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Advocacy Update | 01.31.24

by with No Comment Advocacy

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It’s week four of the Indiana General Assembly and we’re almost to the halfway point of the 2024 session! Here are some upcoming deadlines to keep in mind as the session moves forward.  

  • Monday, February 5 – Last day for 3rd reading of House bills in House 
  • Tuesday, February 6 – Last day for 3rd reading of Senate bills in Senate  

If you want to see our earlier Advocacy updates, please click here! 

As a reminder, this year’s Call to Action continues the conversation with talent attraction and retention, focusing mainly on housing development, availability and affordability of childcare and eldercare, incumbent worker training options, employability of people with disabilities, and eliminating worker shortages.  

New this Week: 

Advocacy Leadership Committee Chair Jim Epperson traveled on behalf of the committee to testify on SB-61, Tourism Improvement District. The bill received the following amendments from the committee: 

  • Removed Marion County from the bill. 
  • Changed the renewal of a district after the term ends to re-establishment.  
  • Increased the threshold of businesses needed to approve the district from 50% (original number) to 65%. This would make Indiana have the highest approval threshold in the country.  
  • Adding language on how the petition threshold is calculated.  

The Tax and Fiscal Committee did not take testimony regarding the amendments, and it passed the committee on Tuesday, the 30th. 1si continues to engage and provide feedback to the authors regarding this bill and the amendments made.      

Bills 1si is Monitoring:  

  • HB-1199 – Repeal of Economic Enhancement District Law – House Bill is currently on Third Reading 
  • HB-1368 – Riverfront Economic Development Tax Area – No major updates 
  • HB-1183 – Foreign Ownership of Agricultural Land – Committee Report amend do pass, adopted 
  • SB-155 – Compensation for Business Losses – Sitting with the Tax and Fiscal Policy Committee  
  • SB-295 – Indiana Economic Development Corporation – Senate Bill is currently on Third Reading 

Current List of Bills 1si Supports or Opposes: 

Supports: 

  • SB-61 & HB-1345 – Tourism Improvement District – SB-61 – recommends passage as amended. Yeas: 12; Nays: 0 – HB-1345 has been referred to the Ways and Means Committee 
  • SB-2 – Child care – Senate Bill is currently on Third Reading 
  • HB-1165 – Regulatory Sandbox Program and Right to Start Act – No major updates 

Opposes:  

  • HB-1157 – Non-Disclosure Agreements in Economic Development – No major updates 

 We’ll keep you updated, but if you’d like more information on our 2024 Advocacy Agenda, or to download a copy of it, please visit www.1si.org/advocacy or download your PDF copy here.  

Global Technology Giant Chooses New Operation Location in Southern Indiana

by with No Comment 1si News1si Press ReleaseEconomic Development

Meta will open their newest technology operation center in Jeffersonville, Indiana, bringing $800M and 100 jobs to the region.

Jeffersonville, IN. (January 25, 2024)

Governor Eric J. Holcomb and Indiana Secretary of Commerce David Rosenberg joined executives of Meta Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ: META) today as the company announced plans to establish a new $800 million data center campus in Indiana. The new facility in Jeffersonville will support approximately 100 operational jobs and hundreds of construction jobs in the coming years.   

Meta, which powers products such as Facebook, Messenger, Instagram, and WhatsApp, will establish a nearly 700,000-square-foot facility at River Ridge Commerce Center in Jeffersonville. This new facility will be Meta’s 18th in the United States and will be supported by 100% renewable energy.

“We are thrilled to make Indiana and Jeffersonville our new home. We are committed to playing a positive role here and investing in the community’s long-term vitality,” said Brad Davis, director of data center community and economic development at Meta. “Jeffersonville stood out as an outstanding location for our newest data center thanks to its great access to infrastructure, deep pool of talent, and amazing community partners. Thank you to everyone who has helped us get here.”  

