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Gov. Mike Braun’s family home in Jasper will be getting at least $118,000 in various security improvements, paid for by the Indiana Department of Administration.
Such efforts include a helipad, updated fencing and gates as well as a temporary trailer for his round-the-clock security protection, the latter of which is provided by the Indiana State Police.
“We consulted with the Indiana State Police to determine what was necessary to secure the safety of the Governor while he is at the Jasper residence,” said Molly Craft, Braun’s deputy chief of staff for communications.
The Indiana Capital Chronicle asked for “broad strokes” of the governor’s protective detail, and the Indiana State Police confirmed that it wouldn’t release specifics.
“The Indiana State Police is responsible for the safety and security for the Governor of Indiana, it would be irresponsible of us to speak on any specific details of that security,” said Sgt. John Perrine, who is the public information officer for the Indianapolis District with the Indiana State Police.
State-approved contractor Glenroy Construction, one of the businesses used by the Indiana Department of Administration for job order contracting, will perform the work. Nearly one-third of the contract, or 32%, is “non-pre-priced,” meaning it is a necessary but incidental part of the job that doesn’t have a pre-defined, unit price.
Details of the improvements
The Indiana State Police own three helicopters which could be used with the helipad, though the governor’s office implied that it wouldn’t be used routinely. The 20-foot-by-20-foot gravel pad doesn’t yet have a final estimate, though the bill is projected to be between $3,500 and $5,000.
While Jasper, Indiana does have a helipad—according to AirNav—it is one of the dozens of privately owned helipads affiliated with a hospital and not available to the public. By car, the distance from downtown Jasper to the Governor’s Residence is two hours and 16 minutes, or 130 miles, according to Google Maps.
A summarized contractor proposal shared with the Indiana Capital Chronicle broke down the $114,424 in other costs, split between electrical work, fencing and gates, the trailer and an accompanying stone pad.
The $14,371 in electric costs include wiring for the gates and trailer but not lights for the helipad, which will be unlit. The gates and accompanying operating pads to access the Braun family home make up the largest part of the security improvements at $50,153.
Lastly is a security trailer for Braun’s protective detail, in which the traditional bedroom will be converted to an office space. It will contain a restroom.
The Indiana Department of Administration will foot the bill for the one-time cost of $42,707 for the trailer while ongoing heating and water costs will be paid for by the Indiana State Police.
The $7,194 stone pad for the trailer will be large enough to accommodate parking for two trooper vehicles, which used to function as an office space for traveling troopers.
“Troopers do use their cars when there are no other options,” confirmed Perrine.
In contrast to his recent predecessors, Braun has publicly said he intends to split his time between the Indianapolis Governor’s Residence and his Jasper home. Both Govs. Eric Holcomb and Mike Pence made the Meridian Street home their primary residence while former Gov. Mitch Daniels owned another property in Carmel.
The five-bedroom, four-bathroom Braun home has a finished area of 9,787 square feet and two stories, according to Dubois County property records. The plot also has a barn and bird feeders along with a facility where Braun raises beagles, as shown in a 2024 home visit with WTHR.
The Governor’s Residence in Indianapolis is 10,500 square feet and has at least three bedrooms and three bathrooms. It also has a separate Carriage House that Holcomb upgraded.
The Indiana Capital Chronicle is an independent, nonprofit news organization that covers state government, policy and elections.
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