JANUARY 3, 2024

The Greater Indianapolis Progress Committee (GIPC) hosted the Inaugural Swearing-In Ceremony for Mayor Joe Hogsett and members of the City-County Council on Monday at Indiana Landmarks. Hogsett, the 49th mayor of the City of Indianapolis, was sworn in for a third term by the Honorable Tanya Walton Pratt, chief judge for the Southern District of Indiana. Pratt also administered the oath of office to councilors from the city’s 25 districts.

Emily Koschnick, executive director for GIPC: “The Greater Indianapolis Progress Committee was founded nearly sixty years ago on the principle of bipartisan collaboration, so it’s in this spirit that we are proud to host the Inaugural Swearing-In for our city’s top leaders. This ceremony signifies a continuation of Indianapolis’ strong tradition of working across party lines to achieve what is best for its residents and for all neighborhoods of our great city.”

Gov. Eric J. Holcomb has announced that the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration’s Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning is awarding $18.1 million in employer-sponsored child care grants to 64 businesses, community groups and school corporations. Thirty-three employers plan to provide on-site child care to their employees, and 13 will offer child care tuition benefits to their workers. The remaining awardees plan to support child care for their employees in a variety of other ways, such as reserving seats at partner childcare centers.

Courtney Penn, OECOSL director: “I look forward to seeing all the inventive approaches to child care come to life in communities across the state, and partnering with more businesses, community groups and schools on this important, collaborative effort to support children, their families and the state’s economy. Birth to age 5 are the most critical in a person’s life, and now more of our next generation will receive early education that is crucial to their brain and social development.”

Jason Bearce, Indiana Chamber vice president of education and workforce development: “A lack of quality and affordable childcare is what Hoosier employers have consistently told us is now their top external workforce barrier because of the negative impact on worker participation. It’s a statewide infrastructure challenge that also has significant implications for student learning and economic development.

“The state’s employer childcare grants are set to make a real difference in many communities across Indiana by giving Hoosier families much needed options. We are thrilled that more than 60 grant applications were approved in this first round. This will give parents in these locations greater peace of mind and enable some to re-enter the workforce.

“The Indiana Chamber was happy to partner with the state to engage employers and local chambers about the program and will continue to prioritize additional legislative efforts and public-private partnerships around affordable childcare.”

The Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) recently released the 2023 state graduation rates, with data showing 88.98% of Indiana students in the Class of 2023 graduating, up from 86.52% in 2022.

Gov. Eric Holcomb: “Earning a high school diploma is essential to unlocking a successful future. In the years since the pandemic, educators across the state have worked hard to ensure our students—our state’s future leaders—are more prepared than ever to emerge from high school and thrive. Through this work, Hoosier educators are helping students gain the knowledge and skills, as well as the confidence they need to determine their destiny.”

U.S. Sen. Todd Young, R-Indiana, applauded Senate passage of legislation he helped introduce that would designate U.S. Highway 20— including the 156 miles in Indiana—as the “National Medal of Honor Highway.”

More than 50 cultural institutions, libraries, universities and other nonprofit organizations across the state received grants from Indiana Humanities to provide public humanities programs in their communities in 2023.

George Hanlin, director of grants at Indiana Humanities: “By awarding these grants, Indiana Humanities has supported both new and returning programs and projects that continue to bring Hoosiers together across Indiana for critical discussions about racial equity, environmental change and local literature. It’s been an outstanding year for humanities programming across the state and we’re thrilled to have played a role in these opportunities for Hoosiers to engage with one another.”

Before Christmas, Gov. Eric J. Holcomb announced a $127 million grant award received by the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) through the National Infrastructure Project Assistance (MEGA) program. The funding will support the I-80/I-94 FlexRoad project in northwest Indiana.

Holcomb: “FlexRoad represents a transformational opportunity to improve mobility and safety, while also providing better access to employment hubs and destinations for those who live and work near the corridor. Strategies like dynamic shoulder lanes, variable speed limits, ramp metering and queue warning systems are innovative tools to help optimize traffic flow and make travel safer.”

INDOT Commissioner Mike Smith: “The Borman accommodates an average of more than 200,000 vehicles per day, making it the busiest interstate corridor in Indiana. Existing traffic volumes are forecast to increase nearly 20 percent by 2040, exacerbating already high levels of congestion and traffic incidents. FlexRoad allows INDOT to optimize traffic flow and improve safety while minimizing impacts to nearby communities.”

Congressman Frank J. Mrvan: “The utilization of the Borman Expressway is a fact of life for countless residents of Northwest Indiana, commuters and commerce. I am thrilled that this federal investment will complement the serious dedication of Governor Holcomb and the Indiana Department of Transportation to alleviate congestion, enhance our commercial corridor, and improve the safety and travel conditions on the Borman Expressway. Let us continue to collaborate and ensure that this invaluable project is implemented as expeditiously as possible to benefit all residents, commuters and commerce in our region.”