Indiana governor candidates mostly oppose LEAP district approach to economic development

An economy-focused forum featuring six of the candidates running for Indiana governor in 2024 left limited room for differentiation ― but there was one issue that created a clear divide.

Asked about the Indiana Economic Development Corporation's controversial proposal to pipe water to the LEAP district northwest of Indianapolis from another part of the state, five of them took a critical stance, pitting them against the project's only proponent, former IEDC President and Republican Brad Chambers.

"There was never any approach that would create winners and losers," said Chambers, the first to answer the question. "It’s all winners, or it wouldn’t be done. This is an opportunity to lean into the future."

All of the candidates to replace Gov. Eric Holcomb except Democrat Jennifer McCormick and Republican Jamie Reitenour attended the forum at the Greater Columbus Economic Development Corporation event Friday.

Residents in the Lafayette area, from where water would be taken, have been mobilizing throughout the year against the proposal, as have local elected officials. They feel plans are moving forward without enough community input or vetting of the state's water resources in that area. The IEDC contends the state has plenty of water, a notion supported by previous, though less specific, water studies.

Republican Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch said the rollout of the LEAP project and water pipeline design has not been transparent enough in the eyes of local leaders, and pointed out, as IndyStar has done, that Indiana lacks an overall statewide water plan.

"If we aren’t transparent in government, we can’t be accountable," she said.

Most oppose top-down approach

Water issues aside, the LEAP project in Boone County was a different approach to economic development than the IEDC has traditionally taken. Rather than having a specific project in mind and then having the private developer scope out land, the state has bought up land first to create a massive, shovel-ready industrial park in the hopes of attracting investment.

Republican Eric Doden, a Fort Wayne businessman who led the IEDC from 2013 to 2015, called the LEAP strategy "top-down" and believes projects like this need to come from the local level, rather than the state.

"I do not believe the IEDC should be a developer," he said.

U.S. Sen. Mike Braun and Curtis Hill, a former state attorney general, echoed the top-down concern. Braun added that the IEDC should give more attention to small and midsized local businesses in the state; Hill said a project like LEAP shouldn't continue until there is more community buy-in.

Libertarian Donald Rainwater likened the project to the government "using a heavy hand to do something beneficial at somebody else’s expense."

Candidates try to define their lanes

Outside this question, candidates carved out small opportunities to pitch what makes them distinctive, standing from their chairs as they spoke to a rapt audience.

Doden emphasized his faith-filled backround and the importance of working with local leaders.

Crouch mentioned her "axe the tax" proposal and a focus on quality of life within the economic development conversation.

Rainwater painted himself as the average Hoosier who knows what it's like to budget and sacrifice some needs over others.

Hill called himself a proven conservative leader who would be a "fighter."

In addition to pointing to his voting record, Braun frequently invoked his beginnings as an entrepreneur from a small town — Jasper — and a “problem-solver” mentality.Chambers repeatedly emphasized economic growth as the primary means of spurring investment in other areas, such as education, healthcare and public safety.

Contact IndyStar state government and politics reporter Kayla Dwyer at kdwyer@indystar.com or follow her on Twitter @kayla_dwyer17.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana governor candidate forum: LEAP district draws opposition