A Clearer Path for Indiana’s Innovation Sector

Last summer, the Indiana Chamber formed the Indiana Technology & Innovation Council. A large part of the group’s mission it to protect and advance the public policy interests of related organizations. The Indiana Technology & Innovation Council’s Tech Policy Committee developed an agenda going into the 2017 session with several significant objectives.

We are happy to report – thanks to the work of many – that the group’s first legislative session proved to be highly productive and rewarding, with several key policies to advance innovation, technology and entrepreneurship in Indiana set to become law.

These include enhancing early-stage and scale-up funding for promising Indiana business opportunities, an increased focus on innovation and entrepreneurship, better digital and physical connectivity with other parts of the world, funding for better use of big data and providing funding mechanisms to enhance regional infrastructure projects.

Management and Performance Hub Information Holds Promise
Indiana has been a leader in using government data to improve the delivery of services to its citizens. The Management and Performance Hub (MPH) is an evolving integrated data system that links government agency data and allows for data-driven analytics and research, which can help inform policy and improve the delivery of government services to come from that information. House Bill 1470, Government Data, authored by Rep. David Ober (R-Albion), was the main vehicle to codify the MPH and ensure it has maximum utility for taxpayers, government agencies, the Legislature and other external stakeholders.

The measure started off smoothly, but when it got to the Senate, it was derailed during a hearing before the Senate Commerce and Technology Committee. Based on fear that the information would not be secure or de-identified, the committee amended it to be only a summer study committee issue. Fortunately, the original content was restored by Sen. Brandt Hershman (R-Buck Creek), the bill’s sponsor, on the Senate floor. The Chamber has supported HB 1470 to maximize its utility as a consistent data source and analytical tool for a variety of public issues with multiple stakeholders.

Fortunately, the budget bill, HB 1001, authored by Rep. Tim Brown (R-Crawfordsville) ended up providing good resources to the MPH –$9 million per year for the next two years. This allows MPH the ability to continue to develop to provide timely and accurate information that can help track vital information for the state’s economy, education and a host of other matters where better data can help inform better decisions.

Municipalities Work to Hinder Small Cell Legislation, But It Passes
A bill to more easily move Indiana’s mobile broadband connectivity to the next generation of technology passed the Indiana General Assembly. Senate Bill 213, Wireless Support Structures, authored by Sen. Hershman, focused on streamlining permitting, fees and co-location to increase coverage by current cell towers and facilitate more rapid installation of small cell technology in Indiana communities.

Specifically, an objective was to eliminate excess fees and permitting by local units of government that would hinder installation of small cell antennas. A lot of misinformation was communicated by detractors to say many of the antennas were the size of a refrigerator or Volkswagen, when, in fact, they are much smaller. It is in the providers’ economic interest to co-locate small cell antennas on current towers, light poles or other structures.

This legislation also highlighted an interesting dynamic: Many municipalities who want better broadband in their communities as an economic development tool also want a “say” in the small cell tower locations and to be able to collect fees and issue permits. And those desires are quite strong.

Case in point: There is a provision in the bill that allows Indiana communities to designate local ordinances (and possibly resolutions) to direct where and how those small cell devices can be put in their community by making them an underground or buried utility area. The deadline for seeking this additional protection was May 1. Realizing this, Accelerate Indiana Municipalities (AIM) sent information to its members around the state to quickly pass an ordinance or resolution by that date. Almost 100 locales were considering doing so. But that move may backfire on these same communities whose citizens want
better broadband. What’s more, whether those new ordinances are legal remains to be seen.

The Chamber supports more and better broadband for Indiana and strongly advocated for SB 213 during the process. We appreciate the hard work of Sen. Hershman and Rep. Ober in getting this legislation over the finish line.

Major Tech, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Progress
Several tech innovation issues ended up advancing in the state biennial budget, HB 1001, authored by Rep. Tim Brown.

A Chamber priority was to increase early stage capital in promising Indiana companies. While making the Venture Capital Investment (VCI) Tax Credit transferrable (to attract out-of-state investment to Indiana) didn’t happen, it arguably worked out even better with the creation of the $250 million Next Level Trust Fund. This allows for up to half of the $500 million corpus from the Major Moves highway infrastructure program to be used for investments outside of conservative fixed income investments. It creates a Next Level Indiana Fund investment board with fiduciary responsibility to direct investments in equities or “funds of funds” which could be directed toward promising Indiana businesses.

