A bill authored by State Senator Brian Buchanan, who serves Lebanon and the surrounding areas, that would establish the Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation within the Indiana Economic Development Corporation unanimously passed the Indiana Senate today, Feb. 20.
Senate Bill 516, if passed, would require the corporation to notify local officials of a land purchase over 100 acres as well as requiring notifications regarding Innovation Development Districts to be sent to local units of government affected by the districts.
“In recent years, the IEDC has brought record-breaking investment in Indiana,” Buchanan said. “However, many Hoosiers have expressed concerns about large purchases of land without local officials’ knowledge. SB 516 would ensure the state is working with locals to bring the kind of businesses communities want.”
The bill, if passed, would also make changes in the structure of the corporation’s leadership to better align with the structure implemented by Governor Mike Braun and would bring more transparency to economic development initiatives in Indiana, Buchanan said.
The bill now moves to the House of Representatives for further consideration.
Buchanan encouraged residents of Senate District 7 to contact him with any questions or comments they may have. Buchanan can be reached by filling out a “Contact Me” form online at www.IndianaSenateRepublicans.com/Buchanan or by phone at 800-382-9467.