6
Rollie Helmling
«
O
UR ONGOING VISION IS TO CONTINUALLY ATTRACT ALL ASPECTS OF THE MOTORSPORTS
INDUSTRY TO LOCATE IN
I
NDIANA OR GROW THEIR CURRENT BUSINESS HERE
.
W
E ARE OPEN
TO EVERY FORM OF THE VERY DIVERSE
A
MERICAN MOTORSPORTS INDUSTRY BUT OUR
STRONGEST OPPORTUNITY LIES WITHIN OPEN WHEEL AND DRAG RACING
.
O
BVIOUSLY WITH
I
NDIANA BEING THE HOME OF THE
I
NDIANAPOLIS
M
OTOR
S
PEEDWAY
,
THE
I
NDY
C
AR SERIES AND ALL BUT THREE OF THE
I
NDY
C
AR RACING TEAMS THIS IS A HIGH
PRIORITY BUT IT IS JUST THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG
»
Mr. Helmling, can you tell our readers
what IEDC is? How many people are
involved in the company?
«
The Indiana Economic Development
Corporation serves as the department of
Commerce for the state of Indiana. The
mission of the IEDC is to assist in bringing
new business to Indiana. The primary
objective is creation of new, good paying
jobs and new investment in Indiana.
Our main office is in Indianapolis and we
have regional offices scattered around the
state. Our tools to attract companies to
locate in Indiana or to assist existing
Indiana companies in their growth are
primarily performance based tax
incentives which are of financial benefit to
the companies. We also communicate to
prospective companies the strong business
foundation Indiana has created. Indiana
is recognized as one of America’s best
states in which to do business. We have
low state taxes, a strong work ethic and
excellent colleges and universities
».
How important is, in your opinion, the
economical impact of motorsport
industry in the USA and in the Hoosier
State in particular? Can you give us any
numbers about that?
«
Former Governor, Mitch Daniels
recognized the value of motorsports in
Indiana and asked the IEDC to create an
iniative dedicated to building the
motorsports industry in Indiana. This has
continued with the new administration led
by current Governor Mike Pence.
Motorsports in Indiana are
documented as vital to the
economic well being of our
state. A recent study
conducted by Purdue
University identified
motorsports produces over
23,000
jobs directly related
to the industry. In addition
the average annual wage for
these jobs is $63,000.00.
This substantially exceeds
the average for all jobs in Indiana. The
economic impact created by motorsports
exceeds $3 billion dollars coming into the
state each year. For a state that only has a
little over 6 million people this is
significant. ».
Can you give us a brief vision of the
IEDC’s activities, present and future?
«
Our ongoing vision is to continually
attract all aspects of the motorsports
industry to locate in Indiana or grow their
current business here. We are open to
every form of the very diverse American
motorsports industry but our strongest
opportunity lies within open wheel and
drag racing.
Obviously with Indiana being the home of
the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the
IndyCar series and all but three of the
IndyCar racing teams this is a high priority
but it is just the tip of the iceberg. Much
of the total open wheel racing market is in
Indiana from Sprint Car builders and
teams to more race tracks per capita than
any other state. We also are the home to
most of the top drag
racing teams as well
as the biggest drag
racing event, the US
Nationals. By having
this foundation for
motorsports Indiana
can offer a knowledge
of what the Industry
needs to flourish such
as a knowledgeable
and trained work
force, a central location in the United
States which minimizes travel and an
educational/ training system which
accommodates the Industry with a trained
workforce.
We continually work with our existing
business to assist in their growth. The
technology of racing can apply to other
industries such as defense and aerospace
so we work to link these areas together. In
many cases one of our best recruiting tools
is our existing Indiana motorsports
companies. We also try to coordinate all
aspects of the Industry. Indiana currently
has 49 race tracks, parts manufacturers,
sanctioning bodies, companies which
provide needed services and a host of
racing teams located here. Looking out for
their needs is a big component to
stimulating future growth».
We know IEDC and Dallara USA are
working together, can you tell us in
which ways?
«
When it became apparent that IndyCar
would be creating a new chassis Indiana
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