In addition to the Next Level Trust Fund, legislators adopted options for Indiana public employees and teachers with defined contribution plans to invest up to 20% of their contributions in an Indiana-focused fund.

This summer, the Legislative Services Agency is conducting a deep study of the impact of the VCI. That report is due in October 2017 and based on information that comes from that report, we hope to better advocate for the enhancement of the tax credit during the 2018 session, if warranted. In SB 507, authored by Sen. Randy Head (R-Logansport), the expiration date of the VCI tax credit of 2020 was eliminated so the tax credit now has more certainty for the future.

House Bill 1001 also funded $30 million for the 21st Century Research and Technology Fund. Additionally, $15 million for each of the next two years was allocated for the Business Promotion and Innovation Fund, which combined several requests. It gives authority to the Governor and the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) to incentivize direct flights from international and regional airports in Indiana, encourage regional development activities (aka Regional Cities), advance innovation and entrepreneurship education programs through strategic partnerships and support international trade.

The Indiana Biosciences Research Institute was funded for $20 million for year two of the budget. This should pay dividends down the road to further grow Indiana life sciences opportunities.

Better Performance Metrics to Recertify Technology Parks
Certified technology parks (CTPs) around the state will benefit from House Bill 1601, authored by Rep. Todd Huston (R-Fishers). The bill requires IEDC to develop new metrics for performance of CTPs as they are up for recertification.

The IEDC will work with local units of government to develop the metrics. They will include the criteria used to evaluate each category of information by a CTP and a minimum threshold requirement to be recertified in each category.

This is good for both state and local governments to ensure the CTPs are truly being an effective driver of economic activity for that community and region. The bill did not receive any no votes during the legislative process and was supported in a bipartisan fashion. The Chamber backed the bill and appreciates the good work that Rep. Huston and Sen. Hershman, the Senate sponsor, did to ensure its passage.

State Accepting Nominations for Governor’s Century, Half Century Business Awards

The following is a release from the Indiana Economic Development Corporation

The state of Indiana is currently accepting nominations for the Governor’s Century and Half Century Business Awards, which honor Hoosier businesses that have remained in operation for at least 100 or 50 years, respectively, and have a demonstrated a commitment to serving the community.

Award winners will receive a commemorative certificate and be recognized in the spring. Applications are due by February 10.

Qualifying criteria is as follows:

  • The business must have had continuous operations in Indiana for more than 50 or 100 years by Dec. 31, 2016
  • The business must have participated in the same line of work for the duration of its operations. If different, an explanation of the evolution into the current business must be provided on the nomination form
  • The business must have had its base in the state of Indiana since it was founded
  • Not-for-profit corporations and hospitals are not eligible
  • The business must recognize, acknowledge and agree that it is in full compliance with the Indiana Secretary of State, Department of Revenue and the Department of Workforce Development by signing the application
  • The business must not have previously received a Century or Half Century award from the state of Indiana. Previous Half Century Award recipients may qualify for a Century Award

Eligible companies are encouraged to complete the online application. Please visit the IEDC website for additional programmatic details.

TECH THURSDAY: First Technology & Innovation Council Meeting a Success

Over 100 Hoosier innovators and leaders joined us for the first ever meeting of the Indiana Technology & Innovation Council Tuesday. Here are some pictures from the gathering, held in the Indiana Chamber Conference Center in Indianapolis, along with a summary and next steps:

pic4Indiana Chamber of Commerce VP Mark Lawrance is leading the Chamber’s efforts in bringing the council together to help Indiana’s tech ecosystem move forward in a unified manner.


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Bill Soards of AT&T addressed the crowd, relaying lessons he learned about entrepreneurship and the tech sector while working in Colorado.


pic3John McDonald of CloudOne led the discussion about policy priorities, sharing captivating stories from his experiences and gaining valuable feedback from those in attendance.


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John Wechsler of Launch Fishers has become one of the state’s go-to mentors and leaders for entrepreneurship.


pic5 The crowd included representatives from Indiana’s K-12 and college education sectors, including Allison Barber of WGU Indiana.


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Ian Steff of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation also addressed the crowd. We’re grateful for the IEDC’s commitment to helping create more high-paying jobs in the Hoosier State via tech and innovation.


