The energy and vitality of Orange County as part of the South Central Region fosters an environment that is conducive to personal and business success. The people, infrastructure, and programs available in Orange County and South Central Indiana work together in perfect harmony to nurture emerging start-ups and business expansions a like.
The energy and vitality of Orange County as part of the South Central Region fosters an environment that is conducive to personal and business success. The people, infrastructure, and programs available in Orange County and South Central Indiana work together in perfect harmony to nurture emerging start-ups and business expansions a like.
Advantages of doing business in Orange County as part of the South Central Indiana Region:
An abundant, hard-working, and cost-effective workforce. The lowest costs in the Midwest-based on total business taxes. The lowest electric power rates in the Midwest. A business-friendly tax structure that is routinely ranked among the most pro-business in the country. Hundreds of millions of dollars of new infrastructure investment, including a new interstate highway that intersects the Region. State and regional incentives for businesses in any life stage. A score of recent business expansions. An abundance of affordable properties appropriate for industrial and commercial businesses. Access to unparalleled business development opportunities through NSWC Crane.
Our incentive programs are designed to expand both the County’s and your company’s return on investment
Orange County is committed to creating a business climate that’s attractive to new businesses, and supports the sustained growth and success of existing ones. Incentive programs play an important part in achieving this goal, and a wide variety of options at the state, local and regional levels mean that if you have a need, we probably have a program that can help you meet it. Orange County will take the time to understand your goals and deliver a customized incentive plan designed to achieve them.
Grants
Specialized programs for technology and industrial development investments
The State of Indiana aggressively supports advanced manufacturing and other technical expansions and relocations. The Orange County team can help you apply for this funding and make you aware of other grant options for which you may be eligible. 21st Century Research and Technology Fund
Created to diversify State’s economy
Helps develop and commercialize advanced technologies
Awards approved by a board made up of academic and commercial representatives
Industrial Development Grant Fund (IDGF)
Funds off-site infrastructure projects that help expand an existing Indiana company or support location of a new facility
Grant provides money to local governments who then fund projects
State IDGF funding must be matched by a combination of local government and company financial support
Small Business Innovation Research Initiative and Small Business Technology Transfer Program (SBIR/STTR)
Sister programs that encourage small businesses to explore technological potential
Funding available through 11 participating agencies through the U.S.
Loans
Innovative loan programs can help meet your unique lending needs
Reliable, affordable funding is critical to the success of your expansion or relocation-especially in today’s challenging lending environment. Our loan programs are designed to help companies that might not meet traditional lending requirements or that offer unique value to Orange County. Your Orange County project manager will help you apply for these programs and make you aware of other specialized loan programs for which your company may be eligible.
Tax-Exempt Bonds
Issued by state and local governmental entities
Created to benefit private, job-creating companies
Interest on bonds usually exempt from federal income taxes (for investors)
Interest rates to borrowers typically lower
Often called Industrial Revenue Bonds (IRBs) or Industrial Development Bonds (IDBs)
Loan Guaranty Program (Guaranteed by the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC))
Helped fund over $84 million in loans
Provides a loan guaranty to the lender
Designed to benefit companies that create/retain a significant number of Indiana jobs in a high-growth/high-skill area including:
Manufacturing
Rural development
Value-added agriculture
Capital Access Program (CAP)
Designed to aid small businesses that might not meet conventional lending requirements
Creates a cash reserve fund for a lender to use as additional collateral for loans enrolled in the program
USDA Rural Development Loan ProgramsSmall Business Administration Loan Programs
Special Programs
Additional state and regional programs to foster investment and success
Both new and growing businesses can benefit from the breadth of special programs available Orange County.
Shovel Ready Certification
Certification program that qualifies sites as “ready for development”
Helps to speed site location and development
Provides competitive advantage for Indiana and drives job growth
To view Shovel Ready sites in the County, click on Available Properties.
