John Richardson, IEDC President. Provided image
Gov. Mike Braun has appointed a president of the Indiana Economic Development Corp. nearly six months after signing a new state law mandating the position be established immediately.
The Republican chief executive announced Tuesday he's picked Josh Richardson, former commissioner of the Indiana Department of Workforce Development, to lead the state's efforts to strengthen workforce alignment and to support new and existing employers through region-based planning.
"Josh brings a rare combination of economic insight and workforce experience. He understands that growth starts with people — and that the best way to strengthen Indiana's economy is to make sure our employers, universities and regional leaders are all moving in the same direction. I have full confidence in his ability to continue driving the state's momentum and to create lasting opportunity for Hoosiers," Braun said.
Richardson will serve under Indiana Commerce Secretary David Adams, who was both CEO and president of the IEDC prior to the Republican-controlled General Assembly separating the roles in Senate Enrolled Act 516, which took effect May 1.
"Indiana's success has always come from its regions — from leaders who know their communities best and who build growth from the ground up. Josh understands the direct connection between talent and industry growth better than anyone," Adams said.
"His leadership will ensure that the IEDC continues to support region-led partnerships that grow wages, strengthen productivity and attract people and investment to Indiana."
Braun said Richardson will be replaced at DWD by Interim Commissioner Mike Smith, the workforce department's former chief financial officer.
Having a separate CEO and president of the IEDC returns the state's commerce agency to its original leadership structure established in 2005.
The two positions were merged by Republican former Gov. Eric Holcomb and the Legislature in House Enrolled Act 1418 (2021). Though Braun has questioned the IEDC's financial decisions and oversight during that period, and a recent analysis of spending by the quasi-independent agency identified multiple potential misuses of public funds.
In another back-to-the-future move, Braun said the IEDC and other state agencies will embrace Indiana's traditional "Crossroads of America" motto and move away from more recent slogans like "A State That Works" and "For The Bold."
"Indiana is proud to be the geographic crossroads of America, and we are also proud to be at the crossroads of the nation's leading industries, such as advanced manufacturing, life sciences, motorsports and defense. We will look for opportunities to lean into this identity and incorporate it into our work," Braun said.
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