Governor comes to Portage with $2.5 million Bass lure

PORTAGE — Gov. Mitch Daniels took a short detour from his four-stop town hall meeting tour to announce a first-ever economic assistance package of its kind in Indiana.

Daniels said the state had never given one penny away in assistance for a retail development. But Friday, he pledged $2.5 million in infrastructure assistance to the city of Portage for development surrounding the planned Bass Pro Shop.

“Bass Pro Shops recognized how much Northwest Indiana has to offer and what a unique opportunity exists here,” Daniels said. “This new location is sure to become a destination for the region, and the project will be a magnet for other economic development in the area.”

The $2.5 million, provided by a grant from the Indiana Economic Development Corp., is not site-specific. But Portage Mayor Doug Olson said it will be used to bring infrastructure to a 150-acre city-owned parcel west of the proposed Bass Pro Shop site, in the Ameriplex development on the city’s northern edge. The development is owned by Holladay Properties.

With just 32 stores nationwide, Bass Pro is still considered a major retailer because its stores have become major tourist destinations. The store’s arrival in other communities acted as a catalyst for surrounding development.

Olson said he plans for the neighboring 150 acres to go on the market in the next year or two. Bass Pro plans to break ground in April.

Olson said when the city was working to get Bass Pro to come to Portage, he called 12 communities where the outdoor giant had previously located.

“They all said it was the best thing that happened to their communities,” Olson said.

Holladay Senior Vice President Tim Healy said, “We felt there was no better 'difference-maker’ than Bass Pro to bring about positive change to the city’s Northern Gateway.”

The Portage store will be 130,000 square feet, with an 8,000-square-foot Islamorada Fish Co. restaurant. The site will also include a marina and an expansive boat showroom.

The outdoor giant plans for about 300 full-time employees.

Cabela’s, also considered a giant in the outdoor retail world, purchased Woodmar Country Club in Hammond last year. The city is trying to secure financial incentives from the state to move that development forward.

Friday morning, in a town hall meeting in Crown Point, Daniels said the state “will do as much for Cabela’s as we did for Bass Pro.”

“We’re trying to treat both fairly.”

Hammond Mayor Tom McDermott did not return calls seeking comment Friday.

McDermott had been pushing for the state to approve sales-tax increment financing to entice Cabela’s into coming. But that idea was rejected by state officials, causing McDermott to fear Cabela’s might pull out.

Daniels feels confident the state can still offer enough incentives to attract both the retailers.

“We reeled in Bass Pro; I hope we also reel in Cabela’s,” the governor said.

Bass Pro Shops President Jim Hagale downplayed possible competition from Cabela’s when asked what impact the other outdoor giant might have on Bass Pro’s success.

“We’re respectful of all our competitors,” Hagale said.

“We have confidence in our model. ... We don’t have a store that hasn’t performed well,” he said.