MERRILLVILLE |Lake County's new economic development agency will have experienced leadership as it tries to coordinate previously Balkanized efforts to lure new businesses.
Northwest Indiana Forum Director of Marketing and Communications Karen Lauerman will serve as the first president and CEO of the Lake County IN Economic Alliance, a centralized effort to attract companies to the county's 19 cities and towns. Lauerman, who starts in October, will lead the first economic development group to be focused solely on all of Lake County, the biggest county in Northwest Indiana and second most populous in the state.
"Elected officials and decision makers in the individual communities play a critical role in the economic development and community incentive process," Lauerman said. "While each community has their own identity and vision for economic development, we are all in Lake County. LCEA will foster a better understanding of the importance of each community's role through outreach and education."
Lauerman will be joined by NWI Forum Economic Development Director Donald Koliboski, the other half of the "Karen and Don show" that has led economic development efforts across the greater seven-county region. He will serve as vice president of economic development in his new role with an organization that emerged from conversations between the Crossroads Regional Chamber, the Lakeshore Chamber, the Indiana Economic Development Corp., the NWI Forum and NIPSCO.
"We are fortunate to have Karen and Don as each brings an excellent set of skills to the table," alliance chaiman Joel Gorelick said. "We originally intended to hire only one position, however a unique opportunity presented itself in the form of an established powerhouse economic development team."
The board hired Lauerman because of her experience with organizational operations, community partnership, media relations, fund development, and business attraction and retention. Board members found her talents complemented Koliboski's skills in project management, economic development process, government relations, property identification and relations with business site selection firms. She has also served as the marketing director of the Dental Assisting National Board and the Illinois Institute of Technology, while he is a former East Chicago City councilman and special assistant to the mayor who has managed construction projects for the BP Whiting Business Unit.
"It's my opportunity to assist the municipalities and the county enhancing their ability to attract and retain businesses, jobs and investment," he said. "Lake County receives the most interest because of its border with Illinois and proximity to Chicago, so it’s only fitting that there is a Lake County team ready and available to facilitate projects."
The Lake County IN Economic Alliance is a 501(c)3 that aims to recruit new businesses, develop existing companies, and promote the overall growth of industry. The group will work to advance economic planning to increase job opportunities throughout Lake County. Lauerman said she and Koliboski would leverage the relationships they have forged over the years to fostering growth that will benefit the entire region.
"We've been privileged to work with the Northwest Indiana Forum for eight years and we wish them continued success," Lauerman said. "We look forward to working with them on a regional basis. A win for one community is a win for all the communities."