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Indiana Business for Responsive Government’s Jeff Brantley discussed the role legislators can play in helping Indiana’s tech sector thrive.

TECH THURSDAY: Mickey’s Mantra

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EDITOR’S NOTE: BizVoice® has featured technology/innovation stories throughout its 18-year history. Look for these flashbacks each Thursday. Here is a 2011 favorite.

Michael S. “Mickey” Maurer says a common piece of advice for entrepreneurs is “find something you do well, you like, and do that forever.”

But all entrepreneurs do not fit into a nice, neat, one-size-fits-all package. The definition of the term, after all, typically includes the words “initiative” and “risk.”

Maurer follows his initial comment with this self-description. “I just don’t seem to follow that good advice. I have a short attention span, a big curiosity and I like to do things I’ve never done before. What I try to do is find something I’ve never done, do that and learn all I can, and then move on and do something else I’ve never done. And that makes every deal fascinating … and it makes every deal fraught with risks if you’re doing everything for the first time.”

Maurer’s business career has included cable television, racquetball facilities, film production, radio broadcasting, newspaper publishing, banking and much more. He served in the early days of the Daniels administration, making deals for the state as leader of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation.

In one 30-minute conversation, Maurer offers these recollections and pieces of advice.

Read the full story online.

And learn more about the Indiana Chamber’s new Technology & Innovation Council. Want to participate? Contact Mark Lawrance at mlawrance(at)indianachamber.com.

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Indiana Named Best State in the Midwest for Business

?????????????????????????????????????????A new Chief Executive magazine survey labels Indiana as the best state for business in the Midwest — and the sixth best in the U.S. A release from the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) has more:

The magazine’s “Best & Worst States For Business” ranking is based on surveys of more than 500 CEOs. According to Chief Executive, the results of the 11th annual survey show that CEOs favor states with progressive business development programs, low taxes and a quality living environment.

“We’ve worked hard to create a low-cost, pro-growth economic environment here in Indiana,” said Governor Mike Pence. “This ranking confirms what we already know as Hoosiers. With an honestly balanced budget, robust infrastructure and a top-notch workforce, Indiana is a state that works for business.”

As highlighted by Chief Executive, Indiana became the first Midwestern right-to-work state in 2012, a law that was upheld by the Indiana Supreme Court last year. Since its passing, more than 100 companies have indicated to the IEDC that its passage was a factor in their decisions to locate or expand operations in Indiana. Collectively, these projects account for approximately 10,000 projected new jobs and more than $2.3 billion capital investment in the state.

Indiana’s 6th place ranking makes it the only Midwestern state in the publication’s top 10. Among neighboring states, Kentucky ranked 28th, Ohio ranked 22nd, Michigan ranked 43rd and Illinois ranked 49th.

This Chief Executive magazine ranking is the latest in a series of national accolades for Indiana’s business climate. Last year, Indiana was ranked best in the Midwest and 7th overall in Area Development magazine’s “Top States for Doing Business” as well as best in the Midwest and 7th in the nation in the Pollina Corporate “Top 10 Pro-Business States for 2014” study.

Chief Executive magazine is a bi-monthly publication for top management executives published by the Chief Executive Group LLC. Founded in 1977, the Chief Executive Group LLC is headquartered in Greenwich, Connecticut. The full survey results are available online.

Chamber Supports Regional Cities Initiative, I-69 Route in Southern Marion County

HB 1403 establishes the Indiana Regional City Fund to provide grants and loans to regional development authorities. Provides that the Indiana Economic Development Corporation administers the fund. Provides that a city or town that is eligible to become a second-class city may become a member of a regional development authority.

The Indiana Chamber testified in support of HB 1403, joining many others. The Indiana Chamber endorses regionalism and place-making economic development strategies that this legislation seeks to enable. Both have proven effective and both are in line with the Chamber’s Indiana Vision 2025 economic development plan. How to fund the state portion of the regional cities initiative remains an open question and one which the Indiana Chamber is prepared to work with legislative leaders to find an answer.

The bill was heard in the House Ways and Means Committee on Monday. No vote taken; eligible for further committee action.

Furthermore, see the article on the Regional Cities Initiative in the January/February edition of BizVoice magazine.


