Senate Greenlights Incentives to Lure Music Producers to Indiana

(INDIANAPOLIS) – A bill passed by the state Senate seeks to lure the music industry to Indiana.

Fort Wayne Republican Justin Busch’s bill calls for a study of music production incentives already

in place in 32 states, and authorizes Indiana’s Destination Development Corporation to start its

own program next year if it makes sense. The incentives would be available to Indiana recording

studios, or to concert tours and musicals if they stage their first performance in Indiana.

Indiana was an early hub of the jazz scene, with the Gennett Recording Studios in Richmond and

the network of clubs along Indiana Avenue in Indy. Even today, Busch says music is quietly an

$8 billion industry in Indiana, with 51,000 jobs. But he says the potential financial impact isn’t the only potential benefit of an incentive program. He says drawing musicians to Indiana could enhance the state’s image and atmosphere the same way the music scene has bolstered Atlanta and Toronto.

The House will decide next month what to do with the bill.