Restart your economic engines: Southwest Indiana is refueled and ready.

• Author: Newcomb, Ken, Jr.

INDIAN, S NEW TOURISM slogan, "Restart Your Engines," could well be the theme of the state economic-development efforts indicating we're revved up for new business.

Some might suggest that the economic engines had been turned off or at least idle in the past, but the better interpretation would be that Indiana has refueled and is racing toward the goal of economic growth and a higher quality of life.

With the passing of the Major Moves initiative and 1-69 now a shorter drive toward reality, economic development for Indiana, and especially southwest Indiana, is set to shift into high gear.

The $380-plus million investment in Orange County by The Lauth Group and The Cook Group, both Indiana companies, to rebuild the French Lick Springs and West Baden Springs resorts is not your typical riverboat and hotel gaming project, but a rebirth of a historic area with a rich history in gaming and resort lifestyle. The new growth has already created badly needed jobs in the area and should create approximately 1,500 new jobs. The real estate market is active in the area from speculation to new business starts and has been compared to the boom time of the early 1900s.

In Evansville, casino operator Aztar is investing $40 million in a riverfront entertainment district including a new high-end hotel, Jillian's Sports Bar and an Irish pub. After 10 years in...