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1985 
 192 MINERALS YEARBOOK, 1978-79 
600 
400 
200 — 
 1977 1980 
Figure 1.—Total value of nonfuel mineral production in Indiana.
berths of steel companies that abut the port on both the east and west. 
 Mount Vernon's new Ohio River port, the Southwind Maritime Center, was dedicated
in 1979 and has provided a financial boost to southern Indiana's economy.
Another Ohio River port, the Clark Maritime Center, was scheduled for construction
near Jeffersonville. A permit to start work was issued by the U.S. Army Corps
of Engineers in 1979. 
 Along with an extensive transportation network, Indiana's tax structure
provides a favorable climate for economic growth. The State excludes business
inventories from the personal property tax, and does not have a sales tax
on industrial machinery. 
 According to the Indiana Department of Commerce, the State gained about
1,500 companies during 1974-78, which resulted in a total investment of $6.2
billion and the creation of about 47,000 jobs. Foreign investors also contributed
significantly to Indiana's economy in bOth dollars and jobs. There were 47
firms with at least 10% foreign ownership in mid-1976. By June 
1977, there were 54 such firms, employing 
12,500 people. During 1978, nearly 21,000 
people were employed by foreign-owned 
companies, with a combined annual payroll 
totaling nearly $300 million. 
 Legislation and Government Programs.—During 1978-79, the Indiana
Legislature
enacted several laws that relate to the mineral industry; two of these laws
are listed below: 
 Public Law 13 required the purchase of domestic steel for all public works
projects in Indiana, except when the domestic steel price exceeds the foreign
price by 15%, or when there is an insufficient quantity of domestic steel
to meet the requirements of a public works contract. 
 Public Law 159 empowered the Department of Natural Resources to enforce
provisions of the Federal Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977
and established performance standards. 
 Other State legislation established and revised air pollution control standards
and monitoring procedures, amended standards concerning occupational exposure
to lead