Holcomb aims to build on Indiana’s momentum with trip to Australia, Singapore
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowGov. Eric Holcomb and a delegation of economic development officials from Indiana are set to return home from a trip to Australia and Singapore on Tuesday.
The group met with government and business officials in both countries with a focus on growing partnerships to advance economic development, innovation and talent development in advanced manufacturing, defense, energy and other sectors.
Holcomb says Indiana has maintained a good relationship with the two countries and jumped on the chance to make the trip when the invitation came in.
Speaking via Zoom in Melbourne, Australia, the governor told Inside INdiana Business that Indiana is an ideal place for countries like Australia to expand their footprint, especially when it comes to hard tech and renewable energy.
“For a…market that big where they can partner their talent with talent at Purdue and Indiana University and Notre Dame and Rose-Hulman and Ivy Tech, they really have a great shot at growing if they have the right partners, and so this really is a perfect match,” Holcomb said. “We don’t we can’t afford as a state to downshift, and so you have to get out there, whether it’s around the state or around the country, around the world, if you want to form these partnerships.”
Holcomb said the stars are aligning for Indiana around the world, particularly after being selected as one of several regional hydrogen hubs, as well as one of 12 federally designated technology hubs.
The delegation was looking to capitalize on what already adds up to big numbers contributing the state’s economy. Hoosier imports and exports to Australia and Singapore totals nearly $2 billion.
The state is home to 32 Australian businesses such as Pratt Industries, which has a major presence in Valparaiso, as well as Singapore-based Bila Solar, which operates a $35 million headquarters and manufacturing facility in Indianapolis.
Several Indiana-based companies do business in either Australia and Singapore, with consultant CAI, Eli Lilly and Co. and Zimmer Biomet operating in both.
When speaking to business and government leaders in Australia and Singapore, Holcomb said his pitch for Indiana is that the state is an “oasis.”
“When you talk about what you need to grow your business, we offer a low cost environment, access to high talent and great sites,” he said. “And when you have those three things, and you factor in speed and collaboration and working harmoniously and sharing the same values, Indiana is also a very patriotic state.”
The governor also described Singapore as an economic and national security key partner for America that has the talent that is driving discovery in various industries.
“For us to be able to sit down with them and talk about the role that the semiconductor has in our destinies, literally, whether it’s our health or mobility or energy or fill in the blank, Singapore is a leader,” he said. “And I could see us developing very close relations with Singapore. We’ve been meeting with them for a while now, but this is this is getting real.”
Holcomb said it is important to him to build trusted and meaningful relationships with these other countries and businesses that have many other options to invest. He said he measures success on these trips by getting closer to getting deals done and making companies excited to invest in Indiana.
“These companies want to come to America. They’re going to pick one of 50 states, and we tend to think the core, the heart of the heartland, Indiana is more valuable to their market than the shores,” he said. “Most people think about LA and New York when they live abroad, but when you come to the core of America, where things are actually made, and then you couple that with now Indiana are getting known as the ‘R’ in R&D, it’s a powerful one two punch, but you got to sell it, no one’s going to sell it for you.”