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La Porte, Indiana (July 22, 2008) – LaPorte and Michigan City, IN – Laportecounty.biz hosted the second annual Broker Excursion, an economic development event attended by approximately 30 industrial real estate brokers, investors and consultants from the Chicagoland, Indianapolis and South Bend areas. The two-day event showcased available industrial and commercial properties in throughout La Porte County, and highlighted the business advantages of the county as well.
A reception at the Blue Chip Casino on July 17 provided networking opportunities for local industrial and commercial real estate agents and an opportunity for local officials to boast about La Porte County’s business advantages. |
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On July 18, participants enjoyed golf at Briar Leaf Golf Course or charter fishing, lunch at Briar Leaf followed by presentation and a tour of available properties.
"Real estate brokers are the single best source for industrial location prospects," said John Regetz, Executive Director of the Michigan City Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC). “Events such as our Brokers Excursion are effective economic development tools that connect the right people with the right opportunities.”
"La Porte County has wonderful recreational attractions, quality industrial sites and a great business tax climate," said Tim Gropp, Executive Director of the Greater LaPorte Economic Development Corporation (GLEDC). “This event provides a great opportunity to showcase what La Porte County has to offer to new industrial prospects.”
Local economic development officials assisted with guiding the participants during activities and were available to answer questions the participants may have had.
La Porte County Commissioner Bill Hager acknowledged the value of the countywide participation as initiated by laportecounty.biz. “The county is working together with the cities to bring in and retain the right kind of businesses for our County. Cooperation is key to future economic development success.”
Laportecounty.biz is the marketing collaboration between La Porte County Government, the Michigan City Economic Development Corporation, the Greater La Porte Economic Development Corporation. The La Porte County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Chicago South Shore and South Bend Railroad and the La Porte County Redevelopment Commission helped fund and organize the event.
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CHICAGO, IL -- U .S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 announced today it has approved a request by the state of Indiana to redesignate St. Joseph and Elkhart counties in the South Bend area and LaPorte County to attainment of the national health-based eight-hour outdoor air quality standard for ozone (smog).
EPA said complete, quality-assured, outdoor air monitoring data for 2003, 2004 and 2005 meets the standard, and quality-assured data for 2006 shows the counties continue to meet the standard.
"Indiana did a great job of reducing smog in these counties," said EPA Regional Administrator Mary A. Gade. "The result is both healthier air and an improved business climate for the residents of the counties."
"We've pressed hard for this decision, which is based on sound science and will be very important to bringing new jobs to these three counties. The restrictions served their purpose, but now that air quality is healthier, fairness requires that they be lifted in the interest of economic growth and progress," said Governor Mitch Daniels.
The Agency also approved the state plan to continue to meet the eight-hour health-based ozone standard through 2020 and motor vehicle emissions budgets included in the plan.
EPA's action will soon be published in the Federal Register. The redesignation becomes effective upon publication.
Ground-level ozone is commonly referred to as smog. Smog is formed when a mixture of pollutants react on warm, sunny days. The pollutants are released from cars, factories and a wide variety of other sources. Smog can cause respiratory problems, including coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath and chest pain.
Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
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LA PORTE, IN -- Leadership La Porte County has moved its office to 614 Lincoln Way and will be sharing space with the La Porte Symphony Center and Gallery. Leadership had spent the past six years in the Hiler Building at the corner of Michigan and State streets, which was recently purchased by the County and will be housing some government offices.
“We are excited about this opportunity to support downtown La Porte and to partner with such a wonderful organization like the La Porte County Symphony Orchestra,” said Leadership Director Jim Jessup.
The Leadership office will be directly behind the gallery on the main floor, while the Symphony offices have moved upstairs. Both organizations will share storage space and the meeting/training room in the basement. The Leadership La Porte County office is open Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. The gallery is open on Friday and Saturday only from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. |
Photo by: Wendy Thoms
The LaPorte County Symphony Center and Gallery pictured Wednesday morning at 614 Lincoln Way will be the new home of Leadership La Porte County. |
An open house at the new office will be planned soon.
“We want to show our graduates and the community this new space and our new partnership with the Symphony and the Gallery,” Jessup said.
Leadership La Porte County has been serving the area for 24 years by providing leadership training, facilitation and consulting services. These services have resulted in trained citizens ready to serve the non-profit, government, and private sectors of the community. LLC is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization governed by a 15-member volunteer board with 2 paid staff members. The Leadership programs have over 1,000 adult and youth graduates and have helped dozens of other local organizations with their governance and efficiency issues. Many Leadership graduates serve on non-profit boards, community organizations, and in political offices.
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La Porte and Michigan City, IN -- LaPorteCounty.Biz hosted the first annual Broker Excursion, an economic development event attended by 35 industrial real estate brokers, investors and consultants from the Chicagoland, Indianapolis and South Bend areas. The two-day event showcased available industrial and commercial properties in northern
La Porte County, and highlighted the business advantages of the county as well.
