RJL Solutions, an Indiana-based government affairs and communications firm, welcomes a new face to the team, Jacy Norton. Norton joins the RJL team as Executive Assistant where she will serve as high-level administrative support to the RJL Executive team, including the CEO, COO, and VP of Communications. With a can-do attitude and an outgoing personality, Jacy Norton serves as the “front desk” of RJL Solutions. Her confidence and forward-thinking abilities are an asset to the entire team.

Norton received a bachelor's degree in psychology with a double minor in business and sociology from the University of Arizona where she also played Division I Volleyball. Her previous work experience includes an accounts receivable specialist where she created and managed an all-inclusive collections process, developed reporting processes and implementation, and managed vendor and client relations. Her most recent venture brought her from Brandenburg, Kentucky.

“This position is unique in the fact that it’s a front seat to the entire company. Jacy’s innate ability to problem-solve and think on her feet, paired with her approachable personality will serve our team and clients well,” said Rachel Leslie, CEO. “She joins the team with fresh perspective, energy and natural talent. We are happy to welcome her to Indiana.”

Norton’s position will be based out of the RJL headquarters located in Terre Haute. She will work closely with the COO to implement and refine operations and processes, support daily business operations and assist in event coordination for RJL Solutions and its clients including strategy, logistics and specifics.

“Jacy is operationally-sound,” said Betsy Peperak, COO. “Her drive and skillsets will certainly be an asset operationally to our growing company.”

Jim Owen has a passion for rowing. He smiled and took a deep breath as he thought about how to explain the sport to someone who has never experienced what it’s like to be in the boat with a team you trust. 

“It’s the heart of the rower,” he explained. “That team did so much despite not being in the water as often and not having new equipment.”

In 2018, the Wabash Valley Crew Rowing Team (WVC) competed in the Culver Academy Regatta against several teams, and against many odds. You see, WVC isn’t your average rowing team. While most teams have 100 rowers, WVC had 15. While almost every team has a boathouse, WVC does not, yet. 

Owen spent the last six years creating the WVC team with Co-Founder Jack Hill. In addition to this team, Owen has been an integral part of the adoption of rowing at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, and the Erg Ed program – an indoor rowing machine technology, curriculum and training program – that will be coming to Sarah Scott Middle School. So, what’s next on their list? Getting that boathouse for the WVC.

On average, the team spends an extra hour or two of practice transporting the boat to the Wabash and assembling the boat before they can even get in the water. This cuts into valuable practice time for WVC.  

“If we want to sustain this for a long time, a boathouse is absolutely necessary,” said Hill. 

Boathouse or no boathouse, that didn’t keep the 2018 team from winning first place in one of the many heats at the Culver Academy Regatta. 

Success for the WVC team didn’t stop at the Culver Regatta. The rowing industry has taken notice of WVC and of Terre Haute. In 2019, the University of Texas Women’s Rowing team chose the Wabash River and the facilities offered at Fairbanks Park to train for the NCAA Championships.

“The University of Texas’ head coach gave us a call and said, ‘We found you on social media. We’ve researched the river. We’d like to train here,’ and that was that,” explained Hill. 

According to Hill, the rowing industry is popular on the East coast, running across the nation to Indianapolis, comes to a halt outside of Terre Haute and picks up again in St. Louis.

“We don’t want rowers, athletes, and visitors to travel past us,” explained Hill. “We want them to stop; we want to show off our amenities.”

The biggest amenity? The Wabash River in Terre Haute. The river runs along Fairbanks Park, where a 2,000 meter straight offers unobstructed views of rowers gliding on the water.

“We have such a great opportunity here, crafted by the Wabash River, to promote the sport, to promote the community,” said Hill.
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Speaking of promotions, the WVC hosted a Corporate Rowing Challenge on February 26th, 2022, with the intent of raising money for a boathouse. There were 10 businesses with teams of five, and at $500 a pop, WVC is well on their way to a boathouse.

In addition to the challenge, the Wabash Valley Community Foundation has established a challenge grant through December 31, 2023. Each dollar donated will be matched by the foundation, up to $150,000. 

Hill nodded to Owen and said, “Jim has worked hard to expand this sport in this region. This Corporate Rowing Challenge we’ve been working on for the last eight months is all about raising public awareness, interest, and raising funds for our boathouse.”

Ten corporate teams, including, the Terre Haute Police Department, Union Health, Garmong Construction, Hannig Construction, Sycamore Engineering, Epic Insurance, B&S Plumbing, Heating and Cooling, Milestone, and RJL Solutions, took to erg machines in the Terre Haute YMCA gym. The atmosphere was electric. People were cheering, teams were rowing, and everyone was sweating with either effort or anticipation. At the end of the 30-minute challenge, the Terre Haute Police Department blew everyone out of the metaphorical water, rowing just under 10,000 meters. 
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The first Corporate Rowing Challenge was a success, bringing awareness to the sport, and to the value it could create for the community.

Rowing is an incredible sport to watch if you have not already. Brent Meyer, a Partner at 10dot1 Productions, has over 10 years of experience filming and observing rowing teams from all over the state and country. 

