Issue Position: Local Economy & Jobs

Issue Position

Evidence of a struggling local economy is everywhere: empty factories and offices dot our landscape while Indy's unemployment rate (9.0%) shows that almost 1 in 10 of us are out of work. To turn things around, we must:

* Aggressively Market Our Assets to Attract New Businesses and Create Jobs
Use our district's prime location as a hub for three interstate highways, railroad lines, and an international airport combined with Indy’s leg-up as the most centrally situated of any U.S. city to attract and start up new large and small businesses;
Organize an “Economy and Jobs Task Force” comprised of district leaders from business, government, education, and neighborhoods to develop a comprehensive strategic plan, target businesses to pursue (including high-tech manufacturing firms), and help make the sale;
Partner with building owners to showcase vacant factories and empty office space that can be rehabilitated (another job creator) at low/competitive costs as part of the deal;

Invest in Worker Retraining for All Ages and Skill Levels to Help People Find Jobs
Make adult retraining programs a priority to help unemployed and reentry workers of any age learn new skills to qualify for new and better jobs;
Build partnerships between district high schools, colleges, and businesses and target vocational training for all workers/students that parallel the hiring needs of local businesses;

Give Priority to Small Businesses as Source of New Jobs
Develop and market programs that provide low-interest loans, skills training, and information services to strengthen existing small businesses and launch new ones recognizing that two-thirds of Indiana jobs are created by small businesses;
Create tax incentives for small businesses that hire unemployed Hoosiers;

Keep Jobs in Indiana and Create Jobs to Rebuild Our Neighborhoods
Give Indiana businesses first crack at state and local contracts so our tax dollars create jobs here, not in China, India, and other countries;
Provide tax incentives for companies that (a) don’t outsource jobs out of state and overseas and (b) make companies that do outsource pay the tax break back for each local job they eliminate;
Invest in neighborhood redevelopment like demolishing/restoring abandoned homes; road, sidewalk, alley, and drainage upgrades/repairs; and better mass transit to create jobs.

PROGRESS MADE ON LOCAL ECONOMY & JOBS:
The recent creation of the Indiana Career Council comprised of leaders in the business and education sectors is designed to reduce the skills gap facing Hoosier workers looking for stable, good paying jobs. Justin worked to expand funding assistance to new and existing businesses for the training and retraining of employees.

Justin also worked on legislation that eliminates the red tape preventing returning veterans who were medics to become EMT personnel in our state.

Justin remains supportive and active with efforts to improve our business districts such as Madison Avenue, Shelby Street, and West Washington Street to help increase investment from the city.

Source