HB 1036 removes the requirement that the General Assembly enact a statute authorizing the construction of I-69 in Perry Township (Marion County) before I-69 may be constructed in Perry Township.

The Indiana Chamber, along with many others, testified in support of HB 1036; no party testified in opposition to the bill. There is no valid reason that the current prohibition for I-69 in Perry Township, Marion County should exist in law. The Chamber’s position: The current prohibition should be repealed; all potential routes for the final section of I-69 should be objectively studied by the appropriate agencies of both the federal and state governments; and the route with the least environmental and best economic impact for the state should be chosen upon the merits, not upon any political clout or other considerations.

This bill was heard in the House Roads and Transportation Committee on Wednesday. No vote taken; eligible for further committee action.

Regional Power: New Initiative to Help Leverage Core Cities for Regional Growth

IGov. Mike Pence recently allocated a total of $84 million in the 2016-17 budgets to help fund the Regional Cities Initiative. Led by the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, the plan will take what the organization learned by consulting 11 economically successful cities of varying sizes in the U.S. to help Indiana’s regions develop their own approaches to increasing economic growth.

While the state is helping, each region will be allowed to autonomously craft its own approach — and define what areas each region encompasses, for that matter.

I had the privilege of writing about this innovative concept in our latest BizVoice magazine. State officials hope this will help Indiana’s cities and nearby rural areas thrive by enhancing many factors, most notably “quality of place.”

2014 Best Places to Work in Indiana Named; Rankings Coming May 1

A record-tying 100 companies, including 27 new honorees from last year, have been selected as a 2014 Best Place to Work in Indiana, the Indiana Chamber of Commerce announced today. Actual rankings for the companies will be unveiled at a May 1 awards dinner, presented in partnership with Hylant, at the Indiana Convention Center in downtown Indianapolis.

These top companies in the state were determined through employer reports and comprehensive employee surveys. The Best Companies Group, which handled the selection process, oversees similar programs in 21 other states.

Winners were selected from four categories: small companies of between 15 and 74 U.S. employees; medium companies of between 75 and 249 U.S. employees; large companies of between 250 and 999 U.S. employees; and major companies with 1,000 or more U.S. employees. Out-of-state parent companies were eligible to participate if at least 15 full-time employees are in Indiana.

This year saw the most number of applicants ever for the program, says Indiana Chamber President and CEO Kevin Brinegar.

“We have a lot of great employers in Indiana that are providing a productive, employee-friendly work environment that also leads to success for the organization. We are happy to recognize those companies which took part in the program and encourage even more companies to join the process for 2015.”

For organizations on this year’s list that have displayed sustained excellence during the program’s nine-year history, there is additional recognition.

Hall of Fame companies are those that have been named a Best Place to Work in Indiana at least two-thirds of the time in the program’s history; a total of 23 organizations on the 2014 list meet that criteria. Two companies – Edward Jones and Katz, Sapper & Miller – have made the Best Places to Work list all nine years of the program. The Pinnacle recognition is reserved for those that have finished first in their category three or more times in a five-year period. The two Pinnacle companies are Microsoft (first in the major employer category in 2013 and in the large category in 2011-2012) and Edward Jones (tops in the large employer category from 2006-2008).

In addition to the May 1 awards dinner, winners will be recognized via a special section of the Indiana Chamber’s bimonthly BizVoice® magazine and through Inside INdiana Business with Gerry Dick – both of which reach statewide audiences. Additional program partners are the Best Companies Group, Indiana Economic Development Corporation, Indiana State Council of SHRM and the Wellness Council of Indiana. The 2014 Best Places to Work in Indiana awards dinner is open to the public. Individual tickets and tables are available at www.indianachamber.com/specialevents.

All companies that participated in the 2014 Best Places to Work program receive an in-depth evaluation identifying strengths and weaknesses according to their employees. In turn, this report can be used in developing or enhancing employee retention and recruitment programs.

For more information on the Indiana Chamber’s Best Places to Work program, go to www.bestplacestoworkIN.com.

In addition to Hylant, Best Places to Work in Indiana is sponsored by: Moser Consulting, Inc.; Hays Companies of Indiana; ADVISA; Elfcu, Eli Lilly Federal Credit Union; Jackson Lewis; Matrix Integration, LLC; Ogletree Deakins; and Smithville Communications, Inc.