10dot1 Productions is the world leader of live rowing broadcasts. Their content has reached millions of viewers over 15 years. 
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“We use these broadcasts to show the sport from a unique perspective,” explained Meyer. “We capture the sounds, the colors, the strength of the rowers. It truly is spectacular.” 
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By showcasing the sport, by capturing the nuances of rowing, public awareness and intrigue naturally tend to follow.

“People think rowing is easy. The boats are rather unstable, so just keeping it above water is an accomplishment,” stated Meyer. “To put multiple people in a boat is one thing, to have them work together, to make them go fast, it’s really amazing.”

Rowing is hard. Rowing is rewarding. Rowing is a sport for any and every stage of your life. Rowing is the next big thing in Terre Haute. 

“This is a huge opportunity for the city of Terre Haute, for the Wabash Valley, and for the sport,” explained Meyer. “The Wabash Valley Crew could become a feature of Downtown Terre Haute. This is something unique to the community. This is a facet of tourism. This is the city showing the state and the nation, we have amenities, we have passion, we are here to compete and grow the sport of rowing.”
 

For those of us who have been through a breakup in our personal lives, we know that there are two types of individuals in such situations. You may have been the one who was dumped—the one who leaves the relationship feeling heartbroken and wondering how you will ever move on from such a love. Or you may have been the one who initiated the breakup, feeling that you gave the relationship your all, that you created some fond memories with your ex (and maybe some not-so-fond ones), and now you’re on to bigger and better things. In the end, it all comes down to how you feel about your ex. 

Now, you’re probably wondering why RJL Solutions is offering relationship advice, and trust me, that is not a market we will be wading into anytime soon … However, the end of a Legislative Session feels like a breakup every year, and usually we find ourselves feeling like the individual who has been dumped—sad to see the liveliness of the Statehouse wane and our adrenaline levels return to normal. But this year is different. Anyone who navigated this session would probably agree that the relationship with the 2022 Legislative Session was comparable to what we can only imagine a relationship with Ted Bundy was like. So much so that some even say this session “ate them alive.”

With their Sine Die adjournment early Wednesday morning (around 1 a.m.), the Indiana General Assembly wrapped up another short session, largely characterized by debates on education, taxes, local government issues, and the Second Amendment. In the final hours of session, proposals that had failed to make it through the legislative process were shoved into other bills, resulting in a few key bills being killed on the House and Senate floor. 

Education
The House and Senate began session with various education bills aimed at curbing Critical Race Theory, a topic that has gained national attention throughout the past few years. While the Senate’s version of the bill died early on, the House’s version (HB 1134) successfully made it through the first half before being killed in the final weeks in the Senate due to lack of support. In addition, bills surrounding materials in schools considered “harmful” to minors were killed throughout the legislative process. 

While language from HB 1134 was not placed into any other bills, the language surrounding harmful materials for children was placed in HB 1369, which died by a vote of 21-29 in the Senate. 

Taxes
HB 1002 was coined “the tax cut bill” early on this session, with various provisions to reduce tax cuts for Hoosiers, including cuts to the individual income tax, utility taxes, and the business personal property tax. After making it through the House without hesitation, HB 1002 was immediately met with concerns in the Senate Tax and Fiscal Committee, who stripped the bill and replaced the language with other provisions. 

HB 1002 was one of the final bills considered in the House and Senate, with final provisions that cut utility taxes, individual income taxes, and pays down state teacher pension debt. The bill passed both chambers and now heads to the Governor’s desk for signing. 

Local Government
Back in January, a number of bills were introduced in the House and Senate, which caught the attention of local governments across the state. Proposals surrounding local annexations, eminent domain, local taxes, and infrastructure were presented. In all, local governments made it out relatively well, with SB 73, HB 1106, SB 390 and business personal property tax cuts (without replacement revenue) all failing to pass.

Second Amendment
HB 1077, the original “constitutional carry” bill, allowed for individuals 18 years of age and older to carry firearms without permits, with certain exceptions for individuals who have past criminal convictions. The bill was met with strong opposition from several firearm safety groups. Additionally, Indiana State Police Superintendent Douglas Carter expressed his opposition to the proposal, accusing lawmakers of playing political games. In the end, HB 1077 died; however, the language was later placed into HB 1296, which passed both chambers. The bill now heads to the Governor’s desk for final signature, which is uncertain at this time. 

As I mentioned earlier, this session was unusually tough to navigate, but the RJL Solutions team is proud to have achieved legislative successes for many of our clients. To leave you with one final breakup quote, 

“Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.”

Our team will continue smiling because we are grateful to work alongside each of our clients for another year. We look forward to a productive spring, summer and fall, preparing for the 2023 budget session next year. In the meantime, please let us know if we can be of assistance to you for any state or federal needs.

Public Health 
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the General Assembly has taken up several measures which seek to end Indiana’s state of emergency and address pandemic-related issues in the workforce. While there were originally several proposals that were introduced, both the House and Senate narrowed their focus to two specific bills: HB 1001 and SB 3.

Starting with the smaller of the two proposals, SB 3 allows Indiana to no longer declare a state of emergency while still providing state agencies the ability to claim COVID-related federal Medicaid and SNAP dollars. Alternatively, HB 1001 is a larger and far more contentious measure, containing proposals relating to COVID-19 vaccination requirements along with measures similar to those in SB 3. Through a broad expansion of qualified exemptions, HB 1001 would effectively diminish the power an employer has to mandate COVID-19 vaccinations for its employees. The House proposal has been met with pushback from a variety of opponents, including the business and healthcare communities.

