STATEHOUSE (March 5, 2018) – Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch held the first defense caucus meeting to align the work being done at the Indiana Office of Defense Development with the Indiana General Assembly.
“We have a number of assets in Indiana that support our defense industry, from federal and state installations to industry vendors and suppliers. Indiana has had a strong part in the safety and welfare of our national security,” Crouch said. “I believe we can do more, and we must start fighting to attract more defense assets and investments to the state, not just work to keep what assets we have. Indiana’s low cost of doing business and capacity for increased defense-related activities keep us well positioned to expand and grow our defense industry.”
The Indiana Office of Defense Development falls under Crouch’s family of businesses and focuses on growing Indiana’s defense sector by promoting the defense-related assets located within the state and attracting defense related industries to conduct business in Indiana.
Legislators from all four caucuses attended the first defense caucus meeting to discuss ways to further promote and develop Indiana’s assets. Co-chaired by State Senators Mark Messmer (R-Jasper) and Eddie Melton (D-Merrillville), State Representatives Woody Burton (R-Whiteland) and Terry Goodin (D-Austin), the defense caucus will continue to meet and develop plans to uplift the defense industry in Indiana.
“Through the leadership of IODD, Senators Messmer and Melton, and Representatives Burton and Goodin, we will not only ensure Indiana stays on track to be adequately prepared, but also enforce our defense sector,” Crouch said. “I look forward to the collaboration between these legislators and IODD, and know we can take Indiana defense to the Next Level.”
In addition to the first defense caucus meeting, four of the National Center for Complex Operations, Inc., Class of 2018 board members were appointed by Crouch and will continually meet to support IODD and advance Indiana as a thought and action leader in the national and international defense and national security arena. The following were appointed – Vice Admiral Mike Bucchi, Rachel J. Leslie, Bill Smith and former General Omer Clifton Tooley, Jr.
For more information about IODD, visit www.in.gov/iodd.
