Latest news with #IEDC
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Beckwith debates Hoosiers in chippy town hall
Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith answers questions during his May 27, 2025, town hall in Zionsville. (Niki Kelly/Indiana Capital Chronicle) Republican Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith went toe-to-toe with constituents at a Zionsville town hall Tuesday night — defending his stance on bringing religion into his public post and concerns about 'chemtrails.' About 100 Hoosiers attended the event, though some left as the event stretched to two hours. The night featured numerous interruptions from both Beckwith and those in the audience. Loud boos and noes were repeatedly lobbed. 'If you shoot little snide remarks at me, I might just shoot them right back,' Beckwith said during one exchange. After the event, Beckwith said he considered it a success. 'I'm not trying to win somebody over to my side of the argument. I'm just trying to say, hey, let's dialogue. And I'm going to tell you what I believe, why I believe it,' he told reporters. 'And, you know, I believe people are adults. They can make up their own minds after they hear what I say, and then you can let other people, you know, let their voices be heard as well.' One attendee, Scott Johnson, read several laws and constitutional provisions about religion in government, noting that the U.S. Constitution contains no references to the Bible or Christianity. 'I don't understand how you can swear an oath to the Constitution and then violate it,' he said. 'Your word should mean something, sir.' Another woman told Beckwith, who is a pastor, that Hoosiers are his constituents and not his congregants. His response was to point out God is mentioned in the Declaration of Independence four times. The crowd audibly groaned when Beckwith said the separation of church and state is a myth and that 'we are a Judeo-Christian nation.' One woman, who declined to provide her name, was concerned about the preservation of farmland in Boone County and other areas. 'I too believe in free enterprise, in the capital market, but I also believe that we have a responsibility to be good stewards of our land,' she said, specifically mentioning the Indiana Economic Development Corporation buying up land for the contentious LEAP district. Beckwith said he wants Gov. Mike Braun to clean house at the IEDC. 'I don't know if you can save the IEDC at this point because people don't trust it. People have seen the abuse that has gone on,' he said, adding that the LEAP project was 'slammed down the throats of the people of Boone County.' Another speaker pointed to Beckwith's recent peddling of a conspiracy theory that aircraft are nefariously spreading dangerous substances in the condensation trails — so-called 'chemtrails' — they leave in the sky. A second man said this is an issue that concerns him. 'You mentioned chemtrails and that's got my attention,' Alex Sutherland said. 'You look up at the sky today, it doesn't feel like May. It didn't at the Indy 500. I know they are spraying stuff out of those high-altitude jet planes.' Beckwith praised Florida and Tennessee for passing legislation targeting weather modification. And he noted a bill filed in Indiana to levy huge fines on anyone putting chemicals in the air to impact weather. 'I think it's worth looking into,' he said, adding, 'If we find out it's laughable then great.' During the exchange, Beckwith called the crowd 'leftist socialists.' One woman yelled back, 'We're Americans, not socialists.' Property taxes also earned discussion after a man gave examples of inconsistent assessed values in communities. 'We dropped the ball on this,' Beckwith said about the recently passed property tax reform package. He supports limiting property tax payments based on the purchase price of a home but acknowledged the problems can't be fixed overnight. 'It's going to take us longer than just a few months to untangle this mess,' Beckwith said. About 30 protesters gathered outside before the town hall began. Many were carrying signs. One said 'Lt. Gov. Beckwith. This is our state, not your church.' Another said he was '0/5 of a person' — referencing comments he made on the Three-Fifths Compromise. 'Micah Beckwith is harmful to children,' Amy Garman, of Indivisible Central Indiana, told the crowd. She said Republicans have banned books and outed transgender kids 'under the guise of parental rights.' SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Braun signs contract for an IEDC audit costing taxpayers up to $800,000. Here's why
