Indiana Chamber Of Commerce Pushes For Improved Standard Of Living By 2025

The Indiana Chamber of Commerce has released the latest Indiana Vision 2025 Report Card.

The report compares Indiana to other states and gives an overview of where it is making progress or needs improvement. The Indiana Chamber continues to push for statewide changes to improve the standard of living in the state by 2025.

One goal is to increase the number of Hoosiers with post school education to 60%. Indiana Chamber President and CEO Kevin Brinegar says this does not necessarily mean a four-year bachelor's degree.

“We’re working to connect employers with the high schools to show them, through internships and other things what the world of work is like today,” says Brinegar. “And what opportunities there are for good paying, living wage jobs.” 

Brinegar says the greatest projected growth area is in the middle skills area – more than a high school diploma but less than a two-year associate degree.

He gives examples of industry certificates and apprenticeships.

Other Chamber goals include generating new businesses to keep Indiana’s unemployment rate below the national average and pushing to raise the cigarette tax and legal smoking age.

With the release of the Indiana Vision 2025 Report Card, the Indiana Chamber is hosting a series of regional forums across the state. Monday’s forum was the fourth to be held, and three more will follow this month.