Despite experiencing a recent rise in the unemployment rate, Indiana continues to have the lowest number of jobless residents in the Midwest region. In November the percent of the population not working rose from 4.6 percent to 4.7 percent, which is also the national average. At this time there are 150,848 unemployed residents in the state, which is 5,000 less than November of last year.

With 158 different companies committing to create new jobs in the Indianapolis area, there is little concern about the small increase in unemployment. Altogether the state is expecting more than 22,600 new positions, some which will be in Indianapolis. This increase in jobs will break the states previous commitment record set just a year ago.

One company planning on creating new Indianapolis jobs is Arcadia Healthcare. Arcadia's president and chief executive officer, Marvin R. Richardson, announced in October that he planned on relocating the company's headquarters from Detroit to Indianapolis. Richardson said this choice was easy to make due to the pro business environment created by Governor Daniels, two pharmacy schools to support their growth and strong support from the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, which is the state's premier economic development organization. Arcadia will bring with it 315 new Indianapolis jobs.

Also planning new job creation in the area is the company Veolia Water. Veolia currently provides water service to their approximately 1.1 million customers, all of which are located in central Indiana. Veolia plans on creating 95 new Indianapolis jobs in the recent future.

In response to the news of new jobs creation Indiana Chamber President Kevin Brinegar said that the state “is strongly outperforming its Midwest neighbors in attracting the high-paying, high-skilled jobs of today and tomorrow.”

He went on to say that “Indiana's status will only improve if local government efficient recommendations and meaningful property tax reform for all Hoosiers are enacted as part of the upcoming legislative session. Reduced spending and increased accountability, combined with more effective delivery of services, will be a winning formula to complement the state's recent successes.”

Many of the companies that have already committed to the creation of new jobs throughout the state have already began hiring. All of the businesses plan to reach their job creation commitment by 2012. The average hourly wage expected for these new positions is $20.56. Currently the state's average resident makes $18 an hour.

Labels: Indianapolis jobs