The state of Indiana could pay up to $800,000 on a forensic audit initiated by Gov. Mike Braun of the Indiana Economic Development Corp. and its affiliate entities. The state-funded entity has been increasingly maligned by Republicans for its lack of transparency, culminating in Braun announcing that he wants to investigate the quasi-governmental entity for possible impropriety. The IEDC has been by funded by taxpayers since its 2005 founding under Gov. Mitch Daniels' administration but has faced criticism over the years for its sometimes-opaque practices. Braun's administration has already frozen the funds of IEDC affiliate Elevate Ventures, a nonprofit investment entity that's doled out nearly $200 million to Indiana startups, while the audit takes place. He also earlier this year signed an executive order that will result in increased financial transparency over entities like the related Indiana Economic Development Foundation, which has funded international travel for past governors. Braun's Secretary of Commerce David Adams signed a one-year contract earlier this week with Washington, D.C.-based firm FTI Consulting Inc. The firm will be paid an hourly rate of $595 for its work up to $800,000, unless the contract is eventually renewed. The firm will provide "forensic review and support services" for the state, according to a letter from the firm, which has locations worldwide including an office on the north side of Indianapolis near Carmel. Braun previously has stopped short of accusing anyone specifically of wrongdoing, but has said "transparency is essential." A Hannah News Service story published in April raised several issues, including IEDC's alleged struggles to get financial and investment data from the Elevate Ventures affiliate. "We are not rushing to any conclusions," Braun said on April 24. "We want to make sure things are reviewed independently." Elevate Ventures' CEO Toph Day, meanwhile, has defended the organization and has said it is "eager to participate in the forensic audit." Contact senior government accountability reporter Hayleigh Colombo at hcolombo@ Sign up for our free weekly politics newsletter, Checks & Balances, by IndyStar political and government reporters. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Braun signs contract for IEDC audit costing taxpayers up to $800,000
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Braun signs contract for an IEDC audit costing taxpayers up to $800,000. Here's why
The state of Indiana could pay up to $800,000 on a forensic audit initiated by Gov. Mike Braun of the Indiana Economic Development Corp. and its affiliate entities. The state-funded entity has been increasingly maligned by Republicans for its lack of transparency, culminating in Braun announcing that he wants to investigate the quasi-governmental entity for possible impropriety. The IEDC has been by funded by taxpayers since its 2005 founding under Gov. Mitch Daniels' administration but has faced criticism over the years for its sometimes-opaque practices. Braun's administration has already frozen the funds of IEDC affiliate Elevate Ventures, a nonprofit investment entity that's doled out nearly $200 million to Indiana startups, while the audit takes place. He also earlier this year signed an executive order that will result in increased financial transparency over entities like the related Indiana Economic Development Foundation, which has funded international travel for past governors. Braun's Secretary of Commerce David Adams signed a one-year contract earlier this week with Washington, D.C.-based firm FTI Consulting Inc. The firm will be paid an hourly rate of $595 for its work up to $800,000, unless the contract is eventually renewed. The firm will provide "forensic review and support services" for the state, according to a letter from the firm, which has locations worldwide including an office on the north side of Indianapolis near Carmel. Braun previously has stopped short of accusing anyone specifically of wrongdoing, but has said "transparency is essential." A Hannah News Service story published in April raised several issues, including IEDC's alleged struggles to get financial and investment data from the Elevate Ventures affiliate. "We are not rushing to any conclusions," Braun said on April 24. "We want to make sure things are reviewed independently." Elevate Ventures' CEO Toph Day, meanwhile, has defended the organization and has said it is "eager to participate in the forensic audit." Contact senior government accountability reporter Hayleigh Colombo at hcolombo@ Sign up for our free weekly politics newsletter, Checks & Balances, by IndyStar political and government reporters. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Braun signs contract for IEDC audit costing taxpayers up to $800,000
Indianapolis Star
15-05-2025
- Business
- Indianapolis Star
Braun signs contract for an IEDC audit costing taxpayers up to $800,000. Here's why
