One Region celebrates first year of merger

Environmental activist Lee Botts, left, speaks with Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels after receiving a Special Recognition Award at the One Region annual leadership luncheon at the Radisson Hotel at Star Plaza in Merrillville on Thursday.

Sold out luncheon marks One Region accomplishments

Dennis Rittenmeyer, executive director of One Region, begins the first annual Leadership Luncheon at the Radisson Hotel at Star Plaza in Merrillville on Thursday.

Sold out luncheon marks One Region accomplishments

Dennis Rittenmeyer, executive director of One Region, begins the first annual Leadership Luncheon at the Radisson Hotel at Star Plaza in Merrillville on Thursday.

Sold out luncheon marks One Region accomplishments

U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky speaks during the One Region Leadership Luncheon at the Radisson Hotel at Star Plaza in Merrillville.

ONEREGION - One Region, One Vision

Merrillville - Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels gives his Report to Taxpayers during the One Region, One Vision annual Leadership Luncheon at the Radisson at Star Plaza in Merrillville, Thursday, September 27, 2012.

Sold out luncheon marks One Region accomplishments

Times Media Co. Publisher Bill Masterson Jr. is featured on projection screen while speaking to the crowd at the One Region Leadership Luncheon at the Radisson Hotel at Star Plaza in Merrillville on Thursday

One Region celebrates first year of merger

Thomas Katsahnias, former General Manager and COO at Inland Steel, shakes hands Thursday with U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky after receiving his One Region Lifetime Acheivement award during the One Region annual Leadership Luncheon at the Radisson Hotel at Star Plaza in Merrillville.

ONEREGION - One Region, One Vision

Merrillville - Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels speaks to the crowd during the One Region, One Vision annual Leadership Luncheon at the Radisson at Star Plaza in Merrillville, Thursday, September 27, 2012.

ONEREGION - One Region, One Vision

Merrillville - Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels speaks during the One Region, One Vision annual Leadership Luncheon at the Radisson at Star Plaza in Merrillville, Thursday, September 27, 2012.

Gov. Daniels visits Thea Bowman Academy

Senior Dominique White, right, chats with Gov. Mitch Daniels during the governor's Jan. 27 visit to the Thea Bowman Leadership Academy in Gary.

Once more into the breach

Gov. Mitch Daniels answers questions from reporters in June after speaking at a news conference announcing Fronius will be moving its U.S. headquarters to Portage. Daniels offered additional quotes on a variety of issues in a December interview with The Times' Dan Carden.

Fronius announcement

Portage Mayor Olga Velazquez speaks June 23 during a news conference announcing Austrian-based Fronius would build its U.S. headquarters in Portage.

FRONIUS - Fronius

Thomas Herndler, head of manufacturing for Fronius USA, and Portage Mayor Olga Velazquez shake hands June 23 after the Austria-based company announced plans to build its U.S. headquarters in Portage.

Daniels tours Gary school that grew enrollment from voucher law

Gov. Mitch Daniels talks with students Wednesday in Sonia Araujo's second-grade class during a visit to Ambassador Academy in Gary.

Daniels tours Gary school that grew enrollment from voucher law

Gov. Mitch Daniels chats with Naomi Griffin, 8, in Tashama Stokes' third-grade classroom Wednesday during a visit to Ambassador Academy in Gary. The Christian school doubled its enrollment after the state's voucher law took effect.

Daniels tours Gary school that grew enrollment from voucher law

Gov. Mitch Daniels talks with middle school students Wednesday during his visit to Ambassador Academy in Gary.

Superintendents grapple with changes affecting K-12 education

Gov. Mitch Daniels talks to third-grade students in December during a visit to Ambassador Academy in Gary while teacher Tashama Stokes stands at right. Ambassador Academy has the highest number of students, 110, who used a voucher to enroll in that school.

Modern Forge

Modern Forge CEO Greg Heim announces his company's move from Illinois to Merrillville during a press conference with Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels, left, Tuesday.

Modern Forge

Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels, right, walks with Modern Forge CEO Greg Heim after announcing Modern Forge's move from Illinois to Merrillville, Tuesday. The company will be moving into a 144,000-square-foot building on Colorado Street and plans to add an additional 60,000 square feet.

New plant boosts Merrillville prospects

Modern Forge CEO Greg Heim, center, annouces his company will be moving to Merrillville during a press conference in August inside the 144,000-square-foot building on Colorado Street.