WTHR
Gov. Mike Braun announced a partnership between Indiana and Israel Monday.
The public-private partnership is worth more than 60 million dollars.
According to the governor, the program’s designed to attract high-tech companies from Israel to come to set up headquarters in Indiana and invest in the state.
The partnership is called “Iron Nation-Indiana.”
The bridge to getting there aims to connect Indiana businesses, universities and health care systems with start up tech companies from Israel.
Braun said it all started last year when former Indiana Congressman Luke Messer brought a group of Israeli entrepreneurs to meet with him.
“They were starting to look to see where they want to invest,” Braun said.
A year later, according to the governor, that visit has led to more than $30 million in commitments from Israeli companies who plan to come to the Hoosier State.
“We’ve committed up to 15 million in incentives as our part of this kind of public-private partnership and their capital is going to have flexibility by company,” Braun explained, saying those incentives will be in the form of tax credits tied to performance.
“I think they see the environment that we’ve got that has made many come here and say, ‘Hey, you’re very common sense, reasonable regulations, you’re a low-tax state, and therefore, we feel comfortable just coming here to do business,'” Braun said.
As for whether specific companies have already committed to the partnership, Braun said that’s still being fleshed out.
According to the governor, Iron Nation-Indiana will be bring in hundreds, if not thousands, of jobs to Indiana. When and how many will depend on the size of each company.
“Any guarantees that the jobs that go to people already living and working right here in Indiana?” asked 13News Statehouse Reporter Emily Longnecker.
“I mean, they’re coming here. So it would be going to people that live and work here,” Braun said.
Monday’s announcement comes amidst international scrutiny and criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza and Lebanon, including concerns raised by the United Nations about civilian casualties.
“I think this is more to do with economic development and the kind of private sector of investment. On the government end of it, you’re going to have camps on both sides there and obviously, and that has been in discussion across the country. Clearly, we’re aligned with them in terms of the two countries that are taking on the biggest country that has sponsored terrorism, Iran,” Braun said.
Senate Democratic Leader Shelli Yoder (D-District 40) issued a statement on behalf of Senate Democrats on the partnership:
“At a time when Hoosier workers are literally being locked out of their jobs, the priority should be getting them back to work. That’s how you actually put American jobs first.
So yes, people are right to ask why their tax dollars don’t seem to be working for them in their own communities — whether that’s fixing roads and potholes or supporting jobs here at home.
Because you cannot claim to be ‘America First’ while Hoosier workers are being left behind. That’s not a misunderstanding. That’s a choice.
Hoosiers are paying attention. And they deserve leaders who put them first and take their concerns seriously.
At a time when Hoosier workers are literally being locked out of their jobs, the priority should be getting them back to work. That’s how you actually put American jobs first.”