INDIANAPOLIS — Gov. Eric Holcomb delivered his final State of the State address Tuesday evening, touting capital improvements, infrastructure and a commitment to education.
Holcomb talked about the state paying down $4.5 billion of debt and returned $1.5 billion to taxpayers, all while maintaining reserves and a AAA credit rating, during his time in office.
“The State of our State is strong, and the rest of the world has taken notice and wants in on it,” Holcomb said.
The governor also pointed to more than $50 billion in committed capital investments in the past two years and mixed-rural counties getting $18.7 billion in capital commitments for 15,000 new jobs.
He also introduced "The Indiana Model," which he said would be a pathway to create sustainable, generational change to elevate Indiana to the next level.
“The Indiana Model seeks excellence, rejecting any notion that a Midwestern ‘vowel state’ would be content with mediocrity and instead takes giant leaps rather than baby steps," Holcomb said. "It hinges on collaboration among the public, private, and philanthropic sectors, between our Administration and the legislature, across all levels of government, and it’s Hoosier-wide in every way."
The governor announced a $250 million Lilly Endowment grant that will support Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI) 2.0 projects focused on blight reduction, redevelopment, and arts and cultural initiatives. It is the single-largest grant in the history of Lilly Endowment.
Holcomb also promoted improving Hoosier health.
"Our Health First Indiana program is the nation’s most substantial new commitment to public health and will further empower Indiana counties to create tailored actions,” Holcomb said, noting $75 million was delivered to 86 counties that chose to participate.
Other health commitments included:
- Plant the one millionth tree on Arbor Day.
- Build 280 miles of trails across the state.
- Finish connecting more than 70,000 households and businesses by completing the $320 million in Next Level Broadband investment and then launch a new $800 million federally-backed program.
- Complete the final mile of I-69 that connects Indianapolis to Evansville.
- Make progress on capital projects, including the new archives building, prison in Westville, crime labs, state-of-the-art law enforcement academy and co-locating the Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired with the Indiana School for the Deaf.
Holcomb also committed to working on what still needs changed during his final year.
“My administration will not be a ship in port. We will find constructive answers to any unforeseen challenges that arise when we move from ideas to implementation during times of great transformation. And I will continue to listen, as I’ve done for seven years now, to any and all partners who share a love for Indiana and believe in our future,” Holcomb said.
His list included:
- Improve policies around third grade reading to ensure every child masters the essential skill.
- Require a computer science class for high school graduation to better prepare students for a digital world.
- Launch the campaign, One Stop to Start, to build better awareness of Next Level Jobs programs to connect people with high-paying, life-changing jobs.
- Work with public universities to make more three-year and associate degree options available.
- Expand our child care workforce to help more working parents.
- Update the State Disaster Relief Fund to make it easier for communities to access funds.