Patent Tax Exemption
Allows tax exemptions for certain income derived from qualified patents (utility and plant)
Total annual exemptions claimed may not exceed $5 million
Regulatory Ombudsman
Assists companies in obtaining permits/approvals for business operation
Serves as a liaison between companies, communities, local economic development organizations and regulatory agencies
International Trade Show Assistance (TSAP)
Provides financial assistance for small Indiana businesses to participate in international trade shows
Encourages companies to explore overseas markets
Helps promote Indiana exports
Server Equipment Tax Exemption
Supports the attraction and growth of companies with large server operations
Server equipment is tax-exempt
Tax Credits
Our tax credits are an important reason why Forbes calls Indiana the best in the Midwest for the cost of doing business.
Companies expanding or relocating to Orange County have a number of targeted tax credits available to them, designed to nurture and promote specific kinds of investment. Your Orange County project manager can help you determine those for which your company is eligible and help you apply for them.
“The community went out of their way to make this location work for us. They’ve pinpointed grants and tax abatements and held a job fair to expedite our hiring process. I’ve traveled and worked all over the country, and this area offers cooperation and support that you won’t find just anywhere.”Jim Shelby
President, Pro Fab Custom Metals
Economic Development for a Growing Economy (EDGE) Tax Credit
Refundable tax credit
Rewards companies for creating jobs and contributing to the growth of Indiana’s economy
Credits calculated as a percentage of payroll tax withholding for net new Indiana jobs
Awarded for up to 10 years
Headquarters Relocation Tax Credit
Awarded to companies that locate their principal office of principal executives to Indiana
Credit against state tax liability equal to half of relocation costs
Must have annual worldwide revenue of $100 million+ to qualify
Hoosier Business Investment Tax Credit (HBITC)
Encourages capital investment by providing a credit against Indiana tax liability based on investment
Final credit amount determined by the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, based on analysis of economic benefits of proposed investment
Industrial Recovery Tax Credit
Facilities requiring significant rehabilitation/remodeling-and designated as an industrial recovery site-may be eligible for tax credits
Credit calculated as a percentage of qualified rehabilitation expense
Venture Capital Investment Tax Credit
Improves access to capital for fast-growing companies
Gives individual and corporate investors additional incentives to invest in early-stage companies
Provides credit against Indiana income tax liability to investors who provide qualified debt/equity capital to Indiana companies
Media Production Sales Tax Exemption (MPETC)
Established to grow the Indiana production industry
Tax credit up to 15% of amount spent in Indiana for qualified production expenditures.
Workforce Training
Sustaining an Indiana hallmark: workforce excellence
Today’s dynamic, international economy demands a flexible workforce that’s committed to maintaining up-to-date skills. Our training reimbursement programs are an affordable way to help ensure that your company maintains a well-rounded competitive workforce.
Skills Enhancement Fund (SEF)
Financial assistance to businesses committed to workforce training
Trainees must be Indiana residents
Eligible expenses reimbursed over a two-year term; companies may reapply for additional assistance
Training required by law not typically reimbursed
Technology Enhancement Certification for Hoosiers (TECH)
Reimbursement grant program
Designed to help Indiana increase the number of information technology (IT) workers
Financial assistance for companies committed to expanding their IT employee base
Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA)
Community Development Block Grant Micro Enterprise Assistance Program: Eligible projects will be designed to assist micro-enterprise businesses owned by low- to moderate-income persons and/or microenterprise businesses that will create jobs for low- to moderate-income persons. Projects will provide training, technical assistance, and low-interest loans for eligible applicants.
Community Development Block Grant Community Economic Development Fund: Eligible projects will be designed to assist businesses to create new or retain existing jobs for low- to moderate-income workers. Projects can be used for land purchases, construction or renovation of a building to accommodate the business, purchase of capital equipment, and provision of job training.
Business experts agree: Indiana offers one of the country’s best tax climates
Locate in Orange County and take advantage of Indiana’s business-friendly tax structure.