Additional sponsorships are still available. Email jwagner@indianachamber.com for more details.

The 2014 Best Places to Work in Indiana companies listed in alphabetical order, no ranking:

*Hall of Fame companies

Small Companies (15-74 U.S. employees)
Company / Primary Indiana Location

Apex Benefits / Indianapolis
Bassemiers Fireplace Patio and Spas / Evansville
Bierman ABA Autism Center / Carmel
BlueSky Technology Partners / Noblesville
Borshoff / Indianapolis
Catalyst Product Development, Inc. / Indianapolis
Conner Insurance / Indianapolis
Courseload, Inc. / Indianapolis
Cripe Architects + Engineers / Indianapolis
Cushman & Wakefield/SUMMIT / Indianapolis
Delivra, Inc. / Indianapolis
Design Collaborative, Inc. / Fort Wayne
Diverse Staffing / Indianapolis
Diverse Tech Services, Inc. / Indianapolis
E-gineering, LLC / Indianapolis
FirstPerson / Indianapolis
Formstack / Indianapolis
Hanapin Marketing / Bloomington
Hollingsworth & Zivitz, P.C. / Carmel
Iasta.com, Inc. / Carmel
IDSolutions / Noblesville
Indesign, LLC / Indianapolis
Indiana CPA Society / Indianapolis
Indianapolis Indians / Indianapolis
Indigo BioSystems, Inc. / Indianapolis
Inovateus Solar LLC / South Bend
JA Benefits, LLC / Bedford
Leaf Software Solutions / Carmel
Mainstreet / Lebanon
National Trade Supply, LLC / Greenwood
netlogx / Indianapolis
Network Solutions, Inc. / Granger
Oak Street Funding / Carmel
One Click Ventures / Greenwood
PolicyStat / Carmel
Private Fleet Backhaul / Anderson
sgSolutions, Inc. / Indianapolis
Swagelok Indiana / Indianapolis
TinderBox / Indianapolis
Wessler Engineering / Indianapolis
Wilson Kehoe Winingham / Indianapolis

Medium Companies (75-249 U.S. employees)
Company / Primary Indiana Location

Allegient, LLC / Indianapolis
Apparatus / Indianapolis
Community Bank Shares of Indiana, Inc. / New Albany
Elfcu, Eli Lilly Federal Credit Union / Indianapolis
Financial Center / Indianapolis
Gibson / South Bend
HardingPoorman, Inc.* / Indianapolis
MJ Insurance, Inc.* / Indianapolis
MOBI Wireless Management / Indianapolis
Moser Consulting Inc. / Indianapolis
OurHealth / Indianapolis
Peoples Bank SB / Munster
Project Lead The Way / Indianapolis
Purdue Federal Credit Union / West Lafayette
Schmidt Associates* / Indianapolis
Software Engineering Professionals, Inc. / Carmel
Somerset CPAs* / Indianapolis
United Consulting* / Indianapolis
United Leasing Inc. / Evansville
United Way of Central Indiana / Indianapolis
Visiting Nurse and Hospice of the Wabash Valley / Terre Haute

Large Companies (250-999 U.S. employees)
Company / Primary Indiana Location

Appirio / Indianapolis
Ash Brokerage Corporation* / Fort Wayne
Blue & Co., LLC* / Carmel
Brotherhood Mutual Insurance Company* / Fort Wayne
Centier Bank* / Merrillville
Draper Inc. / Spiceland
Duke Realty / Indianapolis
FORUM Credit Union / Indianapolis
Fusion Alliance* / Indianapolis
Hall Render Killian Heath & Lyman, PC* / Indianapolis
Hancock Regional Hospital* / Greenfield
Hosparus Inc. / New Albany
Hylant / Indianapolis
Katz, Sapper & Miller* / Indianapolis
Kendall Electric, Inc. / Multiple
Magna Powertrain / Muncie
Monarch Beverage / Indianapolis
Shiel Sexton Company, Inc.* / Indianapolis
Sikich LLP / Indianapolis
Traylor Bros., Inc. / Evansville

