Indiana Reports ED Results

The Indiana Economic Development Corp. released its performance data for the first seven months of 2006 on Wednesday. Job creation and capital investment already have surpassed 2005's full-year figures.

As of Aug. 21, the state had secured 124 economic development projects that will create 15,722 jobs and bring $3.9 billion in capital investment.

Last year, the IEDC closed 142 deals that created 15,407 jobs and brought investments totaling $2.7 billion.

So far this year, Indiana has approved $237.8 million in tax incentives. Last year, it approved $180.3 million.

"The new jobs committed this year pay an average of $20.77 per hour, significantly higher than Indiana's average wage of $16.70," Indiana Secretary of Commerce Michael Maurer said in a news release.