LaPorte County brands itself with economic development potential

LaPorte County Commission president Dave Decker said about $15,000 was allocated for developing the new marketing strategy that includes distributing a new informational brochure.

The brochure lists strengths like being a short commute of four colleges, including Purdue University Northwest and the University of Notre Dame and other quality of life positives such as Lake Michigan, the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, Blue Chip Casino, Premium Outlets mall along with culture and museums.

The first asset listed is Kingsbury Industrial Park for prospective developers and firms looking to take advantage of industrial-zoned land served already by rail. Work is ongoing to expand rails service throughout the 627 acres of shovel ready sites. The county being within a 600-mile radius of 130 million consumers and a two-hour drive from the rail yards in Chicago are among the strengths highlighted in the brochure.

Dave Christian, director for the LaPorte County Office of Economic Development, said the brand and brochure are the outcomes of a new marketing plan still being crafted.

"Based on that marketing plan, we'll be moving in the direction that it dictates. We're getting great results out of it," said Christian.

Other assets listed in the brochure include the area's rich history in manufacturing with a workforce of highly skilled employees. The county listing by the Wall Street Journal as the second least expensive place to live, along with having one of the lowest corporate tax rates in the Midwest are also noted.

"We keep taking these baby steps but pretty soon all of these things we've had to contend with are going to come together. It's taken a long time to get this done, but we're getting it done," said Decker.