INDIANAPOLIS (April 20, 2018) – Governor Eric J. Holcomb will continue strengthening the state’s global partnerships in May, working to generate new economic development opportunities for Indiana and new job commitments for Hoosiers. The governor will lead delegations to Israel and Europe and will take the inaugural nonstop flight from Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) in Paris to the Indianapolis International Airport (IND) on May 25, celebrating an important milestone for Indiana as the state works to increase connectivity for businesses, residents and visitors.
“Indiana is a global economy. To take our business climate to the next level, we must continue building international relationships and nurturing opportunities that attract more great jobs to our state and bring more Hoosier-made goods and services to the world,” Gov. Holcomb said. “As we continue to share the Indiana story with nations around the globe, we’ll develop even more of these strategic partnerships that spur innovation, diversify our economy and build our workforce.”
ISRAEL
Gov. Holcomb and First Lady Janet Holcomb will lead an agbiosciences-focused delegation to Israel, joined by Indiana Secretary of Commerce Jim Schellinger, Indiana State Department of Agriculture Director Bruce Kettler, AgriNovus Indiana President and CEO Beth Bechdol and representatives of the state’s agbiosciences industry. The delegation will depart Indiana on Sunday, May 6, and return on Friday, May 11.
A global hub for technology, Israel is ranked No. 2 in the world for venture capital availability and No. 3 for innovation in the 2018 Global Competitiveness Report. The country dedicates roughly 4.25 percent of its GDP to research and development, which is among the highest in the world and is helping propel advancements in high-tech industries such as agricultural technology, aerospace, information and communications technology (ICT), cybersecurity, semiconductors, health and life sciences technology, automotive technology and financial technology.
In Israel, the delegation will attend the Agritech Israel Conference in Tel Aviv, where the governor will give opening remarks. The conference, which is celebrating its 20th event, convenes leaders in agricultural technologies, innovations and food processing. There, the delegation will meet with key business and research partners, industry stakeholders with strong ties to Indiana, and Israel’s Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Uri Ariel.
In addition to the conference, the delegation will also host a business round table with prospective Indiana companies across a number of target sectors and host a Friends of Indiana Reception with U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman, convening representatives of both Israel and global businesses with operations in Indiana. Gov. Holcomb will also meet with Government of Israel officials to advance partnerships between the two economies and share best practices in emerging markets and technologies.
Members of the delegation traveling to Israel are listed below. The IEDC’s Israel office will also assist with the trip.
- Gov. Holcomb and First Lady Holcomb
- Indiana Economic Development Corporation:
- Jim Schellinger, Indiana Secretary of Commerce
- Dave Roberts, chief innovation officer
- Indiana State Department of Agriculture: Bruce Kettler, director
- AgriNovus Indiana: Beth Bechdol, president and CEO
- Ag Alumni Seed: Jay Hulbert, president and CEO
- Beck’s Hybrids: Scott Beck, president
- Corteva Agriscience: Scott Hutchins, global R&D director, integrated field services
- Elanco: Kristin Bloink, senior director, global research and external innovation
- EnviroKure: Mark Lupke, president and CEO, and Joseph Steck, chief operating officer
- Huntington University: Sherilyn Emberton, president
- Ice Miller LLP: Melissa Proffitt, office managing partner and chair of the firm’s food and agribusiness group
- Indiana Soybean Alliance & Indiana Corn Marketing Council: Jane Ade Stevens, CEO
- Purdue University: Nate Mosier, professor and Indiana Soybean Alliance Soybean Utilization Endowed Chair
- Reynolds Farm Equipment: Mitch Frazier, CEO
Over the last two years, three Israel-based businesses have established operations in Indiana: MCP USA in Portage, Polyram Group in Evansville, and Omen USA in Richmond. More information on the state’s relationship with Israel is available here.
EUROPE
Departing Indiana on Friday, May 18, Gov. Holcomb, First Lady Holcomb and Indiana Secretary of Commerce Schellinger will lead a delegation to Europe, meeting with government officials and business executives from Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France and Slovakia. Indiana is home to more than 450 European business facilities that provide 113,900 Hoosier jobs, accounting for 60 percent of the state’s jobs that are supported by international businesses.
On Friday, May 25, the governor and first lady will depart Europe on Delta Air Lines’ (NYSE: DAL) inaugural flight from CDG in Paris to IND – the state’s first year-round nonstop transatlantic flight that will provide a critical link connecting Indiana businesses with global markets. Starting this spring, in cooperation with Delta’s joint venture partner Air France/KLM, Indiana passengers and global businesses will have access to more than 75 international destinations in Europe, Africa, the Middle East and India via one-stop connections at CDG.
More information regarding the schedule and members of the delegation will be made public closer to the trip.
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This marks Gov. Holcomb’s fifth and sixth international economic development trips as governor, following strategic trips to Europe, Japan and India last year and to Canada in March. The costs of the state delegations are being paid through private donations to the Indiana Economic Development Foundation.
About IEDC
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) leads the state of Indiana’s economic development efforts, helping businesses launch, grow and locate in the state. Governed by a 15-member board chaired by Governor Eric J. Holcomb, the IEDC manages many initiatives, including performance-based tax credits, workforce training grants, innovation and entrepreneurship resources, public infrastructure assistance, and talent attraction and retention efforts. For more information about the IEDC, visit www.iedc.in.gov.
