The cities of Gary and Michigan City have been selected to participate in the Economic Recovery Corps Fellowship program, which was launched by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration in 2023.

Gary and Michigan City were among 65 cities chosen from over 500 applicants, according to a news release from the cities and commerce department. As hosts, they will share one dedicated fellow two and one-half years.

In Gary, the ERC fellow will work with the city's Redevelopment Commission to engage local stakeholders, entrepreneurs, residents and prospective developers in the development and branding of downtown Gary, which is part of the newly established Transit Development District anchored by the Metro Center transportation station.

“This is a groundbreaking partnership with the Economic Development Administration,” said Mayor Eddie Melton. “We have some transformational projects planned for the city of Gary with the passage of Senate Bill 434. The funding from this legislation will allow us to build a new multimodal station and demolish some significant blighted structures that will make way for future development. Having this fellow will be a catalyst for the reinvestment and revitalization of our downtown Broadway Corridor.”

Redevelopment director Christopher Harris said the work will complement Gary Public Transportation Corp. efforts along Broadway.

"Our fellow will be responsible for gathering key stakeholders to rebrand our city's financial backbone and primary thoroughfare, Broadway, from our planned intermodal station in downtown to our city limits," he said. "Encouraging redevelopment efforts along this corridor will have a multiplier effect on Gary's tax base and its narrative. We are making GPTC's Livable Broadway Plan a reality through this fellowship opportunity.”

In Michigan City, the ERC fellow will focus on the Vibrant Michigan City Playbook focused on the east, west and Mid-town areas of the city. The Economic Development Corp. Michigan City is serving as the hosting agency for the city’s fellow.

“What a great opportunity for Michigan City to be one of the very few cities in the country to receive a fellow to allow us to push our Vibrant Michigan City agenda forward for our citizens,” Mayor Angie Nelson Deuitch said. “Our citizens helped us to create that agenda, which impacts not only the west and east sides of town, but all of Michigan City. So, we are just thrilled to have a fellow working with us to help us fulfill our goals.”

The ERC Fellowship was launched in 2023 through a $30 million agreement with the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration. It is led by the International Economic Development Council and supported by 6 other national economic development organizations. The program is designed to build capacity in some of the hardest-hit and most economically distressed areas across the United States while cultivating the next generation of economic development leaders.
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