A report by the Indiana Chamber shows mixed progress on key issues in the state as we work our way to 2025.
The Indiana Chamber of Commerce’s Indiana Vision 2025 Report Card shows Indiana’s generally attractive business climate remains a primary bright spot however, lagging numbers in educational achievement, health care, and new business formation leave much room for improvement.
Furthermore, a per capita income ranking of 41st only improves to a middle-of-the-pack 24th when the state’s favorable cost of living is factored in.
The Indiana Vision 2025 Report Card compares the 50 states on 70 metrics related to 37 goals grouped by four drivers: Outstanding Talent, Attractive Business Climate, Superior Infrastructure, and Dynamic and Creative Culture.
Overall, Indiana ranks in the top 10 in seven of the 70 metrics. It has 10 rankings of 40th or worse. Compared to 2019, the state improved in 22 rankings and declined in 26. In looking at just the state’s performance in 2021 compared to two years earlier, Indiana’s raw scores improved in 31 metrics and declined in 20.
One high point is the two-year increase from nearly 87% to 92.6% of Hoosiers with access to high-speed broadband and mobile connections. What makes this even more impressive is that the national average decreased by 0.5% due to the FCC raising its standard for what qualifies as “high speed.”
Health care shortcomings continue to be a detriment, marring an otherwise strong business climate in the areas of taxes, regulations, and more. Indiana’s adult smoking rate of 19.2% (a decrease from 21.8% in the most recent biennial comparison) is still 40th worst among the 50 states.
Indy Politics speaks with Chamber Vice-President of Economic Development Adam Berry about the details of the report. You can hear him in the Leon-Tailored Audio above. It runs for about 20 minutes.
