INNOVATE INDIANA

CURRENT STATE OF THE REGION
& QUALITY OF PLACE
There are a number of active social
networking groups, such as young
professional networks, throughout the
region. Yet stakeholders, particularly
younger people and young professionals,
would like to see more cross-regional
networking opportunities and increased
awareness of entertainment and cultural
events occurring in the region.
Regional planning, promotion and
development organizations exist and are
active members of broader coalitions
of organizations. Regional coordination
of promoting and developing Northern
Indiana was noted as an opportunity for
improvement, however. Stakeholders
noted that economic development boards
are not as “well linked” as they could be
to collaboratively market the region, both
internally and externally.
Finally, there are a number of community
development organizations throughout
the region that connect residents across
the socioeconomic spectrum to resources
and programs to help them succeed and
prosper. Regional stakeholders continue
their work to ensure that all members of
the community—immigrants, middle class
and youth—are involved in civic
life and have access to good jobs and
career opportunities. This is especially
important as the region’s demographic
make-up continues to shift toward a
more diverse population.
SECTION 4
STATE OF THE REGION
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY THE REGION ENGAGED CURRENT TRENDS VISION & STRATEGY PROJECTS
& QUALITY OF PLACE
FIGURE 11
2012 COST
OF LIVING
INDEX (COLI)
INDEX VALUE REPRESENTS
A PERCENT OF THE NATIONAL AVERAGE
LOCATION
COLI
ELKHART - GOSHEN, IN 94.0
SOUTH BEND, IN 91.9
NATIONAL AVERAGE 100.0
Source: Council for Community and
Economic Research, ACCRA Cost on Living
Index, (copyright).
FIGURE 12
STATE CORPORATION
INCOME TAX RATES – 2015
STATE TAX RATE (%) NOTES
INDIANA 7.0 0
Scheduled to decrease to 6.5%
on July 1, 2015
ILLINOIS 7.75
KANSAS 4.00
Also levies a 3.0% surtax on
taxable income over $50,000
KENTUCKY 4.0 -6.0
MICHIGAN 6.00
MISSOURI 6.25
50% of the federal income tax is
deductible
Imposes Commercial Activity
Tax (CAT) equal to $150 for
OHIO —
gross receipts issued to Ohio
of between $150,000 and
$1 million, plus 0.26% of
gross receipts over $1 million
PENNSYLVANIA 9.99
TENNESSEE 6.50
WISCONSIN 7.90
Source: Federation of Tax Administrators — February 2015
REGIONALCITIESOFNORTHERNINDIANA.ORG |
32
STAKEHOLDERS, EXECUTION
& STRUCTURAL CHANGES
BENCHMARKING
& MEASUREMENT
ADDITIONAL SUPPORT