Region legislators' revisions rejected by GOP

INDIANAPOLIS | Two Northwest Indiana Democratic representatives learned Thursday just how hard it can be sometimes to win over the House Republican supermajority.

Hobart farmer spurns NIPSCO buyback, shelves wind turbine plans

HOBART | A local farmer has taken a pass on being the first in the city to plant wind turbines on his property.

U.S. Steel Gary Works

U.S. Steel, whose Gary Works facility is shown, earned $101 million, or 62 cents per share, in the April-through-June quarter. That's down 54.5 percent from net income of $222 million, or $1.33 a share, a year ago. Revenue fell 2 percent to $5.02 billion

Feds, county checking up on south suburban grant recipients

U.S. Energy Department and assorted Cook County government officials were in the south suburbs Wednesday to check up on the results of local projects for which they helped provide funding.

Gary airport

The Gary/Chicago International Airport's $153 million runway extension project has hit a few snags with the ownership of railroad right–of–way, said Scott Wheeler, airport project manager.

Gary airport moving on director's post

On Monday, interim Gary/Chicago International Airport Director Steve Landry and other airport officials assured the authority board that a final memorandum of understanding with railroads approved at its last meeting is the key to breaking ground on airport expansion.

NIPSCO energy plan expected to kick off solar, wind development

NIPSCO has reached an agreement with consumer and environmental groups that may greatly expand the use of homegrown renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, biomass and hydropower in northern Indiana.

Midwest transportation industry excited about growth

Wind turbine propellers are stacked up on a ship in the Port of Indiana Burns Harbor in October. The Ports of Indiana saw an increase of 500,000 tons of cargo, or 8 percent compounded growth, during the last three years. Bigger numbers are expected when the Ports of Indiana releases a 2010 u…

Steel sets the standard

U.S. Steel's Gary Works facility is shown. In a report published earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Energy praised the steel industry for having the lowest energy intensity per ton of steel produced compared to steelmaking in other nations.

Steel sets the standard

ArcelorMittal's facility in Burns Harbor is shown. In a report from the U.S. Department of Energy, the steel industry in the United States ranked second-lowest in terms of carbon dioxide emissions per ton of steel produced behind South Korea.

U.S. Steel helps propel Chicago area to the top

In its annual Governor's Cup awards released Tuesday, Site Selection magazine ranked the Chicago area as the No. 1 metropolitan area in the U.S. in corporate facility expansion projects in 2010. The magazine cited U.S. Steel's investment of $220 million to modernize its Gary Works facility.

Rail agreement opens gate for growth at Burns Harbor port

Wind turbine propellers are stacked on a ship in October at the Port of Indiana-Burns Harbor. An arrangement with Norfolk Southern will relieve congestion within the port's boundaries as well as provide better connections with other railroads across the greater Chicago area, according to Por…

U.S. Steel earnings

U.S. Steel, whose Gary Works facility is shown, is "cautiously optimistic" that the economy will grow stronger in the first quarter. It expects more shipments and higher production volume to outpace rising raw material costs.

U.S. Steel

U.S. Steel, whose Gary Works facility is shown, reported a third-quarter loss of $51 million, or 35 cents per share.

From recession to recovery

U.S. Steel Gary Works, along Lake Michigan's southern shore, is the company's largest plant, churning out more than 7 million tons of steel a year. Officials say the recession, which sent automobile sales and steel production tumbling, forced region manufactures to become more adroit.

From recession to recovery

This aerial view shows the bustle of the Kennedy Avenue interchange of Interstate 80/94. The region's transportation infrastructure and its location -- near Chicago and Lake Michigan -- will be key drivers of economic recovery, officials predict.

From recession to recovery

Wind turbine propellers are stacked up on a ship in the Port of Indiana in Burns Harbor. Green energy is expected to play a pivotal role in steering Indiana out of recession, and the port is a crucial local asset.

From recession to recovery

The ArcelorMittal in Burns Harbor weathered the recession, but the company closed a plant last year in downstate Hennepin, Ill. ArcelorMittal spokeswoman Katie Patterson said dour economy forced the company to focus on the on cost, cash and customers.

From recession to recovery

Like the region itself, Majestic Star Casino in Gary is battling to stay afloat in tough economic times. The company filed a bankruptcy reorganization plan last month for its adjacent Buffington Harbor gambling riverboats. Experts say gaming will be a key section in driving Northwest Indiana…