Kenmara (the “Project”) is a phased, master-planned commercial development on a 59.0-acre site in Munster, Indiana, formerly the Indiana portion of the Lansing County Club.  The project will include 720,000 sq.ft. of commercial space designed for healthcare and business commerce.  At stabilization, the Project will exceed $200 million in value and will house approximately 2,700 employees.  

READI funding will be used for Phase I Infrastructure, breaking break ground in 4Q22, including roadways, site utilities, and open space buffering with 1.2 miles of new greenways in roadway rights-of-way, and over 3.0 acres of new parks.  All improvements lie within Munster’s Transit Development District boundary and are within walking distance to the NICTD Munster-Ridge Station.

Saxon owns the site and will finance the development with internal private capital supplemented by Town of Munster TIF financing under a proposed Development Agreement.   Total capital investment will exceed $160 million; infrastructure investment is estimated at $31.7 million.  The 25-year projected tax increment for the Project exceeds $82 million.  

A critical design feature is minimizing carbon footprint.  Phase 1 includes extensive greenway systems connecting to NICTD rail stations and linking area neighborhoods to Calumet Avenue businesses and healthcare facilities, thereby minimizing automobile traffic by encouraging walking and bicycling.  A new stormwater detention lake will accept and hold roadway runoff prior to discharge into local lakes and streams.  Phase I design work includes a net-zero approach to drive Phase 2 building architecture, including an initiative with NIPSCO to promote renewable energy development, energy efficiency, and cogeneration.

00094-saxon-kenmara-boulevard-view

00094-Saxon-Kenmara-Boulevard View

The Railroad Bridge Improvement project is a continuation of public and private investment in the Kingsbury Industrial Park (KIP), which is an existing industrial park with approximately fifty business in operation and over 2,000 acres available for industrial and logistics development.
Zoned for M-2 heavy industrial and currently has access to rail service provided by Anacostia Rail via CSX railroad (southern connection) and CN railroad (northern connection). The project seeks to complete the remaining infrastructure improvement, which is replacement of a rail bridge crossing over Travis Ditch.
Upon completion, CN Railroad will have an active switch and access to all of the new and existing rail improvements in the park. 
Project timeline and spending timeline, project design, ongoing rail improvements, October 2022-April 2023, and project bridge improvements, October 2022-April 2023.
All improvement to trackage, additional trackage and bridge will be owned and operated by the LaPorte County Redevelopment Commission. JBC Rail and Kingsbury Elevator are responsible for rail design, installation of trackage.
Project provides Immediate access for CN railroad into KIP Park, the shipping of 100 grain car through park to CSX. This project will provide rail accessibility to over 2,000 acres of industrial developable property to two class one rail carriers CSX and CN railroads. 
Climate change is addressed by providing and promoting the shipment of goods via rail as opposed to truck. Additionally, the park is designed for development of value-added materials and utilization of rail as a means of receiving raw materials as well as new finished product.

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00098 Kingsbury Industrial Park RR Bridge Improvement_Finished Bridge

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00098 Kingsbury Industrial Park Railroad Bridge - (NorthWest)_03

Northwest Indiana’s NWI BizHub serves Lake, Porter, and La Porte Counties as a connection for current and aspiring small business owners to help them find the right resources at the right time, no matter where they are in their small business journey. NWIBizHub.com allows users to simply define the assistance needed and toggle through the local resources available that fit their needs. If the user prefers a more individualized experience, they can submit a request to be paired with a NWI BizHub resource partner who will work one-on-one with the individual to meet their business needs. 
This program is a partnership with Legacy Foundation, Unity Foundation, Northwest Indiana Small Business Development Center, Crown Point Community Foundation, and the Center for Workforce Innovations.
The program’s READI grant activities are to expand no cost programming to small business owners in Starke, Pulaski, Newton, and Jasper Counties, while establishing program partners and resource navigators within each county. 
The expansion into the additional counties will begin November 2022 with recruitment of Community Foundations within the four counties, serving as Program Partners. Once Program Partners are established, recruitment of Resource Navigators will begin, followed by the launch of small business outreach programming, concluding the program April 2026. 
The final outcome is to increase the number of successful small businesses, the overall per capita wealth for region residents, and increase the region’s identity as a destination for entrepreneurs in Indiana.

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00106 NWI BizHub_Network Night in Jasper County

LaPorte County’s strong manufacturing history continues to drive economic growth.  There is a huge demand to fill manufacturing positions, but also a lack of skilled, qualified workers. LaPorte County is lagging behind the state average for post-secondary credentials.  IvyTech Community College in Michigan City hopes to create opportunities for students to complete much-needed post-secondary credentials aligned with the local industry workforce needs.  IvyTech has already renovated the lab space with IvyTech capital dollars, as well as matched funding through equipment purchases using both IvyTech program annual budgets and Perkins grant funding.  READI funds would procure the remaining necessary equipment to deliver the educational and training programs to both traditional and non-traditional students.  
READI funds will be used to purchase lab equipment starting in July 2023, with start-up commission in July 2024, just in time for the fall semester.  This equipment will focus on the Industrial Technology Mechanical program to allow a Certificate credential after completion of the 1-year program. 
Currently, the Industrial Technology program has awarded over 450 credentials to students in just the last three years from the Valparaiso campus in Porter County.  By offering this same opportunity to students of LaPorte County, the post-secondary credentials are forecasted to improve from the current 28.3% for LaPorte County to statistics closer to the state average of 48.3%.

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00110_Ivy Tech Manufacturing Lab_Industrial Equipment for Associate Degree_1

Currently, massive solar fields are in development in Northwest Indiana and more are planned in the future. Ivy Tech has initiated partnerships with the developing companies and plans to develop a mobile training unit designed to deliver remote instruction for students to meet workforce needs in renewable energy. This mobile unit would be built to simulate an on-campus lab space, supporting the technical and hands-on applications of a student’s educational experience. 

