Investor proposals landing at Gary airport

The Gary/Chicago International Airport Authority is so far imposing an information blackout on responses to its recent effort to line up investors willing to put at least $100 million into the airport and its surroundings.

Gary airport looks to drum up investor interest with request

The City of Gary and Gary/Chicago International Airport issued this Request for Expressions of Interest and Qualifications on June 7 and set a deadline of 5 p.m. Monday for receiving responses. However, the airport will not say how many responses it has received and will not release any of t…

Gary airport responds to Times request for investor info

This is the original answer of the Gary/Chicago International Airport Authority to a Times request for investor responses to its recent Request for Expressions of Interest and Qualifications for a public-private partnership. In its answer, the authority's lawyer said responses would be made …

Illiana Expressway coming into sharper focus

Illiana Expressway planners are using ever sharper pencils, with more than 200 people at a public meeting Monday getting a more precise picture of the 46.8-mile road's route, its interchanges and frontage roads.

Enviro group says BP permit falls short

INDIANAPOLIS | An environmental group that helped push BP PLC to a multimillion-dollar settlement last year over air emissions at its Northwest Indiana oil refinery says the sprawling complex's revised wastewater permit falls short of what's needed to protect Lake Michigan.

Illiana Expressway meeting will deal with interchanges, environment

What could be the last public meeting before Illiana Expressway planners make final recommendations on the 47-mile toll road's exact route will take place starting at 5 p.m. at Lowell Middle School on Monday.

NIRPC public participation plan still creating sparks

PORTAGE │ The chairman of a key NIRPC committee on Tuesday blasted any move to start over again on formulating a public participation plan three weeks after the full NIRPC board decided it wanted to hear more from a group opposing it.

Gary airport gets thumbs up from Citigroup banker

In the never-ending Gary-versus-Peotone airport debate, the Indiana airport received an unexpected endorsement from a CitiGroup investment banker on Monday.

NWI casino revenues drop in May

Northwest Indiana casino revenues dropped 2 percent in May, as a new Indiana law took effect allowing casinos to take a tax deduction for free play offered to customers.

NWI economy idling

The region's economy remains stuck in neutral, with some small gains in hiring since the beginning of the year, according to the NWI Index for April.

Fraternities on campaign trail against gun violence pull into Gary

GARY | James Freeman and Jeremiah Chapman spent last year passionately campaigning in battle ground states for the re-election of President Barack Obama.

South Shore looking down tracks to legislative changes

The operator of the South Shore commuter railroad is preparing to have its say before a legislative committee that could recommend big changes for Indiana's only commuter rail operation.

Former sheriff wants Portage mayor to apologize for police call

Former Lake County Sheriff Roy Dominguez is calling on Portage Mayor James Snyder to apologize for calling police when half a dozen people with disabilities showed up May 23 at a Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission meeting.

Airline says lack of 'strong demand' behind Gary departure

GARY | Allegiant Air stated Tuesday a lack of demand for its low-cost flights from Gary to Orlando/Sanford International Airport was behind its decision to end service on the route in August.

Gary airport project could be delayed by legal, environmental hurdles

Gary/Chicago International Airport should have a clearer picture within weeks as to whether it can complete its $166 million expansion project by its December deadline.

Newton Co. man dies in Washington, D.C., motorcycle crash

A Newton County man was killed Friday night when his motorcycle collided with a car in downtown Washington, D.C., where he was participating in the weekend-long Rolling Thunder motorcycle ride to honor veterans.

Airport's $225,000 couldn't keep airline in Gary

The Gary/Chicago International Airport Authority spent $225,000 marketing Allegiant airlines flights to the public, but it wasn't enough to keep the airline in Gary beyond this summer.

Allegiant stops service at Gary airport

GARY | Allegiant will discontinue air service in August, officials at the Gary/Chicago International Airport Authority announced late Friday.

NIRPC public participation vote postponed

Action on a public participation plan was postponed Thursday at the Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission due to concerns raised by disability rights advocates and confusion over what was to be voted on.

Gas prices are Memorial Day weekend wild card

Americans will be traveling slightly farther on average to enjoy the Memorial Day weekend this year, but gas prices in the Midwest may have drivers locally looking for ways to skimp on some of their fun.

NIRPC to take more time on headquarters decision

PORTAGE | The Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission on Thursday heard from three real estate developers in a three-hour closed session, with members mulling whether to move after 20 years in Portage.

NWI home sales continue winning streak

Northwest Indiana single-family home sales increased 26 percent in April as compared to one year ago, marking the 22nd straight month home sales have increased in the region.

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.

Former Indy airport CEO reboots at Gary

One day, he spent five hours straight at City Hall talking to representatives of major investment banks from all over the world. Other days he was on the phone with a $170 billion global hedge fund.

Environmental protections hike airport expansion cost

The Gary/Chicago International Airport's expansion project is facing mounting costs, but officials say it can still be completed within its current $166 million budget.