Aside from COVID-19, both chambers of the General Assembly have passed other measures to tackle healthcare issues. Driven by Indiana’s nursing shortage, HB 1003 is a House-passed proposal which aims to expand Indiana’s nursing workforce pipeline. The Senate also passed SB 5, SB 36, SB 251 and SB 365 in an effort to address workforce shortages in Indiana’s healthcare industry. Lastly, the Senate passed both SB 88 and SB 249 in an effort to reduce Hoosier healthcare prices.

A coalition formed by various ambulance providers gathered at the Indiana State House earlier this week for a legislative luncheon. Senators and representatives were given a unique chanceto speak with providers on the front lines of Senate Bill (SB) 135, authored by Senator Jon Ford.  

After an individual rides in an ambulance for medical treatment, a bill is provided to their insurance plan to recoup the costs incurred by ambulance providers for providing service. Many times, insurance companies are not obligated to pay the full amount of the bill. When insurance fails to cover the medical charges, the burden of paying the remaining balance of the bill falls on the patient, which is known as “balance billing.” 

SB 135 places the responsibility of negotiating fair compensation for the provision of ambulance services on the ambulance provider and insurance company, disallowing balance-bills for Hoosiers. The call to action for this bill is to put Hoosiers first and advocate for patients.  

“As ambulance providers, we support bills like SB 135 that advocate for and positively impact our patients,” explained Tony Anteau, vice president of Seals Ambulance. “The reimbursement for the health care provided to our patients is dictated by each patient’s individual health plan. This bill will allow ambulance providers to work directly with the health plans on emergency ambulance reimbursement without inconvenience or risk of financial impact to the patient. We will be able to have a dispute resolution process, go directly to the insurance company and secure a fair reimbursement for each emergency ambulance transport.” 

RJL Solutions, Indiana-based government affairs and communications firm, is starting off the New Year with new talent. Interns Andrew Ardizone and Victory Sampson will be joining the Indianapolis team.

“Andrew and Victory are both extremely impressive interns,” states Rose Adams, RJLU Program Director and RJL’s Digital Marketing Manager. “We are so excited to dive into this semester.”

Andrew, of Indianapolis, Indiana, is an alum of Indiana University with a bachelor's degree in Political Science. Andrew is currently pursuing his dream of becoming a lawyer as a Juris Doctor Candidate of Indiana University’s McKinney School of Law Indianapolis. Before his time at RJL Solutions, Andrew was an intern of Government Affairs for Canopy Growth Corporation. His interest in politics and law piqued early as he canvassed for Todd Young for Congress in 2016. His skillset in campaign management and multimedia presentations will aid the RJL Solutions team well during this session.

Victory, of Indianapolis, has joined the team as a high school intern. He is currently enrolled at Cathedral High School and will be graduating this spring. Victory has a servant’s heart and has worked as an Administrative Officer for Mother Mercy Global Missions, Inc., and as an Administrative Assistant for Mercy Hospitality Group, Inc. Victory will be working closely with the Community Development team to further his education in grant work.

“Our program provides a unique hands-on opportunity for Indianapolis interns due to our proximity to the Indiana Statehouse and our pulse on all things happening in the city,” states Adams. “Internships have the potential to shape the career paths of young people. We are honored to be on the ground floor of their success.”

For future internship opportunities with RJLU, visit www.rjlsolutions.com/internships.html.

Do you feel like Clark Griswold and sick of the bullshit? Yeah, me too. So, if you’re looking for a traditional RJL leadership blog, quit reading. This one is not your jam, or lime inspired Jello mold!

The COVID era. The Great Resignation. Inflation. And, the most overused word of 2020/2021, unprecedented. Oh, so much was unprecedented, including true exhaustion, increased mental health concerns, increased fear, and the unknown. It’s nearly 2022, and the fear of the unknown remains. No matter how many lights we put on it, yard ornaments we attempt to stand up, or gifts we purchase … the damn lights won’t turn on. By some miracle of the unknown, the lights glimmer from time-to-time. Why? I believe, perseverance and support.

However, if I’ve learned one thing from Mr. Griswold himself, in the moment his family stood by him to see the lights not turn on in a pivotal moment of the movie, you immediately feel bad for Clark. For me, it wasn’t about the lights not turning on, it was about the reaction from some of the people he considered close family – his mother-in-law, for one. In despair, he’s committed to fixing the lights, but he’s tired and somewhat irrational. Although he eventually enjoys lighted success, it wasn’t because he was smarter, it was because his wife, Ellen, figures out the electrical connection … it took someone other than him to help him figure out the finale. It made everyone happy. In that moment, you wanted to live there, too.

Yes, that’s how I see 2022. Of course you’re tired, who isn’t? Imagine the case studies from these last two years! We’re making history. One thing I know about history, it’s often told to describe what people overcame. Yes, my grandparents walked uphill both ways in the snow to get to school, didn’t yours? Well, maybe it was your parents, sorry. Take inventory of your goals and commit to persevering against the unknown. Write them down! Hang them on your refrigerator. Maybe it’s putting a swimming pool in the backyard, or buying a new RV, but I would guess they’re much more aspirational. Don’t be afraid of big and bold because you’re tired. Don’t be afraid to find your edge.

