Aspire exists to drive economic development and business success in Johnson County and southern Marion County. Just before the holidays, we released a new five-year strategy to position the region for continued economic success. Designed as a blueprint for collaboration among the public, private, not-for-profit and education sectors, the plan begins by offering clear targets to achieve within the next five years.

The legislative session kicked off in unusual spaces and places. The House Chamber has moved to the Government Center and the Senate moved nearly half its members up to the gallery. Committees are meeting, but those who testify are doing so via Zoom in a separate room. Schedules are modified. But democracy endures. A flurry of bills have been introduced, and one of Aspire’s priority issues is getting fast-tracked.

Aspire applauds the economic development efforts of Whiteland Town Manager Norm Gabehart who will retire this Friday. Gabehart’s approach resulted in improving the balance of the town’s general fund from virtually zero in 2014 to a level now close to $100,000, a significant financial turnaround by any measure.