By GARRETT BERGQUIST
WISH-TV | wishtv.com
One of Gov. Mike Braun’s new appointees to the Indiana Economic Development Corporation board on Wednesday said Hoosiers can expect more open meetings and better explanations of economic development goals.
Former House Speaker John Gregg is one of three Democrats Gov. Mike Braun named to the board at the beginning of the week, replacing the board’s entire membership. Gregg told News 8 transparency already is playing a key role in the board’s functions.
“The very first thing told to me by the administration was that they wanted this to be transparent going forward,” Gregg said. “I take them at their word and we’re going to be transparent starting with today with our first meeting of the board.”
Questions over how the Indiana Economic Development Corporation uses taxpayer funds to attract businesses played a big role in the 2024 race for governor. The controversy was fueled in large part by questions over the IEDC’s purchase of land in Boone County for the LEAP District and a subsequent plan to build a water pipeline from Tippecanoe County to the LEAP District. Gregg said Hoosiers can expect the board to conduct as much of its business in the open as possible. Some functions, such as real estate and salary discussions, are required to take place in closed sessions.
Braun said he wants the IEDC to focus on bringing business to all parts of the state rather than a handful of megasites. By law, the IEDC board consists of the governor and 11 appointees. State law currently allows the governor to add three additional members at his discretion. Braun said he will probably expand the board to ensure all of the state’s regions are represented. Following the first meeting of the new IEDC board on Wednesday, Braun said he plans to keep as many of the board’s functions open to the public as possible.
“When you do that, I think you get broader viewpoints, you end up with a better product on whatever the board should be discussing and you shouldn’t be afraid to pay attention to laws that involve transparency,” Braun said. “I think it’s always going to keep you from getting into a pickle by keeping it open.”
Gregg, who is from southwestern Indiana, said his part of the state sometimes feels left out of the economic development process. He said every part of the state brings its own attributes to the table, including ready access to interstate highways, good water supplies, and an excellent workforce.
“I do think regionalism is a key component to success,” Gregg said. “They’ve all got pluses and they’ve all got strengths and I intend to be an advocate for all areas of Indiana. It’s not just the area that I’m from: it’s all areas of Indiana, and I think it’s very achievable.”
This story was originally published by WISH-TV at wishtv.com/news/politics/new-iedc-board-member-promises-greater-transparency.