Surround yourself with support. Did you read our culture blog written by Lily Pesavento? She describes a positive work culture as supportive. Sounds simple, but take inventory here, too. Who do you have around you that shows YOU support? Who is going to help YOU make sure your lights come on? Surround yourself with Cousin Eddies (yes, I meant that plural). When Cousin Eddie showed up with the mean, bad boss, we laughed, and yet, secretly applauded. He was there for Clark when he needed him.

As you end 2021 and enter 2022, embrace your written goals and big and bold aspirations, making sure you have support around you, and push forward. Clark reminds us that it’s okay to make a spectacle and dream big. His wife, Ellen, reminds us to be there, be supportive, and to not give up on those we care about. Eddie, well, he reminds us to be yourself and be supportive however you can … always, against all odds. Who are the characters in your real live Christmas Vacation? I know mine.

The average American spends 2,080 hours a year surrounded by coworkers. Think about it, we work 9-5, five days out of the week. Sometimes we work well into the night and weekends. We do this with the same people, day in and day out. Coworkers are a huge part of our lives. When asked the question, “Who is most important in your life?” we are subject to say our family and friends. Consider this, we spend just as much time, if not more, with coworkers. So, shouldn’t they be included in our answers? Some would argue yes; some would argue no. Although, I guarantee the people with a well-balanced and successful work culture would be at the forefront of the yes argument.

What is a successful work culture? What does it mean for the present and future of your business? A successful culture brings with it a bountiful business. When your employees are happy, when your employees are winning, your business wins. The American office is an ecosystem all on its own. Every employee has a specific talent which contributes to the overall health of the office. How can management create a healthy environment for employees? It’s simple: support.

Support comes in many different forms, each one as unique as the employees in your office. Support could be lending a helping hand to an employee who may have a lot on their plate. Support could be encouraging an employee who may feel that their work has been subpar lately. Support could be having a one-on-one lunch with honest conversation and lots of laughs.

Support is taking the time to recognize the individual needs of your employees and working with them to form a productive and safe relationship. Your employee should feel comfortable coming to you with anything. And you should feel comfortable doing the same. Life is hard, and it doesn’t always go as planned. A concrete relationship between employees and management and the establishment of a healthy work-place culture can make a huge impact on the mental well-being of the entire office.

At RJL Solutions, our Executive Team has taken the time to learn everything there is to know about our employees. During bi-weekly team meetings each person relays their fears, their successes and maybe a few personal stories. By engaging in this open dialogue, this emphasis on fear and success pinpoints exactly where our strengths and weaknesses lie. If one person needs help, if one person has a question, there is always an answer. We thrive on our strengths, and we reflect on our weaknesses. We support each other, no matter what that support looks like. We strive to create a healthy and happy workplace culture for everyone. Because when our team is happy, when our team is winning, our clients are happy, our clients are winning. That is the RJL Solutions way.

West Central Indiana – The Wabash River Regional Development Authority (RDA) presented to the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) on the region’s READI proposal. Earlier this fall, the Wabash River RDA submitted a comprehensive proposal for projects totaling nearly $300 million for West Central Indiana.

Through the Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI), the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) tasked regions across the state to submit proposals with idea-ready and shovel-ready projects that address the overall quality of life for their region. The Wabash River RDA submitted projects spanning Clay, Knox, Parke, Sullivan, Vermillion, and Vigo Counties with over $73 million in matching READI asks. Over 40 unique projects spanning the six counties were included in the proposal.

West Central Indiana’s proposal is one of 17 regional proposals submitted. The IEDC plans to award $500 million in funding across the state. With the IEDC’s advice to utilize regional planning efforts and creative visions for the future, the Wabash River RDA submitted its $73 million proposal knowing it was bold and transformational.

The second phase of the funding process included a 30-minute presentation and 20-minute question-and-answer session to members of the IEDC selection committee.

“Today was an opportunity for us to further our region’s story. The region’s READI proposal is all centered around funding projects that enhance our quality of life, workforce, and entrepreneurship opportunities with the end goal of attracting and retaining talent throughout West Central Indiana,” states Greg Goode, President of the Wabash River RDA. “Our presentation showcased one student from each of the five higher education institutions in our region."

Following a video presented by the RDA, students Anne Bowen of Indiana State University, Katie Ginder of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, Dustan Jones of Vincennes University, Faith Petrowski of Ivy Tech Community College of Terre Haute, and Hannah Snider of Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology joined the presentation pitching that the region’s investment in the proposed projects will aid in retaining the 30,000 students throughout West Central Indiana.

“West Central Indiana is one of the only regions in the state with rich and diverse higher education opportunities like this. What better way to show this than with our students,” continues Goode.

A panel of regional leaders joined the stage following the presentation to answer questions from the selection committee. The panel included Greg Goode, Mayor Duke Bennett of the City of Terre Haute, Mayor Clint Lamb of the City of Sullivan, Ryan Keller of Thrive West Central, Kristin Craig of West Central 2025, Tony Hahn of Vincennes University, John Thompson of Thompson Thrift Construction, and Rachel Leslie of RJL Solutions.

The IEDC is expected to make decisions on funding by the end of the year.