The space would be equipped with technical classroom equipment and also electrical and renewable energy trainers. Mobile units are versatile: trainers and equipment are not stationary; thus, the unit can be fitted with interchangeable trainers based on the focus of each class as well as delivering instruction where projects are being built. 

Ivy Tech has partnered with Community Workforce Initiative, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, and Next Era Energy to develop workforce training and offers Energy Technology programming. The mobile unit can support the programming currently within the Energy Technology department. 

The project is in the planning phase and is forecasted to be complete in May 2023. Ivy Tech’s goal is to be poised to meet immediate needs for a trained labor force in renewable energy in our region.

READI funds will be used to purchase the mobile trailer unit, classroom trainers, training materials, and equipment.  Ivy Tech will invest in equipment and in faculty and staff.

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00111_Ivy Tech Ener Tech Mobile Unit_Learning Lab and Truck_1

The project objective is to provide greater and more effective outreach and resources to minority and rural business owners and individuals starting businesses. Main services will be business plan assistance, finding financing, training on bookkeeping, assisting with digital marketing, and with MBE/WBE and other certifications. 

We will deploy individuals from the underserved communities who have owned or own a small business as business advisors providing counseling and resources. The main communities we will focus on are black, Hispanic, and rural small business owners and those starting businesses. 

The project is estimated to start in August 2022 with a duration through December 2023. READI funds will be used to pay for consulting services and training materials.

Primarily by the Northwest Indiana SBDC utilizing two contract Business Advisors. Training provided by Accounting Made Simple as well as a NWI digital marketing agency to be determined. We will also partner with stakeholders in underserved communities to have space to meet business owners in person. 
An estimated 200 business owners and start-ups counseled annually.  We anticipate being able to show quantitative successes that will help us persuade funding to be provided from economic development organizations, cities, or other entities. We will also look for appropriate grant applications as sources of funds to sustain these efforts.

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00112 Minority Business Skills_Feb 23 QuickBooks class photo

United Way of Northwest Indiana’s Level Up program serves residents in Lake, Porter, Starke, Newton, and Jasper counties providing assistance to the struggling by allowing the working poor to break through barriers to obtain higher-paying, good-quality jobs that create a better life for them and their families. 
The workforce development program looks to expand our services by hiring four Family Career Navigators, two Financial Wellness Navigators, and two support staff to grow into a regional program.

Program services are provided in partnership with Catholic Charities, Northwest Indiana Community Action, Geminus, WorkOne, Boys & Girls Club, Ivy Tech Community College, area trade schools, and others.

Program expansion will begin Fall 2022 with completion by the end of 2026.  Evaluation of the program will be ongoing to determine gaps in service and bring on additional hires as needed.  

Our goal is to help clients change the trajectory of their lives.  Over the last two years, over 200 people have graduated, becoming more financially stable, and breaking generational poverty chains. Eighty percent of participants have been single mothers. Over the next three years, we look to assist 800 more individuals with our 5-year goal being to help 1,000 households. 

Funding support is provided by individual, corporate, and foundation donors. Major partners include James W. and Betty Dye Foundation, John W. Anderson Foundation, Indiana United Ways, and the Lilly Foundation.

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00117_Level Up_Graduation

Boys & Girls Club of Greater Northwest Indiana is partnering with Crossroads YMCA, the City of Gary, the Dean & Barbara White Foundation, and Methodist Hospital for a project to renovate the existing BGC site in the Tolleston neighborhood in west-central Gary. Investments will go towards remodeling and improving the Club, constructing a new YMCA building and a new Methodist Hospitals satellite center. Our collective goal is to deliver exceptional spaces and programs that focus on education, social services, childcare, health/wellness, physical activity, talent development, entrepreneurship and economic advancement. Together we can empower families to obtain the means necessary to break the cycle of poverty and actively contribute to a thriving economy. 

The READI dollars will go towards the construction elements of the Boys & Girls Club in the Tolleston neighborhood of Gary. The project also includes improvements to access, parking surfaces, lighting, security and landscape; architect fees, consultants, furniture, fixtures and equipment. Demolition of structures deemed unsafe or unusable is also included. The green space enhancement aspect of the project may contribute to reducing air pollution. The walkability of the development may decrease vehicle traffic. Both aspects shall contribute to reducing the carbon footprint. 

The project will begin in January 2023 and be completed by December 2026.

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00126_Tolleston Opportunity Hub_Exterior Front

The Regional Education and Employer Alliance for Developing Youth in Northwest Indiana (READY NWI) is a coalition of more than 70 school corporations and career and technical education programs as well as 8 colleges and universities. Their purpose is to ensure that high school students graduate prepared to further education and obtain degrees and other certifications that meet employer needs. 
READY NWI project, through employer partnerships, blends classroom learning with real-world applications in the workplace. Program includes the establishment of an Employer Advisory Council to better align education programs and employer needs. READY NWI seeks to transition from an informal project into a standalone organization.  
The Center for Workforce Innovation will provide funding to cover some staffing, materials and administrative costs of the project. READI funds will be used to cover the remaining personnel and administration costs through December 2026. Currently, sustainability plans include developing a small membership fee for participating schools.  Donations received from Employer Advisory Council members and local private regional foundations will provide the remaining financial support. 
The program will boost the percentage of the population with a post-secondary credential to meet the demand of employers for more high-skill talent.

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00142 READY NWI Dec. Meeting_Mental Health Panel

The Region Roots Local Farm and Food Hub serves the needs of small-mid scale farmers trying to access wholesale markets. The hub provides an online platform where farmers list their products/inventory and local bulk buyers are able to purchase from multiple farms, with streamlined invoicing and delivery. Farmers harvest and pack orders fresh each week, and Region Roots delivery drivers pick up and deliver orders the same day.  Farmers are at the center and keep 100% of the price they set, unlike most major distributors and wholesalers.  Our current virtual structure and just-in-time delivery has kept our overhead and initial capital investment very low, allowing for an accessible avenue for small scale farmers to reach wholesale markets with targeted support to reduce barriers.
Region Roots will develop a small but high-impact infrastructure with cold chain storage for local food distribution, which will offset distribution costs for farmers. Through targeted recruitment and networking, Region Roots seeks to create entrepreneurship opportunities for socially disadvantaged, as well as beginning, limited resource, and veteran farmers. Finally, the NWI Food Council will have significantly more capacity to serve high needs communities, most notably school children, with farm-to-school services and support.
The READi funding period (July ‘22- Dec ‘26) will support the growth and sustainability in years 2-6, and allow us to build on the foundation of the pilot year.

