The timing on this could have been a bit better – think Navistay!
News release from the Indiana Economic Development Corporation:
State, Region Partner in Campaign to Lure Illinois Business
(HAMMOND, Ind. – February 14, 2011) – The Indiana Economic Development Corporation and Northwest Indiana Forum today announced their partnership on a marketing campaign aimed at attracting business from Illinois to Indiana.
The complementary advertisements targeting business leaders feature the slogans: “Illinnoyed by Higher Taxes?” and “Feeling Squeezed by Taxes?” along with addresses for websites that provide information on the advantages of doing business in Indiana.
“Indiana’s business climate has been more favorable than our neighbors for quite some time but Illinois’ latest tax hike further accentuates the attractiveness of our state,” said Mitch Roob, Secretary of Commerce and chief executive officer of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation. “We’ve had discussions with numerous companies that are interested in moving to a lower cost location and we are hopeful that our partnership with the Northwest Indiana Forum will continue to fill our pipeline with promising leads that will bring new opportunities to Hoosiers in Northwest Indiana and across the state.”
The new “Feeling Squeezed?” advertisements began running today in Chicago print and electronic media outlets while the “Illinoyed” campaign debuted in the Chicago market at the end of January and has already generated more than 2,700 unique visits to solutionindiana.com.
Print and electronic advertisements along with billboards will run through the spring.
“Northwest Indiana communities are Chicago’s east suburbs, offering lower costs of doing business, affordable, high quality of living and a prime business location in the heart of the Midwest,” said Mark Maassel, president and chief executive officer of the Northwest Indiana Forum. “In cooperation with IEDC, we believe this campaign will educate and entice businesses with the opportunities right next door and show them that we are prepared to assist businesses in finding their new home.”
In addition to the advertising campaign, the organizations will host events for Illinois businesses at tradeshows and sporting events in the Indiana and Illinois regions throughout the year. The IEDC also hired a director of business recruitment last fall to lead Indiana’s investment attraction efforts in Illinois.
The cost of the campaign totals approximately $250,000 with more than half of the funding paid through donations from Indiana businesses.
About IEDC
Created by Governor Mitch Daniels in 2005 to replace the former Department of Commerce, the Indiana Economic Development Corporation is governed by a 12-member board chaired by Governor Daniels. Mitch Roob serves as the chief executive officer of the IEDC. For more information about IEDC, visit www.iedc.in.gov.About Northwest Indiana Forum
The Forum is the regional voice for the business community and a significant catalyst for initiatives that promote economic development and create and retain quality jobs in Lake, Porter, LaPorte, Starke, Newton, Jasper and Pulaski Counties in Indiana. Funded by membership contributions and grants, membership translates into a direct investment in the region. Its corporate members represent more than $40 Billion in commerce in Northwest Indiana.
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