As Gary's mayor, I am pleased whenever we can help improve the quality of life in Northwest Indiana . Consequently, we look forward to maximizing the full potential of the Gary/Chicago International Airport in ways that benefit Gary and all of Northwest Indiana.
Ultimately, the airport's development will have a positive economic impact in Gary and across several neighboring Northwest Indiana and Illinois communities. However, in the case of the Gary/Chicago airport, closer alignment between the civil city and the airport authority is necessary to effectively promote progress. As we enhance our collective efforts, several opportunity pathways warrant our consideration.
By working more closely together locally and with our state and federal partners, we can strategically augment our pursuit of opportunities to speed development of the airport. These opportunities could include the creation of a 300-acre "stand-alone" foreign trade zone, reliable passenger service, expansion of public private partnerships, robust cargo service, the development of a multimodal transportation hub, as well as other targeted investment. The point is, everything that could potentially promote further airport development should be vigorously explored and evaluated for feasibility. Then, through greater alignment, the city and its airport authority can implement proven strategies to ensure development does indeed "take off."
We are buoyed by the fact that in recent years, communities outside Gary, including Chicago, have come to more fully appreciate the value of the Gary airport as a potential economic engine for the bi-state area. Gary fully values and appreciates the near universal support the airport enjoys today, and we look forward to levels of development that will positively impact our entire region and bi-state area.
Notwithstanding, this appreciation and our firm commitment to expand collaboration with regional, state, federal and private partners, like other cities, Gary's primary objectives must always correspond with its own best interest. Therefore, Gary must take full advantage of all opportunities for development that will resolve high unemployment within our city. The Gary/Chicago Airport is certainly one such opportunity and we are focused upon ensuring its future growth.
This is not to suggest however, that great progress has not already been achieved. In truth, great advances have taken place over the years.
Subsequently, as mayor, I wish to publicly thank and congratulate the owner of the airport's Jet Center who has done a yeoman's job in helping to build the airport's capacity and sustainability.
In addition, we are grateful for grants, other funding and assistance secured by U.S. Sen. Evan Bayh, U.S. Rep. Peter Visclosky, Gov. Mitch Daniels, the Regional Development Authority, Chicago's Mayor Richard Daley and others. Those collective efforts, along with the endeavors of many others, have helped fuel the airport's growth.
Moreover, I wish to give special recognition to the taxpayers and citizens of Gary for their tireless support and substantial investment of property tax dollars in the airport. For decades, Gary property tax money has been earmarked for salaries and to fund operations at the airport.
Although we will now "tenaciously" steer the airport toward self sufficiency and away from reliance upon property tax dollars, without the past and continuing investments by Gary taxpayers, the airport's viability would be nonexistent. As a municipal community, we should be proud of our efforts thus far.
In conclusion, we encourage continued widespread support for the airport and understand we can accomplish much more as united communities with shared vision.
Finally, as we continue our collective climb to reach an altitude that enables us to capitalize upon the wonderful and regional developmental opportunities presented by the Gary/Chicago International Airport, we must ensure that Gary and its citizens are afforded the respect, jobs and economic opportunities warranted by their contributions and sacrifices. To do otherwise, would only suppress airport development and further divide our region.
Rudy Clay is Mayor of Gary. The opinion expressed in this column is the writer's and not necessarily that of The Times.
