Gov. Pence discusses innovation at IN’s Aviation, Aerospace Industry

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) –  550 industry stakeholders attended the Indianapolis Business Journal’s “Aviation & Aerospace in Indiana” symposium.

Governor Mike Pence attended the event where he highlighted Indiana’s recent growth and innovation in flight and space at the event.

“Here in Indiana, we know that success in aerospace and aviation isn’t something you achieve by working alone,” said Governor Pence. “We appreciate that global aviation companies are picking Indiana because our cost of doing business is affordable and our workforce is the nation’s best. We also know that Indiana’s unprecedented success in the industry is because of the consistent and collaborative teamwork between policy makers, employers, suppliers, educators and researchers with a common goal of propelling innovation forward.”

Industry leaders such as GE Aviation, Rolls-Royce, Alcoa and Raytheon announced plans to invest more than $900 million and create more than 1,200 new Hoosier jobs in the coming years.

Careers with companies manufacturing aircraft engines and related components offer average salaries of $89,000 annually, that’s according to the Indiana Aerospace & Defense Council,

Since 2002, Indiana exports for the aircraft and spacecraft industries have expanded at an average annual rate of nearly 30 percent.

“Indiana’s higher education institutions are training some of the top scientists and engineers in the world, while working to tackle 21st Century challenges in flight head-on,” said Governor Pence. “Universities like Purdue University, the University of Notre Dame, Vincennes University and Indiana State University are working collaboratively with the private sector and are developing innovative solutions that are changing the face of aerospace and aviation on a global scale.”

Purdue University broke ground on its new 980-acre Purdue Research Park Aerospace District, last year. It creates collaboration between Purdue students, researchers and the technology and commerce sectors.

Vincennes University recently opened its new, state-of-the-art Aviation Technology Center at the Indianapolis International Airport. It was created to better prepare its students for careers in aircraft maintenance and flight.

And, Indiana State University is one of the first universities to offer unmanned systems education and training.