PORTAGE | Newly named director Peter Laman took the helm this week of a Port of Indiana operation poised for growth.

"I see the Port as a catalyst for economic development," said Laman, 54.

The Burns Harbor port, digging out from an early blast of winter weather this week, is a long way from his previous post in New Orleans.

But it marked Laman's return to the state where he'd gotten his start in the shipping business nearly 30 years ago.

"I started my career in Indiana," at a former Continental Grain facility at the Port of Indiana at Mount Vernon, he said. His wife, Kristi, is a Decatur native.

"We're very pleased to be in this part of the state," he said. The Lamans, who have grown children, plan to make Chesterton their home.

In New Orleans, Laman oversaw facilities responsible for shipping 15 million tons of commodities annually.

He takes over a Burns Harbor port, which is "coming off of consecutive record years," in terms of tonnage shipped, Laman said.

A team in place at the Burns Harbor port, including engineering manager John Hughes, operations manager Mark Hoenke and security manager Warren Fasone, provide a total 75 years' experience.

"I hope to use those strengths to provide incentives for new development," Laman said.

The early focus will be on landing tenants for a 57-acre site on the Port's west side, and for four smaller vacant sites at the facility, home to 28 companies on 600 acres on Lake Michigan.

The 57-acre parcel's access to the lake "make for a unique business opportunity for new port customers," Laman said.

At the same time, "it's very important that existing customers' needs are met," he said.

The Port's location on the lake, at the crossroads of Interstate 94, U.S. 20 and other major roadways and railways, "gives it a distinct advantage," Laman said.

"Our mission as a port entity is to strengthen alliances between our public port and private enterprises," Laman said. "That's the important focus."