The Employer Upskilling Project provides education and training to improve workers’ education and employment opportunities. The project will expand current regional workforce development activities.
This project will leverage operations currently underway by the regional WorkOne system through efforts of the Business Services Representatives (BSR) team, and training providers such as Ivy Tech. BSRs are currently frontline representatives of the workforce system with employers. They assist and deliver services to small to large-sized businesses, providing job postings, screening and recruitment, and training engagement. 
This project will result in hiring of a project lead who will be responsible for tracking program participants as well as completing the required documentation for the project. Other staff funding will be used to fund the time of current staff, such as members of the BSR team who will be responsible for working directly with employers to initiate new training programs. 
In order to expand our reach, we will establish a referral network in partnership with local economic development organizations’ current business retention and expansion efforts. The project will work closely with the Ivy Tech Office of Career Coaching and Employer Connections to align training programs with employer needs.
The project will begin in Fall 2022 and continue through December 2026.
Expected program outcomes include 80 participants completing training and achieving certification.

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00147 Emp Upskill_Hartsfield Village_CNA Trainee Grads 1

Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) is a state-based national non-profit organization dedicated to helping promising high school students who have experienced challenging or traumatic life experiences achieve academic and economic success. The program goal is to increase high school completion rates and serve as a bridge to postsecondary education and career advancement opportunities. 
JAG offers a multi-year program for at-risk high school juniors and seniors. The program includes classroom instruction on an individual or group basis provided by a trained JAG Specialist. The competency-based instruction equips students with no less than 37 employability skills. 
The State and other Federal-aid provide funding to sustain the current JAG programs. READI funding will be used to cover the staffing cost for two JAG programs. The Specialists will be hired and trained prior to start of the 2022-2023 school year, and funding will provide program support until December 2026. 
Anticipated outcomes include 100 youth participation in total beginning with 60 in year one and an additional 20 each year for years two and three. Additional outputs include gains in employability skills by developing resumes, strengthening interviewing skills, and participating in work-based learning opportunities; increasing career awareness through career exploration, employer visits and college tours, and applying for postsecondary education; and increasing overall graduation rates for the high schools.

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com.nhncorp.m2app 19.0.9

The Greater South Shore Initiative (GSSI) is a regional development effort to position Lake Michigan’s southern shore, from Chicago to South Bend, as a 90-mile advanced research, applied science, technology and manufacturing corridor and as a top North American destination for business, industry, educational advancement and new households. 
The project began in May 2021, and will run through the end of 2026. GSSI will provide technical assistance to a steering committee representing public and private sector entities, including the identification of and pre-development work across NWI. The 8-month technical assessment, funded by READI, will include mapping and evaluation of existing infrastructure indicating gaps where improvements might be made to better serve all stakeholders. It will address workforce development and equitable investment in underserved communities across the region. READI will be leveraged by the following: Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture, NIRPC, South Bend/Elkhart Regional Partnership, Alliance for Regional Development, Neighborhood Capital Institute, and Purdue University Northwest.   
The process will conclude with one to three high-priority projects within the Vision and Launch Plan, consistent with the shared vision of the Greater South Shore, that have been tested for economic and market viability.  The project team will work with identified municipalities to package and take to market project concepts developed through the process.

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00151 Greater South Shore Initiative_Project Scope Map

Shirley Heinze Land Trust, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, is dedicated to the preservation and restoration of significant natural areas throughout northwestern Indiana, engaging people in nature and conservation.  Ivanhoe South Nature Preserve is 50 acres of a remnant, globally rare dune and swale habitat located in the City of Gary. Gary’s history, culture, and ecology are unique and there are many existing assets, such as Ivanhoe South, that are currently under-utilized.
Ivanhoe South provides residents, families, institutions, organizations, and students with exceptional access to a remnant dune and swale. READI dollars will be utilized to improve access amenities for safe, enjoyable, and educational experiences whether visiting Ivanhoe South independently or as a part of special programming implemented by Shirley Heinze and/or community partners.  This project will be completed in coordination with the City of Gary, and with financial support from Fulcrum Bioenergy.
The project will begin in Fall 2022 with 3 years for completion to install sidewalk to improve walkability from West Side Leadership Academy and neighborhoods south of 9th Ave, enhance safety and parking amenities, and create amenities and low impact structures to facilitate gathering space and community programming at Ivanhoe South. Shirley Heinze Land Trust also seeks to create culturally relevant programming for residents, families, and students through an inclusive process with local stakeholders.

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00152_Ivanhoe South_Nature Preserve

Collaborative initiatives across the region are positioning Northwest Indiana for considerable economic growth. An important site selection factor for many companies is access to talent in the form of an educated and skilled workforce. The South Shore Line Double Track initiative will make Northwest Indiana a more attractive area for educated and skilled workers to live, by facilitating easier access to work, education, and recreation across the region and in Chicago. To meet the needs of a growing skilled workforce, the region needs a sufficient quantity, quality, and variety of housing. 
Indiana University Northwest will establish a team of researchers who will perform an extensive analysis of the current housing market and inventory and construction mix as well as the changing dynamics of local markets. This housing study will identify strengths and weaknesses in the housing market of Northwest Indiana to support regional development organizations as well as the Greater Northwest Indiana Association of REALTORS in advocating for and developing specific housing strategies across the seven-county region to better meet future economic growth.
The study will begin on May 1, 2023, and be completed by August 31, 2024.

afternoon-light-shines-on-housing-near-downtown-gary-indiana-usa

Afternoon light shines on housing near downtown Gary, Indiana, USA.

