The coronavirus pandemic has wreaked havoc on the state's economy all year long, but the state's Secretary of Commerce is offering Hoosiers some hope about the future.

Jim Schellinger tells Inside Indiana Business that believe it or not, the state is tracking to have a record year for job commitments down the road.  He says it’s been a banner year.  In fact, all the numbers they track, whether it be jobs, cut backs, or wages it’s a record year.

FEDCO Executive Director Terry Lee says most business he talks to are hiring.

Schellinger called the northwestern 13 counties in the state the "poster child for regionalism." He added that they still have standing job commitments from companies in virtually every region of the state.

Lee says much of the challenge is the same as during normal times, workers leaving the county for jobs.

Lee knows that the mystery offered by Covid and the election have also been a factor.  He says smaller businesses are still a concern.
 

So far in 2020, the Indiana Economic Development Corporation's central Indiana region, made up officially of 33 counties, has accounted for projects totaling commitments of $3 billion in capital investment and 16,735 new jobs.