2025- Amended, reported—Do pass. Referred to Committee on Ways and Means pursuant to Rule 126.3. 
  • Explanation 
    • The bill will help prioritize foster parents to gain assistance through the Childcare Development Fund. The bill strongly connects to 1si’s call to action to increase the availability and affordability of childcare. 

Current List of Bills 1si is Monitoring: 

Senate Bills: 

SB-1: Property Tax Relief 

  • Status: 
  • 1/14/2025- Read first time and referred to Committee on Tax and Fiscal Policy 
    • Explanation: 
    • We are closely monitoring this bill because the changes to residential and personal taxes significantly impact infrastructure, municipal funding, and workforce education. Based on the reports from the Association of Indiana Counties, you can see the impact of SB-1 here. In light of the bill, we are strongly advocating for the clarity of the expected impacts of this bill on businesses and individuals from our local government officials and elected state officials. We strongly advise our members to understand the bill’s effect within our communities. 

SB-20: Economic development and foreign trade 

  • Status: 
  • 1/8/2025- Referred to Senate Homeland Security and Transportation 

SB-93: Common Construction wage 

  • Staus: 
  • 1/8/2025- Read first time and referred to committee on Pensions and Labor 

SB-212: Natural Gas and Electric Utility Infrastructure 

  • Status: 
  • 1/8/2025- Read first time and referred to Committee on Utilities 

SB-251: Indiana Economic Development Corporation 

  • Status: 
  • 1/13/2025- First reading and referred to Committee on Commerce and Technology 

SB-305: Rural communities 

  • Status: 
  • 1/13/2025- First reading and referred to Committee on Agriculture 

SB-314: Pass through entity tax 

  • Status: 
  • 2/4/2025- Amended, reported favorably – Do pass. 

SB-347: Indiana Economic Development Corporation 

  • Status: 
  • 1/13/2025- Referred to Senate Tax and Fiscal Policy 

SB-377: Funding for regional economic development 

  • Status: 
  • 1/23/2025- Senate Appropriations, bill scheduled for hearing 
  • 1/13/2025- First reading referred to Committee on Appropriations 

SB-423: Small modular nuclear reactor pilot program 

  • Status: 
  • 1/30/2025- Amendment #1 failed; voice vote 
  • 1/30/2025- Second reading: ordered engrossed 
  • 1/27/2025- Committee report: amend do pass, adopted 
  • 1/23/2025- Senate Committee recommends passage, as amended Yeas: 10; Nays:1 
  • 1/23/2025- Senate Utilities, bill scheduled for hearing 
  • 1/13/2025- First reading and referred to Committee on Utilities 

SB-426: Water utility infrastructure 

  • Status: 
  • 2/6/2025- Amended, reported favorably – Do Pass. 
  • 1/13/2025- First reading and referred to Committee on Utilities 

SB-443: Business personal property tax 

  • Status: 
  • 1/28/2025- Reported favorably—Do Pass. 
  • 1/13/2025- Read first time and referred to Committee on Tax and Fiscal Policy 

SB-488: Skills training pilot program 

  • Status: 
  • 1/29/2025- Reported favorably—Do pass; reassigned to Committee on Appropriations 
  • Likely to be integrated into the budget bill than as a senate bill 
  • Has bipartisan support 
  • 1si Note: Contact Tony Waterson  
House Bills 

HB-1021: Training in human trafficking 

  • Status: 
  • 1/8/2025- Read first time and referred to Committee on Courts and Criminal Code 

HB-1151: Advanced practice registered nurses 

  • Status: 
  • 1/8/2025- Read first time and referred to Committee on Public Health 

HB-1154: Behavioral health preceptorship tax credit 

  • Status: 
  • 1/8/2025- Referred to Committee on Ways and Means 

HB-1180: Mental health care for veterans with PTSD 

  • Status: 
  • 1/8/2025- Read first time and referred to Committee on Veterans Affairs and Public Safety 

HB-1214: Worker’s compensation 

  • Status: 
  • 1/30/2025- Reported—Do pass. 
  • 1/8/2025- Read first time and referred to Committee on Employment, Labor and Pensions 

HB-1223: Tourism development projects 

  • Status: 
  • 2/3/2025- Amended, reported – Do Pass. Referred to Committee on Ways and Means pursuant to Rule 126.3. 
  • 1/9/2025- Referred to House Government and Regulatory Reform 

HB-1226: Medicare supplement insurance 

  • Status: 
  • 1/9/2025- Read first time and referred to Committee on Insurance 

HB-1247: Prohibited food ingredients 

  • Status: 
  • 1/9/2025- Read first time and referred to Committee on Public Health 

HB-1296: Artificial intelligence and policies 

  • Status: 
  • 1/13/2025- Read first time and referred to Committee on Education 

HB-1347: Real estate matters 

  • Status: 
  • 1/29/2025- Referred to the Senate 
  • 1/28/2025- Third reading: passed; Roll call 33: yeas 91, nays 1  
  • 1/27/2025- Second reading: order engrossed 
  • 1/21/2025- Committee report: amend do pass, adopted 
  • 1/13/2025- Read first time and referred to Committee on Financial Institutions 

HB-1402: Local government finance 

  • Status: 
  • 1/13/2025- Referred to House Ways and Means 

HB-1408: Regional innovation development 

  • Status: 
  • 1/13/2025- Referred to House Ways and Means 

You can find a copy of the 1si 2024 Advocacy Agenda by visiting https://1si.org/advocacy/ or downloading a PDF copy here.