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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AGENCY ATTRACTS 280 JOBS AND INVESTMENT
The La Porte County Economic Development Alliance held its first annual meeting last night at the Pottawatomie Country Club. The Alliance met to report its accomplishments in 2010 and start a 3 year fund drive. Craig Dwight, President Horizon Bank and Don Babcock, Economic Development Director with NIPSCO presented pledges at fund raising kick off.
One of 2010’s major efforts of the Alliance was the expansion of retention and expansion (R&E) programs to a county-wide effort. The Alliance R&E program made 82 visits, executed 46 responses and generated 5 projects. The program generated a training program guide and referred survey participants to Weil McLain’s job fair to employ laid-off workers. Bert Cook was the R&E Coordinator until assuming the post of Portage’s EDC Executive Director. The Northwest Indiana Forum incorporated the Alliance R&E program in a regional effort with a common survey and confidential data set. Mayor Chuck Oberlie stated “We no longer function as two separate communities and a county, but we now collaborate to function as one entity to improve the economy and lives of our citizens.”
Selected expansion and retention projects were highlighted at the event. Hearthside Food Solutions, Inc. expanded its Michigan City Baking facility, investing approximately $5 million, building 23,000 square feet and creating 62 jobs. MonoSol LLC expanded its soluble film plant in La Porte by 40,000 square feet and adding 42 employees. Sanlo Manufacturing was retained in Michigan City, saving 70 jobs, because the City created the Michigan City Economic Development Revolving Loan Fund to support the project. Alpha Baking made a $1.5 million equipment upgrade and a rail spur addition. “I am very proud of the cooperation between La Porte County, its two Cities and EDC’s – we have gotten so much accomplished,” said La Porte City Mayor Kathy Chroback.
Several Significant Developments were also featured in the evening’s presentations. The Kingsbury Industrial Park will be served by two railroads due to La Porte County’s $6 million Major Moves Fund loan to construct a rail spur connecting CSX Railroad to development properties in KIP. CSX is investing $3 million in rail siding to serve KIP with weekly dedicated unit train service to Mexico via Providence Logistics’ Florida port. Holladay Properties began its $30 million, 40 acre, development at US 421 and I-94 with help from $2 million in county TIF funds. “We have the Alliance organized and funded and La Porte County is open for business,” stated La Porte County Council President Rich Mrozinski.
The Alliance was engaged in several beneficial events throughout the year. It collaborated with the La Porte County CVB and the Blue Chip Casino Hotel & Spa in hosting the IEDA 2010 summer conference which highlighted La Porte County’s business resources and visitor attractions to over 100 State wide promoters. The Alliance participated in multiple trade shows for industrial real estate and manufacturing associations including: Power-Gen, International Manufacturing Technology, Chicago Industrial Properties, Build Indiana and AIRE conferences and luncheons. The Alliance attends these shows to acquire leads and develop relationships with them, as well as local firms who attend. The Produce Marketers Association trade show provided a special opportunity for Indiana and Providence Logistics to garner perishable goods customers for the pending CSX express unit train between KIP and Florida.
The new jobs and investment created by the Alliances activities are listed in the table below.
Community New Jobs Investment New Space
2010 Greater Michigan City 170 10,116,000 94,000 sq. ft.
2010 Greater La Porte 110 29,300,000 77,000 sq. ft.
La Porte County Total 280 $39,416,000 171,000 sq. ft.
Click here to visit the La Porte County Economic Development Alliance website.
