Portage -- Northwest Indiana business and community leaders gathered Wednesday to find ways to develop and attract high tech advanced manufacturing businesses.

The Northwest Indiana Forum event was presented by TechPoint, an Indianapolis-based company and Indiana's statewide technology initiative. Its mission is to promote the growth of technology-based enterprises that create high-wage jobs and high-margin businesses across Indiana.

"I'm hopeful people can come away with an understanding how we can continue to position Indiana region by region to be a place where high tech businesses are able to grow and want to grow," said TechPoint President and Chief Executive Officer Jim Jay.

Jay said it all comes down to what the work force looks like and how easy it is to do business in the State of Indiana.

"Is the infrastructure here -- everything from fiber optics to the shovel-ready sites?" Jay asked. "Is Indiana a good place we can do business?"

TechPoint promotes technology-based enterprise and economic development through lobbying and government advocacy. According to TechPoint's 2009 public policy agenda, Indiana's elected officials have made significant public policy changes that have strengthened the state's position, including favorable tax treatment for software purchases and a permanent research and development tax credit at 15 percent.

State Sen. Ed Charbonneau, R-Valparaiso, said he supports any effort to improve economic development in Northwest Indiana.

"Obviously technology and the technology industry are high-paying and the future," Charbonneau said. "We need to make sure we have the infrastructure in place."