By Deb Patterson
InkFreeNews

Sen. Ryan Mishler

BREMEN — State Sen. Ryan Mishler wants to clear the air on a budget item, “Orthopedic Retention.” He stated discussion about this budget item has been all over the board. Some of the discussions mentioned Warsaw Airport.

“This has nothing to do with the airport. It was not discussed,” Mishler stated.

Mishler presented an economic development initiative involving regional development authorities, $60 million of which included northern Indiana. Additionally he created an Orthopedic Retention initiative.

This was done to show appreciation in the partnerships over the years with the orthopedic companies.

Since this was a new initiative, guardrails were created. Among the various guardrails are the funds will not be available until fiscal year 2025, giving time to create a plan and make a formal presentation to the budget committee.

“The budget bill requires that the funds appropriated may only be used to support efforts to attract talent and to retain and expand the orthopedic device industry in Indiana.” (Page 81 of HEA 1001-2023 https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2023/bills/house/1001#document-a3b1e000)

Another guardrail is that OrthoWorx will be the facilitator of the funds, like the RDAs. “But they (OrthoWorx) don’t have the authority the RDAs have. The money will flow through them,” explained Mishler.

He strongly urged those groups already meeting to find ways to spend the funds to include OrthoWorx in the meetings. “They are the ones who are going to do the presentation,” said Mishler. He will be talking with OrthoWorx officials to provide details on expectations and what is needed for the budget committee presentation to have it brought to the table. OrthoWorx will also have to keep a line of communication open with the Senate and House with what is being worked on. “We’re going to collaborate before putting it on the agenda,” Mishler said.

Regarding the airport, Mishler stated, Warsaw Airport will be receiving $2 million for taxiway rehabilitation. That was included in the budget, along with funds for Gary, South Bend and Fort Wayne. “It has nothing to do with the local discussion, airport authority, upgrading things, just taxiways. I wanted to make it clear. I’ve received so many different stories.”

The initiatives came about after Mishler and others received an updated financial forecast showing $1.5 billion would be available. This, according to Mishler, is due to the investments the state has made over the past 10 years.

He worked on the initiative over the weekend coming up with a $180 million economic development, of which the Orthopedic Retention is a part.

Mishler encouraged OrthoWorx to find matches to make the $30 million go as far as it can, and they could turn the $30 million turn into a $100 million investment. “The whole premise behind it is to get together, work together and all collaborate together for an opportunity to do something really great in Kosciusko County.

Gov. Holcomb signed the two-year budget earlier in the week.

OrthoWorx is a local nonprofit dedicated to advancing the orthopedic industry.