Based on the company’s investment plans, the Indiana Economic Development Corporation committed an investment in Meta in the form of a 35-year term data center sales tax exemption for a minimum $800 million in eligible capital. For each additional $800 million of eligible investment made at the site within that time period, the company will be eligible for tax exemptions for an additional 5-year period, up to a total term of 50 years. These incentives are performance-based, meaning the company is eligible to claim state benefits once investments are made. The city of Jeffersonville and the River Ridge Development Authority offered additional incentives.  

“Today is a great day for Indiana and for our southeast region as we welcome another major investment to the River Ridge Commerce Center,” Gov. Holcomb said. “Indiana’s efforts to cultivate industries of the future are already paying dividends for Hoosiers, attracting growth in critical sectors like data storage, semiconductors, energy and electric vehicles. We’re excited to welcome Meta to Indiana and look forward to the company’s partnership in growing Jeffersonville and the southeast Indiana region.”

“On behalf of the residents of Jeffersonville, I am ecstatic to officially welcome Meta to our community,” said Mike Moore, Mayor of Jeffersonville.  “River Ridge has been saving this 619-acre site for a mega company, and Meta’s investment and commitment to our community are proof that this strategy is paying off.  The economic activity around this new data center will support every sector of our economy, and we appreciate all those who have worked to bring Meta to Jeffersonville.” 

“1si is immensely excited to welcome Meta to Southern Indiana,” said John Launius, Vice President and Director of Economic Development at One Southern Indiana. “This project has been a long time coming, and we can’t wait to see the benefits the new data center campus will bring to our community, including 100 new initial jobs, and celebrate how this will propel our regional momentum and opportunities.”  

About Meta 
Meta builds technologies that help people connect, find communities, and grow businesses. When Facebook launched in 2004, it changed the way people connect. Apps like Messenger, Instagram and WhatsApp further empowered billions around the world. Now, Meta is moving beyond 2D screens toward immersive experiences like augmented and virtual reality to help build the next evolution in social technology.

About IEDC 
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) is charged with growing the State economy, driving economic development, helping businesses launch, grow and locate in the state. Governed by a 15-member board chaired by Governor Eric J. Holcomb, the IEDC manages many initiatives, including performance-based tax credits, workforce training grants, innovation and entrepreneurship resources, public infrastructure assistance, and talent attraction and retention efforts. For more information about the IEDC, visit iedc.in.gov. 

Media Contacts:  
Melanie Roe (Meta) – 650-798-7966 or melanieroe@meta.com  
Erin Sweitzer (IEDC) – 317-296-2556 or esweitzer@iedc.in.gov 
 

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
Brittany Schmidt, Content Marketing and Media Relations Manager
BrittanyS@1si.org
812-945-0266

 

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Advocacy Update | 01.24.24

by with No Comment 1si NewsAdvocacy

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It’s week three of the Indiana General Assembly. With week three comes a flurry of committee meetings, bills moving in committees and the floor, and more! Here are some upcoming deadlines to keep in mind as the session moves forward.

  • Monday, February 5 – Last day for 3rd reading of House bills in House
  • Tuesday, February 6 – Last day for 3rd reading of Senate bills in Senate

If you want to see our earlier Advocacy updates, please click here!

As a reminder, this year’s Call to Action continues the conversation with talent attraction and retention, focusing mainly on housing development, availability and affordability of childcare and eldercare, incumbent worker training options, employability of people with disabilities, and eliminating worker shortages.

This week, the Advocacy Leadership team met and discussed several bills circulating in the General Assembly.

Here is the current list of bills that 1si is taking a position on:

SB-2 – Child Care: Covers annual fund reporting, voucher program(s), third-party evaluations, compensation study, child care providers and regulations, and shared state resources regarding background checks. 1si SUPPORTS this bill, with the caveat that any deregulation must result in continued child safety and care quality. The Advocacy Leadership team is working on a letter of support with language in it regarding the deregulation portion of the bill and submitting some additional ideas on credentials.

  • This bill now sits with the Appropriations Committee after being with the Health and Provider Services Committee.