The Urban League of Northwest Indiana, Inc. (ULNWI) works to promote, encourage, and enhance services to improve the social, educational, and economic conditions of African Americans and other minority groups in Lake, Porter, and LaPorte counties. The ULNWI, in partnership with Center of Workforce Innovations, seek to implement a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DE&I) training program.
The ULNWI DE&I Project will provide awareness and skills training in the areas of implicit bias, stereotyping, cultural competence and leadership. The focus is on raising awareness by helping individuals see the world through the eyes of someone of a different age, race, sexual orientation, or gender. The DE&I framework provides employees with tools that identify and address systematic barriers to build a diverse and inclusive workforce broadly representative of the citizens and communities we live and serve.
A local organization will provide funding for equipment and facility management costs. READI funding will be used toward training staff and purchase of additional equipment. Training is expected to begin in Winter 2022 and continue until December 2026.
Each year four organizations will be selected to receive the DE&I awareness training. Facilitators will conduct two training sessions for each organization selected. Over the course of four years, DE&I training will be provided to a total of sixteen organizations.

The expansion of work-based learning (WBL) opportunities across the region through increased internship and apprenticeship programs has been identified as a priority in the Ignite the Region economic development plan as well as the 21st Century Talent Region initiative. These types of programs benefit employers, students, and job seekers. This project seeks to expand the number of internship, apprenticeship, and other work-based learning opportunities in the region. 
Center of Workforce Innovations (CWI) currently serves as an intermediary for registered apprenticeship programs in Northwest Indiana, and employs a full-time apprenticeship coordinator to build partnerships with companies.  
CWI and WBL coordinators will work with established regional partnerships such as READY NWI, local trade unions, the Indiana Plan, and industry sector employer partnerships as well as statewide initiatives such as the Indiana Chamber's Work and Learn Indiana program and the State office of Work-based Learning and Apprenticeship (OWBLA).
This project will directly fund wages, training costs, and supportive services for program participants as well as staff wages to develop and manage new programs. The project will fund programs through 2026. 
This project will result in the hiring of a project lead who will be responsible for tracking program participants. Major outcomes of the project will be 100 participants completing WBL opportunities in the region over the life of the grant.

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00173 Work Based Learning_FAME Signing Day

The Downtown Hammond Train Station and Square will be a bustling area for people traveling in and out of Northwest Indiana.  The train station has already attracted three residential developers, with over 350 new market-rate apartments.  This means population growth, increased retail, and a larger tax base.  The square will be a gathering spot for these residents, spurring instant economic development and amenities, vital to the increased population.

Funding sources will come from the City of Hammond’s Downtown Urban Renewal Area TIF, Hammond Technology Park Grant, and Mayor’s Gaming Funds.  The READI dollars will be spent on the design and construction of the platform station and square around it, which includes but is not limited to sidewalks, a new road for better conductivity, site prep, green space design, and build-out, and all the utilities associated with both projects.

The timeline for spending the READI dollars will be late 2022, early 2023 to the end of the year 2026The intended outcome of these expenditures will result in a new platform station, creating ease of access to Chicago and the surrounding Region communities, and vibrant public space.

For this project, the City will take advantage of this opportunity to some energy efficiency initiatives such as LED lighting, permeable pavers, and drought-resistant plantings.  The station will have a positive impact on climate change by getting people out of their cars, cars off the road, and people on the train.

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00183_Downtown Hammond Train Station SS_StationExterior

The Society of Innovators (SOI) at Purdue Northwest is leading the development of a Youth Entrepreneurship Ecosystem to break down barriers to innovation and entrepreneurship because economic growth in Northwest Indiana will depend on future leaders with entrepreneurial skills and attitudes. Several barriers still stand in the way for many of our region’s students. In some of our urban and rural communities, there are schools that are currently underserved with exposure to entrepreneurship and innovation. 
To build an effective youth entrepreneurship ecosystem, the Society of Innovators will establish multiple, scalable programs and create models for sustainability over the next two years; particularly geared towards youth residing in QCTs in Lake, Porter and LaPorte counties. READI funds will be used to hire a youth program director and to support SOI staff efforts in building this ecosystem, and in addition, funds will be used to develop after-school programs in Boys & Girls Club locations, expand skill development summer camps programs, provide teacher professional development program training, and launch a new Regional Pitch competition.
Strategic development and implementation partners for the Youth Entrepreneurship Ecosystem include the Leadership Institute and College of Business at Purdue Northwest, and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Northwest Indiana.
READI will fund our efforts beginning in January 2023 and continue through to the end of December 2024.

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00197_Youth Entrepreneuership_Munster PNW campus visit_11.08.2024_2

The Quantum Corridor will create the first Coherent communication network in the State of Indiana.  The network is designed to be quantum ready.  Once completed, the network will be among the fastest and most secure networks in the world.  
The construction time is estimated to take 9 months from notification of funding approval. The project will be managed, implemented and operated by Quantum Corridor, LLC. READI grant funds will provide 80% of the project's cost.  Quantum Corridor LLC will provide the balance of the project funding. Those companies will infuse the Region with jobs and transform NW Indiana. 
Higher Education: The new network route will serve as the backbone of connectivity for local universities, underserved communities tying in higher education to the largest internet exchange 350 Cermak.
Government: This network will support Crane’s Naval Surface Warfare Base and other bases throughout the Midwest with wide band laser, Coherent transmissions that will bring next generation speeds (up to 40 TBs)
Department of Defense: This will be offered in a fashion that supports the DOD and SIPRNet requirements with dedicated secure connections that can be commissioned and decommissioned on demand. 
Business: Indiana will benefit from one of the fastest dark fiber backbones in the country which ultimately will connect large technology companies and hyper-scalers from Chicago to Indianapolis to Columbus.

