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COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS PUBLIC SERVICES
The City of LaPorte, Indiana, Office of Community Development, is seeking proposals for its Public Services Program (October 1, 2017 – September 30, 2018). PROPOSAL ACCEPTANCE DEADLINE: Friday, May 26, 2017, by 12:00 Noon. Click Here For More Information... -
Chessie Trail Planned Development
The City of La Porte is developing plans for the proposed first phase of the Chessie bicycle-pedestrian Trail in La Porte, IN. The environmental document for inspection and the preliminary design plans are available for viewing. Read on... -
Volunteer of the Month
Nominations for "Volunteer of the Month" are now being accepted. Read on... -
City of LaPorte App for iPhone and Google
Download our app from The Apple Store or from Google Play -- The App is called "GoLaPorte!" This is a great way to access the Calendar, Notices, Staff Directory, and FAQs. Read on...
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The Hub of Awesome
There is a reason why I refer to La Porte as the “Hub of Awesome” and that is due to the amazing accomplishments this community has been able to achieve over the last few years, particularly in the area of economic development.
Building the most conducive climate for economic development growth has been a pillar focus area for the community since 2012 and our community economic development team hit the ground running by first focusing on increasing La Porte’s inventory for developable industrial land.
By collaborating with Space Center, Inc., the City of La Porte Redevelopment Commission, La Porte Urban Enterprise Association, NIPSCO, South Shore Freight and Rail, and the Greater La Porte Economic Development Corporation (GLEDC), La Porte was able to expand the Thomas Rose Industrial Park by 137 acres and bring dual rail capability to the park.
This project set the tone and tempo for La Porte’s economic advancements by having the expansion discussion begin in January and Governor Mitch Daniels joining partner representatives for the groundbreaking in only nine months, and the total expansion representing the opportunity for over 1,000 new jobs.
Since then the team has relentlessly and aggressively pursued opportunities that have resulted in substantial private investment in the community as well as large numbers of new jobs being created.
The most recent accomplishments of 2014 are the success stories of Alcoa Howmet Castings and Jäger Unitek Sealing Solutions.
May 29, 2014 marked the opportunity for Alcoa Howmet, the City of La Porte and the State of Indiana to celebrate La Porte’s largest single job expansion and investment in the history of the community.
Governor Pence joined over 400 representatives and employees of Alcoa, elected officials, business executives, non-profit directors and leaders of the community to congratulate and thank Alcoa for their decision to invest over $100 Million towards the creation of a new 320,000 square feet plant in addition to their current facility which employs over 475 individuals.
Plant #2 will produce nickel-based super alloy jet engine parts and employ up to 329 new employees by 2019. Over 90% of all jet engines in the world contain castings made in La Porte and Alcoa Howmet was the home of the invention manufacturing of the technology innovative engine and fuselage components that enabled NASA’s space shuttles.
Eric Roegner, Chief Operating Officer of Alcoa Investment Castings, stated that with the construction of the new Plant #2 La Porte will be home to “the most advanced aerospace facility in the world.”
Jäger Unitek Sealing Solutions began research on expansion opportunities in 2012 and by the end of April 2014 had begun the construction process needed to expand their La Porte operations.
The expansion represents the retention of 75 existing jobs and an addition of up to 52 new jobs with a $4.5M capital investment. Governor Mike Pence was with Jäger Group executives in Hannover, Germany when the expansion plans were announced and stated,
“The automotive industry is in high gear in the Hoosier State. After visiting Jäger Unitek in La Porte earlier this month, it was a privilege to hear directly from Jäger Group’s leadership in Germany that their next growth plans are on the horizon.”
Jäger Unitek serves Asian, European and American automakers, specializing in rubber and plastic extruded and injection molded components used in window, door and sunroof assemblies. The company’s sales have tripled since 2010 and by the end of 2016 are expected to exceed $20 million.
Both Alcoa Howmet Castings and Jager Unitek are exhilarating accomplishments, but the table below helps portray a fuller picture of the results of La Porte's economic development team.
Leaders in the business community, members of the City Council, the Redevelopment Commission, GLEDC, and the Urban Enterprise Association as well as numerous other community servants have all contributed to the sizeable economic successes La Porte has achieved and will continue to pursue as we simultaneously work to meet the growing workforce demand. I am eternally grateful to the myriad of individuals who are all critical spokes connected to the “Hub of Awesome” that is a successful and growing La Porte, Indiana. I am thrilled to continue working with the team as we press forward to provide for necessary infrastructure growth to ensure continued opportunities well into La Porte’s future.
Project/Events Year Types New Jobs Retained Jobs Capital Investment /
Economic ImpactAlcoa Howmet 2013 Expansion 75 457 Alcoa Howmet 2014 Expansion
(New Plant)329 $100M American Licorice 2013 Expansion 35 150 $10M Jager Unitek 2014 Expansion /
Relocation52 75 $4.5M Maple City Grand Prix 2013,
2014Events NA NA $1M
$1.5MMonoSol 2013 Expansion 37 130 $39M NovaBella 2013 Relocation 10 19 Pyrotechnics Guild Int'l 2012
(2016)Events NA NA $3M+
??Showman Supplies 2013 Relocation 12 31 $2.2M
More on the "Hub of Awesome"