HB-1165 – Regulatory Sandbox Program and Right to Start Act: Establishes a regulatory sandbox program. 1si SUPPORTS this bill.

  • This bill has been referred to the Government and Regulatory Reform Committee, scheduled to be heard on 1/23/2024.

Bills 1si is Monitoring:

  • HB-1199 – Repeal of Economic Enhancement District Law
    • Referred to Ways and Means Committee, scheduled to be heard on 1/24/2024.
  • SB-155 – Compensation for Business Losses
    • This bill has been reassigned to the Tax and Fiscal Policy Committee after being with the Local Government Committee.
  • SB-295 – Indiana Economic Development Corporation
    • Referred to Commerce and Technology Committee
  • HB-1368 – Riverfront Economic Development Tax Area
    • Referred to Local Government Committee

Current List of Bills 1si Supports or Opposes:

Supports:

  • SB-61 & HB-1345 – Tourism Improvement District
    • SB-61 has been referred to the Tax and Fiscal Policy Committee
    • HB-1345 has been referred to the Ways and Means Committee

Opposes:

  • HB-1157 – Non-Disclosure Agreements in Economic Development
    • No major updates

 

We’ll keep you updated, but if you’d like more information on our 2024 Advocacy Agenda, or to download a copy of it, please visit www.1si.org/advocacy or download your PDF copy here.

Economic Update | Labor Force Shaping Up as a Number to Watch in 2024

by with No Comment 1si NewsEconomic Development

submitted by
Uric Dufrene, Ph.D., Interim Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Sanders Chair in Business, Indiana University Southeast

Consensus continues to build around the so-called “soft landing”.   This basically means that the economy will approach the Federal Reserve target of a 2% rate of inflation and will also escape a recession.  If there is a recession this year, it will be mild, and for many, the effects of such a recession will be minimal.  What happens in the labor market will be a major factor in any recession call.  We’ll use today’s column to get a closer view of a corner of the labor market that remains a significant challenge for both Indiana and Kentucky.

Nationwide, the labor market remains tight, but job growth is slowing compared to last year.   Over 2022, monthly job gains averaged just under 400,000 a month.  During 2023, job gains averaged almost 225,000 a month.  Even though the 2023 gain declined considerably from 2022, it is still an unusually high number.  We can expect some further deceleration in monthly job gains from 2023 as the economy continues to move toward normalization.     Even though job openings have come down, they remain stubbornly high and continue to exceed the number of unemployed.

One of the reasons why inflation declined from the June 2022 peak of 9.1% down to the latest reading of 3.4% is due to the supply side of the economy. Specifically, more workers returned to the labor force in 2023.   From the beginning of 2022 to the end of 2023, the nation’s labor force increased by approximately 4 million workers.  This provided headwinds to average hourly wages and was an important part of the disinflation story of 2023.  In March 2022, average hourly earnings were increasing by 7% over the year.  At the end of 2023, average hourly earnings were up by 4.3% over the year.   Another important anti-inflationary statistic is what is happening to productivity.  As productivity increases, average unit labor costs will decrease.  Employers can afford to pay more, and due to the productivity gains, declining unit labor costs will serve as an overall headwind to inflation. In the last two quarters, the U.S. economy saw significant gains to productivity, contributing to the disinflation in the second half of the year.  

While the nation’s labor force expansion was a key supply-side story in the fight against inflation, it is now contracting.  Since August 2023, the size of the nation’s labor force has gone down by about 400,000.  Last month, it declined by almost 700,000.  The labor force participation rate plummeted from November to December, dropping from 62.8% to 62.5%.  While payrolls were up in the establishment survey, the household survey showed that employment declined by almost 700,000. This could be part of the overall slowdown that economists have been expecting.  While a declining labor force could serve as a tailwind for inflation through average hourly earnings, an overall slowdown will counterbalance and result in overall disinflation.    Just as the Consumer Price Index became the biggest indicator to watch, labor force growth will garner some attention over 2024. 