“A” rating for tax climate (Conexus)
Ranked 9th in the 2022 State Business Tax Climate Index (The Tax Foundation)
These pro-business exemptions and credits can help create success for your company:
Tax exemption on income derived from qualified utility and plant patents
A new state R&D sales tax credit on research and development equipment
Indiana portion of a corporations’ taxable income based solely on a company’s sales in Indiana (phased in by 2011)
No gross receipts tax
No inventory tax
Exemption of raw materials, equipment, and utility costs from the sales and use tax
State Taxes
Indiana’s innovative tax structure is considered one of the most pro-business in the country
With Indiana’s wide range of business-driven tax calculations, exemptions and credits, it’s no surprise that Indiana is widely regarded as one of the most business-friendly states in the country.
Corporate Income Tax
Flat 8.5 percent tax rate on adjusted gross income (AGI)
AGI is a company’s federal adjusted income less certain adjustments
Simplifies corporate tax calculation (does not apply to S corporations or not-for-profit organizations)
Single-Sales Factor (statewide implementation by 2011)
Calculates Indiana’s portion of an interstate/international corporation’s taxable income based solely on the portion of a company’s sales in Indiana
Reduces the Indiana tax burden for interstate/international corporations
Sales and Use Tax
Rate of 7 percent
Manufacturing exemptions:
Raw materials
Equipment
Power
Electricity and other utilities
General exemptions:
Wholesale items
Items used directly in production
Sales made in interstate commerce
Research and development equipment purchases
Property Tax
Real and personal property tax assessed at 100 percent of market value
Tax rates and exemptions vary among local jurisdictions.
Research and Development Tax Credit (aka Research Expense Tax Credit)
Based on the increase in Indiana R&D over the prior three-year base
Base year expenses must be at least 50 percent of research expenses in current year
Up to 15 percent credit on qualified research expenses on the first $1 million of investment
Credit applied against income tax liability (carried forward for 15 years before 2008; 10 years beginning in 2008)
Operates under the Department of Revenue
Uses “qualified research expense” as defined by the Internal Revenue Code (includes cost of wages and supplies)
Patent Income Exemption
50 percent exemption on patent income for each of the first 5 years for qualified taxpayers
Additional, decreasing exemption levels in years 6-10
Total exemptions claimed cannot exceed $5 million per year
Available only to companies with 500 or fewer employees
Individual Income Tax
3.4 percent of federal adjusted gross income (with certain exemptions and deductions)
Unemployment Insurance
Employers pay into the fund based upon statutorily determined rate schedules
Minimum tax rate is 1.1%; average rate is 2.71%
New employers tax rate of 2.7%; experienced rate determined after 3 years based on losses occurred
Employers must have insurance, whether through a private company or self-insurance.
Injury compensation awards statutorily established by the General Assembly
Indiana’s Worker’s Compensation Board has the authority to review all claims for worker’s compensation
More information at the Worker’s Compensation Board at http://www.IN.gov.
Property Taxes
Indiana’s aggregate property taxes are the lowest in the Midwest
Minimize the impact of property taxes when you pick a location in Orange County. Indiana has the 7th lowest aggregate property tax rate in the country, and the lowest in the Midwest. In the index developed by the Tax Foundation to compare states’ property taxes, we score a 6.27-substantially better than the U.S. average of 5.00.
PROPERTY TAX INDEX (2009)
State
Score
Rank
Indiana
5.59
10
Illinois
4.87
35
Iowa
4.38
42
Kentucky
5.10
24
Michigan
5.54
12
Minnesota
4.43
45
Mississippi
4.96
31
Ohio
4.67
38
Wisconsin
5.06
26
United States
5.00
—
Source: The Tax Foundation, 2020. http://www.taxfoundation.org/publications/show/24377.html The “Score” is a measure how each state’s tax laws affect economic performance. The higher the score, the more favorable a state’s tax system is for business. All scores are for fiscal years.Orange County also boasts low local taxes. The following table shows the local township’s rate of taxation on each $100.00 worth of real and personal property.
ORANGE COUNTY TAX RATES (2009)
Township
Total County Rates
Total Township Rates
Total School Rates
Total Library Rates
Total Corporation Tax
Total Rates
FL Twp.
0.3342
0.0148
0.9612
0.1138
—
1.5201
GNF Twp.