Located minutes from the shores of Lake Michigan and just 25 miles from downtown Chicago, The Gary/Chicago International Airport (GCIA) is a full-service airport, capable of serving general aviation, corporate, commercial, and cargo users.  GCIA has two economic development opportunities in front of them.  The addition of two aircraft hangars with concrete ramps to connect them directly to the airport runways. By providing the necessary capital, hangar construction will attract aviation companies to Indiana from Illinois and Michigan.  Both hangars will be leased to aviation companies over a term of at least 30 years. 
READI funds will be used to construct a concrete apron that will allow two new hangars to connect to the taxiways and runways.  The larger hangar will include 7,000 square feet of office space.  This project will provide an outcome for seventeen $100,000+ jobs and relocate four corporate jets from Midway Airport in Illinois to GCIA, and the relocation of two private companies to GCIA.  
The project is funded with local match funding from the GCIA and private match funds from Sage-Popovich, Inc. It will be contracted, managed, and owned by the GCIA.  The project will start July 1, 2023 with completion by December 31, 2023.
The newly constructed hangars will have mechanical systems and a building envelope that meets Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) building standards, which will reduce both electrical and natural gas demand.

00222_gyy-corp-hangar-campus_apron-and-hangar

00222_GYY Corp Hangar Campus_Apron and Hangar

United States Cold Storage (USCS) offers highly reliable, cost-effective, and environmentally sustainable solutions for the frozen and refrigerated food industries.  USCS owns 130 acres at State Road 2 (SR2) and Colorado Street in Lake County. USCS plans to develop a 245,735 square foot facility with budgeted cost of $120.6M. The building will be fully automated and have 13.1 million cubic feet of refrigerated storage space. Additional acreage will be developed in the future. 

The Lake County Council and the Lake County Board of Commissioners are supportive of the USCS project and have approved a 10-year real and personal property tax abatement commencing once the building is operational.  USCS is committed to community & workforce collaboration and has engaged with Purdue University and Ivy Tech Community College on building design, internships/apprenticeships. USCS will recruit locally for all open positions, utilizing the Job Center of Lake County. 

READI funds will be utilized for road infrastructure meeting INDOT specifications to widen and rebuild Colorado Street to accommodate varied vehicular and truck traffic.  

The project is expected to begin in June 2023 and be completed by June 2024.

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The Small Business Acceleration Tools initiative will revitalize Northwest Indiana´s entrepreneurial scene, fueling startup growth, job prospects, and capital investments. Starting in September 2023 with READI funds expended December 31, 2026, this program partners with key institutions including Valpo University, Purdue Northwest, WeCreate Media, 27 Entertainment, NEXT Studios, N´Good Company, CL Williams, and an entrepreneur network. This initiative fosters long-term sustainability and serves emerging innovators across Northwest Indiana.  This endeavor forges dynamic partnerships with esteemed institutions and start up entitie to further create a thriving entrepreneur network. Our collective mission cultivates enduring sustainability and empowers emerging innovators across the expanse of Northwest Indiana. READI dollars will be used to deploy startup workshops, addressing pivotal startup facets like ideation, business models, and funding strategies. Furthermore, READI dollars will fuel an existing coworking space at Lower Lincoln. Funds are also used to implement our robust Mentorship and Networking Programs. Our success metrics are economic impact, business starts, raised capital, both foreign and domestic investment, talent retention, and jobs created. Frequent metric analyses ensure perpetual efficacy, guiding the program´s evolution as we march resolutely towards Northwest Indiana´s triumphant entrepreneurial renaissance.

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00270_Small Business Acceleration Tools_Venture Capital Pitch Event At Lower Lincoln

The purpose of the Evergreen Marketing Content Plan is to increase economic development, boost talent attraction and talent retention from our local universities, and attract visitors to support our growing quality of place ecosystem. This plan will unify our region’s voice and streamline proven marketing distribution methods - maximizing return on investment.
 
The project will be completed in collaboration with state and local tourism agencies, private entities, universities, and municipal stakeholders. Utilizing consultant services, this project leverages a state-wide established strategic plan, utilizes effective marketing implementation, and creates open-sourced compelling and beneficial content for both the public and private sectors. Utilizing READI funds, the project will self-sustain within the first 36 months of initiation.
 
Technical infrastructure, attraction development, and strategic marketing assets will be developed and distributed to targeted audiences primed to move to, invest in, work in, and raise a family in Northwest Indiana. Assets will also be distributed to both public and private entities that share the same vision to stimulate sustainable economic impact for talent attraction, talent retention, business attraction, travel, tourism, and outdoor recreation across Northwest Indiana. Approximate timeline is July 2023 to December 2026.

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00271-Evergreen Marketing_GoNWI Billboard

In 2011, the Northwest Indiana Forum (Forum) collaborated with the IEDC to launch outreach programs across the United States stressing the advantages of doing business in Indiana. In order to document tangible cost and condition advantages for six specific industry sectors the Forum wishes to complete another detailed sector specific analysis of workforce, transportation, market access, cost of living and beyond. 
The Forum services seven counties in Northwest Indiana: Lake, Porter, LaPorte, Starke, Jasper, Newton, and Pulaski, and requires a formal mechanism for tracking, maintaining, and promoting the analysis information.  With READI funds, the Cost Comparison Study will focus on two key areas: Information Assembly and Operating Cost Modeling, and Targeted Asset Promotion.  Six industry sectors will be used for modeling purposes: Advanced Manufacturing, Automated Transportation, Defense, Emerging Technologies, Energy Sector, and Office/Headquarters. 
The Forum will develop materials and a program of direct outreach that conveys Northwest Indiana’s advantages, take its message to where industry decision-makers convene, and entice them to attend events in the Region where the virtues of Northwest Indiana can be experienced for themselves. 
From July 2023 to January 2024, the Market Study will analyze and model the cost and condition advantages and to use this information as a centerpiece for the Region’s brochure development and event-oriented marketing.