Major Companies (1,000+ U.S. employees)
Company / Primary Indiana Location

Aerotek / Indianapolis
Cassidy Turley* / Indianapolis
Columbus Regional Health* / Columbus
Eaton Corporation / South Bend
Edward Jones* / Statewide
Emmis Communications Corporation* / Indianapolis
ExactTarget* / Indianapolis
Hendricks Regional Health / Danville
Hilliard Lyons / Multiple
Horseshoe Casino Hammond / Hammond
Interactive Intelligence* / Indianapolis
Microsoft Corporation / Indianapolis
Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C. / Indianapolis
RCI* / Carmel
Total Quality Logistics / Indianapolis
Union Hospital, Inc.* / Terre Haute
WestPoint Financial Group* / Indianapolis
WOW! Internet, Cable and Phone / Evansville

Indy/San Francisco Flight Ready for Takeoff; Needs Support from Business Travelers

Hoosier business leaders and Indiana travelers will soon be privy to a non-stop flight from Indianapolis to San Francisco on January 8 (and a direct flight already exists en route to Los Angeles). United Flights 317 and 500 (named for Indianapolis’ area code and the Indy 500) will be incredibly convenient to those in many industries.

The Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) recently wrote:

With over 4,900 seats already reserved, we’re off to a great start, but it’s important to keep that momentum going.  The best way is to simply buy tickets and show your support.

It’s an incredible holiday gift that will certainly bring new opportunities and investment to the Hoosier State, and yet another reason Indiana is a state that works for business.

Indiana Chamber board member Michael Wells, who also serves as president of REI Investments and on the Indianapolis Airport Authority Board, explains the benefits of the flight.

“This will be very helpful for the tech community, like SalesForce.com (which recently acquired Indy-based ExactTarget) and others,” he notes. “It also will allow (venture capital groups) to fly into Indy in the evening, conduct business during the next day and catch a good connection back to the West Coast, leaving around 5 p.m. and still arriving at a decent hour due to the time zone.”

Wells adds that the San Francisco flight will serve as a connection to Asia, and connections are set up for convenient transfers for passengers.

TAKE NOTE: However, it’s critical that Indiana travelers and the business community use the flight if it’s to be continued beyond the next year, and the local market will need to prove it can support it. A release from IEDC reports:

The Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) will provide United Airlines with a minimum revenue guarantee, consistent with industry standards and United’s business model, during the term of the one-year agreement. To accomplish this, the IEDC allocated $1.5 million in a reserve fund, which represents the state’s maximum financial exposure. No payments from the reserve fund will occur as long as the market’s support for the nonstop route equals or exceeds the minimum revenue guarantee.

Indiana Medical Device Leaders Wary of Taxes from ACA

Gabrielle Karol of FoxBusiness.com reports on the looming taxes and fallout from the Affordable Care Act that could give some of Indiana's medical device makers big headaches. The Chamber and other business organizations continue to fight this.

In Warsaw, Indiana, known as the “Orthopedic Capital of the World,” the CEOs of medical-device companies are none too pleased with the medical-device tax imposed by ObamaCare.

In this edition of Conference Room, Iconacy CEO Tom Allen and OrthoPediatrics CEO Mark Throdahl tell FBN’s Jeff Flock that the 2.3% excise tax will have a major impact on their businesses.

“This is a tax on sales. We have no profits to pay it from, so the only way to stump up the money to pay a tax of this size is by cutting programs,” says Throdahl, whose company makes orthopedic products for children with fractures or leg or spine deformities.

Throdahl says the tax will prevent his company from growing.

“All of the engineers who surround me – their payroll is equivalent to the tax we’re now paying Washington. So we could double the size of our technical staff were it not for the medical-device tax,” says Throdahl. While Allen’s company is still in the launch phase, so the tax hasn’t yet had a major effect, he says it has hindered his ability to add staff as well.

Given that Warsaw is known for its medical-device companies, the tax could also have a profound effect on both the community and the state of Indiana.

“There are estimates that over 40,000 jobs will be impacted in the medical technology industry by the medical-device tax,” says Throdahl.

Indiana Economic Development Corp. president Eric Doden says the tax is particularly disappointing to the community given the strides made to reduce the tax burden paid by these companies.

“In Indiana, we have had a history of entrepreneurship particularly in this arena. And these are high paying jobs and the thing that sort of disappointed us as a state is that Governor Pence and the State House [have] done an incredible job of lowering taxes and trying to create a better environment for these businesses to start to grow,” says Doden.