02.16.21
The Indiana Technology & Innovation Association Rises in Support of Certified Technology Parks
Jennifer Hallowell, Executive Director | Indiana Technology & Innovation Association
The following is a letter written by ITIA’s Executive Directory, Jennifer Hallowell, in support of Indiana Senate Bill 213, which helps to strengthen Indiana’s Certified Technology Parks such as The NIIC.
February 16, 2021
To Chairman Sen. Travis Holdman and Members of the Senate Tax & Fiscal Policy Committee:
The Indiana Technology & Innovation Association (ITIA), which represents technology-based companies and entrepreneurs across the state, rises in support of Senate Bill 213 to allow high performing Certified Tech Parks to capture up to $250,000 annually in additional funds once their cap has been reached.
We’re grateful for the steps this committee has taken in recent years to support Certified Tech Parks that are operating at their full potential, launching new businesses and creating jobs in their communities. SB 213 will allow Certified Tech Parks with proven track records of success to continue growing and providing needed support services to entrepreneurs and small businesses.
The NIIC in Fort Wayne and the Innovation Connector in Muncie are both high performing Certified Tech Parks, and members of our association. This legislation is critical to ensuring they can continue to provide meaningful support services that lead to new business creation and local job growth – at a time when these services are needed most.
According to Kauffman Foundation research, new and young businesses – not just small businesses – account for virtually all net new job growth in the U.S. Now is the time to double down on the state’s support for entrepreneurs, innovators, startups and small businesses as an engine to fuel our economic recovery.
It’s important to note that the Certified Tech Park program is performance-based. If Parks aren’t meeting their obligations to their community or to the state, they cannot capture additional funds. SB 213 would support 14 Certified Tech Parks across the state that have reached their caps in Anderson, Bloomington, Columbus, Evansville, Fort Wayne, Indianapolis, Merrillville-Crown Point, Muncie, Scottsburg, Shelbyville, South Bend and West Lafayette.
Thank you Chairman Holdman for authoring Senate Bill 213, and we urge the committee’s support.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Hallowell, Executive Director
Indiana Technology & Innovation Association
