Committee approves substitute for talent-recruitment enabling bill after testimony from relocation program CEO

A House committee approved a substitute to House Bill 354 after testimony from a private-sector witness who described models to recruit households to towns and counties as a form of economic development.

Representative Robbins introduced the bill as enabling legislation for local talent-recruitment programs and said he had worked with members on a substitute and several amendments. Mike Rutz, chief executive officer of Make My Move, told the committee his organization helps communities "set up programs to recruit new households to come live and work in communities," and described examples in Greensburg, Indiana, and other communities that combined local assets to attract residents.

Rutz said communities that attract households generate new tax revenue and consumer spending; he told the committee the payback period for state investment in such programs is often "two years or less," and that an Indiana pilot used roughly $7 million in grants to recruit thousands of applicants. Committee members pressed for details on disbursement mechanics; presenters explained an applicant community would receive 50% of an awarded grant up front and the remainder once it demonstrates it has met a predefined household goal.

Members also asked who may apply; presenters said municipalities, counties, economic development authorities or nonprofits with an economic development mission could be eligible. The bill retains an income test tied to the median household income and requires applicants to show programs will not displace existing residents. The committee adopted technical amendments (including adding counties to language that previously named only municipalities) and gave the bill a favorable report.

The measure is enabling legislation and does not request immediate funding; committee members said they expect communities that are interested would seek funding in future budget cycles.