The Stimulus Revealed

Last Thursday’s conference at the Chamber on the Stimulus package was certainly revealing! Baker & Daniels team of nine professionals from their Washington D.C., Indianapolis and Fort Wayne offices provided key insights on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Being in the queue for direct funding is best; however, the route for businesses in Northeast Indiana will most likely be indirect. So you follow the money trail – the agencies receiving allocations, the specific projects and programs that are funded, the requirements the projects and programs must meet, the companies most qualified to win the business and their suppliers. Successful Northeast Indiana businesses will be standing by the door when it opens – anticipating rather than reacting to the Stimulus. The main opportunities discussed during the morning presentations were Energy and Environment, Advanced Manufacturing, Transportation, Health & Life Sciences, Education, Defense, and Small Businesses. We wrapped up the day by summarizing take-away’s from the lively afternoon round table discussions. For instance, the Stimulus offers numerous incentives for organizations to think (and act) ‘Green’. It was a long day for the B&D team who had held a similar program with the State Chamber in Indianapolis the prior day. Mike Landram opened the morning, John Sampson from the Regional Partnership (and sponsor) joined the forum after lunch and OnCallPSN Advisors moderated the forum and round tables.

-- Rob Drummond, President, OnCallPSN, LLC