Breaking down labor force by education attainment reveals some interesting trends. Labor force participants with a bachelor’s degree or higher almost exceed those with a high school diploma by almost 2 to 1. Labor force participants with a high school diploma total 35.7 million and with a college degree or higher, labor force totals 64.2 million.   We see a similar breakdown of the employed:  62.9 million with a college degree or higher remain employed, and the number of employed with a high school diploma stands at only 34.7 million. This is also evident in the unemployment rate by attainment. The high school unemployment rate is double that of those with a college degree:  4.2% compared to 2.1%. Despite the narrative, education attainment must be part of an overall economic development strategy.   The decline in the college-going rate for both Indiana and Kentucky is not promising. 

Across Indiana and Kentucky, labor force growth continues to be a significant challenge, perhaps partly an education attainment story. Over the long term, labor force growth for both states falls significantly under the national growth rate.  More recently, Kentucky’s labor force declined by approximately 3,000 over the year, and Indiana grew by just 13,000.      Other signs of a slowing economy show up for both states.  Indiana’s unemployment rate increased by 5/10ths of a point in a year, rising from 3.2% to 3.7%.  Kentucky’s rate increased from 3.9% to 4.3%.   Job postings are also slowing. Job postings, based on Lightcast data, peaked around March 2022 for both states and have been on a decline since, declining by 38%. We see a similar development for Louisville Metro, with job postings declining by 45% since March 2022. 

The last two years were all about inflation.  The big question was whether the Fed could reduce inflation without a significant decline in the economy.  The Fed now appears to have engineered what many thought was impossible:  a soft landing. As we start 2024, labor force growth may be shaping up as one of the key numbers to watch.   The early read has not been favorable.  

Moving Forward: Industry-Leading LSV Vehicle Company Speeding to River Ridge

by with No Comment 1si News1si Press ReleaseEconomic Development

Bintelli, a five-time Inc. 5000 company, will expand its electric vehicle operations to River Ridge.

Jeffersonville, IN. (January 17, 2024)

Bintelli, an industry-leading low-speed vehicle (LSV) company, will open an assembly and distribution facility in the River Ridge Commerce Center to produce electric golf carts and other low-speed recreational vehicles. Bintelli will invest over $4 million into the region by leasing and improving a building in River Ridge and adding new furniture and fixtures. The location will also have up to 67 new jobs with an average wage of over $26.00 per hour, with the company providing training for each employee. For more information on employment opportunities, please visit https://www.indeed.com/cmp/Bintelli.

Bintelli started as the dream of Justin Jackrel in 2000, and the company has quickly grown to be an industry standard. The company currently has the largest LSV assembly facility in the United States in South Carolina and is also a five-time Inc. 5000 company. Their products include golf carts, electric bicycles, scooters and mopeds, parts, and accessories created from quality craftsmanship.

“Bintelli’s explosive growth over the last few years has been extremely rewarding,” said Justin Jackrel, President of Bintelli. “We couldn’t be more excited to expand our operations with this new facility at River Ridge Commerce Center, thanks to PRG Commercial Property Advisors and Avison Young for their comprehensive site selection and brokerage services. The proximity to our new logistics partner, Mister “P” Express, played a big part in choosing this location for our new assembly facility.  We look forward to opening our newest expansion and working with such amazing new regional partners.”

“From one successful American Dream story to another, Mister “P” Express is thrilled to welcome Bintelli as our neighbor at River Ridge Commerce Center,” said Cindy Collier, President & CEO at Mister “P” Express, Inc. “Bintelli’s expansion from South Carolina to River Ridge is a strategic move for the company’s continued growth, while also bringing a tremendous economic impact to our community. We can’t wait for our shiny, red 18-wheelers to haul the nation’s best electric golf carts, bikes, and gas mopeds all across the country.”

Based on the company’s job creation plans, the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) committed an investment in Bintelli of up to $675,000 in the form of incentive-based tax credits. These tax credits are performance-based, meaning the company is eligible to claim incentives once Hoosiers are hired.

