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Showing posts with label Trade Mission. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Trade Mission. Show all posts

Sunday, October 29, 2017

Governor Eric "Bagman" Holcomb Once Again Jets Around The World



It seems in a shocking turn of events that the CIA's Paper of Record the Indianapolis Star put out another decent story. This time from another one of our favorite reporters. IR has frequently cited the work of Kaitlain Lange on this blog. If the Star hires just a few more reporters like Ms. Lange, Fatima Hussein, and Tony Cook. We all here may have to slighty revise our long standing negative view of "Pravda Indianapolis". INDY REPUBLICAN does not think that will happen anytime soon. But we all believe in the redemptive power of prayer. So we will not give up just yet.

Now let's get down to business. Kaitlain Lange's October 27th, 2017 piece "Gov. Eric Holcomb travels to India on third international trip as Governor", will be the subject of this post. Most people who have read Gary Welsh's "Advance Indiana" blog. Will most likely be aware that the old master loved to call out Governor's Mitch Daniels and Mike Pence for their frequent "trade mission" trips. It was Gary's contention as well as IR's that these trips, unless proven otherwise, are a waste of taxpayer money and are simply an excuse for politicians and lobbyists to conduct underhanded and possibly illegal activities away from the eyes of the public.

The reason that the IR gang has not written about "trade missions" before. Is that although we share Mr. Welsh's negative view of these trips. We feel that we the people are better off when these politicians and parasites leave town. Yes they do waste taxpayer money by having the trips abroad. But they can and do waste more money and inflict more pain when they are in Indiana. So we have done our best not to encourage Holcomb and others like him from actually staying in town.

But honesty and our commitment to carrying the torch Gary Welsh light for all of us. We felt compelled to write about this. Notwithstanding our own feelings on the subject.

Ms. Lange writes:

Gov. Eric Holcomb is traveling to India on Friday for his third international trade mission in his first nine months as governor

Holcomb and Secretary of Commerce Jim Schellinger will focus on expanding business opportunities for both countries as they meet with governor officials, business leaders and representatives of foreign chambers in Delhi, Bangalore, Mysore and Pune.

Holcomb previously traveled to Hungary and France in June and Japan in September for economic development.

"With recent, large job commitments from India-based companies, we are building even greater momentum to send more Hoosier-made goods to India and recruit more Indian businesses to grow here in Indiana," Holcomb said. "I'll remain focused on taking our state to the world and bringing the world back to our Hoosier communities."

Holcomb has made workforce development a priority since he became governor, creating a new position as the chief talent recruitment officer.

There are currently nine India-based companies in Indiana.

In March, Infosys became the latest Indian company to announce plans to add an Indiana site with the creation of a tech and innovation hub. The company will invest $8.7 million and employ up to 2,000 Hoosiers. Holcomb will meet with the executives of Infosys as well as Indian company Cummins while in India.

Since 2006, Indiana exports to India have increased 117 percent, totaling more than $266 million in 2016, while India imports to Indiana totaled $349 million.

India also has strong ties to the state's colleges: Purdue University, for example, had the largest enrollment of Indian undergraduate students in the U.S., with 881 students in the fall of 2016.

The international trade trips are funded by the Indiana Economic Development Foundation, which receives private donations.

INDY REPUBLICAN is skeptical to say the least that this trade mission is being funded by private donations. According to the government watchdog site ProPublica the Indiana Economic Development Foundation's address is listed as One North Capital Avenue in Indianapolis. The Indiana Economic Development Corporation created by former Governor Mitch Daniels is also located at One North Capital Avenue. The IEDC was created to replace the former Indiana Department of Commerce and has been frequently criticized for fabricating the number of jobs they have brought into Indiana among other things. To be fair the article only states that the IEDC Foundation receives private donations. It does not say it ONLY receives private donations. Nor does the article state that any private funding is being used for Governor Holcomb's little jaunt to India. Here is hoping that "Bagman" Holcomb does not do anything to asinine while in India. And remember no matter how disgusting it is that old Eric and the gang are traveling the world on trips of dubious value. We still want them to stay the hell out of this state.

For further information about the problems that have been plaguing the IEDC since it's creation back in 2005 click here and here to read Gary Welsh and Paul Ogden's articles on the matter.