Notes: Unemployment Rates Fluctuate Around Northern Indiana

Posted on November 24, 2009 by dave

Changes in the unemployment rate in October in northern Indiana varied by town and county. Unemployment was up in Gary, Hammond, Michigan City, Valparaiso and LaPorte, and down in Porter County, Chesterton and East Chicago.

The City of La Porte has reached a settlement with an Illinois-based contractor whose work at the La Porte Water Works was unsatisfactory.

Michigan City is set to impose a $30 fee on local businesses to cover the cost of annual fire inspections now done free of charge.

Porter County was ordered to continue paying RDA dues while its attempt to pull out of the Authority proceeds through the courts.

The Majestic Star Casino in Gary has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

Rensselaer residents will see a decrease of about five percent in their electric bills next year.

The City of South Bend outlined plans for $30 to $40 million in improvements to Coveleski Stadium and the surrounding area.

Notes: South Shore Changes Schedules, Hikes Fares

Posted on November 20, 2009 by dave

NICTD has announced new weekend and holiday schedules for the South Shore railroad for the first time in 18 years. Adult fares on weekends and holidays are also going up to match regular weekday rates.

Some Porter residents want to know how the search for a location for a new fire station led to the Porter Redevelopment Commission spending $350,000 on 31 acres of land.

The Greater Crown Point Chamber of Commerce approved a merger with its Merrillville counterpart yesterday.

Sand Creek Country Club is back on the market.

Notes: Crown Point Lands Big Sportsplex Deal

Posted on November 19, 2009 by dave

Bo Jackson Elite Sports has chosen the Town of Crown Point for its $16 million Bo Jackson Legacy Athletic Center sportsplex. It is scheduled to open in 2011.

The South Bend Airport Authority has approved a $12 million construction project which will consolidate the airport’s two concourses into one and expand the terminal by 30,000 square feet.

The Avenue Bar in La Porte is appealing the state’s decision, made at the request of local authorities, to not renew its liquor license.

Porter County has begun work to replace old boilers at the county jail.

Notes: City of Porter Gets $1.8 Million from RDA

Posted on November 18, 2009 by dave

The Regional Development Authority approved $1.8 million in funding for the town of Porter’s lakeshore gateway project, despite Porter County’s attempts to withdraw from the RDA.

The Indiana Legislature kicked off its 2010 session yesterday.

Heartland Recreational Vehicle in Elkhart announced plans to hire 400 workers thanks to increased RV sales.

NIPSCO Director of Communications and Public Affairs Colleen Reilly is leaving for a new gig in Florida.

Regional Transit Authority Rejected

Posted on November 4, 2009 by dave

Voters in Porter County rejected the creation of the Regional Transit Authority by a margin of about four to one. The proposal suffered an even worse defeat in St. Joseph County, where only about 1,000 out of more than 21,000 voters supported the measure. In the wake of the twin losses, Lake and La Porte counties are now not expected to bother with RTA votes of their own in 2010.

Notes: RTA Vote in Porter, St. Joseph Counties Tomorrow

Posted on November 2, 2009 by dave

Porter and St. Joseph counties will vote on the creation of a regional transit authority Tuesday.

Pine Chevrolet in La Porte will close after General Motors terminated its franchise agreement with the dealership.

The Sanitary District of Michigan City, the City of Michigan City, and Long Beach and Michigan City Area Schools have joined in a suit to recover financial losses from lowered property tax assessments.

The new Porter County hospital could spur further development.

The Merrillville and Crown Point Chambers of Commerce are planning to merge by the end of the year.

The Indiana Association of Cities and Towns wants to give municipalities in the state more power to levy taxes.

The Northwest Indiana Economic Development District held its first meeting Friday.

Notes: Flood Watch in Effect Today

Posted on October 30, 2009 by dave

Lake, Jasper, Newton, Porter and Benton counties remain under a flood watch until 7 p.m. tonight.

La Porte County will work to improve access county-wide for people with disabilities under an agreement with the Justice Department.

The Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor wants to cut the Indiana-American Water Co.’s proposed rate hike in half.

Gasoline prices in Indiana have risen by $0.34 a gallon in the past month. Nationwide, gas prices are up $0.20.

Despite increased competition, profits at the Blue Chip casino were up in Q3.

St. Joseph County has administered the second-largest amount of H1N1 vaccines of any county in Indiana.

Notes: High-Speed Rail Proposal Includes Gary

Posted on October 14, 2009 by dave

Gary could get a high-speed rail stop as part of a multi-state plan that would connect Chicago and Cleveland.

Only two other counties in Indiana are further behind in getting tax bills out than Porter County. But they are making “real progress.” So there’s that.

The LaPorte County Council is discussing some cost-saving measures for 2010, including a hiring freeze for non-emergency departments such as police and fire, and voluntary furloughs.

Revenues fell in September for every area casino except Gary’s Majestic Star II.

BP awarded a multi-year contract to Ann Arbor, MI-based DTE Coal Services for petroleum coke terminal services.

Notes: Fair Oaks Dairy to Plow $70 Million Into Newton County Bottling Plant

Posted on October 8, 2009 by dave

Fair Oaks Dairy Farm will build a new $70 million bottling plant in Newton County. The plant will eventually employ nearly 60 people.

Top northwest Indiana economic development officials met Tuesday under the banner of the Chesterton/Duneland Chamber of Commerce to try to revive a regional approach to economic development.

Porter County Commissioners have approved the county’s first-ever regulations on wind power systems. According to a report released yesterday by the National Resources Defense Council, Indiana could fill up 12.5 percent of its own energy needs with wind power.

The first Porter County property tax bills, which were supposed to be mailed out in May, might finally get out in November.

LaPorte County has lassoed $2.2 million in stimulus cash for a trio or road projects.

Notes: NIPSCO Resolves Dispute with Hammond and LaPorte

Posted on October 6, 2009 by dave

NIPSCO will give $8.2 million in credits to certain industrial customers in Hammond and LaPorte County in order to resolve a dispute over fuel costs.

The City of La Porte has hired The Troyer Group to oversee repairs to city hall.

Gary/Chicago Airport wants to use an $800,000 Federal grant to fund flights to major airports.

Some Crown Point, IN, residents think the fast-growing city has too many bars.

Porter County Commissioner Bob Harper has launched an anti-RTA Web site.

Decreasing home prices mean Indiana property owners will save more under the new property tax caps.

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