Chambers has no doubt Indiana’s economic success will grow
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowAs he prepares to step down as Indiana’s secretary of commerce next month, Brad Chambers says he is confident that the state’s economic development momentum will continue after he leaves. Since beginning his role two years ago, Indiana has landed a multitude of major projects, such as the $3 billion electric vehicle battery cell plant in St. Joseph County that could create 1,700 jobs.
“There is talent and passion in innovation, and an aspiration for more and better in our state,” Chambers said. “I’m just leaving 24 months as secretary commerce fulfilled and confident that there is more in our future.”
Chambers told Inside INdiana Business Host Gerry Dick the state’s deal pipeline is far from empty.
“Somewhere close to $100 billion of industry continues to look and evaluate Indiana and all the great attributes of this state,” he said. “It’s not going to surprise me at all that the hits just keep on coming here over the next few months, even into next year.”
One week ago, Chambers announced his decision to step down on Aug. 6, two years after taking office. In each of those two years, Indiana saw a record amount of economic investment.
One of Chambers’ key strategies was the creation of state-sponsored mega-sites. The first is the more than 10,000-acre LEAP Innovation and Research District in Lebanon, which landed Eli Lilly and Co.’s $3.7 billion manufacturing campus and is envisioned as the anchor of a 63-mile hard tech corridor, connecting downtown Indianapolis and Purdue University’s West Lafayette campus.
“The ink wasn’t even dry on that thing, and $3.7 billion from Eli Lilly, one of our most important life sciences companies, [is] the largest in their state history. So, I’m optimistic,” he said. “Remember, that’s not a two-year strategy; that’s a 22-year strategy or more, and I just think it’s going to be the heartbeat of central Indiana at some point.”
Chambers also noted Indiana’s future in the energy sector when it comes to electric vehicles and renewable energy sources, including a growing emphasis on hydrogen production.
“We’re No. 4 in the country for either clean energy and permitting or generating energy. And so there’s a lot of great assets on our state balance sheet around the energy transition, and then we have a unique spot in the United States from a competitive perspective on hydrogen.”
Chambers said he and his team have been deliberate about telling the story that Indiana is winning in the global economy, something he hopes will continue.
“I don’t think you can ever stop telling the story of Indiana, the good news of Indiana,” he said. “I think when you start slowing that down, you know, you’re gonna see a slowdown in economic activity.”
When asked about potential plans to run for governor, Chambers said he is focused on getting to the finish line in his current position and will then give it some thought and consideration.
If he does decide to enter the race, Chambers face at least four opponents for the Republican nomination, including Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, Sen. Mike Braun, Fort Wayne businessman Eric Doden, and former Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill.
He has not given a timeline for when a decision will be made.