The goal of the Agriculture (ag) Value Chain Strategy is to identify the ag assets, raw material, and resources that will help the region develop the policies, infrastructure, sites, and support the need to create long-term improvements in rural communities.  The counties will utilize the Rural Economic Development Model, which will allow them to develop an economic development strategy that will build on an important strength in their rural communities-agriculture. This strategy will guide the development of a tool box for discovering major ag assets and attracting “value added ag” in the form of agribusiness and food processing facilities and their connected supply chains. 
Key stakeholders include Jasper, Newton, Pulaski, and Starke Counties, Purdue Center for Regional Development and Purdue Extension Office, Indiana State Department of Agriculture, Indiana Soybean Alliance, Indiana Corn Marketing Council, Indiana Farm Bureau and other industry groups.
READI funds will be utilized for the development of the strategy focusing on evaluating existing ag-based assets, finding ways to reduce “leakage” of economic activity outside of the region, developing ag processing and development policies, identifying infrastructure needs unique to ag, and identifying potential areas for ag industry-based development.
Approximate timeline is 4/1/23-12/31/26. Pulaski County Community Development Commission will contribute matching funds.

00273-agriculture-value-chain-strategy_vendor-at-the-rensselaer-farmers-market

00273 Agriculture Value Chain Strategy_vendor at the Rensselaer Farmers Market

The Indiana State Prison is located less than one mile from the shore of Lake Michigan, the South Shore Commuter Rail Line, and the newly established Transit Development District (TDD).  The prison is also proximal to the NIPSCO Michigan City coal fire generation facility which is scheduled to be shuttered and demolished by 2028.  This is in close proximity to major residential and visitor assets in Michigan City. The prison is currently a barrier to economic growth. 
The Reimagining Michigan City – Prison Relocation Study is a comprehensive impact study of moving the prison out of downtown Michigan City and reimagining that land for recreation, retail, restaurant, and mixed-use space. Reimagining the use of the lakefront would create an opportunity for Northwest Indiana to grow talent, attract investment and raise per capita income, while tying together the TDDs of the soon to be double tracked commuter rail line and reclamation of the lakefront called out by the Marquette Plan. Brookings Institute & Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) are currently working with the EDCMC to create a playbook that will help transform the East/West Side and Midtown Corridor of Michigan City, as these areas have historically not seen investment. This study will further the work of the Brookings/LISC study.
READI funds will be utilized to implement the study. The study will be convened March 1, 2024 and will result in an impact analysis by December 31,2026.

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The goal of the Rural Entrepreneur & Innovation Taskforce project is to build a regional identity and collaborative network for entrepreneurship in Japer, Newton, Pulaski, and Starke Counties and the rural areas of Lake, Porter, and La Porte Counties, as well as to strengthen each County’s entrepreneurial development toolkit and messaging.   
Initial objectives are to assess and prioritize economic-development programming, tools, and resource needs and to solidify design and costs of programming and, as needed, facilities across these communities.  
Long-term objectives are to roll out tools and brand practices to ignite small-business development and growth, and more robust collaboration among service providers supporting entrepreneurs and innovators.
READI funds will support Discovery and Dot Connecting to develop a strategic hierarchy of goals and establishing programing and brand tools for effective implementation: assessing the communities and their rural and small-business development tools, brand assets, and intellectual properties through brand audits and formal and casual conversations; performing survey samples for insight into immediate/long-term needs; and providing strategies for local and regional improvements in fostering entrepreneurial and innovator development, collaboration, and growth. Pulaski County Economic Development will supply matching funds. 

Implementation of the strategy will start August 1, 2023 and completed by December 31, 2026.

The Marquette Greenway is an ambitious project to finish a regional, non-motorized multi-use trail spanning 60 miles along the “South Shore” region of Lake Michigan from Calumet Park in Chicago, Illinois, eastward through the heart of Northwest Indiana, and into downtown New Buffalo, Michigan.   Today, thirty-six (36) miles of the Marquette Greenway have either already been built or have received funding.  The remaining twenty-four (24) miles exist in the cities of Gary, Portage and Michigan City (IN).
The route seeks to maximize access to recreation areas, such as the Indiana Dunes National Park, as well as serve as a major regional link to numerous economic destinations of employment and retail.  The proximity of the proposed route of the Marquette Greenway will allow direct connections to most major industries along the lakefront.  
The project will start February 2023 and go through July 2026. Local funds from the City of Michigan City and a RAISE grant will leverage READI funds to complete project phases in Gary (Professional Engineering (PE)), Portage (PE), and Michigan City (CN & CE). READI funds will also be used for project oversight and management consulting, as well as administrative costs for NIRPC staff. Matching funds will be provided by the US Dept. of Transportation and the City of Michigan (IN).

00276-marquette-greenway_whiting-lakefront-park

00276 Marquette Greenway_Whiting Lakefront Park

The Silos at Sanders Farm is a 195-acre investment grade business park bringing Class A warehouse and distribution space to the broader NW Indiana market.  At capacity, the park will offer more than 2.5M square feet under roof. The initial 1.27M SF building is being built on spec, and the rest of the land will be improved to a developable state for build to suit opportunities. The Town of Merrillville has partnered with Crow Holdings on this project by contributing tax abatement & TIF dollars.  The development will bring hundreds of jobs and millions of dollars in wages, plus tax revenue, to the area.  
This land had minimal utilities and village infrastructure extended to it. As such, a substantial amount of general park infrastructure work will accompany the eventual vertical construction including: water & sanitary extensions, stormwater and road improvements, extensive electric utility work, and mass grading/soil stabilization to get the land to be in buildable condition. 
These READI funds will be used on the mass grading/soil stabilization for the ~36-acre area on the east site of Mississippi St (called Lot 3). The plan is to start this work in the Spring/Summer of 2023, with completion occurring Late Fall 2023. 
From a climate change perspective, the entire park will utilize 100% high efficiency LED lighting, include extensive landscaping, and use fully ballasted roof system & a positive pressure HVAC system to help keep hot air in the building and reduce energy needs.

