INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) Director Ted McKinney is adding more hours to his work week, as it was announced May 6 he will take on duties as director of agribusiness development within the Indiana Economic Development Corp. (IEDC) in addition to his current job.
It’s not a position that already exists in the IEDC, McKinney said; he’s not replacing anyone. The ISDA has a strong relationship with its sister agency, he explained, and he estimated he already spends about a quarter of his time focused on agribusiness in the state, so it’s a logical progression.
"It’s a team approach, let’s be honest – but I’m leading agribusiness efforts through the IEDC (now)," he said last Thursday.
The agribusiness sector in Indiana has grown steadily thanks to a friendly business climate, its geographic location as "crossroads of America" and an increasing global demand for protein, he noted. Part of that friendly climate, he said, is that "we have not ‘gone wacko’ on our environmental regulations like some other states" – for example, in regards to livestock facilities or processing.
McKinney credited Lt. Gov. Sue Ellspermann and Secretary of Commerce Victor Smith jointly with the idea of the new post. Ellspermann talked about "leveraging Ted’s expertise and stature in the world of agriculture" to grow the state’s agribusiness.
"Over the past two years we have experienced continued growth across the agriculture industry, including significant expansion in the food processing segment," she added.
"Ted’s successful career in the agribusiness world makes him an ideal representative for recruiting and expanding the presence of those companies in our state," said Smith. "We want to take full advantage of and even enhance the current relationship between the IEDC and ISDA in these efforts."
McKinney’s career before his ISDA appointment in January 2014 included director of Global Corporate Affairs for Elanco Animal Health in Greenfield, Ind. One of his upcoming responsibilities will be representing both agencies while accompanying Ellspermann and other state officials on a trade mission to China in late June and early July.
McKinney’s new appointment is the latest in a rollout of farming-centric state announcements over the past several months. In late 2014 the AgriNovus initiative was publicized as a partnership among state, university and private business interests in Indiana to promote its farming, food processing and ag-related research capabilities nationally and worldwide.
And in March, Ellspermann unveiled a strategic plan for the state’s dairy industry. McKinney said state officials are "in discussions" with several dairy processors but didn’t provide any specifics.
Asked how proposed budget cuts for state offices including the Board of Animal Health – which oversees dairy facility inspections across Indiana – might affect attracting new business, he said he does not believe the strategy will be hampered by budgetary concerns.
These three announcements, he explained, are just parts of a larger ag strategy at the state level that he said will focus on livestock and crops, but also on zoning, labor, immigration, access to capital, workforce development, transportation and regulation.
"Major players in the agriculture industry have already invested in Indiana, and we know that others are looking here," McKinney said. "I am looking forward to closing deals and finding new prospects that will invest in Indiana and create jobs for Hoosiers."