0.3342
0.0510
0.6421
—
—
1.1234
Jack Twp.
0.3342
0.0380
0.9612
0.0521
—
1.4616
NE Twp.
0.3342
0.0333
0.7546
—
—
1.2182
NW Twp.
0.3342
0.0708
0.9612
0.0521
—
1.5144
Org. Twp.
0.3342
0.0340
0.7546
—
—
1.2189
Orl. Twp.
0.3342
0.0043
0.7546
0.0425
—
1.2317
Paoli Twp.
0.3342
0.0269
0.6421
0.1442
—
1.2435
SE Twp.
0.3342
0.0224
0.6421
—
—
1.0948
St. Ck. Twp.
0.3342
0.0380
0.6421
—
—
1.1104
FL Town
0.3342
0.0148
0.9612
0.1138
0.5598
2.0220
Orl. Town
0.3342
0.0043
0.7546
0.0425
0.4323
1.6061
Paoli Town
0.3342
0.0269
0.6421
0.1442
0.4727
1.6583
WB Town
0.3342
0.0148
0.9612
0.1138
0.6936
2.3560
Source: Sandy Hill, Treasurer, Orange County, Indiana
Exceptional transportation options speeds supply delivery and cuts time to market
Orange County’s transportation system includes SR 37, SR 337, SR 56, SR 145, providing north, south east and west access, one federal highway and easy access (45 minute drive) to two interstate highways, I-64 & I-65. Orange County is home to several interstate/intrastate trucking firms and has 3 general aviation airports. French Lick Airport has 5,570 liner feet of paved runway and is expanding. Currently, corporate jets use the facility. Commercial air service is available in Louisville, KY – 49 miles south.
Orange County is located in South Central Indiana which offers additional transportation access
Interstate highways I-64 and I-65 are being joined by an expansion of I-69 to create a triangle of distribution throughout the Region
Three nearby international airports supplement two regional airports, and a half-dozen municipal airports to provide options for chartered and commercial air travel and freight transport
The Region is nestled into the Ohio River Valley, providing close proximity to three ports along the Ohio River
The Region is within 60 minutes of the International Carrier Hubs of United Parcel Service (UPS) and within 2 hours of FedEx
Continued investment in infrastructure
Orange County is in the midst of highway upgrades to Highways 37 and 150 with a completing link from SR 145 to I-64.
Orange County complements transportation access
Orange County location complements access to markets and suppliers that can increase your company’s advantage.
Major City
Mileage
Approximate Travel Time
Bloomington, IN
47
1 Hour
Louisville, KY
46
1 Hour
Indianapolis, IN
100
2 Hours
Cincinnati, OH
145
2.5 Hours
Nashville, TN
219
4 Hours
St. Louis, MO
242
4 Hours
Chicago, IL
273
5 Hours
Regional and Major Airports
Muhammad Ali International Airport (Louisville, KY) – 54.2 Miles, 1 Hour.
Indianapolis International Airport – 90 Miles, 1 Hour 45 Mins.
French Lick Municipal Airport (No scheduled service but great for corporate or private)
County assets include access to utilities which are plentiful and cost-effective
Electricity is provided by Duke Energy, Orange County REMC/Hoosier Energy, and the Indiana Municipal Power Agency, depending on the specific location of the facility. Rates for industrial applications are lower than other states in the Midwest and significantly below the national average. Orange County is served by Indiana Natural Gas Corporation. Commercial rates have historically been lower than the national average, and this gap has widened in recent years, making the county’s rates relatively more favorable.
Indiana has deregulated telecommunications in order to foster competition among providers. At least four providers service Orange County, offering a broad range of fiber optic and other telecommunications services. Three main providers offer water service to multiple areas within the County: Patoka Lake Regional Water and Sewer District, Dubois Water Service, and Posey Township Water Corporation. Remaining communities are served by other water utilities or local municipal water.
Electric
Industrial rates are well below the national average
Electricity costs are an important consideration for all relocating and expanding companies, especially for manufacturers and others that use large amounts of energy. Indiana average electricity costs are very competitive compared to other states in the East North Central area-and also come in slightly below the national average.
