Chambers: A Focus on Entrepreneurs

Indiana’s incoming secretary of commerce says juicing the state’s entrepreneurial ecosystem will be a priority as he seeks to keep economic development momentum rolling. Governor Eric Holcomb selected Indianapolis-based Buckingham Companies founder and Chief Executive Officer Brad Chambers as the state’s new economic development chief last week and Chambers says building the state’s historic innovation pipeline will be a priority.

“There’s no better example of an entrepreneur than looking more than 125 years ago at Colonel Eli Lilly. He started a business that is still around today generating dynamic economic contributions, high paying jobs and contributing to our state’s economy,” said Chambers, who adds he wants to “pour some fertilizer on the state’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.”

In an exclusive, extended interview, Chambers and Governor Holcomb talked about the state’s economic development strategy on this weekend’s edition of Inside INdiana Business with Gerry Dick.

Chambers succeeds Jim Schellinger, who resigned from the position in March. Jim Staton has served in the role on an interim basis since that time.

Click here to watch Part 2 of our exclusive interview.

The Governor’s office says Chambers has agreed to a two-year contract with the IEDC Board of Directors to lead the organization. The governor says there is “no one more qualified” to oversee the state’s economic development efforts.

“Not only has Brad created, grown and expanded his business from the ground up, he’s been focused on how his work contributes to making Indiana the best place to invest, work, and live for his entire career,” Holcomb said in a news release.