RDA in negotiations to lure 250 jobs to region

The Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority Board on Tuesday approved working with the state to land a new employer for the region that could create more than 250 new jobs.

Valpo board unhappy about paying for sidewalk

VALPARAISO | A proposed sidewalk to provide public access to view the Thorgren Basin detention pond on Roosevelt Road brought questions from the city's Utilities Board as to who should pay for sidewalks.

East Chicago discusses harborfront plans

EAST CHICAGO │ Added jobs and services for residents, increased property values and improved ground routes were some of the goals addressed by officials during the city’s second waterfront revitalization initiative public meeting on Tuesday.

EDITORIAL: Lake County legislation does much, but not all

Senate Bill 585 brings some necessary reforms to Lake County -- changing the makeup of the Gary/Chicago International Airport Authority; requiring studies of the need for a trauma center, an academic medical center and a new port in Gary; and more. Left undone is the income tax necessary to …

Senate approves thaw of Lake levy freeze

INDIANAPOLIS | Legislation lifting the Lake County property tax levy freeze and providing new economic development opportunities for Gary is headed to the governor.

EDITORIAL: Set aside emotions in vote on tax

The Lake County Council is playing "beat the clock" in voting on the income tax Friday. In doing so, it must set aside emotions and vote based on what the county truly needs.

State may direct how Lake income tax is spent

INDIANAPOLIS | The General Assembly may control how most of the money raised by a Lake County income tax can be spent.

Gov. appoints new RDA member

Gov. Mike Pence has appointed the top executive at The Community Hospital in Munster to the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority.

Porter uniting regional trail system

The town of Porter, often referred to as "the missing link" of the regional trail system, is positioned to open three connector paths that will link Porter County towns and cities to neighboring counties and neighboring states. These newly minted trails will make Porter more accessible to su…

Lake County commissioners tap union official for RDA seat

CROWN POINT | The Lake County Board of Commissioners wants local union leader Randy Palmateer to be the county's representative on the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority.

EDITORIAL: Northwest Indiana needs Senate Bill 585

Senate Bill 585 has many valuable provisions for Lake County and Northwest Indiana. It must become law.

Local development exceeds pre-recession levels

Bill Hanna, Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority president and CEO, speaks about the Marquette Plan, lakefront and regional development, during a luncheon last July for the Times Editorial Advisory Board.

EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD: State, NWI doing great things through RDA

The 2013 Indiana General Assembly has convened, and the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority is talking with legislators about extending the state’s portion of its funding beyond 2015, when it is now scheduled to end. And in those conversations, the RDA is demonstrating that the …

WILLIAM NANGLE: Leaders continue to emerge in Northwest Indiana

It’s people who make Northwest Indiana special.

Continue to include environment in our plans

The new year brings an opportunity to reflect on 2012 and consider the environmental concerns we will face in the new year.

EDITORIAL: Tie airport board changes to RDA funding

Indiana Sen. Ed Charbonneau's legislation for Gary reforms, Senate Bill 585, is running into opposition in Northwest Indiana because of its proposed restructuring of the Gary/Chicago International Airport board of directors. This board revamp could be used as leverage to bring needed support…

RICH JAMES: Pull the trigger for Lake income tax

Since 2007, Lake County governmental units have been in a financial free-fall.

EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD: Regionalization would work well for some services

The current funding debate regarding the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority and the transition in leadership at the Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission makes me think anew of regional approaches to governance.

DOUG ROSS: Porter County Council, commissioners need to talk

This being the start of a new year, Porter County officials have a chance to start off on the right foot, right a few past wrongs, and set a good example for other counties.

EDITORIAL: Northwest Indiana's legislative agenda for 2013

As the Indiana General Assembly begins its session on Monday, Northwest Indiana's residents — and, of course, their legislative delegation — should push for this agenda: