Rep. Pence unveils strategy for small businesses, manufacturing

Republican gubernatorial candidate Rep. Mike Pence, R-6th District, announced plans to strengthen Indiana’s small businesses and manufacturing industry.

MANUFACTURING

Enrich collaboration between Indiana’s universities and businesses by creating the Indiana Applied Research Enterprise

Create a statewide Executive Innovation Network and Jobs Cabinet

Establish regional Indiana Works Councils to increase the number of high school technical diplomas in Indiana

Open additional markets for Hoosier manufacturers and farmers

Maintain reliable and low-cost energy by updating the state’s energy plan

Make Indiana a hub for food and agriculture innovation

Appoint a blue ribbon panel to plan the next generation of infrastructure
Hold a first-ever Site Selector conference

SMALL BUSINESSES

Cut personal income taxes by 10 percent

Pass balanced budgets and maintain adequate state reserves and Indiana’s top credit rating

Reduce spending by adopting performance-based budgeting

Review existing regulations, business fees and regulatory performance metrics

Push back against federal regulations by establishing an Office of State-Based Initiatives

Establish a 3 percent state contracting goal for veteran-owned businesses

Enhance transparency of state and local taxes

Improve the competitiveness of Indiana’s tax structure, especially for agriculture

The full plan is available at www.roadmapforindiana.com/

— Mark Keierleber