PORTAGE | Jim Stanley told the crowd gathered at Woodland Park on Wednesday that if they just went out the door and down the block a bit they could see where he spent 18 years of his life.
The Portage native, named NIPSCO's CEO earlier this year, returned to address the annual luncheon of the Portage Economic Development Corp. and pledge his company's continued support of economic development in his hometown and Northwest Indiana.
"My career has taken me south of here. When I started talking to NiSource, I had no plans to leave Duke Energy," Stanley said, adding a "great opportunity" was presented to him to return.
"I am honored to be back," Stanley said.
Stanley told the group of more than 200 that it's the "bread and butter stuff" NIPSCO can continue to do to help the region grow.
"We will continue to be outstanding in our service on a day-to-day service," said the 1973 Portage High School graduate who served as president of Duke Energy Indiana before returning home.
Stanley said his company can best help economic development by continuing to deliver a reliable energy supply, provide strong customer service, continue working on improving air quality and the local environment, keep gas and electric prices competitive, and create programs and options for customers to save energy and money.
"We will continue to support our communities where our customers and employees live and learn," he said. "We have an obligation to spend equal time and appropriate time on all those subjects."
In addition to Stanley, Porter Health Care System's CEO Jonathan Nalli also addressed the group about recent developments in Portage outside of the construction of the recently opened Porter Regional Hospital on U.S. 6 and Ind. 49.
Nalli said Porter is continuing its commitment to Portage by investing in an upgraded surgery center at the Portage campus as well are replicating CT technology at campus and making a commitment to expand physician resources in the Portage community.
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