Mayor Henry Remarks on the Indiana General Assembly Session

Statement of Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry on the recent Indiana General Assembly Session:

Thank you for joining me today. In a few minutes, I’ll comment about the Indiana General Assembly session that just concluded. It brought some good news for Fort Wayne.

But first, let’s talk about another issue, one that has been a matter of public record since late last year, but in recent days, has consumed a lot of attention.

Yes, the City of Fort Wayne engaged governmental affairs professionals to help us secure a referendum for the people of Fort Wayne on the issue of gaming, something only the Indiana General Assembly can enact. This is how things get done in the state legislature and in Washington, D. C. To imply a service so basic is secret, extravagant or underhanded is at best ill informed.

Yes, our team members were hired openly and properly, the same as any other advocate or vendor we might employ to work on our behalf. Their associations have been a matter of public record from day one. They were retained without fanfare, but with no intent to confuse, and with every expectation that they would operate in public, which they have, and be an essential part of our strategy.

Yes, in addition to my own efforts with our state legislators, our advocates worked diligently to examine the issue of gaming and to ensure that the City’s interests were well represented.

As Mayor, I made a commitment to serve the people of this community, and openness is one of the watchwords of my administration. I abide by that principle.

When private business groups came to us exploring the potential for gaming in our community, I said I would do two things: talk to those who have the ideas, and study the issue in depth.

Throughout our investigation, I listened carefully to the people of our city. You told me the issue of gaming was important to you, and you wanted your voices to be heard. That is why I led the way in calling for a referendum. It is why I immediately began working with our legislative delegation to make it happen. It is why I sought out the best talent to make our case in Indianapolis. I kept my word.

I believe strongly that the decision about gaming is not mine alone to make, but ours to make as a community. We must be able to choose for ourselves what is beneficial for us and what opportunities we want to explore.

I pursued this issue, because every day I become more and more concerned about the number of jobs lost in our community. The number of businesses that have closed. An unemployment rate that continues to rise. An ancient sewer system that must be restored to clean our rivers and meet federal mandates. Job creation, economic development and educational needs each requiring major investments to ensure we are a competitive and attractive community. And most of all, diminishing resources to meet all these challenges.

Yes, I pursued this issue, because I am committed to making sure Fort Wayne has every chance to thrive. In these difficult economic times, I believe an opportunity that can bring new jobs, high-quality investment and significant new revenue into our community, enriching it, our region and state in meaningful ways, is one deserving of serious consideration.

We don’t know what the special session will bring, but you can be certain of one thing: I want the people of Fort Wayne to be able to make their own decision on gaming. And I will continue to work with our state legislators using every tool available to me, including expert counsel, to secure a referendum. You have my word.

Now, I’ll make a few remarks about other legislative activity. Let’s start with some good news.

Through the hard work and strong leadership of state Representatives GiaQuinta, Moses, Bell and Borror, and state Senators Long and Wyss, and with the assistance of the Greater Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce, the City of Fort Wayne was successful in its effort to establish a Capital Improvement Board. House Bill 1514 will create the Allen County – Fort Wayne Capital Improvement Board which will allow a joint City and County board to prioritize capital projects within Allen County. This board will spur economic development, create jobs and will help us work together to strengthen our community.

The state budget contained an annual appropriation of $1 million for the Public Safety Academy of Northeast Indiana, an important community asset. This $1 million would be used to make lease payments on the building that is the academy’s home. I look forward to working with the legislative leaders during the special session to secure this $1 million in the state budget.

Recently Allen County and the City of Fort Wayne entered into an interlocal agreement on bridge maintenance and repair. One of the terms of the interlocal agreement was for the City and the County to support a change in state law allowing the County to use its major bridge fund to finance the maintenance and repair of all bridges in the County. This language was in the final version of HB 1447 which did not pass the House after the state budget failed. Again, I look forward to working with legislative leaders during the special session to pass the language needed for bridge maintenance and repair.

Donate Your Old Vehicles to Easter Seals Arc

Easter Seals Arc is now accepting car donations as part of a national Arc program. The program allows Easter Seals to benefit from the donation of cars, trucks, boats and other vehicles by recycling unwanted vehicles and parts to help fund programs that will create solutions and change the lives of people with developmental disabilities.

