RDA Continues to Lead NWI Into the Future
The Board of Directors of the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority (RDA) continued to focus on jobs and connectivity to Chicago by agreeing to consider funding a transit center in Valparaiso and approving three contracts with private firms that will create more than 400 jobs in Munster, Merrillville and Portage. "All our initiatives are interrelated," said RDA President and CEO Bill Hanna. "Whether it's providing access to Chicago, bringing new companies to Northwest Indiana or building out our infrastructure to accommodate future growth, the goal is to grow the pool of high-paying jobs available to Northwest Indiana residents."
NICTD, RDA Unveil Commuter Rail Plan The Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District (NICTD) and the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority (RDA) have released the executive summary of their joint 20-Year Strategic Business Plan for commuter rail in northern Indiana. The plan incorporates the West Lake Corridor expansion project as well as improvements to the existing line that will boost efficiency, reliability and safety. To learn more, use the links below.
Download a copy of the executive summary here.
Region News Team: Local Officials Unveil Road Map
NWI Times: South Shore Could Boost Economy, Communities
Post-Tribune: Projects to Improve Rail System
Valpolife.com: Future Outlined in Plan
Chesterton Tribune: Next Challenge to Fund Cost
South Bend Tribune: Plan a Boost to Economy
RDA Awarded Brownfields Assessment Grant The RDA has received a $600,000 grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for brownfields assessments in Gary, Hammond and East Chicago. The grant was secured with the cooperation of our brownfields coalition partners, the Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission (NIRPC) and the three cities. This is our second EPA brownfields grant and our fourth partnership overall with EPA.
Marquette Park Restoration Honored with Cook Cup Indiana Landmarks has awarded the 2014 Cook Cup to the City of Gary for the restoration of Marquette Park. The Cook Cup recognizes the owner of a significant historic structure that has been transformed through a complete restoration adhering to the highest standards in method, materials and design.
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From Bill... Our joint strategic business plan with NICTD for the South Shore commuter railroad is complete. The plan outlines almost $1.6 billion in spending over the next 20 year required to maintain and grow the entire system. These include investments on the existing line from its eastern terminus in South Bend all the way to Millennium Station in Chicago, as well as the West Lake Corridor expansion. But while a significant challenge, the rewards are even more significant. They include thousands of new jobs for NWI residents both here and in Chicago, hundreds of millions more dollars being brought to and spent in NWI every year, higher property values and a reversal of population declines. It's a challenge that's well worth meeting.
