But although Lilly controls its worldwide operations from its base in Indianapolis, the decision to stay there with the expansion was not necessarily a given, says Taurel. As with any location announcement of this size, other states heavily courted the company to move to a new location. Indiana, however, stepped up to the plate, and fortunately for them, hit a home run. In fact, both the state of Indiana and the city of Indianapolis will provide economic development incentives valued at approximately $108 million and $106 million, respectively, over the 10-year expansion period.

"[The announcement] shows a spirit of cooperation with the city and state government," says Tom McKenna, executive director at the Indiana Dept. of Commerce. "It says that Indiana is ready to take its place in the high-growth, high-wage, high-tech positions of the new economy."

Taking these kinds of steps to attract and keep business like Eli Lilly is nothing new to Indiana, however. As a matter of fact, many say that it's quite common. "The state of Indiana has always had a pro-business attitude," says Patrick Lindley, managing principal and executive vice president with Colliers Turley Martin Tucker Co. "It pays attention to bringing in new business, and at the same time it pays a lot of attention to the companies that are here looking to expand. From a pro-business perspective -- whether it be incentives, infrastructure, training funds -- the state has always been very progressive in working with new companies and existing companies to see that they either come here or stay here."