Source: *Energy Information Administration December, 2013. http://www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/electricity/epm/table5_6_a.html
Hoosier Energy http://hoosiersites.com/
Provides generation and transmission services to local Rural Electric Membership Cooperatives (REMC) Harold Gutzwiller, Manager of Economic Development and Key Accounts. hgutzwiller@hepn.com 812-876-2021
Indiana Municipal Power Agency, http://www.impa.com
Provides wholesale power to cities and towns who own and operate the municipal electric distribution systems in their communities. Susan Reed, Manager Economic Development sreed@impa.com 1-317-575-3879
IMPA member communities within Orange County include: Paoli Municipal Electric, paolitu@verizon.net, 812-723-5919 (Orange County)
Natural Gas
Multiple natural gas providers offer competitive service to County businesses
Orange County’s commercial natural gas prices have historically been lower than national averages and this gap has widened in recent years.
Cost of Natural Gas – Commercial (Dollars per Thousand Cubic Feet)
Orange County is home to reliable and well-maintained water and sewer providers
Two main providers meet most of the county’s water needs:
Patoka Lake Regional Water and Sewer District
Patoka Lake Regional Water and Sewer provides the majority of the water to municipalities and also provides residential water in rural areas not served by others.
City of Mitchell – Water & Sewer Department
Fred Cassidy 407 S. 6th Street
Mitchell, IN 47446 812-849-4168
Posey Township Water Corp.
136 East US 150
Hardinsburg, IN 47125 812-472-3432
Remaining communities are served by other water utilities. Sewage is served by local municipal sewer. To see a detailed map of sewer districts, see the Indiana Regional Sewage District Association map.
HARD-WORKING, PRODUCTIVE AND COMMITTED WORKFORCE
Workforce excellence is one of the most commonly cited reasons for companies to locate or expand their business in Indiana. Across industries and job titles, Indiana has a well-earned reputation for providing some of the country’s most diligent and hard-working employees. According to data reported by IEDC, Indiana is #1 in manufacturing productivity among major industrial states. In addition, according to a survey of Indiana employers:
95% rated their workers as Good or Excellent in productivity
74% rated their workers as Good or Excellent in reading and writing competency
Absenteeism was rated Low; Turnover was rated Very Low.
And local employers within Orange County offer firsthand support for the high level of worker productivity suggested by this data:
Labor Force & Unemployment
Plentiful supply of labor within Region coupled with moderate unemployment rate.
The Eight-County South Central Indiana Region which includes Crawford, Daviss, Dubois, Greene, Lawrence, Martin, Orange, Washington have a labor force of 105,000, as shown in the table below. When combined with the labor shed from outside the Region but within a 30-minute commute, the labor shed grows by nearly half a million more.
South Central Region 8 Workforce DataDemographic
Region
Indiana
U.S.
328,239,5
Population – 2019
324,866
6,732,219
3
Population Change 2010 – 2019
2.80%
3.80%
6.80%
Working Age Population Share – 2050
44.80%
46.90%
49.10%
Single Parents w/Kids
3,928
97,014
4,184,03
Veterans – 2018
19,293
390,220
18,611,43
Education
Region
Indiana
U.S.
Adults with Associate Degrees – 2018
8.70
8.70%
8.40%
Adults with Bachelor Degrees – 2018
15.30*
16.50%
19.40%
Adults with High School Only – 2018
67,736
1,475,931
59,265,30
Adults with Associate\’s Degrees Only – 2018
17,934
382,510
18,338,323
Adults with Bachelor\’s Degrees Only – 2018
3,928
97,014
4,184,03
Veterans – 2018
31,351
727,108
42,470,927
Adults with Master or Professional Degrees – 2018
21,104
367,379
23,348,913
Adults with Doctorate Degrees – 2018
4,264
45,421
3,047,211
Economic
Region
Indiana
U.S.