You can donate your car, van, truck, boat with a trailer or recreational vehicle at any time, seven days a week and 24 hours a day, and the organization will receive a small percentage of the cars worth. The program was organized by Melwood, a non-profit organization which operates one of the largest and most successful vehicle donation programs in the U.S.

Net gift revenues will be devoted to operating expenses due to the difficulty of obtaining unrestricted donations to aide the operating costs of the organization.

To make your automobile donation call (877) ARC-CAR0 or donate online.

In This Issue...

In today's issue of the Chamber's Emphasis magazine (center section of the Fort Wayne Business Weekly)...

The Chamber presents on May 21, 2009 "The Stimulus Revealed" - an all day seminar dedicated to helping you and your business take advantage of upcoming opportunities - registration details inside...

Chamber President/CEO Kristine Foate to participate in upcoming Women's Business Forum - find out how to attend...

Hit a hole in one at this year's Chamber golf outing...

And the latest community art project - Eggstravaganza - hits a business near you!

For details on Emphasis magazine please contact Nicole Wilkins at nwilkins@fwchamber.org.

IPFW Announces New Leadership For College of Arts and Sciences

Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne (IPFW) has named Carl Drummond its new dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. He currently serves as the school's associate vice chancellor for research and external support. Drummond says his goal is to position the college in the center of the Fort Wayne region's cultural and intellectual life. He will begin his new duties July 1, 2009.

Indiana Business College Changes Name to Harrison College

After nearly 100 years operating as Indiana Business College, the career-centered educational institution has changed its name to Harrison College.

"We've been talking about that for two years," said Pat Mozley, executive director of the Harrison College Terre Haute campus. "It was continuing to be confusing for people that the college was known as a 'business college' when it offered so many other types of degrees," Mozley said.

In addition to business, Harrison College, which has 12 campuses statewide (one in Fort Wayne on North Clinton), offers degrees in health sciences, veterinary technology, information technology and criminal justice.

Along with "business college," Harrison College also has outgrown being linked exclusively to Indiana. Classes will start this fall at the school's new Columbus, Ohio campus, according to a media release issued this past Monday.

According to the school's media release, the "Harrison" was chosen because it "represents a history, a heritage and leadership in the state of Indiana." The name Harrison has historical significance in this area. The ninth president of the United States, William Henry Harrison, was the first governor of the Indiana Territory. And President Benjamin Harrison, his grandson, was the 23rd president and the only Hoosier ever elected as the nation's chief executive.

The number of new students enrolling in the college has risen from 602 a year ago to 955 this year, according to figures released by the school. Harrison College was founded in 1902 as Marion Business College, which offered instruction in shorthand, typing and penmanship. The school's name was changed to Indiana Business College in 1913. For more information about Harrison College, see http://www.harrison.edu/.

Save the Date for Legislative Wrap-up Breakfast

The Chamber's annual Legislative Wrap-up Breakfast has been scheduled for Thursday, May 14 at 8 a.m. in the Anthony Wayne Room at the Chamber. The event is open to all Chamber members. Many of the Northeast Indiana legislative delegation will be on hand to review the 2009 Legislative Session and its impact on Hoosier businesses and individuals.

More details soon will be made available. Please note that the date is subject to change should the General Assembly be required in Indianapolis for a special session.

Sponsors of the breakfast are NIPSCO, GAI Consultants, and Waterfurnace International.

Chamber Member Vera Bradley's Spring Sale Starts Today!

Vera Bradley's annual spring sale starts today, marking a popular Fort Wayne event that draws visitors to the area from across the country! The sale runs Wednesday - Sunday of this week. All shoppers must register at http://www.verabradley.com/

Chamber Member Grand Wayne Center Set to Host STAI Conference

The Grand Wayne Convention Center has announced The School Transportation Association of Indiana (STAI) is moving its annual conference back to Fort Wayne from the Indianapolis area this year. The group’s 35th annual conference will be held starting today, April 29 – May 1 at the Grand Wayne Center, marking the first time the event will take place in Fort Wayne since the 1980s.

From the Statehouse: Legislature Reaches Tentative Agreement on UI Fund

by Joni Howell
Manager, Government & Community Affairs

Indiana Legislators have announced a compromise on the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund issue. With just one more day before the legislature adjourns for the year it appears that a tentative agreement has been reached.

The plan raises nearly $400 million by increasing taxes on employers. The Conference Committee report calls for an increase in the taxable wage base from the current $7,000 to $10,000. The rate would also change to 0.75 percent to 10.2 percent (currently 1.1 - 5.6 percent).

The "new employer rate" would move from 2.5 to 2.7 percent. The agreement redefines gross misconduct, and creates a compliance center for UI and still provides for administrative law judge training to improve consistency in unemployment rulings.

The proposal doesn't include any cuts in benefits, or changes in the seasonal worker definition, and no employer surcharge (previously proposed to immediately work on bringing the fund back to solvency).

The downside? Business is taking the big hit with this one. Previously offered plans were a more balanced approach, tackling the fund from all sides of the issue. The Conference Committee report will still have to be signed by all four conferees and be passed by both the House and Senate before the deal is done.

The Chamber could support the increase in the wage base that keeps us competitive with other states. There is nothing magical about the current $7,000 base, other than it matches the federal base. Increasing the base will allow taxes paid by employers to be paid out over a longer period of the year. The $10,000 wage base isn't as bad as the previously suggested $14,000 increase in the House D version, but more than the $9,000 base suggested in the Senate version.

We supported tightening up eligibility overall and for seasonal employees (which was removed). Seasonal employers should have to pay more to support their type of business. Eliminating abuse in the system is also a good goal.

While no business likes to pay higher taxes, this is the only way to get the system back on solid financial ground. We are not in favor of any new taxes, including "employee" taxes that would create a new, cumbersome administrative process on employers and employees (which was not done).

In order to prevent this large shortfall in the future, we support a process that will keep rates at a level that keeps the system actually funded at all times. The current system of adjusting rates is not done on a timely basis.

Chamber Academy April 29 Session RESCHEDULED to June 30

The following Chamber Academy session has been rescheduled from April 29 to June 30:

Team Change Engagement Presented by Chris Sanderson of Dale Carnegie Training will take place on June 30 from 8 a.m. - 10 a.m. at the Chamber of Commerce. To join us register online now! Cost is $39 for Members ~ $49 for Non-members.

At the completion of this module, participants will be able to:

~Analyze principles for participating in teams during changes

~Develop stronger team relationships

~Practice a higher level of listening effectiveness

Click here to learn more about Dale Carnegie Training. If you are interested in presenting for the Chamber Academy, please view the guidelines and submit a proposal. For questions or information contact Heather Neilson at (260) 424-1435, ext. 241 or hneilson@fwchamber.org.

Fantastic FREE Hoosier Park Bus Trip Tomorrow!

Don't miss out on a FREE bus trip to Hoosier Park Racing & Casino in Anderson, IN tomorrow! This event is first come, first serve for the first 30 people to RSVP. The bus leaves at 9 a.m. from Fresh Market on Jefferson Blvd. in Covington Plaza and will return at 4:30 p.m. Passengers will receive $10 for food and $10 in Casino Cash to play. This is a great opportunity for anyone looking to fill a day with travel and fun!

To RSVP call Ginger Shaw at (765) 640-2975 or e-mail ginger.shaw@hoosierpark.com.

Chamber Member 1st Source Bank Recognized as One of the Nation’s 100 Most Trustworthy Firms

1st Source Corporation, parent company of 1st Source Bank, has been
named one of the nation’s ‘100 Most Trustworthy Companies’ according to Forbes and Audit Integrity. 1st Source was selected for this honor from among more than 12,000 companies traded on U.S. exchanges. 1st Source was recognized for displaying the highest corporate integrity and consistently showing transparent and conservative accounting practices and solid corporate governance and management.

"I couldn't be more pleased that 1st Source has received this recognition from Forbes as one of 'The 100 Most Trustworthy Companies' both in our financial reporting and our governance,” said Christopher J. Murphy III, Chairman of 1st Source. “Our bank's history and core values have always emphasized integrity in everything we do. We have always believed that our numbers should reflect what is actually going on, not an optimistic interpretation of them."