As we head into the final days of 2021 and prepare for the upcoming legislative session, we find ourselves immensely proud of what we accomplished alongside our clients throughout the past year. With the holidays just around the corner, it’s time to sit back, enjoy good food amidst the company of your loved ones and fill your days with much-deserved rest and relaxation. And while you’re sitting back enjoying a nice cup of hot chocolate (or whatever drink makes your days “merry and bright”), the RJL Government Relations team will be reading EVERY. SINGLE. WORD. of the hundreds of legislative proposals drafted up by our legislators. That’s right, while you deck your halls with boughs of holly, we’re decking ours with bill drafts and Indiana State Code books.
 
Throughout the legislative session, our Government Relations team monitors all legislative activities and advocates on behalf of our clients at the Statehouse. Leading the charge will be:

Collectively, our team boasts a deep knowledge of state and federal policy, a vast network of established relationships and a fierce drive to tackle even the most daunting legislative endeavors on behalf of our clients.
 
As the 2022 legislative session nears, we reflect on the wins and losses, the highs and lows and the many challenges and blessings that the 2021 session brought us. Beginning in January, the General Assembly kicked off a legislative session marred by debates surrounding public health and budgetary proposals. Over the following months, the legislature debated and passed proposals limiting the executive branch’s authority in public health emergencies, tackled the redistricting process, and passed the biannual budget. The budget, especially, received ample attention due to the number of notable initiatives included in it, such as the $500 million Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI) grant program, the $1.9 billion increase in K-12 funding, $40 million to increase wages for direct support professionals (DSPs) and $250 million for expanding broadband in underserved areas. Shored up by money available through the Federal Government, Indiana was successful in retaining a balanced budget with a strong rainy-day fund.
 
Looking to the future, the 2022 legislative session is expected to be swift, busy and turbulent. The word on the street (or in the hallway) is that legislators are planning to address medical billing issues, the federal vaccine mandate, education issues (making schoolboards partisan), repealing/reducing certain tax liabilities (business personal property tax) and workforce issues. Since 2022 will be a short session (i.e. not a budget session), we expect these topics to be hotly debated and acted upon in a rather short period of time. If things pan out as expected, session could end early/mid March.
 
If we haven’t completely knocked your stockings off by now, you’re in luck! As with every legislative session, there will undoubtedly be other major items that the General Assembly will address in 2022. Both the House and Senate met on November 16th for Organization Day, the ceremonial first day of session, and began creating their agendas for the upcoming year. Over the next two months, legislators will file their bills (a maximum of five in the House and ten in the Senate per legislator) which will be posted to the General Assembly’s website. While our team will be reading through each of these bills and informing you of proposals relevant to your industry, please do not hesitate to contact us should you have any questions or special requests.
 
On behalf of our entire team at RJL Solutions, we wish you a happy and healthy holiday season and look forward to continuing our partnership with you over the next year.

RJL Solutions, Indiana-based government affairs and communications firm, welcomes Eric Perry to the team. As Associate Director of Government Relations, Perry is responsible for developing and implementing strategic high-level initiatives for RJL Solutions’ clients including policy development, legislative efforts and partnerships at the local, state and federal levels.

Perry also actively monitors legislative and regulatory activities and is responsible for heightening the focus on policy that impacts any industry throughout the state. Overall, Perry works to best promote RJL Solutions’ clients’ market position both in and out of the legislative session.

“Eric was a strong candidate as he demonstrated a strong attention to detail and his ability to tackle even the toughest of issues. His unique strengths and experience will allow him to make insightful and well-rounded decisions on behalf of our clients,” states Ryan Ritchie, Director of Government Relations. “He is a great asset to our clients and our team.”

Prior to his position at RJL Solutions, Perry worked as a Legislative Assistant for two legislators at the Indiana State Senate where he headed legal research, drafted bills and managed constituent services. Perry was also a Campaign Manager for a political campaign in which he oversaw campaign donations and expenditures and strategized messaging using voter research to maximize outreach.

“I hope to continue RJL’s tradition of excellence by aiding the team with my extensive knowledge of state legislature and the public sector,” states Perry. “I am certain that my passion for policy, legislation and government, combined with my passion for service, will serve our client base well.”

Eric graduated from Butler University with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Spanish with a minor in Business Law. In his free time, he enjoys hiking, skiing, camping, golfing and anything outdoors.

West Central Indiana – The Wabash River Regional Development Authority (RDA) submitted its comprehensive READI proposal this week, totaling nearly $300 million in projects for West Central Indiana.

Through the Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI), the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) tasked regions across the state to submit proposals with idea-ready and shovel-ready projects that address the overall quality of life for their region. The Wabash River RDA submitted projects spanning Clay, Knox, Parke, Sullivan, Vermillion, and Vigo Counties with over $73 million in matching READI asks.

“Our application is a compilation of 42 unique projects,” states Greg Goode, President of the Wabash River RDA. “Each project is categorized into workforce development, tourism and quality of life, and entrepreneurship and innovation.”

West Central Indiana’s proposal is one of 18 regional proposals expected to be submitted. The IEDC plans to award $500 million in funding across the state. With the IEDC’s advice to utilize regional planning efforts and creative visions for the future, the Wabash River RDA submitted its proposal knowing it was bold and transformational.

