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Schellinger Steps Down As Indiana Secretary Of Commerce

Jim Schellinger, center, was named the head of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation in 2015 by then-Gov. Mike Pence, left.
Brandon Smith/IPB News
Jim Schellinger, center, was named the head of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation in 2015 by then-Gov. Mike Pence, left.

The Indiana Economic Development Corporation, responsible for helping get companies to locate and add more jobs in the state, will soon have a new leader. 

Secretary of Commerce Jim Schellinger stepped down Wednesday, effective immediately.

In a letter to the IEDC Board of Directors, Schellinger said serving as Secretary of Commerce has been the “higher honor” of his life, but that it’s time for a “new day and a new leader” at the agency.

Schellinger started at the IEDC in 2015, under then-Gov. Mike Pence. The 60-year-old business leader and former Democratic candidate for governor said he believes the timing of his departure is good, arguing the “pipeline” for new jobs has never been stronger.

In a statement, Gov. Eric Holcomb called Schellinger a “great leader” and lauded IEDC’s record under his leadership. He said he’ll move quickly to name both interim and permanent successors to the position.

Contact reporter Brandon at  bsmith@ipbs.org or follow him on Twitter at @brandonjsmith5.

Brandon Smith has covered the Statehouse for Indiana Public Broadcasting for more than a decade, spanning three governors and a dozen legislative sessions. He's also the host of Indiana Week in Review, a weekly political and policy discussion program seen and heard across the state.
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