INDIANAPOLIS (AP) _ Indiana's economic development agency says it has ended a contract with a New York public relations agency it hired to assess the damage to the state's reputation after a religious objections law sparked boycott calls.
Indiana Economic Development Corp. executive vice president Chris Cotterill said Thursday that national recognition of the state's business-friendly climate and cost management efforts guided the decision to cancel the contract with Porter Novelli.
The IEDC had hired Porter Novelli in May to help develop a plan to rebuild the state's image after widespread criticism over the religious objections law. Critics contended the law would allow religious beliefs as a legal defense for discrimination against lesbians, gays and others before lawmakers revised its language.
The IEDC says Porter Novelli will be paid $365,000 for its work.