Per Capita Income – 2018
$41,496
$47,149
$54,446
Unemployment Rate – May 2020
9.1
11.9
1.3
Jobs 2 Year Change – 2019 Q4
3.50%
1.50%
2.80%
Goods-producing Jobs % of Total – 2019 Q4
27.90%
23.80%
15.80%
Services-providing Jobs % of Total – 2019 Q4
72.10%
76.20%
84.20%
Source: Indiana Department of Workforce Development
Wages by Occupation
Get the most for your wage dollar with our below-average labor costs
Labor costs are usually one of the top considerations of relocating and expanding companies. Orange County delivers not only lower-than-average labor costs across occupations and skill levels, but also highly productive, committed employees who can help grow your business.
WAGES FOR SELECTED OCCUPATIONS FOR ORANGE COUNTY (2012)
Occupational Title
Mean Level Hourly Wage Orange County
Mean Level Hourly Wage U.S.
All (average of all)
$20.94
$24.52
Construction and Extraction
$20.06
$21.61
Installation, Maintenance and Repair
$25.70
$23.81
Production
$14.77
$17.74
Transportation and Material Moving
$11.02
$14.84
Farming, Fishing and Forestry
$10.22
$10.61
Computer and Mathematical
$36.39
$39.01
Architecture and Engineering
$21.06
$23.01
Life, Physical and Social Science
$28.36
$30.56
Management
$40.88
$45.88
Business and Financial Operations
$23.06
$30.05
Legal Occupations
$34.72
$54.58
Sales and Related
$17.90
$24.45
Office and Administrative Support
$13.42
$15.58
Healthcare and Technical
$39.58
$43.25
Healthcare Support
$13.17
$14.12
Protective Service
$19.19
$26.57
Food Prep and Serving-Related
$8.60
$8.78
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance
$10.91
$10.37
Personal Care and Service
$8.78
$10.91
Source:www.acinet.org
Average Weekly Wages
Competitive labor costs relative to rest of Indiana and other Midwestern States
Orange County is part of the South Central Indiana Region. As a group, employees in the South Central Indiana Region averaged $694.00/week, which are the lowest in the Midwest, more than 15% lower than those in the State of Indiana, and more than 28% lower than the US average.
Cut business launch time and drive ongoing success with our ready supply of experienced labor
Your business can be up and running quickly-and efficiently-courtesy of our well-stocked labor pool. Orange County and the South Central Indiana Region offers thousands of employees, trained across a broad spectrum of manufacturing and related positions; the data below is a representative sample.
NUMBER OF APPLICANTS IN THIS POSITION IN THE SOUTH CENTRAL INDIANA REGION
Assemblers (non-construction)
2761
Electrical and Electronic equipment assemblers
294
First-line supervisors or production and operation workers
364
Industrial truck and tractor operators
519
Machine operators (misc.)
937
Machine setters (misc.)
389
Production inspectors
164
Shipping and receiving clerks
159
Source: Indiana Workforce Development, Indiana Career Connect, March 30, 2009. The search criteria used in this report included all applicants registered in the eight-county South Central Indiana Region for all occupations. Individual applicants are counted in their first occupation choice. Further evidence of Orange County and South Central Indiana Region’s willingness to work is this: The Region’s workforce commutes on average 25.1 minutes to get to their jobs each day. Numbers commuting into Orange County from surrounding counties.
Labor Conditions
ONE OF THE LOWEST LEVELS OF UNIONIZATION IN THE MIDWEST
Indiana’s workforce is hardworking and stable. Formerly one of the most highly unionized states in the country, Indiana now has:
A long-term trend toward decreased union membership
Union membership levels consistent with the U.S. average
Lower union membership as a percentage of the workforce than five Midwestern states
Other indicators of workforce stability:
Indiana is a Right-to-Work state.
Orange County employers, employees and bargaining units work in unison to ensure a quality free work environment.
