Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb lauded the conclusion of the legislative session that enacted his 2023 Next Level Agenda providing transformational changes to the way public health is delivered to Hoosiers, historic investments in K-12 education and workforce, pivotal contribution toward the economic development toolkit and another $500 million dedicated to the successful READI program to enhance the quality of life of Hoosiers in every corner of Indiana.

Below are highlights of workforce and economic and community development legislation:

Workforce
The budget delivers on Governor Holcomb’s sustained commitment to provide Hoosiers with more opportunities to obtain the skills they need for the jobs of tomorrow by investing $58 million over the biennium in Next Level Jobs Grant programs to benefit employers and employees.

Aligned with the governor’s proposals, the enacted budget provides increases across the state’s adult education ecosystem to offer Hoosiers more opportunities to obtain skills to enter the workforce, including $12 million to reduce waiting lists and expand capacity for adult education training programs as well as $16.3 million to expand adult charter high schools, including the Excel Center.

Economic Development

Thanks to the agreed upon budgets, Indiana will continue its global reach to bring growth to our state by:
• Formalizing a deal closing fund totaling $500 million over the biennium and an additional $250 million-per-year tax credit cap
• Establishing an ongoing revolving fund of $150 million for site acquisition efforts
• Doubling resources for the Manufacturing Readiness Grant Program
• Appropriating dollars to complete four capital projects: the new Westville Correctional Facility, new state archives building, co-location of the state’s blind and deaf schools and a new state park inn at Potato Creek State Park
• Investing in Indiana tourism by increasing the Indiana Destination Development Corporation’s funding

Community Development

The legislature passed the governor’s proposal of an additional $500 million for the second round of the Regional Economic Acceleration & Development Initiative (READI). READI has become a nationally recognized innovative program that connects communities to build sustainable partnerships for growth.

The Indiana General Assembly further showed its support of community development by:
• Funding Next Level Trails to expand the state’s trails system and move even closer to the governor’s goal of becoming the most trail friendly state in the country
• Allocating dollars for land conservation efforts
• Providing the funds to pursue more direct flights options from Indianapolis International Airport
• Appropriating dollars to provide upgrades to regional airports throughout the state
• Partnering with the state’s Food bank network by doubling funding to $2 million a year