U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky, D-1st, has announced a federal award to the
Northwest Indiana Economic Development District (NWI EDD) to support the
development and implementation of a comprehensive economic development
strategy.
This award comes through the Economic Development Administration (EDA) of
the U.S. Department of Commerce, according to a statement released on
Wednesday.
"The EDA Planning Grant enables the NWI EDD to further develop the
organization as a whole and apply for formal (geographic) status as a
recognized economic development district," NWI EED Director Don Koliboski.
"This step forward will allow the NWI EDD to tap into and leverage federal
funds attracting private investment for community and regional projects as
guided by the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy approved in 2010.
We anticipate that with the EDA Planning Grant in place, the NWI EDD is
poised to move to the next level as another resource for funding projects
throughout the region."
LaPorte Mayor Kathy Chroback, who chairs the NWI EED, stated, "The receipt
of the EDA Planning Grant is exciting news for Economic Development in our
region. This federal grant will allow us to be more competitive by
developing and implementing economic development programs in Lake, Porter
and LaPorte counties, working closely together as a public/private
partnership to better promote our Region."
NWI EDD was established in 2009 by the Northwest Indiana Forum and the
Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission to serve as a regional
economic development organization.
"I am pleased to see the members of the public and private sectors working
together for the greater good of Northwest Indiana," Visclosky said. "This
investment will help spur job growth and community development, which in
turn will strengthen our regions economy."
This Fiscal Year 2010 award totals $50,000.
