Gov. Mitch Daniels is
angrily denying a report by Greg Hinz of Crain's Chicago Business that his administration has offered a $150 million a year deal to CME Group to lure the company to move its headquarters from Chicago to Indiana. The Northwest Indiana Times has his reaction to Hinz's reported source on a deal from his office:
Gov. Mitch Daniels said Friday it is a "complete falsehood" that Indiana has offered $150 million in annual tax savings to bring the owner of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange over the state line.
Greg Hinz of Crain's Chicago Business reported Friday a "reliable source" got word of the $150 million offer from Daniels' office and said Dan Hasler, CEO of the Indiana Economic Development Corp., would not deny the number while refusing to discuss it.
In a Friday interview on Hammond's WJOB-AM, the Republican governor dismissed the reported offer to lure CME Group Inc. to Indiana.
"This guy, whoever he is, did not get any information from our office," Daniels said.
IEDC spokeswoman Katelyn Hancock said Indiana's commerce agency never talks about contacts with businesses until a deal is done.
"We talk to a lot of companies about growing and locating in Indiana but cannot confirm any discussions with prospects," Hancock said.
