Valparaiso Named Indiana Chamber’s Community of the Year

Rex Richards, President of the Greater Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce, is proud to announce that the Indiana  Chamber of Commerce has named the City of Valparaiso as the  “Indiana Chamber of Commerce’s 2009 Community of the Year.”

Richards and Mayor Jon Costas presented the news Thursday morning to a strong crowd of city and business leaders, as well as a variety of local media on a beautiful summer day in Valpo.

Video of the Event

Turning old into new and revitalizing crucial entryways into the city have helped Valparaiso earn recognition as the Indiana Chamber of Commerce’s 2009 Community of the Year.

Since 2004, strategic public planning and execution – in conjunction with significant private partnership – has resulted in:

  • Forty million dollars in public investment, including more than $32 million in state and federal grants
  • Nearly $700 million in private investment, creating an additional 1,500 to 2,000 jobs
  • Redevelopment of a five-block downtown area and two key corridors leading into the city, primarily through refurbishing existing structures and infrastructure improvements
  • No new taxes; in fact, the city has a substantial Rainy Day fund

Valparaiso’s diverse economic base, including the planned additions of two major medical facilities and the presence of a number of other health care related businesses, has assisted in the recent growth. Education remains a strong factor, from the local school district to a $40 million IvyTech Community College campus and the longstanding and vital contributions of Valparaiso University.

“Mayor Jon Costas and other community and business leaders have emphasized infrastructure improvements and taken advantage of the many benefits of working closely together,” states Indiana Chamber President Kevin Brinegar. “Valparaiso is not only a regional destination in Northwest Indiana, but a shining example for all through the state about what can be accomplished through proactive leadership and action.”

The Community of the Year award will be presented during the Indiana Chamber’s 20th Annual Awards Dinner on November 10 at the Indiana Convention Center in downtown Indianapolis. The 2009 Business Leader of the Year and Government Leader of the Year recipients will be announced at that time.

More than 1,200 business, political and community leaders are expected to attend. The Capitol Steps, a Washington, D.C. musical comedy troupe that turns everyday politics into humor, will provide the entertainment. Tables of 10 and individual tickets are available for the reception (5 p.m. EDT) and dinner (6:30 p.m. EDT). Reservations can be made at (800) 824-6885 or at www.indianachamber.com/specialevents. Media interested in covering the event should contact Rebecca Patrick at (317) 264-6897.

Past Community of the Year recipients:

2008: Noblesville 2007: Anderson 2006: Evansville 2005: LaPorte 2004: Muncie 2003: Warsaw 2002: Marion 2001: Greater Lafayette 2000: Jeffersonville 1999: Fort Wayne 1998: Rochester 1997: Batesville 1996: Elkhart 1995: Indianapolis 1994: Kendallville 1993: St. Joseph County 1992: Columbus 1991: Muncie 1990: Bluffton

The Indiana Chamber of Commerce has been the state’s largest broad-based business advocacy organization for over 85 years. The more than 5,000 member companies employ 800,000 Hoosier workers.