Indiana Chamber of Commerce

25/01/2025

ROI will share stories of success, highlighting innovative strategies driving sector growth and outcomes in education, workforce, and quality of place across the region. A panel will also share their perspectives on national trends and opportunities in talent and workforce impacting the Indiana Upla...

24/01/2025

Hoosier employers, you're invited to join a virtual focus group supported by the Institute for Workforce Excellence in partnership with UpSkill America at the The Aspen Institute!

The focus groups aim to gather insights from Indiana's business leaders to understand:
- What Indiana employers need to support their employees' upskilling and education.
- Bright spots and challenges employers encounter in talent management and skill development.
- Opportunities for the Institute for Workforce Excellence to support programming and improved services.

Register for one of the upcoming sessions:

- January 27, 4 - 5 p.m.: https://bit.ly/upskill1-27
- January 28, 4 - 5 p.m.: https://bit.ly/upskill1-28
- January 29, 9 - 10 a.m.: https://bit.ly/upskill1-29

24/01/2025

The Times of Northwest Indiana reported on our recent AI Report:

Artificial intelligence, touted as the next big thing in some quarters, is becoming increasingly ubiquitous with customer service calls, search engine results and even fast-food drive-thru windows. A study commissioned by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce and done by Accenture found AI could contribut...

24/01/2025

Great to see Warsaw-based OrthoPediatrics expanding its Specialty Bracing division into more markets, including Indianapolis!

Learn more via Inside INdiana Business:

In late 2023, Warsaw-based OrthoPediatrics announced the creation of its Specialty Bracing division, focused on developing new pediatric brace products. Just over a year later, the company announced an expansion of the division with three specialty clinics.

24/01/2025

We've expanded the for 2025! 🎉

📚 Middle school students in participating states can compete to win a $100,000 education savings plan as the national champion. Applications close on February 4.

🔍 Enter your zip code to find local partners near you: https://civics.uschamberfoundation.org/ncb-how-it-works/

23/01/2025

Between medical expenses, wages and the challenges of reduced productivity, the average cost of a work-related injury is roughly $40,000. Keeping your workers' compensation premium rates low directly affects your business’ bottom line. The 2025 Indiana Workers' Compensation Conference will teach strategies to handle claims and cut expenses.

FEATURED TOPICS:
- How to best manage/control insurance costs, and what increases premiums
- Insurance-related business expenses
- Claims handling guide
- Overview of the Worker's Compensation Board of Indiana website and how to access the resources available
- Mental health claims in workers’ compensation

Register: https://www.indianachamber.com/event/workerscompensation/

Presented by Kightlinger & Gray.

23/01/2025

ATTEND THE YEAR'S PREMIER LEGISLATIVE NETWORKING EVENT!

Connect with policymakers and influencers at the Chamber Day Reception on March 11 at the Indiana Roof Ballroom!

FEATURED SPEAKER: New Governor Mike Braun will discuss his vision for the state and the related proposals that will help Indiana, employers and the workforce prosper.

Registration fees are $99 and include appetizers and an open bar while you mingle with legislators, state officials and key business leaders. Join us for the premier networking gathering of the 2025 legislative session. Reserve your spot at the reception now: https://www.indianachamber.com/event/chamber-day-reception/

You can also register for our Chamber Day at the Statehouse activities (earlier that day): https://www.indianachamber.com/event/chamberday

Presented by Thompson Thrift.

22/01/2025

Our Senior VP Jeff Brantley had an active day of testimony today in favor of the following education/workforce bills:

- SB 366 (pre-K)
- SB 448 (higher ed and workforce development)
- HB 1515 (STEM teacher recruitment)

22/01/2025

The Indiana Work-Based Learning Conference is quickly approaching (Feb. 13)! This year's program includes sessions on relevant topics to develop and retain talent through work-based learning.

Don't miss the luncheon featuring the 19th Annual Impact Awards! Honor work-based learners, employers, innovative programs, work-based learning supervisors and career development professionals that propel this educational strategy forward.

TOPICS INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:

- Indiana Apprenticeship Pathway
- Creating Project-Based Paid Internships
- Building a K-12 Workforce Ecosystem
- Diverse Models of Success in Work-Based Learning
- The Future of Work-Based Learning in Indiana

Register: https://www.indianachamber.com/event/work-based-learning-conference/

Sponsored by PLTW - Project Lead The Way.