“Understanding every state agency will play a role in the funding efforts over time, we didn’t want to sell our region short,” states Goode. “Our proposal demonstrates our region’s ability to uniquely compete and offer the state a profitable return on investment.”

Under the ‘workforce development’ section, projects address talent attraction and retention, specifically in terms of educational opportunities, library expansions, and career pathways. The section also includes four housing projects, each unique, as well as a project dedicated to access to quality healthcare and the important role it has in attracting workforce to the region.

The ‘tourism and quality of life’ section narrates a range of projects including aquatic features and community pools, a sports complex, museum expansions and updates, community centers, regional wayfinding, hotel projects to cater to the increase in visitors, and more.

The projects within the ‘entrepreneurship and innovation’ section include diverse projects that present a range of solutions which encourage start-ups and entrepreneurism and attract regional investment.

The Wabash River RDA’s proposal was submitted under a regional umbrella comprising of the Wabash River RDA, Thrive West Central, and West Central 2025. Together, the three regional organizations are dedicated to creating the best region to live, work, and play.

“Our region prepared for this opportunity for some time,” continues Goode. “This proposal was truly a collaborative effort with compiled planning over the last three years. So many leaders in our region came together creating the data, foundation, and projects to create such a transformational vision. This proposal showcases the best of West Central Indiana and energizes us for all the great things to come.”

The IEDC expects to make their decision on which regions will receive funding by the end of the year.

RJL Solutions, an Indiana government affairs and communications firm, launches RJLU, an evolution of RJL’s original internship program designed to create robust, real-world experiences for students. Internship sections include Government Relations, Marketing, Public Relations, Grant Writing and Design with the opportunity to create positions for candidates, as needed.  
 
Short for RJL University, RJLU is intended be an extension of students’ college and university curriculum, with an emphasis on the university experience. Students who are required to receive course credit through internships can obtain such requirements through the program. RJL also accepts students who do not need certain course credit and ensures that each intern will still find it supplemental to their college curriculum. Interns have the opportunity to attend weekly professional development opportunities, work on team-based projects, and have potential travel opportunities throughout the state, Washington, DC and other areas where RJL’s reach extends.  
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“RJLU is a platform in which the university experience is molded with the real-world, applicable experiences that students will have post-graduation,” states Rose Holtrey, RJL’s Content  
Strategist and RJLU Program Director. “Our program offers project freedom, mentorship and unique opportunities to learn amongst our team and client-base.”   
 
Students from all over are welcome to apply. Positions will be based out of RJL’s Terre Haute or downtown Indianapolis offices and last the duration of approximately 12 weeks as seen on the schedule below (dates are subject to change).   
 
Fall 2021: August 30 – November 19 
Spring 2022: January 10 – March 31 
Summer 2022: May 9 – July 29 
  
Earlier this year, RJL Solutions was honored as the For-Profit Employer of the Year during the Indiana INTERNnet Impact Awards. Presented by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce, the award celebrates internship excellence within the state, understanding experiential learning is a key strategy for retaining Indiana’s top talent.   
 
RJL Solutions first founded its internship program in 2018 because its headquarters was strategically located in Terre Haute, a city consisting of four higher education institutions. Wanting to capitalize on what schools were offering within their curriculum, the company hoped to provide additional value to the students, the institutions and the community as a whole. With the company’s expansion to the Indianapolis area, RJL serves clients from across the state and beyond. With that expansion, the internship program evolved and offers a more comprehensive approach to the internship experience.   
 
For students interested in attending RJLU for the fall semester, applications are due August 16 and can be found at www.rjlsolutions.com/internships.

Saying that RJL has provided us with anything less than the best internship experience would be a crime. Under any other circumstances, waking up at 3:30 a.m. to catch a flight would be crazy. While daunting, we jumped at the opportunity to shadow Ryan, Director of Federal Relations at RJL, in Washington, D.C. Getting to walk in the footsteps of the delegates who make the decisions that impact us in our everyday lives was unforgettable. The atmosphere in and of itself was unforgettable. Washington is truly a melting pot with little tastes of the whole world. As we were headed to one of our meetings, we saw military officials from Colombia, businessmen from France and China, and ambassadors from the Middle East.

Moreover, being able to be a part of the process and begin to navigate and understand the inner workings of the private side of government advocacy was incredible. In meeting up with some of Ryan’s former coworkers from the Hill, it was encouraging to learn that people our age hold important positions in House and Senate committees, the U.S. State Department and at the White House. As we return to work in the Indianapolis office, we will use this trip as motivation to continue learning and growing as RJL interns so we, too, can one day contribute to the robust government affairs industry. Having this adventure under our belts has solidified our goals as well as our sedulousness.

RJL Solutions, Indiana-based Government Affairs and Communications Firm, hires former RJL intern as an official RJL team member. T.J. Collett, a graduate of the University of Kentucky, interned at RJL during the winter of 2020 while obtaining his master’s in interpersonal communications.
 
As an undergrad, Collett studied business and organization communication. In addition to his degrees, Collett played on the University’s baseball team where he won several athletic achievements including the University of Kentucky Mr. Wild Cat award for community service, academics and sports, and the NCAA Senior Award.
 
A life-long resident of Terre Haute, Collett says he’s ready to use his unique talents to contribute to the prosperity of his hometown, it’s surrounding communities and the entire state of Indiana.
 
