Gary, Michigan City selected for economic development program
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Two northern Indiana cities have been selected to participate in a new federal program meant to spur economic development.
Gary and Michigan City will be two of 65 host sites across the nation participating in the Economic Development Administration’s Economic Recovery Corps Fellowship.
The cities will share a fully funded dedicated fellow who will work in the field to build and strengthen local business efforts.
In Gary, the fellow will work with the city’s Redevelopment Commission on its downtown growth efforts. Mayor Eddie Melton said in a news release the fellow will serve as a “catalyst for the reinvestment and revitalization of our downtown Broadway Corridor.”
Gary Director of Redevelopment Christopher Harris added the fellow will be responsible for gathering key stakeholders to rebrand the city’s financial backbone and primary thoroughfare, Broadway.
“Encouraging redevelopment efforts along this corridor will have a multiplier effect on Gary’s tax base and its narrative,” Harris said.
In Michigan City, the fellow will work with the Economic Development Corp. Michigan City to put its Vibrant Michigan City Playbook into action.
“What a great opportunity for Michigan City to be one of the very few cities in the country to receive a fellow to allow us to push our Vibrant Michigan City agenda forward for our citizens,” Michigan City Mayor Angie Nelson Deuitch said in the release. “Our citizens helped us to create that agenda, which impacts not only the west and east sides of town, but all of Michigan City. So, we are just thrilled to have a fellow working with us to help us fulfill our goals.”
The Vibrant Michigan City plan was first announced in September and focuses on increasing access to banking, grocery stores and public parks within the west, east and mid-town sections of the city.
The ERC Fellowship was launched in 2023 through a $30 million cooperative agreement with Economic Development Administration, which is part of the U.S. Department of Commerce.