22/01/2025

SUPERVISORS: Join our next Supervising and Managing People Workshop on Feb. 6-7!

To be a better manager, it all starts with an inward focus— understanding your role as a manager in an organization and with your team. In this session, you’ll gain self-awareness, practice foundational skills, develop personal resilience, and learn how to communicate more assertively.

Register: https://www.indianachamber.com/event/supervising-feb

Presented by FlashPoint Leadership.

22/01/2025

Our President and CEO Vanessa Green Sinders testified this morning in favor of HB 1253 (re: childcare). The bill creates a new license category for owners of childcare facilities with multiple sites (versus forcing them to apply separately).

Expanding affordable and accessible childcare remains an Indiana Chamber priority to benefit employers and the workforce.

22/01/2025

HB 1192 - FARMLAND ASSESSMENT: The House Ways and Means Committee heard testimony last week on House Bill 1192, authored by Rep. Kendell Culp (R-Rensselaer). The bill proposes adjustments to Indiana’s farmland assessment formula, including the exclusion of the two highest market value years in the six-year rolling average – effectively making it a four-year average – and an increase in the capitalization rate. These changes would lower farmland assessed values, providing significant property tax relief to agribusinesses. The bill has been held for later consideration.

Our testimony on the bill was neutral, focusing on its broader implications for Indiana’s property tax system. The need for comprehensive evaluation was emphasized, recommending that this and related bills be combined to ensure the net impact to all taxpayers is fully understood. Without such consideration, reforms may result in unintended tax shifts that disproportionately burden other property types.

This measure is projected to reduce farmland assessed value by $9.2 billion for taxes payable in 2027, leading to an estimated $33.2 million reduction in local government revenues – primarily due to tax cap losses. This reduction in assessed value will shift the tax burden to other property types, particularly businesses, which will face higher tax rates. Commercial and industrial property owners are likely to experience a notable increase in their share of the property tax burden.

While certainty and stability for agribusinesses is important, reforms must not disproportionately impact Indiana’s broader business community. We will continue engaging stakeholders to advocate for a balanced approach that supports Indiana’s long-term competitiveness and economic growth.

21/01/2025

Thanks to the new Indiana General Assembly legislators who joined our reception at McCormick & Schmick's Seafood & Steaks in downtown Indy tonight!

21/01/2025

ICYMI

📣 NEW REPORT ON A.I.! Following up on our AI Leadership Summit at the Rally innovation conference last year, the Indiana Chamber Foundation today released our report, “Seizing the Economic Power of Artificial Intelligence.”

The analysis, done by Accenture, highlights the tangible benefits to employers and the state in adopting the technology.

Our VP Adam H. Berry: “This report clearly shows why it’s so important for Indiana to establish itself as the best laboratory in the country to explore and develop cutting-edge technology. AI is only going to continue to impact business more and more – and all aspects of Indiana’s economy – in ways that we have yet to even imagine. We have to position ourselves now to take advantage of the opportunities that lie ahead.”

View the press release and report: https://www.indianachamber.com/news-resources/studies-reports

21/01/2025

Our Senior VP Jeff Brantley testified in favor of HB 1002 on school deregulation last week. He writes on the importance of the bill: https://www.indianachamber.com/school-deregulation-measure-gets-early-house-consideration

20/01/2025

Enjoyed popping into 5 Arch Brewing Company in Centerville while traveling around today!

Great food and brews and the bar, which was used by an establishment as part of the 1893 World's Fair in Chicago, was very cool.

20/01/2025

Today was an ideal day to visit the Levi and Catharine Coffin House State Historic Site in Fountain City (an Indiana State Museum site)! The home was known as "Grand Central Station of the Underground Railroad."

From the outside it looks like a normal, beautifully-restored, brick home built in 1839. On the inside, however, it has some unusual features that served an important purpose in American history. The eight-room house served as a safe haven for more than 1,000 freedom-seekers on their journey to Canada.

Plan your visit to the home & museum today: https://www.indianamuseum.org/historic-sites/levi-catharine-coffin-house

20/01/2025

We will be closed today in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.