Indiana Chamber of Commerce Reports Progress and Shortfalls Towards Vision

Indiana continues to have a business climate that is strong compared to other states, but the Indiana Chamber of Commerce finds there are also weak aspects of the state’s economic picture. 

The state chamber said it’s making progress on the goals of its Vision 2025. It released a new report card Thursday on how the state is doing.

Indiana continues to have low taxes and cheap utility costs. And it’s toward the top of the country on exports. But manufacturing jobs are declining and those left are requiring more education. And that’s a problem. Only 23 percent of Hoosiers have a Bachelor’s degree, putting Indiana toward the bottom of the country.

"We have got to make a transition from an economy where we’re heavily manufacturing dependent, more into a services orientated model," Chamber vice president Cameron Carter told WFYI. "But also, don’t leave advanced manufacturing behind. Those are very good paying jobs."

The state’s workforce is its number one economic driver, Carter said.

Poverty rates in Indiana are rebounding to pre-recession levels, a good sign. Broadband internet access could be improved, the chamber said, especially in rural communities. And Indiana, like many Midwest states, it struggling to attract the startup dollars needed for a strong entrepreneurial environment.

The chamber of commerce says it’s too soon to put a statistical analysis to the negative image created by the religious freedom law backlash, but “it’s real and it’s deep,” said chamber president Brineger.