Community and political leaders across Northwest Indiana say the Porter County Council's Wednesday vote to exit the RDA has the potential to undo four years of progress and set back economic development in the region.
"I am abjectly disappointed in the council's decision since their vote ensures that Northwest Indiana will fall further behind in our efforts to create jobs and a vibrant economic future for our children," stated U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky via e-mail immediately after the vote.
The chief executive officer of the region's lead private economic development group said perceptions of the region will be shaped by the vote in Porter County.
"This meeting actually had nothing to do with the RDA," said Northwest Indiana Forum CEO Vince Galbiati immediately after the vote. "What it had to do with is whether communities are ready for economic development."
Galbiati said his organization was "not surprised, but was certainly deeply disappointed" by the council's 4-3 vote.
Krieg DeVault partner and former Bank Calumet CEO Calvin Bellamy said the region still appears to lack consensus on major issues, and that Wednesday night's Porter County Council vote was emblematic of that.
"When we don't go down to Indianapolis with a unified vision, things will continue to be done to us and not for us," Bellamy said.
The Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority was formed in 2005 under legislation passed by the Indiana General Assembly as a way to boost the region's fortunes. The legislation was pushed at various times by political heavyweights such as Visclosky, Gov. Mitch Daniels and even Chicago Mayor Richard Daley.
Hammond, Gary, East Chicago, and Lake County kick $3.5 million in casino money into RDA coffers each year. Porter County contributes $3.5 million in county income tax money. And the state of Indiana has agreed to fund the RDA for 10 years with $10 million per year in Indiana Toll Road lease money.
Leigh Morris, RDA chairman and Indiana Toll Road executive director, said Porter County has gained more in absolute dollars invested, $13.9 million, than the $10.5 million it had paid into RDA coffers.
He said the two minutes the council gave him to explain the RDA's work before the vote was taken was obviously inadequate.
In comments earlier in the day, he cast doubt on how effective the council's action would be.
"We believe there is no way Porter County can exit the RDA. ... From a legal standpoint, we think there are some legal issues the Porter County Council has to reflect on," Morris said.
Community leaders on Wednesday night also were worrying about the immediate effect the Porter County vote might have on RDA projects already under way.
Some of those, such as the expansion of the Gary/Chicago International Airport's main runway, are depending on the RDA to provide local match money to unlock millions of dollars in federal funding.
Gary Airport Director Chris Curry said it is still possible for public officials to think regionally, as demonstrated by one of the airport authority's own members.
"The Porter County member of our airport authority, John Evans, has brought a Porter County perspective to the Gary/Chicago International Airport," Curry said. "That is the kind of contribution we will need for Northwest Indiana to survive as a region."
The vote against the RDA means the west lake corridor and long-term prospects for the existing commuter railroad are thrown into question, said John Parsons, planning and marketing director for the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District.
"We hope the RDA gets a fair hearing on this, and that's all we can hope for," Parsons said several hours before last night's vote was taken.
