NOTE: The following is an unedited press release posted for informational purposes.

 For more information contact:

John Regetz

Executive Director

Michigan City Economic Development Corporation

(219) 873-1211

(219) 873-1595 Fax

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION SUPPORTS ILLIANA EXPRESSWAY

Michigan City, IN March 15, 2007 The Michigan City Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC) has resolved to support Senate Bill 0001, providing for a feasibility study of construction and financing for the proposed Illiana Expressway. The MCEDC wants the concept studied because it would help fulfill La Porte County’s potential for the logistics and manufacturing industrial sectors. The Illiana Expressway would create an uncongested route to Chicago and the western markets, reduce traffic on all the interstates going west and make it feasible to reach those markets from LaPorte County. This would make La Porte County logistics sites attractive to companies that need freight hubs serving Chicago. “If La Porte County is to develop industries such as warehousing, distribution and intermodal transfer, then our highway network must support trucking systems that are the final link to supplying the Chicago market,” said Tom Edwards, Chairman of the MCEDC.

The development corporation also recognized the study of financing through a Public Private Partnership (P3) that would establish a privately owned toll system. Also noted is the legislative review committee that would make recommendations on all proposals regarding the Illiana Expressway. “Legislative oversight in the final decisions is important for the bill and any subsequent project to succeed,” said John Regetz, Executive Director, MCEDC.

The resolution also supports extension of the Illiana Expressway to the City of La Porte in conjunction with the expansion of U.S. Highway 421 to a four lane divided highway connecting Michigan City to the proposed Illiana. “We would like to see U.S. Highway 421 as a four lane to U.S. Route 30, or farther south, but at least to the Illiana,” said Edwards. “That way the County’s commercial centers would be directly connected to this freeway.” The route for the Illiana Expressway has not been designated and public input will be sought in feasibility studies.

The Illiana Expressway would also serve manufacturing and value added agricultural companies, that increasingly depend on advanced logistics support. “With the attraction of logistics firms to our Northwest Indiana region, manufacturing firms desire to be in close proximity for faster access to components used in their manufacturing processes and shipping products,” said Regetz. “Agricultural processing operations are also attracted to these locations for bulk transport of raw commodities in and processed materials out.”

Posted 3/16/207