“I am energized to start a career that can directly impact communities, organizations and people throughout Indiana. Growing up in Indiana, I have always wanted to come back home, and Rachel Leslie and the RJL family have given me the opportunity to do just that,” states Collett. “I am looking forward to learning my full potential and working with a team that pushes me to be my best.”
 
As Relationship Development Specialist, Collett is responsible for the creation and upkeep of client relationships. His take on client care is simple - make friends and keep friends. Each client, much like each friendship, is unique.
 
As the face of RJL Solutions, Collett will use his excellent communication skills to manage high-level customer service, assist in the development of client retention initiatives and strategies and serve as the point of contact for clients. RJL Solutions is a “No Worry” firm, and Collett is the driving force which makes this statement true. He works seamlessly as the community liaison when attending meetings, events, conferences and other networking opportunities where our clients may need us most. Collett will also play an important role in furthering RJL’s client reach and its potential markets. 
 
"Hiring T.J. just made sense," states Vittoria Meyer, Director of Public Relations. "His approachable and personable character, combined with his ability to think quickly on his feet and create well-rounded, thoughtful solutions gives our team and our clients a unique approach to the work we do, the services we offer and the relationships we create.”
 
RJL Solutions is thrilled to have Collett onboard and ready to watch him grow in his professional endeavors.

RJL Solutions, Indiana-based government affairs and communications firm, has grown its team with the addition of four talented summer interns. Cole Trent and Gabe Tierney are diving head first into advocacy at the RJL Solutions Indianapolis office, and Trevor Revesz and Jackson Krieg continue to expand the Terre Haute office’s Community Development and Marketing teams.

Trent, of Indianapolis, Indiana and a student at Purdue University, is double majoring in Speech, Language and Hearing Science in the College of Human and Health Science and Pre-Law, with a minor in Philosophy and Political Science. Before his time at RJL Solutions, Trent served as a Legislative Intern for Indiana Senators Jack Sandlin and Scott Baldwin. At RJL, he will cultivate a skillset built on policy and client research, meeting preparation, media and government relations, lobbying reports and other designated projects.

Tierney, of Terre Haute, Indiana and a senior at the University of Colorado Boulder, is majoring in Political Science. Prior to this internship, Tierney served as a Seasonal Construction Supervisor for Habitat for Humanity Metro Denver in Denver, Colorado. There, he developed a love for public service which fuels his passion for policy and client research.

Revesz, of Terre Haute, Indiana and a student at Indiana State University majoring in Marketing, is aiding the RJL marketing team in creating content in the form of social media, blogs, newsletters, website edits and design. A self-taught digital marketing creator, Revesz has already brought tons of creativity and talent to the table.

Krieg, of Princeton, Indiana and a student at Indiana State University, is double majoring in Management and Finance. A current member of ISU’s Impact Club, Krieg uses his devotion to his community and attention to detail to aid in research efforts for the Community Development team.

“Internships can change the trajectory of a person’s life, and I like to think RJL is doing just that,” states Rose Holtrey, Internship Program Director and RJL’s Content Strategist. “Our interns this term are making RJL history. They are high-achieving and continue to prove themselves as key members of this program. We are happy to have them on-board.”

"These are uncertain times."
"It’s just the new normal."
"There is light at the end of the tunnel!”
 
If I had a nickel for every time I’ve heard these cliches since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, I’m certain I would not be writing this blog and would be sun bathing on my million dollar yacht in Capri. Unfortunately, I didn’t receive any such funding, so this is my next best option!
 
Although overused, these sayings rang true as the RJL Advocacy Team returned to Washington for in-person meetings. Navigating which of the many topics to cover in the seemingly short meetings was daunting. How do you prioritize issues when each of them seem equally pressing? Nonetheless, we made the most of our time with a number of elected officials covering topics of utmost importance to you – our clients. From broadband development to stimulus funding to mental health priorities to federal grant opportunities, we covered it all. 
 
Equally perplexing was figuring out the mask situation in our nation’s capital. Now I know many of you reside outside of Indianapolis, so you may have already returned to casually walking into public establishments without donning a mask; however, I haven’t had the pleasure of doing so since March 2020 (except for the time I forgot to wear one at the grocery store and received my fair share of disapproving looks). Surprisingly, this changed for me when I arrived on the Hill and was told masks were encouraged but not mandatory in the office buildings. After trudging up the (literal) Hill in 90 degree heat, I capitalized on the opportunity and enjoyed the fresh, government laden air. What a thrill!
 
I know what you’re thinking… “Why does Ryan think we care about his personal problems?”
 
I don’t. But I do think you’d care to know that things are returning to normal. Nature is healing, people are gathering, relationships are being formed, important conversations are being had; and to take advantage of the many opportunities that await each of our clients, I am proud to say that the RJL Team is back in D.C.
 
Each and every day, we at RJL Solutions strive to find real solutions to our clients’ most complex issues. We don’t call ourselves a “no worry” firm for nothing. Whether your needs relate to community development, advocacy, communications, or public relations; know that each member of our team is committed to doing what’s best for you and your organization.

RJL Solutions, Indiana-based Government Affairs and Communications Firm, has grown their Community Development team with the hiring of Community Development Specialist, Anwyn Payonk. Payonk, an intern at RJL Solutions from Summer of 2020 to Spring of 2021, spent the last year exploring the firm’s Strategic Communications and Community Development departments as a Communications Associate.