arco-murray-%c2%97-panduit-final-photos

ARCO/Murray  Panduit Final Photos

The NWI Region has identified a need for a viable innovation and commercialization ecosystem that will recruit, train, and retain talent and attract investment in new ventures.  The primary diver for this ecosystem will be the Hohman Innovation Hub: a regional impact lab (business incubator & accelerator) operated by Purdue Northwest in the heart of the new downtown, missed-use Transit Development District in Hammond.
READI funds will be used to purchase and convert a 44,000 square foot former medical office building into a tech commercialization center, and purchase equipment and furnishings to run an accelerator program for new and existing businesses.  The impact lab will be located next to a new mixed-use development with housing, hospitality, and retail.  This, when combined with the infrastructure investment along Hohman Ave, will create a work-live-play corridor with easy access to the South Shore Line.  The project will also benefit underrepresented and underinvested groups who have historically lacked the resources it will provide.  
The project is led by the City of Hammond in partnership with Purdue Northwest and a private developer who is renovating the former Bank Calumet building. Matching funds will be provided by the City of Hammond and NWI Development Group LLC. The PSA for the impact lab building was executed in April 2024 and buildout is expected to be completed by August 2024.

00294-hohman-innovation-hub_rendering-of-roberts-impact-lab

00294 Hohman Innovation Hub_Rendering of Roberts Impact Lab

Northwest Indiana’s seven county region has a population of more than 750,000 with eleven general hospitals, four Federally Qualified Healthcare Centers (FQHC), and three in-patient mental health facilities, but no residency programs.  HealthLinc provides interaction with multiple health specialties including pharmacy, optometry, dentistry, podiatry, chiropractic services and behavioral health.  
At HealthLinc, we serve as the family medicine practice clinic for the residents in Lake, Porter, LaPorte, Starke and St Joseph counties in Northwest Indiana.  The HealthLinc Family Medicine Residency Program will be the first of the Northwest Graduate Medical Education Consortium.  It will host 6 residents per year for a total of 18 residents over the first three years.  Residents will see a minimum of 1,650 patients. 
READI funds will be used to build an addition to our current building to meet the Accreditation Council Graduate Medical Education requirements. This includes 2 exam rooms per provider seeing patients, a resident room where physicians and students can review cases, an office for the program director and faculty to have private discussions, and a lab station. HealthLinc will leverage our own private funds in addition to the READI funds. 
The construction for the project will start August 15, 2023, and is expected to be finished June 15, 2024.  The first class of Residents to start July 1, 2023.

00295_heathlinc-medical-resident_valpo-expansion-exterior

00295_HeathLinc Medical Resident_Valpo Expansion Exterior

The City of Valparaiso along with its Redevelopment Commission and HighGround are constructing two transformational projects downtown. The combined $54 million public/private developments include The Linc, a multi-use apartment and retail development complex and the Lincoln Highway Garage.  The projects will replace aging underground infrastructure, separating stormwater and sanitary sewers, and beautify streetscape with new planters, trees, and light poles.  

The Linc will add modern, amenity-rich living options to the vibrant downtown.  HighGround will construct three four-story buildings with 121 luxury apartments and 7 commercial suites on the ground floor. The Lincoln Highway Garage is a 362-space parking garage adjacent to The Linc.  It will support parking for The Linc and surrounding businesses and neighborhoods.  

This development accomplishes longtime planning goals of increasing residential density and discretionary spending to support the downtown businesses and increasing public parking capacity in the downtown.  READI Grant funds will be allocated toward streetscape and right-of-way improvements encompassing both The Linc and the Lincoln Highway Garage.  These funds will be spent starting in May of 2024 with completion by October of 2024.  The garage began construction in June 2023 and will be completed in May 2024.  The Linc apartments started construction in September 2023 and the first building will be ready for occupancy in August 2024.

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00404 The Linc and Lincoln Highway Garage_Street Elev Looking East

The Grand Gardner Hotel is the redevelopment and reuse of the Gardner School building built in 1899 near downtown Valparaiso. The historical building will be augmented by new construction, encompassing additional guestrooms and amenities. The hotel will operate as an independent boutique hotel focused on showcasing the region and inviting community access. Beyond the guestrooms and suites, amenities will include a rooftop breakfast area/bar, spa service area, fitness center, community lobby, meeting and event space, and a speakeasy. This project will preserve an important historic community asset, fulfill the city goal of re-establishing a hotel in downtown Valparaiso, and provide new employment and community/regional engagement opportunities. 

Urschel Development Corporation will fund, develop and manage the project. Key collaborators include Ratio (architecture), IIG (design), Cornerstone (operations), Tonn and Blank (demolition and sitework), and the City of Valpo. READI funds will be spent on building preservation efforts and new construction. The project is slated to begin in 4Q2023 with a completion date of 4Q2025.

00408-grand-gardner-hotel-building-front-rendering

00408-Grand Gardner Hotel-Building Front Rendering

The Gary/Chicago International Airport (GCIA) has a great opportunity for economic development of the airport and the Region, which is the renovation of the passenger terminal building to accommodate scheduled air service.  The current terminal building was recently used for UPS operations and was no longer capable of hosting an airline in its current configuration.  GCIA has been in negotiations with an Airline (Airline “X”) to offer twice-weekly scheduled service to Orlando International Airport.  For Airline “X” to commence operations they require a suitable terminal building with renovations to allow for TSA to operate and to provide an improved passenger experience.  Airline “X” will have a substantial investment into this endeavor, which in turn will provide a significant economic boost to Gary and the surrounding area.

Passenger terminal functions to be renovated or newly constructed include ticketing area, airline ticket offices, outbound baggage screening and makeup area, security screening checkpoint, TSA support spaces, and gate counters including the associated building support systems for electrical, security, and technology.  Specifically, for READI grant funding, the deficient and energy inefficient curtain wall will be replaced.