The state of Indiana could pay up to $800,000 on a forensic audit initiated by Gov. Mike Braun of the Indiana Economic Development Corp. and its affiliate entities. The state-funded entity has been increasingly maligned by Republicans for its lack of transparency, culminating in Braun announcing that he wants to investigate the quasi-governmental entity for possible impropriety. The IEDC has been by funded by taxpayers since its 2005 founding under Gov. Mitch Daniels' administration but has faced criticism over the years for its sometimes-opaque practices. Braun's administration has already frozen the funds of IEDC affiliate Elevate Ventures, a nonprofit investment entity that's doled out nearly $200 million to Indiana startups, while the audit takes place. He also earlier this year signed an executive order that will result in increased financial transparency over entities like the related Indiana Economic Development Foundation, which has funded international travel for past governors. Braun's Secretary of Commerce David Adams signed a one-year contract earlier this week with Washington, D.C.-based firm FTI Consulting Inc. The firm will be paid an hourly rate of $595 for its work up to $800,000, unless the contract is eventually renewed. The firm will provide "forensic review and support services" for the state, according to a letter from the firm, which has locations worldwide including an office on the north side of Indianapolis near Carmel. Braun previously has stopped short of accusing anyone specifically of wrongdoing, but has said "transparency is essential." A Hannah News Service story published in April raised several issues, including IEDC's alleged struggles to get financial and investment data from the Elevate Ventures affiliate. "We are not rushing to any conclusions," Braun said on April 24. "We want to make sure things are reviewed independently." Elevate Ventures' CEO Toph Day, meanwhile, has defended the organization and has said it is "eager to participate in the forensic audit."
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
For sale: IEDC land purchased for LEAP, never used
A proposed map of the LEAP Innovation District in Boone County, taken from the state website on May 13, 2025. (From the IEDC's LEAP webpage) After buying thousands of acres in Boone County to home a contentious technology park, the Indiana Economic Development Corp. (IEDC) quietly listed two purchases for sale one month ago. Prices for both are less than what state taxpayers paid two years ago for the properties. The Limitless Exploration/Advance Pace Research and Innovation District — LEAP, for short — has been pitched as a future competitor with North Carolina's Research Triangle. Developers with the IEDC landed on Boone County due to its location halfway between Indianapolis and Purdue University, with access to a major interstate. LEAP spending nears $1B with projected budget shielded, investigation finds As of October, the IEDC has spent almost $427 million on roughly 5,800 acres tied to the project. Initially the state planned to purchase up to 11,000 acres. Both of the parcels — at 2009 W 250 N and 1502 W 525 N in Lebanon — are listed for sale on with the same real estate agent. In a statement, the IEDC confirmed that those two homes are the only two currently listed for sale by the IEDC. 'The IEDC is in the process of analyzing all land assets within the LEAP District. As part of that analysis, the IEDC identified two purchased properties that were necessary at the time for access and annexation, but no longer warrant the state maintaining to support current and future investments. For these reasons, it has been determined that the best path forward is to list and sell portions of these two properties, eliminating maintenance expenses and better aligning with the long-term vision for the site,' said Erin Sweitzer, who oversees communications for the IEDC. 'To date, the purchase of land and the development of the LEAP District has resulted in the IEDC securing more than $18 billion in committed long-term investments for critical life sciences, (research and development) and data center projects, with resulting land sale proceeds already being returned to the state's general fund,' Sweitzer continued. From the beginning, the agency has said its purchases will not be kept in the long term, but rather sold to the companies investing in LEAP. Eli Lilly, the first announced tenant, bought 605 acres from the state in April 2023 for $60 million, breaking ground on a $4.5 billion facility last week in the first phase of its planned $18 billion investment. Outside of Lilly, Facebook's parent company, Meta, has struck a 'tentative deal.' No other companies have openly committed to the site. One of the homes appears to be just north of the planned Lilly site, a single-acre site originally purchased for $840,000. The three-bedroom home is now listed for $649,900, a 23% price cut. The other house was part of a 20-acre purchase for $2.8 million. The slimmed down posting on includes eight acres and the original four-bedroom home and sits just south of where Prairie Creek intersects with Highway 52 — a place the LEAP website said could be used for mixed development or a village center. In 2023, the assessed value for the 12 acres was $47,500 while the house and eight acres was $819,500. Long-time LEAP opponents celebrated the listings as a sign that the IEDC is 'reconsidering' the project after years of pushback. 