“Anwyn has been an integral part of RJL Solutions for over a year. Her ability to take on new tasks and float between departments is amazing,” states McKenzi Kumpf, Director of Community Development. “She is thoughtful and pays close attention to detail, making her the ideal choice for my growing department.”

Payonk graduated Magna Cum Laude from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College in May of 2021 with a Bachelor of Arts in English and Minors in Professional Writing and Women’s Studies. During her internship, Payonk gained professional experience from each department including copy editing, writing, social media graphics, public relations and grant writing. 

“My time at RJL Solutions has taught me invaluable skills that I look forward to strengthening. Working as an intern in the Community Development and Strategic Communications department has allowed me to grow and embrace my talents in a business setting,” states Payonk. “I’m grateful to be given the opportunity to stay on at RJL and to work under the Community Development department.”

As Community Development Specialist, Payonk will aid Kumpf in grant writing, grant applications and research, as the two continue to serve Indiana communities. RJL Solutions looks forward to the positive impact Payonk will have in and outside of the firm.

Session ended on April 22nd, meaning the Advocacy Team has had some time to reflect but mostly relax. And now we are back!

We hope many of you enjoyed the fun, sarcastic, daily updates throughout session. If you didn’t have a chance to subscribe, we think you should before session starts next year (January 2022). You will receive all the daily happenings from the Statehouse, including the gossip and satire…your wish come true! This session focused on the state budget, COVID-19 civil liability protection, and health services (telehealth, white bagging, etc.), just to name a few. We encourage you to visit the IGA website  to review the bills that passed or died and follow up with us if you have any questions or concerns.  

Now, it is time to look forward to all that will occur this summer (interim) and beyond. Normally during the interim, legislators will return to their home communities to rest or return to their full-time jobs (perks of being a part-time legislature); but due to the Census being published this year, legislators will meet throughout the summer months to discuss redistricting efforts that are to be finalized before January 2022. It will be an interesting (and heated) discussion since we are hearing rumors that some legislators will have to campaign against each other depending on the redistricting. And, to ensure our clients are taken care of and our relationships are strong with legislators, the advocacy team will be traveling the state to meet with various federal, state and local legislators. We want to discuss issues that occurred during the COVID-19 Pandemic and the 2021 session, what items will be of importance in the coming months, and what policy initiatives we should be looking at next year. For our clients: When we are in your neighborhood, we will try our best to meet with you to catch up on your concerns, issues and ideas as we look towards the future.

Lastly, we will continue watching COVID-19 vaccinations, statistics, and potential funding from the federal government. The Advocacy Team releases an update on federal actions each week since our team will be heading to Washington D.C. at least once a quarter this year to meet with legislators, agency leaders and other decision makers. After each visit, we will send an update to our clients to recap what was discussed and the pathway(s) moving forward. What more could you ask for? 

RJL had a productive and successful session, and we look forward to our future work on your behalf. We will be researching policy that is specific to our clients, watching the federal government like a hawk and trying to relax by the pool in between. We wish you all a happy and healthy interim and look forward to seeing you soon! 

Taylor & Ryan

Session was a little like a box of chocolates; you never knew what you were going to get. A little overused? Maybe, but an accurate description of the 2021/2022 budget session of the Indiana General Assembly. You were afraid to open the box, let alone bite into a chocolate ... you might get the nasty one with an unidentifiable filling, much like many of the bills and their amendments. However, in this case, there was no running away. In fact, if you did, something was (without a doubt) going to jump up and bite you. 
 
As a lobbyist, this was a bad year to start in the business. With mostly virtual options for meetings at the start, the work being done happened via already established relationships, cell phones and text messages. As session moved on day-to-day and vaccines were more prevalent, in-person meetings started to take place and some form of the normal we knew returned, at least by a percentage.
 
To add to the abnormal session, lawmakers passed HB 1372 which allows them to recess, leaving the official end of session mid-November 2021. This additional time allows them to adjourn without special session processes with the goal of addressing redistricting, which will be its own political circumstance. However, Forrest taught us one thing, “What’s normal anyways?”
 
The success rate of session is in step with previous years. The Senate had an overall success rate of 24 percent, while the House had an overall success rate of 20 percent. Just over 1000 bills were filed and only 220 made it to sine die. One thing about session remained the same: there were winners and losers, and shrimping is tough.
 
So, what’s in store for the future of our state? The big news … the budget. That’s typically the talk, but this year more than others. With $3 billion in federal funding attached, lawmakers passed a two-year, $37 billion budget. The budget includes $500 million for a new regional economic development program, $250 million for broadband expansion grants and $160 million for water infrastructure grants. Indiana was successful in the federal allocations, but the investment isn’t from a fruit company. I wish it was. One less thing.
 
So, what do we do with this information? Be prepared to compete for resources to make our clients and communities better. Stay grounded and keep the magic shoes on both feet, keep our heads on a swivel and work harder, and harder.
 
“Now, you wouldn’t believe me if I told you, but I could run like the wind blows. From that day on, if I was goin’ somewhere, I was runnin’!” –Forrest Gump
 
The RJL team has their magic shoes on and we don’t plan on stopping anytime soon.