Businesses grow better in a positive business climate
Businesses that choose to locate or expand in Orange County can expect to find progressive economic development policies that promote investment and encourage financial success. The positive business climate is complemented by the knowledge and wide scope of established relationships that Orange County connects you with – ranging from regional businesses and governmental entities to academic institutions and other resource providers. Learn more about the companies who have chosen to invest here and how our business climate can help your business:
A culture that fosters innovation and growth, as demonstrated by the success of local start-ups and expanding companies who have chosen to invest here in recent years
A very competitive cost of doing business
The most pro-business climate in the Midwest
Business Expansions
Continual business investment and reinvestment in the Region
Here are just a few of the companies that have expanded or relocated to Orange County in recent years.
Hudelson Machine Shop
Metal Fabrication
C&M Conveyer
Manufacturing
Jasper Group
Furniture/Furnishings
Liner Products, a division Layne, Inc.
Manufacturing
Electricom Inc
Utility Infrastructure
ProFab Custom Metalworks
Metal Fabrication
Boston International
Warehouse Distributing
IU Health Paoli
Health
Orange County Fiber
Utility Infrastructure
Indiana is the Midwest’s most affordable business location
Locate or expand your business in Indiana and take advantage of the lowest business costs in the Midwest.
COST OF DOING BUSINESS COMPARISON
Business Costs
Total State Business Taxes / Sum of Corporate State Income Tax, Workers’ Compensation and Unemployment Insurance
Business Income Tax Due Per Net Taxable Income of $1,000,000
Average Workers’ Compensation Annual Premium Base on 100 Employees
Average Workers’ Compensation Rate
Average Unemployment Insurance Based on 100 Employees
Indiana
$179,199
$85,000
$75,299
$2.06
$18,900
Illinois
$314,531
$73,000
$205,881
$4.51
$35,650
Iowa
$324,050
$80,000
$116,345
$3.39
$22,000
Kentucky
$236,836
$70,000
$155,236
$4.41
$21,600
Minnesota
$329,591
$98,000
$175,911
$4.17
$55,680
Missouri
$266,401
$62,500
$174,201
$4.69
$29,700
Ohio
N/A*
$85,000
N/A*
N/A*
$24,300
Wisconsin
$235,739
$79,000
$122,614
$3.33
$34,125
Source: Indiana Economic Development Corporation, 2007*N/A: Not applicable.
Business Climate Rankings
Indiana is recognized as one of the best in Midwest when it comes to business climate
We’ve methodically created a business environment where conditions are set for success. Whether it’s minimizing operating expenses or delivering the workforce training and infrastructure you need to grow, Indiana is one of the most business-friendly states in America.
BEST BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT
Indiana ranks 1st in the Midwest and 5th in the nation in Chief Executive magazine’s annual “Best & Worst States” survey (May 2013).
Indiana ranks 1st in the Midwest and 2nd in the nation in Site Selection magazine’s annual Top 10 Competitive States of 2012 ranking (May 2013).
TOP TAX CLIMATE
Indiana ranks 1st in the Midwest and 10th nationally in the Tax Foundation’s 2014 Business Tax Climate Index (Oct. 2013).
CORPORATE INCOME TAX REDUCTION
Indiana’s corporate income tax rate is steadily decreasing from the current 7.5% to 6.5%. The tax rate will continue to drop by 0.5% per year as the decrease is phased-in.
RANKED TOP 3 FOR 2010 GDP GROWTH
Indiana’s Gross Domestic Product grew 3.3% in 2012, compared to the national rate of 2.5%. That’s the 8th highest growth rate in the country (U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis).
A RIGHT-TO-WORK STATE
On February 1, 2012, Indiana became the 23rd state in the nation and the first state in the industrial Midwest to pass right-to-work legislation. This new status creates an even more attractive environment for businesses and entrepreneurs alike to move their operations to the Hoosier State. There is strong evidence that the economy is indeed growing, with companies small and large expanding operations and hiring new workers. With the support of the legislative and executive branches of government, businesses can be encouraged by Indiana’s move to join other right-to-work states to better compete for and win America’s business.
AAA CREDIT RATING
Indiana is one of only 11 states to earn the top bond rating from all three major credit rating agencies (S&P, Fitch, Moody’s) when it comes to favorable business climate.
