Responses collected: Why Indianapolis Needs Indiana
Indiana depends on Indianapolis to succeed. However, Indianapolis depends on Indiana as well. How can we leverage the strengths of both? Indiana Humanities will explore these issues by asking Hoosiers to discuss why Indianapolis needs Indiana and why Indiana needs Indianapolis, both online and at the Indiana State Fair. Come visit us on State Fair Boulevard from 9 a.m. – 9 p.m., or join the conversation on Twitter, Facebook or right here.
Here are some responses from friends of Indiana Humanities and community and business leaders around the state.
Bill, Knightstown:
“This is a place that we can and should all gather. It is our center and where our capital is.”
Judy Turner, central Indiana:
“Indianapolis is the cultural center of Indiana.”
Stephanie Gregory, central Indiana:
“It’s a premiere state and city of racing!”
Deborah Eikenbary, southeast Indiana:
“The other industries and agriculture resources of the rest of the the state are important to making a strong state.”
George Todd, central Indiana:
“It needs it because all of the rural communities and people provide resources and labor that contribute to the success of the state as a whole.”
Genora Lott, central Indiana:
“To keep its small town flavor.”
Mark A. Dobson, President, Warsaw/Kosciusko County Chamber of Commerce:
“Our county is the Orthopedic Capital of the World. Three of the largest Orthopedic companies have their world headquarters here. Additionally, 30 other very significant Orthopedic players are located in Kosciusko County. Much of the industry innovation is driven here in Kosciusko County. That said, our relationships with innovators such a Lilly, Riley Children’s Hospital, etc., enhance the industry cluster here in Kosciusko County. And, the question for entities in Indianapolis is where would they be in bio-sciences without the innovation driven from Kosciusko County? What incentive would an industry cluster from another state have to support the efforts of the Indianapolis Region?
When we think and act as a region, we are all stronger. When we use arbitrary borders such as county lines as our focus, we are all weakened. Where would medical device innovation be in Indianapolis without what happens in Kosciusko County. And, how much stronger are we all because of the World reach seen coming from Indianapolis.”
Leonard Hoops, president & CEO Indianapolis Convention & Visitors Association, Indianapolis:
“From a tourism perspective, Indiana needs Indianapolis to help drive tourism—a $3.4 billion annual economic engine supporting 69,000 jobs in the Capital City—and to attract major events like the Super Bowl, which will raise the profile of the entire state.”
“Indianapolis needs Indiana because at the core of our city’s well-known friendliness is the statewide concept of ‘Hoosier Hospitality.’ This small town charm is infused into the Indianapolis culture.”
Allison Melangton, president and chief executive officer of the 2012 Indianapolis Super Bowl Host Committee:
“The 2012 Indianapolis Super Host Committee has worked from the beginning to engage the broader community – including non-traditional football fans – to make this so much more than a game. We have dedicated outreach across the state to involve people in the many great opportunities and initiatives surrounding the game – from a young boy in Greensburg coloring a welcome card for our guest welcome program to the 1st & Green Corps high school senior who is planting trees in Fort Wayne to the woman-owned business from Frankfort participating in the Emerging Business Program.
“This community – and by that I mean all Hoosiers – has created one of the most cohesive and collaborative efforts in my professional experiences. I am motivated each day by the energy, enthusiasm and commitment exhibited in each planning meeting, event or community program. Shakespeare was right when he said ‘What is a city but the people?’”
Greg Ballard, Mayor of Indianapolis:
“Indianapolis is attracting new jobs and investment from growing companies in part because of Indiana’s commitment to higher education. Our first-rate universities throughout the state support the industries expanding here with programs focused on areas such as life sciences, information technology, and motorsports engineering. When you think of the homegrown brainpower and growth of these sectors, our institutions of higher learning are a big component of that and provide a diverse pool of talented, skilled workers for companies looking to relocate to Indiana. When you look at becoming a leader in renewable energy, our state provides the corn needed to become a leader in biofuels, and all of the research we do here in that field and production in terms of manufacturing and distribution is possible thanks to our abundance of farmland.”
Melina Kennedy, Candidate for Mayor of Indianapolis:
“Indianapolis needs Indiana to become a super city! Indianapolis is home to the largest children’s museum in the world, home to the Indianapolis Colts and home to so many world class facilities. Residents from all over Indiana visit Indianapolis and are a major reason that these facilities thrive. In turn, Indiana is home to numerous beautiful state parks, lakes, dunes, and thriving cities and towns which offer Indianapolis residents outstanding opportunities to explore, relax and enjoy their time all over the state.”
Bart Peterson, former mayor of Indianapolis, senior vice president of corporate affairs and communications at Eli Lilly & Company:
“Indianapolis wouldn’t be the great city it is if it were in any other state. Indianapolis may be a big globally focused city but, at its essence, it is an overgrown Indiana small town with all the great Hoosier values those towns represent.”
Carol Johnston, Christian Theological Seminary, Indianapolis:
“We need to eat and can’t feed ourselves!”
“Being situated in Indiana is what makes Indianapolis what it is as distinct from every other mid-sized city. Hoosier values of unpretentiousness, hard work, appreciation of family and neighbors, and being in the heartland of America are fundamental. Without them, Indianapolis would be soulless and placeless.”
Erin Kelley, Indiana Historical Society, Indianapolis
“Indy needs Indiana because neither can survive without the other. A thriving capital city is important economically and culturally to the state as it generates revenue and helps draw all Hoosiers together. But without being located in a thriving and respected state, Indy is a city without a home or purpose.”