1st Source was also named one of the Top 150 Performing Banks in the country by Bank Director Magazine. 1st Source is ranked number 30 on the list as a well-rounded bank that is both profitable and well capitalized. In compiling the list, Bank Director Magazine reviewed six performance categories that measure profitability, capitalization, and asset quality.

For more information, visit http://www.1stsource.com/.

Up Your Game

It's time for your business to hit a hole in one! Take advantage of one of the biggest Chamber events of the year as a sponsor for the 2009 Chamber golf outing.

This year's golf outing promises to be bigger and better than last year, taking place at beautiful Autumn Ridge Golf Course on Thursday, August 27.

Sponsorship packages to meet all needs and price ranges are available! And don't forget to showcase your skills on the green as well. Morning and afternoon tee times are available.

For more information please contact Laureen Voirol at (260) 424-1435, ext. 266 or lvoirol@fwchamber.org.

Superior Essex Announces Expansion for Fort Wayne

Chamber member Superior Essex Inc. is planning to expand its distribution operations in Fort Wayne, creating 15 jobs by 2010. The wire and cable manufacturing company is consolidating distribution centers in Louisville, Kentucky and Columbia City into the Fort Wayne operation. Superior Essex says it will continue to employ 30 full-time workers who will relocate from its Columbia City warehouse.

Essex Group Inc., the Fort Wayne based subsidiary of Superior Essex, was originally founded in 1930 in Detroit as Essex Wire. The company started as an OEM supplier of wire harnesses and battery cables to Ford Motor Company.

The company is today part of a Superior Essex network employs more than 4,400 people and owns 26 manufacturing facilities throughout North America, Europe and China.

Artie Award Winners Announced Last Friday at Chamber

Arts United in partnership with the Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce presented the 2009 Artie Awards at the 2nd annual Bravo Breakfast for the Arts Friday, April 24 in the Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce Anthony Wayne Room. Over 125 people gathered to celebrate outstanding contributions made by those who support the arts in the greater Fort Wayne community. The awards are given annually, nominations for the 2010 arts supporter awards will be accepted until next March.

The Artie Awards were presented to the following people:

Artist of the Year
Louise Heckaman, Fort Wayne Civic Theatre.

Outstanding Arts Advocate
Anita Cast, Fort Wayne Philharmonic.

Outstanding Arts Educator of the Year
Omowale-Ketu Oladuwa, Three Rivers Institute of Afrikan Art & Culture.

Outstanding Arts Volunteer
Santa Brink, Mad Anthony’s Children’s Hope House.

Outstanding Arts Corporate Supporter
Lincoln Financial Foundation, Amy Hester.

Outstanding Arts Partner
STAR Financial, Robin Wright.

Lifetime Achievement
Walter Malicki, Teacher-Whitko Community Schools.

The Stimulus Revealed

What can your business gain from the Stimulus Package?

The federal government is rushing to release massive amounts of money to jump start nearly all sectors of the economy. Businesses that are informed and prepared will be positioned to reap the benefits.

Join us for a day-long workshop where we will:
- Demystify funding.
- Simplify access and compliance requirements.
- Identify opportunities for NE Indiana.

This seminar takes place Thursday, May 21 from∙7:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. at the Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce.

Register online or to Heather Neilson by Tuesday, May 12.
Cost until May 11: $49 for Chamber members; $69 for non-members
Cost after May 11: $69 for Chamber members; $89 for non-members

Sponsored by the Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce, Baker and Daniels, the Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership, Northeast Indiana Chamber Coalition (NEICC) and OnCall Professional Services Network.

Calling All Volunteers: City Needs Extra Help for Great American Cleanup

Due to the December ice storm, recent flooding has caused an event greater need for volunteers for the May 16 Great American Cleanup. The Cleanup will utilize groups of volunteers of all ages from neighborhood associations, businesses, faith-based organizations, service groups, schools and scouting organizations that are willing to lend a hand. The City will provide gloves, garbage bags and t-shirts for the volunteers to clean up parks, neighborhoods, trails, roadways and riverbanks.

Registration is available online at http://www.cityoffortwayne.org/greatamericancleanup or by calling (260) 427-1120. Volunteers can select a location or the City can place them in an area of greatest need.

Volunteers will be treated to a post-clean-up party with food and prizes at Headwaters Park East from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on May 16.