My overarching observation is that SW Indiana is blessed with a cadre of strong leaders - from the business community as well as education and government – who are demonstrating, and acting on, their understanding that collaboration across the region is critically important if we are to prosper in the fast changing, globally competitive world we live in. The leadership is also focused on improving the region’s ability to attract and retain the people who will drive future success with initiatives in such important areas as I-69 completion, K-12 performance, quality of place and quality of life facilities and programs, such as a robust downtown Evansville, walkways and trails and other amenities. Because jobs follow people, we need to focus as much energy and resources toward making our region one that people want to live in as we do toward attracting the jobs themselves.

Andy Goebel
Executive Director
Evansville Regional Business Committee

I was again reminded by our roundtable discussion of the significant strengths we have in Southwest Indiana. We have a diverse economy that has weathered reasonably well the challenge associated with the loss of manufacturing employment which has plagued the Midwest. We have great post secondary schools in the University of Evansville, the University of Southern Indiana and Ivy Tech Community College of Southwest Indiana. At the high school level our Signature Charter School was ranked the top public high school in the state. We have an appealing climate and a quality of life that that reflects a conservative family values oriented culture. We are sometimes too conservative and show an unproductive stubborn resistance about investing in quality of life assets which are likely to become more and more important to attracting and retaining young professionals and young families. Our Evansville Regional Business Committee is a terrific organization and vehicle for bringing private sector resources together quickly and effectively to address community issues. All and all the outlook for Evansville and Southwest Indiana while not without challenges is nevertheless bright.

Niel Ellerbrook
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Vectren Corporation

Unlike the other business leaders at the roundtable discussion, I represent a company who maintains an executive office in Evansville but most of my production and employment is outside the state. I stay relatively close to State politics and issues but from a business perspective my primary interest is in state initiatives that would enhance the state’s position regarding costs associated with manufacturing in Indiana. As discussed at the roundtable, one of my very first considerations when thinking of constructing a new facility deals with state laws concerning “Right to Work.” Indiana is behind its rivals with respect to existing legislation regarding this topic. I think much more can be done to make this state more business friendly and I think Mitch Daniels will accomplish many of the changes needed if allowed to. But be that as it may it is up to the state to create a viable business atmosphere for meaningful job creation.

Terry Keating
Chairman and CEO
Accuride Corporation