{"id":131186,"date":"2026-06-17T16:04:34","date_gmt":"2026-06-17T20:04:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/?p=131186"},"modified":"2026-06-29T21:25:10","modified_gmt":"2026-06-30T01:25:10","slug":"governor-braun-touts-economic-momentum-across-wages-entrepreneurship-and-regional-strength","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/2026\/06\/17\/governor-braun-touts-economic-momentum-across-wages-entrepreneurship-and-regional-strength\/","title":{"rendered":"Governor Braun touts economic momentum across wages, entrepreneurship and regional strength"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Indiana Governor Mike Braun chaired the 2026 second quarter Indiana Economic Development Corporation board of directors meeting today, celebrating significant wins that will have a positive impact on Hoosier jobs, wages, industries, entrepreneurship and quality of place.<\/p>\n

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News release from Indiana Governor Mike Braun’s office:<\/p>\n

Governor Braun Touts Economic Momentum Across Wages, Entrepreneurship and Regional Strength<\/strong><\/p>\n

Indianapolis, Indiana (June 17, 2026) \u2013 Indiana Governor Mike Braun chaired the 2026 second quarter Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) board of directors meeting today, celebrating significant wins that will have a positive impact on Hoosier jobs, wages, industries, entrepreneurship and quality of place.<\/p>\n

In 2026 alone, 34 businesses have made plans to locate or expand in Indiana, committing to create more than 3,000 new jobs with average wages of $43.77\/hour – 44% higher than the state\u2019s average wage and 10% higher than last year\u2019s record.<\/p>\n

Together, these new jobs are expected to create $273.7 million in new payroll for Hoosiers. This includes recent high wage wins like Boston Scientific Corporation (300 jobs in Hendricks County), Bridge Advisors (75 jobs in Vanderburgh County), Capital Group (200 jobs in Hamilton County), JD North America (200 jobs in Hamilton County) and Merrell Brothers (35 jobs in Howard County).<\/p>\n

“Indiana\u2019s approach to economic development is delivering for Hoosiers, supporting businesses as they grow and invest here\u201d said Gov. Braun. \u201cWith a clear focus on increasing jobs and wages, workers of today and tomorrow can be confident that Indiana will offer high-wage, in-demand careers that improve their lives, their families and their community.\u201d<\/p>\n

At today\u2019s meeting, the IEDC also outlined recent wins and initiatives across the Governor\u2019s priority areas of regionalism and entrepreneurship.<\/p>\n

Regionalism<\/strong>:
\nSecretary of Commerce David J. Adams highlighted how the state is delivering on Gov. Braun’s promise to empower regionally-led strategies. In March, Gov. Braun announced a once-in-a-generation, $1 billion investment in the state’s agriculture and life sciences industries. The initiative aims to build on Indiana’s already robust ecosystem to create 100,000 new jobs in 10 years while solidifying the state as a global destination for human, animal, plant and environmental health. It is expected to spur similar, regionally-driven initiatives across the state.<\/p>\n

Additionally, the state’s READI initiative continues to progress, accelerating quality of place and quality of life investments across Indiana\u2019s 15 regions. READI 1.0 funds are on track to be paid out by the end of 2026, supporting 421 projects \u2013 281 of which have already been completed \u2013 and READI 2.0 funds are expected to be paid out by 2028, supporting another 399 projects identified and driven by Indiana\u2019s regions.<\/p>\n

Implementation of READI funds supported by Lilly Endowment Inc. (LEI) are taking shape as well, with $151 million already awarded to 46 blight redevelopment projects across the state. These projects will revitalize abandoned buildings, vacant landmarks and underutilized public spaces to benefit the regions\u2019 residents in a variety of ways, including increasing affordable housing, accelerating urban commerce, and creating community assets that will boost tourism along with talent retention and attraction.<\/p>\n

New blight redevelopment awards highlighted at today\u2019s meeting include:<\/p>\n