Post-Brexit, State Targets Aviation Sector

In October 2014

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Indiana Secretary of Commerce Victor Smith says the state is being "very intentional" with the messaging and targets associated with an upcoming trip to the United Kingdom. A delegation of top economic development officials and representatives from Hoosier aviation, aerospace and defense companies will visit next week’s International Farnborough Air Show. The trip comes shortly after U.K. voters chose to leave the European Union and the Indiana Economic Development Corp. has begun running post-Brexit advertisements in the Financial Times and the U.K. edition of The Wall Street Journal reading "Brexit or not, you’ll always be front of queue for business in Indiana."

The ad continues "we stand with BAE Systems, BP, Rolls-Royce, Tate & Lyle and the other 50+ U.K. companies in Indiana."

Smith says the IEDC will serve as a "lilly pad" for employers with operations in the state that will be attending the event. The aerospace sector, particularly on the manufacturing side, has been a bright spot for the Indiana economy. Some 1,200 job commitments in the last two years can be tied to various facets of the sector. Over $900 million in investment plans from big names including Alcoa, Raytheon and Rolls-Royce have been announced in that times. The IEDC says state aircraft and spacecraft exports have jumped nearly 30 percent since 2002.

Smith says "next week, we will lead our third annual delegation to the world’s largest air show in London. As leaders in the aviation, aerospace and defense sectors converge there, Indiana’s message is two-fold. To our U.K.-based firms, know that we support you and value the Hoosier jobs you create. To job creators across the globe, we invite you to learn more about the benefits of doing business in a state that works." He says the state stands with partners in the U.K. during the "confusing and complex transition" to another macro-economic system.