Economy and Jobs

An Economy That Works for Working People

We have got good jobs in this district — at Nucor, at our schools, at our hospitals. But when a family working full-time cannot find an affordable place to live in Crawfordsville, or when wages have not kept up with grocery prices and property values, something is out of balance. Economic growth should work for the people who build it, not just the corporations that benefit from it.

The Problem

Manufacturing is the backbone of both counties. Nucor Steel Indiana in Crawfordsville employs roughly 770 people and is investing over $400 million in expansion — including 200 new jobs by 2027. International Automotive Components, Walmart Distribution, Lakeside Book Company, Penguin Random House, and Acuity Brands all provide critical employment. DePauw University alone generates $78.5 million in annual economic impact and supports over 1,000 jobs in Putnam County.

Unemployment is low — 3.5% in Montgomery County. But tight labor markets mask a harder truth. Montgomery County's median household income of $66,571 falls well below the national figure of $80,610. In 81 of Indiana's 83 small counties, average weekly wages fall below the national average. People are working. They are just not getting ahead.

Housing tells the story plainly. Indiana has seen a 90% increase in home prices over the last decade but only a 33% increase in rents. Greencastle's rental vacancy rate sits at just 2%. Both DePauw and local officials have flagged a significant housing shortage that forces faculty and incoming workers to commute from other counties. Young families and new employees cannot find a place to live in the communities where they work.

Meanwhile, 94% of Putnam County's farms are family operations, but the number of farms has dropped 12% since 2017 as consolidation squeezes out smaller producers. Montgomery County farmland now sells at an average of $13,182 per acre, making it increasingly difficult for the next generation to start farming.

And 21% of Putnam County farms still lack internet access. You cannot run a modern farm operation — or a small business, or a remote job — without reliable broadband.

Where Kelsey Stands

Kelsey believes that when hardworking families play by the rules, they should be able to afford a home, raise their kids, and build a future in the community where they work. Economic development should strengthen the whole community — not just attract headlines. She will fight for policies that put working families first.

What She'll Fight For

• Support workforce development through programs like Area 30 Career Center, West Central Indiana CTE, and Ivy Tech Crawfordsville
• Address the housing shortage by supporting creative solutions like the Ben Hur Building renovation and DePauw's community partnership
• Protect family farms from consolidation pressures and ensure fair prices for agricultural producers
• Close the broadband gap so every farm and small business in the district has reliable internet
• Fight for fair wages that keep pace with rising costs, so working families can stay in the communities they serve

"Hardworking families deserve a fair shake. When someone works full-time in this community, they should be able to afford to live in this community. That is not too much to ask."