'I guess it tells us that they're reevaluating how they're doing things and … realized that maybe they shouldn't have bought quite so much or bitten off as much as what they've done,' said Brian Daggy, a Boone County resident. Daggy and other members of the Boone County Preservation Group have criticized the project's lack of transparency, maintaining that the state shouldn't act as a developer and potentially overpay to purchase land on the taxpayer dime. 'I have no objection … if a farmer gets an offer and wants to sell property for development. It's his property; he has that right to do so,' said Daggy. 'But when the state entity, such as IEDC, comes in and starts offering huge premiums for property and using taxpayer money with no accountability, it really … doesn't lend itself to fiscal responsibility or oversight.' Daggy said his wife and fellow board member, Peggy, is a former realtor and noted the listings a few days before the 'For Sale' sign appeared on the neighboring parcel. Like other area landowners, the state asked whether they'd be interested in selling their property. The Daggys declined. The state 'clearly overpaid' for the home on the northern edge of the Lilly allotment, Daggy said, and was an example of the state buying property with no clear objective. Lilly, even in older maps, has been the northern boundary for the LEAP project. 'I don't know of too many properties where, actually, the price has gone down in the last two years. If anything, appreciation has accelerated,' said Daggy. But Lebanon Mayor Matt Gentry said the sales don't indicate any slowing or pivot on behalf of the LEAP project, noting that the IEDC is still responsible for maintaining and mowing homes they own. 'Maybe the IEDC just came to the conclusion of, 'Let's just resell these to someone who wants to buy them,'' said Gentry. 'They were probably more interested in the land that came with the purchase.' Gentry led a nearly two-hour city council meeting Monday evening, during which the government body accepted eight small parcels for voluntary annexation explicitly as part of the LEAP taxing district. 'I don't think LEAP is slowing down at all,' Gentry concluded. The IEDC has been reticent to share LEAP details from the beginning, citing a need to keep ongoing negotiations private until it reaches a final deal. 'I understand the frustration, certainly,' emphasized Gentry. 'But, unfortunately, that's kind of the nature of these economic development deals. We were talking with Meta for more than two years before they were willing to kind of publicly announce…' Gentry pointed to the $4 billion SK hynix investment in Tippecanoe County, where developers have wrangled with locals to identify a potential location more than a year after announcing the planned advanced chip packaging facility. 'I've always seen this as a 25- to 50-year project, so I'm not frustrated by the speed of it,' said Gentry, who acknowledged the national economic headwinds may slow current progress. 'But, at the end of the day, the concept of LEAP is strong.' But Daggy tied overall transparency concerns with a governor-ordered forensic audit of the IEDC's finances. Gov. Mike Braun, who repeatedly criticized the quasi-public state agency during his gubernatorial run, also froze funds to an economic development 'partner' and the IEDC's foundation arm, the latter of which funded nearly all of former Gov. Eric Holcomb's international travel. Results from that audit aren't expected for months. Daggy also noted that the state-purchased land in Boone County doesn't supply valuable property tax dollars to the City of Lebanon — coinciding with a property tax restructuring that will further dent future incomes for local governments. The property tax plan championed by and signed into law by Braun will curb future property tax growth with the explicit goal of lowering bills for homeowners but will cost counties a combined $386 million in future revenues. Boone County accounts for $7 million of that loss, according to a fiscal note from late April. But Gentry noted that the owners of newly accepted annexed land weren't paying property taxes to Lebanon in the first place. Those dollars were paid to county and township coffers. Additionally, farmland — which accounts for most of the purchases — is taxed at a lower property tax rate. 'It's worth some short-term loss while the land is assembled and planned for,' said Gentry. 'In the long run, it will certainly generate way more in property taxes than it does today.' SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