A reception at the Lubeznik Center on August 2nd provided networking opportunities for local industrial and commercial real estate agents. On August 3rd, participants enjoyed golf, charter fishing, lunch at the Blue Chip Casino Hotel and Conference Center, a presentation and tour of properties, and new marketing material.
"Real estate brokers are the single best source for external industrial location prospects," said John Regetz, Executive Director of the Michigan City Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC). “Events such as our Brokers Excursion effectively generate economic development prospects by connecting the right people with the right opportunities.”
"Our recreational attractions, quality industrial sites and great business climate drew these site selectors to our community," said Tim Gropp, Executive Director of the Greater La Porte Economic Development Corporation (GLEDC). “We have already received several call-backs on properties and opportunities.”
Local economic development officials assisted with guiding the participants during activities: Regetz, Gropp, La Porte Mayor Leigh Morris; Michigan City Mayor Charles Oberlie; La Porte County Council President, Jerry Cooley; Tom Edwards, Horizon Bank and Chairman of MCEDC; Jeff Jones, PNC and MCEDC Vice Chairman; Don Babcock, NIPSCO, MCEDC Board Member and Chair, Northwest Indiana Forum ED Committee; Tim Bietry, Michigan City Area Chamber of Commerce and MCEDC Board Member; Mike Arnett, First Source Bank and Chairman Leaf; Steve Kring, La Porte Horizon Bank and La Porte Economic Development Commission; Matt Reardon, La Porte County Economic Development Consultant; Kevin Kieft, MCEDC Business Development Manager; Bert Cook, GLEDC Project Manager; and Diane Thalmann, NIPSCO Economic Development Manager.
La Porte County Council President Jerry Cooley acknowledged the value of the countywide participation as initiated by LaPorteCounty.Biz. “The county is working together to bring in and retain the right kind of businesses,” he said. “We’re recognizing that what is good for the county is good for our cities.”
LaPorteCounty.Biz is the marketing collaboration between La Porte County Government, the Michigan City Economic Development Corporation, the Greater La Porte Economic Development Corporation, the La Porte County Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Purdue North Central. The La Porte County Convention and Visitors Bureau and the La Porte County Redevelopment Commission helped fund and organize the event.
Contact:
John Regetz, Executive Director
Michigan City Economic Development Corp.
219-873-1211
www.mc-edc.com
johnr@mc-edc.com
Tim Gropp, Executive Director
Greater La Porte Economic Development Corp.
219-324-8584
www.gledc.com
timg@gledc.com
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Michigan City, IN -- August 17, 2007 - At a ground breaking ceremony today Vanair Manufacturing, Incorporated began construction of its new, 60,000 square foot, manufacturing plant. Greg and Ralph Kokot, Kokot Brothers Development owners were on hand with officials from La Porte County, Michigan City and the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDA) to celebrate. Vanair will manufacture vehicle-mounted air compressors and generators in the facility.
Greg Kokot President of Vanair said “We’re certainly very excited about the move to the Michigan City area, and this new direction and location will give Vanair the opportunity to grow and expand our business. Assistance from the Michigan City Economic Development Corporation, the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, and the La Porte County Economic Development team made the move to Indiana a much easier one for our company.”
Council President Jerry Cooley said Vanair is committed to retaining and creating some 60 new jobs paying above average wages over the next three years. "It's a great opportunity for the county to get more jobs," Cooley said. "The property tax for the parcel is currently $250 a year. When you figure the gain in the county income tax, we'll make up in one week what we get in property tax for one year."
The start of construction marks an investment of 2.6 million dollars in building and machinery in the county. The new plant will increase production by doubling its current space and reconfiguring process flow.
Michigan City Mayor Charles Oberlie said, “The Vanair project is an example of what can happen when we work together as a county. As any good prospect should do, Vanair representatives considered several options, some in our city and some in the county. Everyone involved can be proud of the coordinated effort that resulted in this new industrial development.”
Ralph Kokot, CEO of Vanair Manufacturing, said the economic incentives offered to move his company from Michigan to LaPorte County made the project possible. LaPorte County is assisting Vanair with its expansion with tax abatement, industrial development bond financing and a loan. The IEDC is assisting with tax credits and training funds. Kokot said the company plans to actively recruit new employees from LaPorte County. "We will be looking for a myriad of employees, from professional engineers to assembly-line laborers - a cross-section of skill sets," he said.
"Creating an environment that encourages growth is essential to Indiana’s economic success,” said Nathan Feltman, Indiana Secretary of Commerce and chief executive officer of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation. “Vanair's commitment to Indiana is yet another indication that Indiana is becoming one of the locations of choice for businesses around the world."
Vanair Manufacturing has been at its present location on U.S. 12 just west of New Buffalo since it was founded in 1972. Kokot bought the company in 1997. He said the 48-employee company manufactures vehicle-mounted air compressors and its major market is utility companies.
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Low Cost of Doing Business
June 2007
LaPorte – All America City Finalist
June 2007
LaPorteCounty.biz Quarterly Newsletter
April 2007
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