EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD: Millennium Reserve partnership brings open space, jobs

In a time of limited budgets at the federal, state and local levels, never has the need for collaboration and partnerships been greater.

Chicago River reversal nothing to be concerned about, experts say

Rumors circulating that the Chicago River may reverse itself due to low water levels in Lake Michigan are bogus, according to experts at the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Chicago Fed studying 'overwhelmed' Gary

The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago is studying Gary and nine other "Rust Belt" cities to better understand the challenges and opportunities they face in reshaping their economies.

EDITORIAL: Region must unite for stronger economy

Antonio Riley, regional administrator of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, praised Gary Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson and others for being willing to work across geographic boundaries on regional economic development issues. There's a lot of that going around.

2012 Annual Luncheon: Regional Cooperation

Stakeholders discuss the importance of regional cooperation and what MPC is doing to advance shared goals in the Chicago/Gary/Milwaukee mega-region. Featuring (in order of appearance): * Leigh Morris, Senior V.P., Northwest Region Development, Indiana Economic Development Center * Antonio R…

DOUG ROSS: 'Da region' is bigger than Northwest Indiana

How do you define "the region"? It's not as easy as it sounds.

Regional learning needed for Gary development, mayor says

Economic development in the city of Gary – in part – is going to occur with an eye on what it can learn from other cities in the Chicago region, Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson said Wednesday.

MPC Luncheon

Gary Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson, right, greets people after a panel discussion with Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett at the Chicago-based Metropolitan Planning Council's annual luncheon at the Hyatt Regency in Chicago on Wednesday.

Mayors: Collaboration needed to improve tri-state region

CHICAGO | The mayors of Gary and Milwaukee pledged to join a partnership Wednesday that would develop an action plan for economic growth and improve collaboration within the tri-state Chicago region.

MPC Luncheon

Gary Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson smiles during a panel discussion at the Chicago-based Metropolitan Planning Council's annual luncheon at the Hyatt Regency in Chicago on Wednesday.

MPC Luncheon

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett talks during a panel discussion at the Chicago-based Metropolitan Planning Council's annual luncheon at the Hyatt Regency in Chicago on Wednesday.

MPC Luncheon

Gary Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson, left, and Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett talk during a panel discussion at the Chicago-based Metropolitan Planning Council's annual luncheon at the Hyatt Regency in Chicago on Wednesday.

Contest breathes life into vacant properties

A contest to reward those who've transformed a vacant space or lot into a community asset kicked off this week, sponsored by the Metropolitan Planning Council.

EDITORIAL: Duluth's mayor offers a lesson for NWI

Duluth, Minn., and Gary, Ind., have more than one connection.

GRIP event brings Gary, Duluth leaders together to discuss development

GARY | The Steel City and Duluth, Minn., share similar challenges, including the loss of industry, population declines and aging infrastructure.

EDITORIAL: Gary's rebirth requires many midwives

The crowd of 500 people at Tuesday's prayer breakfast at the Genesis Center in downtown Gary proved false the assertion by skeptics that the city doesn't have a prayer. Gary does have a lot of energy, as the crowd in that room can attest.

DOUG ROSS: Politicians have a lot to learn from constituents

At each event I attended last week, the theme of collaboration was a common thread. State and national politics were excluded, of course.

Look to universities to boost region economy, speaker says

EAST CHICAGO | Pittsburgh isn't the largest city and still is a work in progress in terms of improving living conditions for many of its residents.

Look to universities to boost region economy

The head of a regional technology trade group based in Pittsburgh said the city is revitalizing itself with universities attracting talent from around the world and supporting a network of tech business ventures. At an East Chicago event last week, the CEO of Pittsburgh Technology Council sh…