Gary airport puts out help wanted sign for director

Gary/Chicago International Airport is advertising nationwide for an airport executive director as the airport prepares for some of the biggest changes in its history.

Indiana legislation gets shout out at NiSource annual meeting

NiSource Inc. CEO Robert Skaggs told shareholders at the company's annual meeting Tuesday the company will continue with its infrastructure-based growth strategy and highlighted recent Indiana legislation that will help make that possible.

Boeing Corp. concerned about new Gary airport tenant

The Gary/Chicago International Airport authority took a big step Monday toward landing a new corporate jet operation for its airport, contingent on resolving potential conflicts with its most prestigious tenant.

City/airport committee wants expansion project reviewed

A joint city/airport committee has recommended the Gary/Chicago International Airport Authority hire a firm to perform a comprehensive review of its $166 million expansion project, which is scheduled for completion this year.

Toll Road/Skyway 3-penny opera gets even more dramatic

A 3-year-old dispute over a 3-cent fee charged to I-Pass users of the Chicago Skyway and Indiana Toll Road may get some renewed attention from the Illinois Tollway Authority.

Airport Road bridge dedicated in honor of Tuskegee Airman

Friday was a day for standing on the shoulders of a giant at Gary/Chicago International Airport.

Three locations want to host NIRPC/NWI Forum

A Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission committee has narrowed offers for a NIRPC headquarters location to just three, including its current building at 6100 Southport Road in Portage.

NWI casino revenues fall off in April

Northwest Indiana casino revenues decreased 2.9 percent in total in April as compared to the year-ago-month, driven mainly by a large drop of 11.1 percent at the two Majestic Star boats in Gary.

Illinois Tollway to boost participation of women, minorities

The Illinois Tollway Authority will establish a Construction Business Development Center with local community colleges in order to give minority- and women-owned firms a chance to compete.

Malibu winner says car couldn't have come at better time

A couple of weekends ago Anita Douglas noticed The Times on her kitchen table was open to an ad for a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Sweepstakes.

NWI economy takes only baby steps out of recession

Northwest Indiana's economic performance remained largely flat in March, but observers are taking heart in gains in individual business sectors and overall in the last 12 months.

Union job openings bring out the job seekers

MUNSTER | A once-a-year chance to get an application to become a union construction laborer attracted 984 people Wednesday to the headquarters of Local 41 of the Laborers International Union of North America.

Airport Road bridge opens to traffic

The new Airport Road overpass in Gary is now open to one lane of traffic in each direction. All four lanes are expected to open by July.

Illiana planners reduce Indiana road closings to three

Illiana Expressway planners have whittled down crossroad closures to just three in Indiana, after starting with a list of more than a half-dozen that would dead-end at the expressway.

NiSource earnings remain on track

NiSource Inc. net earnings increased 34.7 percent to $260.5 million in the first quarter, mainly on the sale of its service protection business to AGL Resources Inc. in January.

NWI economic recovery left job seekers behind

The Northwest Indiana economy recovered from the recession with robust earnings and sales, but it might be difficult to convince your average working person of that.

USW, ArcelorMittal resolve Burns Harbor safety dispute

A safety dispute that idled blast furnaces and some other operations at ArcelorMittal's Burns Harbor mill has been resolved after two days of intense negotiations between union officials and management.

BP project conclusion will involve big layoffs

WHITING | The $3.8 billion BP Whiting refinery project is set to wrap up later this year and layoffs of involved construction workers are expected.

Burns Harbor mill hit by safety dispute

A dispute over safety at ArcelorMittal's Burns Harbor mill has slowed production there, with some union workers refusing to work under what they claim are unsafe conditions.

Gary airport hires advisers in bid to lure investors

Former Indianapolis International Airport CEO John Clark has landed a contract at Gary/Chicago International Airport that could net him a $500,000 payday within months.

NWI home sales have a spring in their step

Single-family home sales in Northwest Indiana increased 23.3 percent in March, marking their 21st consecutive monthly increase on a year-over-year basis, according to sales figures from the Greater Northwest Indiana Association of Realtors.

Airport Road overpass could open this week

The new Airport Road overpass could open as early as this week and the Gary airport authority wants to see it named for a Tuskegee airman.

Potash warehouse could be online in late 2014

The building of Potash Corp.'s new transfer facility in Hammond has been delayed, but the Canadian company remains firmly committed to the project, having spent $12 million at the site already, a top Potash Corp. executive said Friday.

Indiana Gateway projects should start this year

The long-delayed Indiana Gateway rail project should get underway this year, with a kick-off for the $71.4 million in rail improvements tentatively set for May, according to a top Indiana transportation official.

Gary airport committee recommends "stand-up team"

GARY | A joint city/airport committee on Thursday recommended hiring a slate of advisers for forming a public/private partnership at Gary/Chicago International Airport.