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Temple & Temple Excavating & Paving, Inc. is celebrating its 76th year in business by continuing to invest in the communities it serves. Recently honored with the Governor’s Half Century Business Award, the company remains committed to supporting local projects that enhance the quality of life in Southern Indiana.

The latest project Temple & Temple supported in Washington County is the complete renovation of the basketball court in New Pekin’s Community Park.

“Temple & Temple has always been the biggest supporter of the Town of New Pekin,” said New Pekin Town Manager Jaden Stone. “Anytime we need their services, whether it be with our utilities or a paving project, they are always prompt at responding and provide exceptional service.”

Temple & Temple has also been a key supporter of the Washington County Family YMCA’s planned expansion. Kristy Purlee, CEO of the Washington County Family YMCA, expressed her appreciation for the company’s ongoing contributions.

"I am deeply grateful to Temple & Temple Excavating for their unwavering support of the YMCA and our broader community. Their generosity goes beyond the projects and programs we offer; they truly invest in the well-being of Washington County."

From donations for an Awareness Washington County project in 2014 that allowed the installation of outdoor fitness equipment at no cost to covering additional costs to build outdoor recreation courts in 2019, Purlee recalled several instances over the past decade where Temple & Temple’s support has been instrumental in turning the YMCA's vision into reality.

“Ken Temple’s dedication to using his business to support the people who live and work in Washington County is nothing short of inspiring,” Purlee added. “We are fortunate to have such a committed partner in Temple & Temple Excavating, and I want to extend my heartfelt thanks for all they do to strengthen our community,”

Temple & Temple plans to continue addressing Indiana’s housing shortage, with six housing projects under consideration in New Pekin, Salem, Scottsburg, and Charlestown.

“Having worked in these communities for decades, it became evident that the housing shortage was going to be an important problem to solve,” said Ken Temple, President & CEO of Temple & Temple.

The proposed developments, seeking READI 2.0 funding, are expected to create significant economic opportunities in the region.

“We are very excited about their newest project in New Pekin. Riley Estates will bring more housing into our community, which will boost economic development in our area,” said New Pekin Town Manager Jaden Stone.

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Indiana's small businesses are thriving in these booming industries

• Indiana's most successful industry for small businesses is Construction, with 65,402 prospering in 2023
• The Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services industry is in second place, with 59,822 small businesses operating last year
• The least successful industry for small businesses in Indiana is Accommodation and Food Services, with 16,132 operating last year

New research has found the top five most successful industries for small businesses in Indiana.

Business valuation experts Eton Venture Services gathered data from the U.S. Small Business Administration to analyze the best industries for small businesses for every state. They ranked the industries from highest to lowest number of small businesses to determine the top five for each state.

1. Construction

Indiana's most successful industry for small businesses is Construction, where 65,402 businesses thrived in 2023.

Having a small business in the Construction industry involves the construction of buildings or engineering projects like highways and utility systems. Establishments engaged in preparing sites for new construction and subdividing land for sale as building sites are also included in this sector.

2. Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

The second-best industry for small businesses in Indiana is the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Servicesindustry, with 59,822 small businesses flourishing last year.

Businesses in this industry engage in activities like legal advice and representation; accounting, bookkeeping, and payroll; architectural, engineering, and specialized design; advertising and photographic services; and veterinary services, among others.

3. Transportation and Warehousing

This industry ranks third, with 54,552 small businesses succeeding last year.

The industry provides transportation of passengers and cargo, warehousing and storage for goods, scenic and sightseeing transportation, and support activities related to modes of transportation. These establishments use transportation equipment, including air, rail, water, road, and pipeline, as productive assets.

4. Retail Trade

Fourth place belongs to the Retail Trade industry, where 53,100 small businesses thrived last year.

These businesses include establishments retailing merchandise without altering the product and rendering services incidental to the sale of merchandise. These establishments sell merchandise in small quantities to the public, consisting of both store and non-store retailers.

5. Real Estate, Rental and Leasing

This industry is among the top five industries for small businesses in Indiana, with 52,654 small businesses in 2023, putting it in fifth place.

In Real Estate, Rental and Leasing, businesses rent, lease, or otherwise allow the use of tangible or intangible assets or provide related services. A major portion of this sector comprises establishments that rent, lease, or otherwise allow the use of their own assets by others, as well as managing, selling, renting or buying real estate for others and appraising real estate.

Chris Walton, President and CEO of Eton Venture Services, has commented on the findings: “Small businesses are the backbone of America's economy, offering innovation and personalized services across diverse industries. Starting a small business requires courage and vision, as entrepreneurs transform ideas into realities that drive local and national growth.

“Owning and maintaining a small business means navigating challenges with resilience and adaptability, creating not just profit but also community impact and job opportunities. Whether in tech, retail, construction or real estate, these enterprises drive economic diversity and embody the entrepreneurial spirit of Americans.”

ENDS

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By David Ober, Senior Vice President of Business Operations & Finance, Indiana Chamber of Commerce

Indiana has long stood out as a state fostering a competitive, business-friendly environment with a tax system designed to support economic growth. The Indiana Chamber Foundation’s recent tax study, “Indiana’s Tax System: A Comparative Analysis,” offers key insights into how our state stacks up against its peers, including neighboring states like Ohio and Illinois, and national competitors such as Tennessee, Texas and North Carolina. While Indiana remains a leader in tax competitiveness, particularly for businesses, the study also highlights areas where reforms are necessary to ensure that we continue to grow equitably and sustainably.

