The Portage Economic Development Corporation (PEDCO) hosted a luncheon on December 6th at the Duneland Falls Banquet and Meeting Center to say thank you to those who have supported and connected with PEDCO and to look at the year in review. PEDCO Board President Diane Thalmann shared with attendees some of the economic growth that PEDCO has made over the past year including growth that it has retained.
"In 2011, PEDCO has made incremental strides for becoming not only a successful economic development organization but becoming a premier economic development organization and a regional economic development leader," said Thalmann.
One example given was of the Port of Indiana. According to Thalmann, the Port sees more ocean-going cargo than any other Great Lakes port. How much is that exactly? 500,000 trucks per year, which is 1350 trucks a day. On top of that, you have 10,000 rail cars, 400 barges, and 100 ships per year that run through this port.
Ameriplex is another great example. The master plan mixed-use park employs 1200 workers and accompanies around 2 million square feet. And it's still growing as Chicago is spilling over into Northwest Indiana. Only good things seem to be happening in Portage.
Bert Cook was one of those good things as he headed up PEDCO as Executive Director in early 2011. Described by Thalmann as "young, hungry, and experienced", Cook was a definite step in the right direction and "the perfect combination to take PEDCO to the next level." As of December 1 though, Cook has taken the position of Executive Director at the Greater LaPorte Economic Development Corporation despite the fact that his hometown is Portage.
While Cook had the reins, one of PEDCO's accomplishments was securing headquarters in Portage of an Austria-based company, Fronius. Being one of the world's leading developers and manufacturers of battery charging systems, welding technology and solar electronics, Fronius made plans to launch its US headquarters in the third quarter of 2012 right here in Portage, Indiana. And of course, the University Park being built in downtown Portage will be home to four higher education institutions in which over $6 million has been invested. Mayor Olga Velazquez was also recognized for her work in these efforts as well.
Losing Cook might have been negative on the end of Portage, but this next year, they will gain Jonathan Nalli, CEO of Porter Health System, who will no doubt be a welcome addition to the board. He reported during his short presentation at the luncheon that 27-30% of Porter's business comes from outside Porter County, which is always a goal of any economic development corporation; to get outside dollars in.
And if that wasn't a positive enough note to end on, attendees got a chance to see the future of Portage in three outstanding students from the Porter County Career and Technical Center (PCCTC). Introduced by Principal Jon Groth, these students have been nominated for the Indiana Award for Excellence, which is the highest award a technical skills student can receive. Jacob Lawrenson, Zachary Moss, and Rachel Santos, all Portage High School students, had many positive things spoken about them and received a certificate from the Career Center and Groth.
The future is looking bright for Portage and for PEDCO.
PEDCO wanted to thank its supporters (in no particular order): Northern Indiana Public Service Company, Porter Health Systems, North Shore Health Centers, Centier Bank, Bloomfield Mechanical, 1st Source Bank, NLMK Indiana, General Insurance Services, MonoSol, Holladay Properties, Buzzazz Internet Marketing Solutions, CB Richard Ellis/Bradley, Com Control Inc., Meridian Title Corporation, RH Francis Photography, Indiana American Water, Pyro Industrial Services, Members Advantage Credit Union, PSC Machining and Engineering, Human Resource Solutions, G.W. Berkheimer Co.
Thank you for your support!
PEDCO and Thalmann also thanked PortageLife during the presentation for our coverage of positive news from PEDCO especially the coverage of the Fronius announcement!
For more photos from the luncheon, click here!