Q&A with Gov. Holcomb: Vaccine mandates, Purdue Airport expansion, odds on Hoosier State line, school boards

Holcomb defends his administration’s response to the pandemic as hospitals strain. And he hints about where Lafayette region’s bid will land when state announces READI grant winners next week

Sorry to clog your inbox twice on a Wednesday morning, but here’s an extra edition of the Based in Lafayette reporting project for your work week.

Gov. Eric Holcomb answers questions in October during a grand opening for the Saab manufacturing plant in West Lafayette. (Photo: Dave Bangert)

Here’s what you can squeeze into a few minutes, lightning round-style, with Gov. Eric Holcomb. (Or, at least, what I could Monday.)

Of note: The governor defended his administration’s approach to the pandemic, despite Indiana’s lagging vaccination rates. He hinted about what could be coming for the Lafayette region and it’s economic development bid – including the potential for an expansion of the Purdue Airport – when the state announces its $500 million READI grant winners next week. And he sized up school board and the chances of the return of Amtrak’s Hoosier State line to downtown Lafayette.

The conversation came hours after Purdue men’s basketball’s No. 1 ranking, which is where we started.