Indiana targets Chicago business in relocation campaign

Before this year's Super Bowl, which was held at The Meadowlands in New Jersey just outside New York City, we reported that Indiana was running a campaign to attract local businesses to relocate to the state. This was done through the use of billboards on the way to the stadium that promoted a website and had the slogan "New York: if you can make it there, you can make a lot more of it here."

At the time, Governor Mike Pence cited the cost of living and higher taxes of the big city as reasons why moving to an area like Indiana was wise for existing companies and those looking to set-up shop for the first time.

Now, it appears that the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) is setting its sights on another big target in an attempt to get businesses to relocate to the state. According to an article from the Quincy Journal — a Quincy, Illinois news outlet — the IEDC is running similar billboards in Chicago.

Dubbed the "Stillinnoyed campaign," the billboards speak about the Illinois business environment that features tax hikes and budget deficits. They also direct those who see them to the website called AStateThatWorks.com. The ads, which debuted this week, will run for eight weeks.

This effort to target businesses in other states to consider Indiana is called "A State That Works," and has been in the works since the spring of 2013.

"In an increasingly competitive marketplace, companies are seeking to maximize their competitive advantage," said Victor Smith, Indiana Secretary of Commerce. "Indiana offers companies the ultimate upper hand, with lower taxes and more affordable business costs just minutes away from downtown Chicago. When comparing Indiana to high-tax Illinois, the difference is clear."

Smith went on to say that Indiana is host to one of the fastest growing economies in the nation. Companies know that when they are stationed in Indiana they can expect sustainability, balanced budgets and unlimited opportunity. This is a climate that is ripe for growth that should be attractive to all companies.

Chief Executive Magazine agrees with this assumption as it ranked Indiana as its best place to do business in the Midwest and fifth nationally. In recent years, 40 Illinois company's have moved some or all of their operations to Indiana, accounting for 3,600 jobs and more than $423 million in capital investment.

For companies setting up shop in Indiana, a local company that provides business management software can become a valuable asset to opening up by hitting the ground running.