One of the key takeaways from the study is that Indiana’s overall tax burden remains significantly lower than the U.S. average. In FY22, Indiana’s combined state and local tax revenue was 9.6% of personal income, compared to the national average of 10.8%. Additionally, Indiana’s state and local tax revenue as a percentage of state GDP was 8.6%, compared to the national average of 8.9%.

Indiana also ranks fifth lowest among benchmark states for the total effective business tax rate at 3.8%, compared to a national average of 5.0%. This positions us favorably compared to nearby states like Ohio (4.3%) and Illinois (5.5%), where higher business tax rates and overall burdens make them less competitive. While Indiana’s competitive business tax rate is an advantage, businesses also play a critical role in funding public services. In fact, businesses in Indiana pay 38% of all state and local taxes. While some may believe that businesses should carry a larger tax burden, increasing business taxes can lead to higher consumer costs, fewer jobs and less investment in local communities.

The study also highlights challenges in capital-intensive industries. Manufacturing and life sciences, which are critical to Indiana’s economy, face higher effective tax rates due to our property tax structure. For example, the effective property tax rate in manufacturing is 4.9%, more than double the benchmark state average. This is where we lag states like Kentucky and Wisconsin, where lower property taxes create a more attractive environment for capital investment. Moreover, higher property taxes for these industries often lead to an overdependence on tax incentives to attract new business and foster economic growth. While incentives can help attract investment, they can also create long-term imbalances if used as a substitute for a more competitive tax structure.

Addressing these industry-specific challenges should be a priority in our tax reform efforts. A balanced approach should focus on making the system more competitive while ensuring that all taxpayers contribute fairly. By fostering a tax environment with reasonable rates and predictable policies, we can support both businesses and individuals without compromising the stability of the broader tax base.

Indiana’s tax system has been a cornerstone of our economic success, but there is always room for improvement. As the study has shown, Indiana is highly competitive, but targeted reforms can ensure we remain a leader in economic growth. By addressing specific challenges in key industries, we can continue to create an environment where businesses and residents alike can thrive. The work we do today will ensure Indiana remains a leader in opportunity and prosperity for generations to come.

To view the entire report, visit www.indianachamber.com/tax.

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 A new tax study from the Indiana Chamber Foundation reveals that the state stands out for its relatively high reliance on individual income and sales taxes, while it maintains a competitive effective business tax rate. The report also identifies challenges in sectors like manufacturing and life sciences, where property and personal property taxes drive up the effective tax rates. 

Despite these hurdles, Indiana’s overall tax burden remains lower than the U.S. average, making it an attractive environment for business and economic growth.

The research, “Indiana’s Tax System: A Comparative Analysis,” examines Indiana’s state and local tax structure in comparison to neighboring and competitive states, providing critical data to inform the state Legislature’s ongoing tax review and potential reforms. It represents phase one of the Indiana Chamber’s highly anticipated two-phase tax study, conducted by Ernst & Young LLP. 

"Our state’s tax climate is the result of sustained efforts over decades to build a strong, business-friendly environment,” says Vanessa Green Sinders, president and CEO of the Indiana Chamber of Commerce. “Indiana is well-positioned among our peers to attract capital investment and support long-term economic growth. The data from phase one of this study highlights key opportunities for improvement, which will help us gain a competitive edge moving forward.”

Specific key findings from the study include those around tax burden, business tax competitiveness, business share of taxes and competitiveness for key industries.

Indiana has consistently had a lower tax burden compared to the U.S. average from FY12 to FY22. In FY22, Indiana’s state and local tax revenue per capita was $5,618 compared to $7,097 nationally. Indiana’s combined state and local tax burden is 9.6% of personal income, which is lower than the 10.8% U.S. average and is in the middle of the benchmark states.

Businesses pay 38% of state and local taxes in Indiana, which is the third lowest among peer states. Businesses pay a higher share of property taxes in Indiana than the benchmark state average.

Indiana has higher effective tax rates in capital-intensive industries such as manufacturing and life sciences due to the taxation of personal property, which drives high effective property tax rates. For example, manufacturing is a capital-intensive industry, and Indiana’s high taxation of both real and personal property results in the 4.9% property tax effective rate, more than double the benchmark state average, with personal property tax accounting for 2.5 percentage points of the total effective rate.

"Indiana ranks fifth lowest among benchmark states for total effective business tax rate at 3.8%, well below the U.S. average of 5.0%," offers the Indiana Chamber’s David Ober, senior vice president of business operations and finance. "We are well-positioned as a leader in overall business tax competitiveness. However, when you focus on specific industries for which Indiana is known, such as manufacturing and life sciences, the data shows opportunities for improvement. By addressing these areas, we can further sharpen our competitive advantage and continue to drive economic growth."

Adds Sinders, “This study marks the first step in a larger effort. As we move forward, we will meet with key lawmakers, administration officials and local leaders across Indiana to ensure that the findings from phase one are used to drive policy decisions. Our goal is to work collaboratively to shape policies that strengthen Indiana’s economic foundation and keep us ahead in the competitive landscape.”

Phase two of the tax study will delve deeper into opportunities for tax reform and provide detailed recommendations on how Indiana can refine its tax system to boost business investment, economic growth and quality of life for all Hoosiers.

The tax study was informed by consultations with the Indiana Chamber Tax Research Advisory Committee, comprised of representatives from key business sectors, tax policy experts, consultants, relevant state agencies and economic development professionals.

Lead investors in the two-phase tax project are Ambassador Enterprises and AES Indiana. Other key contributors are Maple Leaf Farms, bp America, dormakaba Americas, Cleveland-Cliffs Inc., Al & Kathy Hubbard, OneMain Financial and CountryMark. 

View the full Indiana Chamber Foundation study at www.indianachamber.com/tax.