INDIANAPOLIS – Gov. Eric Holcomb defended the timeline process for a water pipeline from Tippecanoe County to Boone County for a massive, high-tech development grounded by a multi-billion dollar investment from Eli Lilly.
Other companies coming to the area haven’t yet been announced but the Indiana Economic Development Corporation hopes to pipe millions of gallons of water daily from the Wabash Alluvial Aquifer — though local officials aren’t sold on the idea.
“When you deal with something on an unprecedented scale, as (the IEDC is) … I’m pleased that they were operating at the speed of business, not to the speed of what we’re used to,” Holcomb said.
To verify the water supply statewide, both the Indiana Chamber of Commerce and an IEDC contractor are working on a study, although the contractor for the latter, more narrow study has been moved to the Indiana Finance Authority.
Holcomb said that speed could help or hurt because being slow could mean losing the bid but thought that Indiana was “at a place, right now, (where) the interest is still there.”
“No one was ever going to promise a company water if we don’t have it; no was ever going to take water away from a community if we don’t have it,” Holcomb said.
Rather, he believed the studies would show “an abundance of water sources” similar to neighboring states, states he said were in the best position to attract businesses in coming years.
Holcomb said he wasn’t yet ready to unveil his final legislative agenda as governor, which is set to be revealed on Jan. 8. Lawmakers seem keen to keep the session short in 2024, meaning any priorities will need to be ready when legislators convene on that same date.
He shared three generalized priorities, including government efficacy and transparency, wrapping up outstanding or in-progress projects, and increasing awareness of current government programs.
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