Inside INdiana Business is reporting that the president of the Indiana Manufacturers Association says, to fill the growing number of openings in Indiana’s manufacturing sector and beyond, the state needs to ramp up efforts to increase its population. “Our check engine light is on,” says Brian Burton, “and it’s blinking.” He says the association is pushing a measure with state lawmakers that would exempt some people who move to Indiana for a job from paying state income tax for a number of years.
Burton, who took part in Ivy Tech Community College’s Sector Summit Tuesday, calls the population issue a “major problem.”
He believes the idea of the tax exemption is “gaining traction” with some key decision makers. He says the idea wouldn’t cost the state anything, since people living out of state aren’t paying state income taxes anyway..
Burton was part of a panel of nearly a dozen industry leaders to take part in the Ivy Tech event Tuesday. More than 300 deans, counselors and educators from Ivy Tech campuses throughout the state attended. The annual event aims to connect state, industry and education leaders to help interest students in a broad range of career paths and enable them to develop the skills needed to pursue them.
The Sector Summit continues with planning sessions throughout the day. This morning’s panel included:
Tina Adams, Managing Director, IND Hub Operations, Fed Ex Express
Beth Bechdol, President and CEO, AgriNovus Indiana
Brian Burton, President and CEO, Indiana Manufacturers Association
Zachary Cattell, President, Indiana Health Care Association
Brian Cuthrell, Account Manager – Communications, TEKsystems
David Holt, Vice President of Operations and Business Development, Conexus Indiana
Mike Langellier, President and CEO, TechPoint
Chris Price, President, Indiana Construction Roundtable Foundation
Harold Wilson, Southern Indiana Placement Services Manager, Cummins Inc.
Regina Ashley, Chief Operating Officer, Indiana Department of Workforce Development