The project is funded with local match funding from the GCIA and private match funds from the incoming Airline. It will be contracted, managed, and owned by the GCIA. The project will start May 1, 2024 with completion by April 30, 25

First Things First Porter County (FTF) is a systems-level initiative, bolstering existing services to ensure that the first 1,000 days for the 7,107 children under age 3 in Porter County are the most impactful. FTF, focused on strengthening the ecosystem for prenatal - age 3, will leverage funding to support consultation for the operation of an effective backbone organization and oversight of subawards for five collaborative projects to build a robust and functional network to enhance early relational health in Porter County. 
Funding from READI will support the administration and oversight of the Porter County network of cross-sector prenatal—age 3 providers, practitioners and organizations to improve child health, educational and social outcomes. Expenses include staff salaries and benefits, technology and software, and professional development for the oversight of related projects: 1) early relational health training and consultation to enhance prenatal – age 3 services to expand workforce capacity and inform early learning systems and; 2) the creation of a guide for employers to support parenting employees. Matching funds will be provided by Porter County Community Foundation, Early Years Indiana, and IFSS. The project timeline is August 2023 to December 2026.

00466_ftfpc-admin_camp-collab

00466_FTFPC-Admin_Camp Collab

Technology is a unique delivery mode to strengthen parenting skills. Production by Lakeshore Public Media (LPM) will produce programming that promotes early childhood development through television, radio and digital platforms, available across Northwest Indiana and Chicagoland.   
The 5-episode LPM series will be previewed in late 2024, showing early brain and language development as key factors to mitigate declining test scores and literacy challenges among Indiana's third graders. Topics crucial to healthy development, including maternal-child health, early intervention, and family relationships offer valuable insights and resources to parents and caregivers. PBS stations enjoy an expansive reach, especially among low-income households. 
The total cost of the LPM program is $54,400 (cost per episode is $10,900). Funds from the FTF READI 1.0 award will support $30,000 for LPM expenses for production staff including the producer, scriptwriter, director, camera operator, production assistant, and editors. LPM will use other sources to cover the remaining program expenses. The project timeline is January 1, 2024—August 31, 2025.

Technology is a unique delivery mode to strengthen parenting skills. First Things First Porter County will pilot Bright by Text, a customized texting service sending caregivers research-based parenting tips, developmental milestone tracking and access to local resources. 
Bright by Text is available at no cost for families. Customized content related to a child’s age and developmental stage offers timely and accurate support. Implementation of the pilot project includes marketing and promotion to families for enrollment. FTF will also establish a process for local providers and organizations to promote their services and events via the texting platform. FTF partners encourage parents to subscribe and receive curated information via text. 
Total cost for the subscription to Bright by Text will be $45,000 which includes the subscription costs and staff time for implementation. PCCF will oversee the project and partnerships with a timeline for implementation is April 1, 2024 to August 31, 2026.

The early literacy project enhances early brain and language development. Funds will be used to offset the cost of sending books to registered children in Porter County. Dolly Parton Imagination Library provides monthly books to children from birth to their fifth birthday, fostering a love for reading with age-appropriate books.
Funds will cover the costs associated with the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, ensuring that children in Porter County receive high-quality books delivered to their homes each month. Porter County Community Foundation, in partnership with Porter County Library System and Westchester Library, has determined that if 60% of all eligible Porter County children are enrolled in the program, the cost is $64,000 per year. The project allocates $192,500 over three years. Dolly Parton Foundation invoices FTF for the monthly cost. Additionally, $7,500 will be designated for organizing literacy events, creating engaging opportunities for children and families to participate in activities that promote reading and literacy skills.
Providing children with access to books through the Imagination Library and hosting literacy events will improve literacy rates and educational outcomes in Porter County. Instilling a love for reading at an early age and providing literacy development resources, the project empowers children to succeed academically and beyond. PCCF will oversee the project and partnerships with a timeline of January 2024 to December 2026.

00469_ftfpc-early-literacy-dolly-parton-book

00469_FTFPC-Early Literacy.Dolly Parton book

Opportunity Enterprises launched Help Me Grow Porter County (HMG) to provide essential centralized access to information and screenings, referrals and resources for families with young children. Collaborators include First Things First Porter County, Porter County Library Public Library System and the prenatal—age 3 network of healthcare providers, educators, social services, and community advocates. 

HMG aims to increase access to screenings, connect families to services, offer support, and foster collaboration to enhance the early childhood system in Porter County. HMG promotes developmental screenings, care coordination, parent education, and referrals to community programs, ensuring tailored support for families with young children. By identifying developmental concerns early and connecting families to interventions, the initiative improves outcomes for children, fostering long-term health, well-being, and success.
 
HMG serves families throughout Porter providing accessible services through in-person and virtual platforms. The subaward budget is based on sample budgets provided by the HMG National Center and Opportunity Enterprises. Match will be provided by Early Learning Indiana. Funds will be used to support personnel, software, technology and marketing efforts. The project timeline is August 31, 2024—August 31, 2026.

00470_ftfpc-help-me-grow_outreach

00470_FTFPC-Help Me Grow_outreach

NEO is building out 9,608 square feet of space at the NEO Center to house Creekside Early Learning Center.  This Paths to Quality center will serve up to 130 children: 16 infants, 20 one-year olds, 20 two-year-olds, 20 three-year-olds, 24 four-year-olds, and 30 preschool / school age children. 

$200,000 of READI 1.0 funds will cover a portion of the renovation/ construction costs of $1,575,076.  77% of the rooms will serve children three and under which reflects the demand for quality childcare in this area and is in support of the mission of First Things First.  

NEO has hired Chester Construction for this work; they invoices NEO monthly for work to date with a detailed invoice.  NEO will use $1,375,076 in grant funds we have secured from other sources as our match and for the balance as detailed in the READI 1.0 budget summary and in the attached MOU.

The start date of the construction of Creekside Early Learning was April 1, 2024.  

The projected end date for the construction work is August 1, 2024.

00471_ftfpc-creekside-early-learning_infant-room

00471_FTFPC-Creekside Early Learning_infant room

The Northwest Region, home to the famous Lake Michigan and forms Indiana's second-largest economy. With a population of 846,797, this region secured the maximum READI 1.0 funds of $50 million.

Region Overview:

Northwest

List of Counties:

Projects in Northwest