By Jason Miller The News-Dispatch
The business and economic development arms of LaPorte County's two major cities agreed Tuesday to support membership in the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority.
In doing so, they said Lake and Porter counties have more to offer than St. Joseph County.
“As we reviewed the potential projects that might be funded through an RDA, we found none that involved collaboration between LaPorte and St. Joseph counties,” Greater LaPorte Economic Development Corp. Director Tim Gropp said. “On the contrary, we identified several that involved the entire Northwest Indiana region.”
Members of the LaPorte EDC and chamber, along with members of Michigan City's EDC and chamber, announced the support Tuesday during a news conference at the Holiday Inn in Michigan City.
The announcement comes on the heels of a move by the LaPorte County Board of Commissioners to support forming a North Central RDA with St. Joseph County.
In outlining 10 projects that officials in LaPorte County would like to see complete, though, Michigan City Mayor Chuck Oberlie said all are directly involved with Lake and/or Porter counties.
“The proposal lays out the reasons why the west option is more logical than east,” Oberlie said.
“The project will benefit our community, as well as Porter County. It has a regional impact.”
The group listed advantages and disadvantages with each RDA Tuesday.
Few regional relationships currently exist between LaPorte and St. Joseph counties, while LaPorte, Porter and Lake counties share a regional plan commission - NIRPC - belong to the same region of the Indiana Economic Development Corp., and belong to the same work force development and quality of life groups.
The only disadvantages listed with membership in a Northwest Indiana RDA are concerns about Lake County dominance and the requirement of $3.5 million each year for membership.
State Rep. Mary Kay Budak, R-LaPorte, said Monday she's close to securing funding for the RDA without the use of local funds.
When asked if he thought LaPorte and Porter counties could work together to defray possible power plays by Lake County RDA members, Oberlie said he isn't worried.
“If we have equal responsibility with Porter County, certainly the voting presence would establish equity for the process,” he said. “But these are all high-quality individuals. With the caliber of people appointed (from Lake County), I don't see that as a problem.”
Michigan City Chamber of Commerce President Tim Bietry said Tuesday the group has been researching its recommendation for weeks. Budak's announcement this week that she's close to securing funding for the RDA didn't play a part in the decision to back membership with Lake and Porter counties.
“The discussions were going on well before that,” he said.
The Michigan City Common Council on Friday will introduce at a special meeting a resolution opposing membership in the RDA as long as local money is required.
Budak said she plans to announce this week the funding mechanism she's arranged.