Indianapolis Case Study

Indianapolis is located in central Indiana and is a primary commercial transportation center for the Midwest. The economic base of Indianapolis has been changing since the 1980's, and is located in a prime agriculture area with a very diversified economic base. Before the 1908's Indianapolis was known for its main industry of manufacturing. It now focuses on retail and services and strives to gain tourism through sports and other attractions. Indianapolis became this transformation in 1984 when the Baltimore Colts move to the central part of Indiana and became the Indianapolis Colts. From 1984 until 1991 Indianapolis quadruples its tourism and nearly doubled its hotel space. They now host the Indianapolis Colts, Pacers, and many other sporting

They have had many in the past that they have discontinued but are talking about bringing back. One incentive that Indianapolis is popular for that lasted until 1991, is a program where they would give around 12 individuals an abandon house. If the individuals fixed the house up, and lived in it for 5 years the city would give them the deed to the house. There has been talk of this to fill the empty houses around Indianapolis again, but at this point it has not been approved. The current incentives that Indianapolis is offering are the Brownfields Grant Program. This gives $20,000 in remediation of Brownfield clean up, along with close to 0% interest on loans used for the Brownfield purpose. There is also a Façade Grant Program that offers a 50% incentive on Façade Improvements. This is an improvement to the street view of the property, and businesses and individuals can take part to improve the look of their property. They also have Neighborhood Action Grants, tax abatements for Economic Revitalization Area designation, procurement, and community development block grants. Indianapolis seems to be involved with the community, and often appears to have incentives and programs to help their community. Living in Indianapolis also benefits individuals by the grants and incentives offered by the state of Indiana. The main programs in Indiana are for new businesses; such as the EDGE tax credits along with several other grants and loans for new start up