O'Bannon discusses Indiana's economy

State officials visited IU's campus Wednesday to promote the recently approved Energize Indiana plan in the south central part of the state. Speaking at the Neal-Marshall Education Center, they unveiled the new economic development plan to Bloomington businesses and residents. \nThe initiative is divided into five parts; rural development, port authority, 21st century research development, department of commerce and workforce development. Each section has distinctive goals but the overriding aim is to improve Indiana businesses and to attract industry to the state. Governor Frank O'Bannon was on hand promoting the plan's initiatives.\n"The whole purpose of the government is to set up a positive economic environment in which companies can thrive," said O'Bannon. \nThe plan was proposed by the governor and was recently passed with bipartisan support in the General Assembly. \n"(The Assembly) was able to successfully get through the politics in order to benefit the future of Indiana," added O'Bannon. One of the speakers present was Doris Sims, Region 10 Director for the Indiana Department of Commerce, which includes Monroe County. \n"Hopefully, Energize Indiana will increase employment opportunities by providing job assistance and training, and funding for businesses," said Sims. One of the objectives of the plan is to provide incentives to businesses planning to hire local workers. \n"If a company comes in to the area and needs money to train local workers, we would supply the funding for training," explained Sims. \nEnergize Indiana includes an initiative to expand Indiana's high-tech industries especially within the life sciences and logistics fields. The plan also makes grants available to Indiana businesses looking to expand within the state. As well as helping businesses, Energize Indiana will work with state unemployment offices, assisting in matching employees with the right companies and positions. Both Bloomington business professionals and IU officials seemed pleased by the details of the plan. \n"One of the big areas of opportunity is to connect IU's research interests with actual businesses specifically in the biomedicine and information technology fields," said Jeffrey White, associate dean of SPEA. \nThe plan has allowed for a $32 million loan to IU for the building of a multidisciplinary science building, which will fuse together scientific research and entrepreneurial studies. White said that the advantages of involving students in research projects is that they can establish relationships with business officials and businesses can take advantage of the expertise of the students and faculty. \nThe plan, which had faced revisions and debate in the Indiana legislature for the past year, is "the final piece of the puzzle in jumpstarting Indiana's economy," Indiana Deputy Communications Director Todd Siesky said.\nWednesday's forum was the ninth of 12 around the state promoting the plan.