“We are excited to welcome another innovative, fast-growing company to the state,” said IEDC Chief Strategy Officer Ann Lathrop. “Here in Indiana, Bintelli joins a robust network of quality manufacturers and a statewide ecosystem committed to advancing a business climate that powers the growth and talent needed to succeed.”

“The City of Jeffersonville is excited that Bintelli has chosen the River Ridge Commerce Center as the location for their newest facility,” said Jeffersonville Mayor Mike Moore. “This strategic investment into our community will add 67 new jobs as well as position Bintelli and their premium recreational vehicle products for long-term success in this growing sector.”  

“We want to welcome Mr. Jackrel and his team at Bintelli. Their investment showcases the strategic advantages offered by River Ridge and Southern Indiana,” said Jerry Acy, the executive director of the River Ridge Development Authority. “Bintelli has proven itself to be an industry leader in the rapidly growing recreational low-speed vehicle market and we are excited to partner with them as they grow here at River Ridge.”

“Bintelli brings a unique product to Southern Indiana and the surrounding regions,” said John Launius, Vice President and Director of Economic Development at One Southern Indiana. “Based on the growth that Bintelli has seen over the years, we are thrilled to have them in the region and can’t wait to watch their continued success as an industry leader.”

About Bintelli
As the only five-time Inc. 5000 company in the industry, Bintelli offers industry-leading quality craftsmanship, support and services, and fosters win-win partnerships with dealers. Bintelli has the largest stand-alone LSV assembly facility in the United States and produces environmentally friendly and top-of-the-line electric golf carts for a variety of uses that are distributed to dealerships and retail outlets across the country and internationally. For more information on Bintelli, visit www.bintelli.com.

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:
Bintelli
media@bintelli.com

One Southern Indiana
Brittany Schmidt, Content Marketing and Media Relations Manager
BrittanyS@1si.org
812-945-0266

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Advocacy Update | 01.17.24

by with No Comment 1si NewsAdvocacy

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It’s week two of the Indiana General Assembly. Here are some upcoming deadlines to keep in mind as the session moves forward.  

  • Monday, January 22 – Latest day session must reconvene (IC 2-2.1-1-3)  

This week, the Advocacy Leadership team met and discussed several bills circulating in the General Assembly.  

HB-1157 – Non-Disclosure Agreements in Economic Development 

  • Provides that the Indiana economic development corporation, the state, any instrumentality of the state, or any other public authority, or any party negotiating on behalf of any of those entities, may not, after June 30, 2024, enter into an economic development agreement or contract that contains any provision, clause, or language that provides that the agreement or contract, or any of its terms, is confidential, or that the parties to the agreement or contract are prohibited from disclosing, discussing, describing, or commenting upon the terms of the agreement or contract.  
  • 1si OPPOSES this bill. 

SB-61 & HB-1345 – Tourism Improvement District 

  • (HB-1345 summary; both are similar) Provides that a person may circulate a petition to create a tourism improvement district (district) within the territory of a county, city, or town. Specifies the contents of the tourism improvement district plan that must be filed with a petition to establish a district. Excludes property that receives a homestead standard deduction from inclusion within a district. Provides that owners of real property or businesses located within a district may be charged a special assessment to fund improvements and other district activities. Provides that, after a hearing on a petition to establish a district, a county, city, or town legislative body may adopt the ordinance establishing the district only if it determines that the petition has been signed by at least 50% of the owners of real property or businesses within the district who will pay the special assessment. Specifies the contents of the ordinance establishing a district and the length of time for which a district may exist. Allows a district to issue bonds. Requires the county, city, or town legislative body to contract with a nonprofit district management association to administer and implement the district’s activities and improvements. 
  • 1si SUPPORTS these bills. 

 The following bills were discussed, but no stance has been taken at the time of this update’s release.  

  • HB-1199 – Repeal of Economic Enhancement District Law 
  • HB-1165 – Regulatory Sandbox Program and Right to Start Act 

 There is also a plethora of childcare-related bills that 1si is monitoring as well.  

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

Nonprofit Spotlight | The Salvation Army

by with No Comment 1si NewsNonprofit Spotlight

The Salvation Army
2300 Greenvalley Rd .
New Albany, IN 47150
Business Phone:     812-206-2652                                    

Website: sanewalbany.org
Contact Person: Alecha Redmond, Family Support Case Manager
Contact Email:  Alecha.redmond@usc.salvationarmy.org         

Agency Mission Statement or Description:

Our Mission Statement.The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.

Year established: 2022

Counties/regions serviced: Floyd, Clark, Harrison, Scott, Crawford & Washington

Focus areas: Homeownership/ financial independence

Impact in community:

Pathway of Home is helping with Homeownership. We currently have 7 pre-approvals for the purchase of a home and 2 families that have closed on their new home. I am currently working with 36 families.

Volunteer Opportunities:

Depending on the time of year we are always open for individuals to sign up for volunteer hours (i.e.-Christmas-Angel Tree, Bell ringing and even help in our Thrift stores).

How 1si members can help your organization: Partnerships & Donations

 

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Advocacy Update | 01.10.24

by with No Comment 1si NewsAdvocacy
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Welcome back! The 2024 Session of the Indiana General Assembly has officially begun. Here are some upcoming deadlines to keep in mind as the session moves forward.

  • Thursday, January 11 – Deadline for filing House bills (no later than 2:00 p.m.)
  • Tuesday, January 16 – Last day Senate bills may be assigned to Senate committees.

Governor Eric Holcomb also released his 2024 Next Level Agenda, focusing on administrative and legislative items related to childcare, education, and the workforce. 

One Southern Indiana (1si) kicked off January with the Advocacy State Leadership Breakfast, sponsored by the following organizations:

  • Presenting Sponsor: MAC Construction
  • Platinum Sponsors: AT&T, Baptist Health, and Duke Energy
  • Gold Sponsor: Mister “P” Express, Inc.
  • Silver Sponsor: Frost Brown Todd, LLP

The following senators and representatives were in attendance:

  • Senator Gary Byrne, Dist. 47
  • Senator Chris Garten, Dist. 45
  • Representative Rita Fleming, Dist. 71
  • Representative Karen Engleman, Dist. 70
  • Representative Ed Clere, Dist. 72

Each person reviewed what they had planned for the upcoming session and discussed details of the bills they were working on. Education, workforce, and healthcare were all major topics mentioned by the senators and representatives.

The discussion ended with a question-and-answer session, with questions provided by the audience. The Q&A raised questions about education, affordable housing, economic investments and development, and childcare.

The next advocacy event will be on March 15, 2024, at IU Southeast and will feature regional leaders in Southern Indiana. More details to come.

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

Thanks for Renewing Your Membership | December 2023

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 in December 2023.

Quarter Century Club (25 Years or More)Member Since
Indiana-American Water Company1967
Graceland Baptist Church1970
PC Home Center1978
Libs Paving Co., Inc.1990
American Red Cross Louisville Area Chapter1991
Hope Southern Indiana, Inc.1998
Rock Creek Community Academy1998
Wiggam Lumber, Inc.1999
  
Ten to 24 Years 
Smith Creek, Inc.2001
Business Health Plus, Inc.2003
LL&A Interior Design2005
R. H. Clarkson Insurance Agency2007
Peyton’s Barricade & Sign Co.2008
Industrial Air Centers, Inc.2008
  
Five to Nine Years 
Tree of Life Family Birth Center2018
  
Two to Four Years 
Excel Excavating, Incorporated2020
Cluckers2020
The Exchange Pub + Kitchen2021
Kentuckiana Regional Planning & Development Agency (KIPDA)2021
Pet Wants Clarksville2022
National Material Handling2022
  
One Year 
Dock Seafood Inc2023
Clark Station Shopping Center2023