Governor Braun advances affordability agenda at stops across Indiana

 Governor Mike Braun traveled across Indiana last week to support affordable and accessible early childhood learning, celebrate new manufacturing investment, expand workforce opportunities and open the Indiana State Fair. 

“Last week, I traveled to meet with early childhood educators in Evansville to talk about making early childhood learning more affordable, celebrated Toyota’s $100 million investment and 140 new jobs in Columbus, highlighted $10.2 million to connect more Hoosiers with work, and opened the Indiana State Fair alongside our farmers. I also celebrated a new law expanding opportunities for small farm and homestead food producers as we work to create jobs, raise wages, and make life more affordable for Hoosiers.” — Governor Mike Braun 

On Monday, Governor Braun toured Carver Day Care & Preschool in Evansville and met with Carver Community Organization Executive Director Deiona Clayton. They discussed kindergarten readiness, access to high-quality early learning and the challenges facing child care providers. Governor Braun spoke about his action to make child care more affordable.  

Governor Braun then joined more than 400 Southwest Indiana business, nonprofit, and community leaders for the Evansville Regional Economic Partnership’s Lunch with the Governor. During a moderated discussion, he highlighted his administration’s work to support new jobs and higher wages to make life more affordable. 

On Wednesday, Governor Braun celebrated the opening of Toyota Material Handling North America’s new manufacturing facility in Columbus. The $100 million investment adds 295,000 square feet of manufacturing space, will produce electric forklifts and is expected to create 140 new jobs. 

Governor Braun later joined Keys2Work and RecycleForce in Indianapolis to highlight $10.2 million in federal workforce grants. The U.S. Department of Labor awarded $5.1 million to Keys2Work and $5.1 million to the Indiana Department of Workforce Development to expand employment opportunities.  

On Friday, Governor Braun began the opening day of the 169th Indiana State Fair at Indiana Pork’s annual Ham Breakfast. He then delivered remarks during the Fair’s opening ceremonies, participated in the Hoosier Agriculture Huddle and visited the Department of Natural Resources complex. During the Agriculture Huddle, Governor Braun heard directly from farmers, commodity organizations, agribusiness leaders, and rural community advocates about the opportunities and challenges facing Indiana agriculture. 

Governor Braun concluded the week at WonderTree Farm in Zionsville, where he presented Representative Hunter Smith with a ceremonial copy of House Enrolled Act 1424. The new law updates Indiana’s rules governing farm and homestead food sales and expands opportunities for small producers to sell food directly to consumers: a major priority for Governor Braun’s Make Indiana Healthy Again initiative.