Gail Strong, WFYI, Indianapolis:
“Because when we all work together, we all do better.”
“Be bold. Create a vision. Build community with intention.”
Bruce Hetrick, Hetrick, Indianapolis:
“In describing the importance of cities, former Indianapolis Mayor Bill Hudnut once said, ‘You can’t be a suburb of nothing.’ The opposite holds true, as well, ‘You can’t be the capital city of nothing.’ Without this state, its diverse communities, its friendly people, its crossroads location, its common-sense culture and its hard-working heritage, we’d be ‘India-no-place’ instead of ‘Indy-the-envy-of-cities-far-and-wide.’”
Greg Fehribach, counselor at Law Doninger Tuohy & Bailey, Indianapolis:
“Indianapolis is the gathering place for the collective community we call Indiana. Our state community benefits from Indianapolis as a rallying point that welcomes the variety of people we call our neighbors.”
Phillip Anderson, CEO ReThink!, Carmel:
What could Indianapolis learn from your community?
“Living in Carmel, people point to many advantages, but the commitment to education of our children has been the lifeblood of growth. It’s a shared commitment involving children, parents, schools, and community. This can be mirrored in other communities who choose to make it a priority.”
What could your community learn from Indianapolis?
“Indianapolis embraces diversity better than suburbs, edge cities, towns, and rural places. Also, neighborhoods are built by shared spaces and values, not just shared addresses. Community building takes effort and I applaud Indianapolis for its efforts to create and re-create authentic communities.”
Carl Chapman, chairman, president and CEO, Vectren Corporation:
“Simply put diversity. Whether it’s coal mining in southwestern Indiana or the steel mills of Gary, our state’s economy is diverse and that contributes to a healthy mix of Hoosiers benefiting us all. Our natural and people resources link us. We need the commerce of the Ohio River and Lake Michigan; we need infrastructure and manufacturing jobs; most of all we must continue to function as one and support the geographical economic engines.”
“The many qualities of our state drive business and quality of life opportunities throughout Indiana. Recognition, discussion and even celebration of our diverse characteristics will make us even stronger in the future.”
Larry Rowland, Fort Wayne
“I think the remainder of the state grounds Indianapolis. It is also the portion of the state where most of the higher education takes place, and also represents well both Hoosier values and sensibilities.”
What could Indianapolis learn from your community?
“Indianapolis could learn from our not-for-profit community who work tirelessly to serve the less fortunate, and provide exposure to the arts to our citizens.”
What could your community learn from Indianapolis?
“We would benefit by understanding and embracing the “can do” spirit that is present in Indianapolis.”
Trackbacks/Pingbacks
- What IndyTalked about when IndyTalked about Indy & Indiana | IndyTalks - [...] During Hoosier Heritage Day, Indiana Humanities asked: Why does Indianapolis need Indiana? Why does Indiana need Indianapolis? Prior to ...
Some of the thoughtful replies posted here reflect an underlying attitude within the 465 beltway that Indianapolis is the center of the Indiana universe. Many communities outside of that beltway have the distinct impression that no one within the 465 beltway really cares what goes on outside of that beltway, unless it is IU sports. Often when dealing with businesses and community leaders within the beltway, outside communities come away with the feeling they have just been talked down to. That leads me to ask, “Does Indiana need Indianapolis?” and my answer is, “Not when Indianapolis thinks it’s superior to the rest of the state.” The business and community leaders of Indianapolis really need to think about how they relate to the rest of the state.
I read the article submitted by Keira Amstutz in the Star (Auburn IN) edition August 26, 2011. Keira and I are alumni of the same high school here in Northeast Indiana. In her column she quoted many responses to the question – What can Indianapolis and Indiana learn from each other? One attendee’s quote was “Everyone should experience small towns, growing crops, and seeing fields, woods and streams in wide open spaces.” I don’t know if the citizens of Indianapolis are aware of what is happening to much of our “wide open spaces”. There is a proliferation of wind farms being built in rural Indiana. The general public is either ignorant or turning a blind eye to what is happening to the aesthetics of rural Indiana farmland, not to mention the money we tax payers are spending to subsidize these “green energy” projects. At this time there are 800 turbines in place with 2,257 turbines projected for future operation. Our beautiful, rural vistas will be forever changed. Aesthetics is but one of the concerns about wind power. There are health concerns, ecology concerns and the loss of property values surrounding wind farms. There are thousands of Hoosiers, including citizens in Keira’s corner of the state, who are fighting to stop this madness. I suggest everyone research “wind energy” and become educated on this subject. Let’s protect our unique Hoosier homeland. Thank you Alice Swift
I strongly disagree with your one eyed perspective. A stereoptic view of the facts considers protecting our streams and woods from Peabody Coal’s plan in Indiana’s Bear Run. Focusing on Duke Energy 1.8 billion dollar cost overun being billed to Hoosier rate payers in advance. Rural economies benefit by leasing small parcels to wind farm operators for tower placement that might have been sudsidized. My advice get involved buy rural land and start
a hobby farm.
Aaron, FYI, I am the daughter of a farmer. My parents worked tirelessly all their lives to make a meager living off the land. My parents, who have passed, lovingly left my siblings and me their land. I am the proud owner of rural land and am probably more of an environmentalist than most people ever hope to be. My husband and I are avid gardeners and have created a yard that is certified in the National Wildlife Federation’s Backyard Wildlife Habitat. One other piece of info you evidently are not aware of, this new “green energy” called “wind power” is not going to lower our electric bills either! Another thing for you to consider…would you like to have those monstrosities in your backyard???