Garten joins Gov. Holcomb for ceremonial bill signing

GARTEN JOINS GOV. HOLCOMB FOR CEREMONIAL BILL SIGNING: State Sen. Chris Garten (R-Charlestown, seated left) joins Gov. Eric Holcomb, State Rep. Ed Clere (R-New Albany, seated right), River Ridge Executive Director Jerry Acy (standing second from right) and One Southern Indiana CEO Wendy Chesser (standing center) at the Statehouse Thursday, June 27, for the ceremonial signing of legislation Garten authored during his first session. State Sen. Chris Garten was the only freshman senator to author a bill that was signed into law during the 2019 legislative session.

Senate Enrolled Act 554 allows the Indiana Economic Development Corporation to renew enterprise zones established in inactive or decommissioned military installations for up to 20 years, rather than 10 years. Created in the 1980s, enterprise zones were designed to further stimulate investment and development in urban areas. This legislation addresses the River Ridge Commerce Center, a former military base in Clark County, as well as three other former military bases in Indiana.

Garten praised Acy and the River Ridge board of directors saying “River Ridge is only 20% developed and supports more than 16,000 good-paying regional jobs here in southern Indiana. Jerry Acy and his board of directors have done an amazing job at continually attracting world class industry to River Ridge. This legislation helps to ensure that River Ridge remains competitive in recruiting world class business from across the globe for years to come.