By Beth Taylor
Lt. Gov. Sue Ellspermann spoke during the Fishers Rotary Club’s Community Guest Day on Oct. 24. Ellspermann highlighted key points of what Gov. Mike Pence’s administration has accomplished after 22 months in office and focused on workforce development and infrastructure.
“I’m here today to talk about all the projects and key initiatives that will keep our state moving forward,” Ellspermann said.
Ellspermann manages six state agencies, including the Office of Small Business and Entrepreneurship. She praised the success of Launch Fishers, the launch pad for high-potential enterprises located in Fishers. Created by John Wechsler in conjunction with the Town of Fishers, the group has grown to more than 300 members since its founding 2012.
Ellspermann explained how Launch Fishers and the Indiana Small Business Development Center will partner to develop Launch Indiana. The mission of Launch Indiana SBDC is to increase the number of successful Indiana-based, innovation-driven enterprises through mentorship and education.
“We’ve taken the idea of Launch Fishers and initiated Launch Indiana,” said Ellspermann.
She also discussed that while on her statewide “Sue’s Listen and Learn” tour, she overwhelmingly heard from business owners about their difficulties in finding qualified applicants.
“Our strategic plan shows that 60 percent of the workforce will need post-secondary knowledge and credentials by 2025. But if we keep going as is, we will only get about 40 percent,” said Ellspermann.
“We need to ensure that education and training meets existing and future needs of Indiana’s job market,” she added. Plans to reduce the workforce gap include working with K-12 education as well as Ivy Tech and Vincennes University to elevate work-and-learn programs. Ellspermann also discussed the three-tiered Blue Ribbon Panel on Transportation Infrastructure. “We need to take care of what we have, finish what we start and plan for the future,” she said.
“Lt. Governor Ellspermann is such an excellent speaker and her message today was relevant with business owners in our community, said Michele Whelchel, president of the Fishers Rotary Club.
