Inside INdiana Business Launches New Economic Development Segment; KSMLA Talks Amazon Outlook

Inside INdiana Business is launching a new, monthly segment focused on economic development trends and happenings around Indiana aptly titled (i) on Economic Development.

The inaugural segment features Katie Culp and Tim Cook, president and CEO of KSM Location Advisors, respectively, and covers all things Amazon HQ2. With nearly 100 cities vying for the headquarters project, Cook and Culp share their perspectives on whether Indy has what it takes to compete.

Cook says Indy will have to provide answers to three major questions:

1. Do we have the people to fill 50,000 jobs over the next 10-15 years?
2. Can we come up with an attractive real estate option that’s going to fit Amazon’s requirements?
3. Can we show a company that’s headquartered in Seattle – a city with some of the greatest quality of life rankings in the country – that we have competitive assets?

If Indy can provide sufficient answers to all three, Cook thinks it has a shot.

Culp thinks it’s a long shot, but is still worth the effort. “Hopefully Indy is successful. Even if it’s not, learning why it wasn’t successful can be very instructive [for future economic development efforts].”

Catch (i) on Economic Development each month on insideindianabusiness.com, or get the show delivered straight to your inbox by subscribing to the KSM Location Advisors blog at ksmlocationadvisors.com/blog.