Public Safety: Please share your vision for Public Safety under your administration.
Public safety has always been one of my administration’s top priorities. Our city has and will continue to see exponential growth over the years, and with that comes additional challenges to ensure a safe community for residents. I’ve encouraged our public safety organizations and leaders to embrace these challenges and find innovative ways to improve services for residents.
The Fishers Police Department is the only agency outside of IMPD to use leading technologies to solve gun crimes and is now assisting other regional agencies to join their efforts. Responding to a demonstrated need in our community, we prioritized mental health and now have dedicated First Responders who are trained in crisis intervention. Additionally, we have been able to expand our Fishers Fire and Emergency Services by adding two more stations, allowing first responders to get to the scene quicker during emergency situations and potentially save lives. Finally, during the COVID-19 pandemic, we recognized a need for better access to public health resources for Fishers residents. This resulted in the creation of the Fishers Health Department and led to Fishers having the lowest mortality rate for COVID in the entire state.
Roads & Infrastructure: Please share your vision for Roads & Infrastructure under your administration.
As Fishers has grown we have made significant investments in our infrastructure. Our administration will focus on four main pillars over the next four years. The first is to complete the transformative projects that are currently planned or already under construction such as a roundabout at 96th and Allisonville, a roundabout at 116th and Allisonville, and the completion of State Road 37, the Nickel Plate Trail and the Geist Greenway. The next goal is to aggressively seek federal funds to further invest in trail connectivity such as a pedestrian bridge over the White River and pedestrian bridge over 146th St. for the Nickel Plate trail. Another pillar in our plan will be to develop an aggressive strategy to reinvest in our neighborhood infrastructure to ensure that each and every one of our neighborhoods is vibrant. Finally, we will research and deploy new technologies that can improve the environment, improve efficiencies, and enhance our community’s aesthetics.
Economic Development: Please share your vision for Economic Development under your administration.
Fishers has seen tremendous economic development and growth in recent years. Since 2015, we’ve attracted and created 8,091 new jobs with an average annual salary of $75,000. During that time, the city received more than $2.5 billion in capital investment. In the last few years alone, Fishers accelerated its growth even further, bucking national trends following the global pandemic. Since 2020, Fishers created 3,450 jobs with an average annual salary of $90,000, attracted $1.83 billion in capital investment, and saw $575 million raised in venture capital by Fishers companies.
Contributing to this economic success is our now booming life sciences and tech industries. In 2021, my administration proposed establishing a Life Science & Innovation Park to cultivate a life sciences industry and attract world-class life sciences companies to Fishers. The Park, with the support of Fishers’ GOP-led Council, has brought in more than $750 million in investment from life sciences companies, more than 1,000 new high-paying life sciences jobs, and grown the square footage of life sciences lab space in Fishers ten-fold. We have also seen significant growth in tech and innovation-based startup companies due to the success of investments in entrepreneurial resources and facilities such as The Indiana IOT Lab and Launch Fishers.
We’ve made these investments all while maintaining fiscal responsibility, good governance and one of the lowest city tax rates in the country and state. With the support of our Republican-led City Council, Fishers will be able to maintain this course of responsible spending, low taxes and transformative growth.
Quality of Life: Please share your vision for Quality of Life Amenities under your administration.
Improving the quality of life and place in Fishers has been a focus since day one. Our goal has always been to create a vibrant community that is a great place to live, work, and play. My administration has focused on growing a sustainable and robust economy while building a desirable community with unique and modern amenities. As a result, Fishers has repeatedly been recognized as one of the best places to live and work, not only in Indiana but also the country. Fishers is now home to the state-designated Nickel Plate Arts & Culture District, and we’ve invested in expanding parks and natural areas, like the Nickel Plate Trail and new Geist Waterfront Park. We’ve also worked to attract and build world-class culinary and entertainment spaces, including the still expanding Fishers District. Just last year, we also announced that Fishers would become home to a new events center that will host the Indy Fuel hockey team along with many other community events. In my next term, I will continue to focus on investments in quality-of-life amenities.
Partnership with OneZone Chamber of Commerce: How will you work with OneZone Chamber to ensure a thriving business community?
It is vital that the city has a strong relationship with the business community. Fishers has become a dynamic place for commerce, and that should not be taken for granted. It requires an ongoing dialogue between our businesses and policy makers. OneZone and the city administration should work hand in hand to advocate for innovative policies at the state house that can further the local and regional economy of Fishers.