CROWN POINT – Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority (RDA) President and CEO, Bill Hanna, announced he is resigning his position effective February 12 in order to accept a position in the private sector. Hanna served as President and CEO of the RDA for 10 years.
During Hanna’s tenure, he led the efforts to unite stakeholders in shaping some of the largest infrastructure, development and transportation projects in Northwest Indiana. The RDA successfully partnered with local, state and federal officials to bring the following projects to its service area.
- South Shore West Lake rail extension
- South Shore double track project
- Transit Oriented Development to support rail projects
- Leveraging $1 billion in shoreline development projects including Wolf Lake Park in Hammond, East Chicago North Harbor redevelopment as shoreline, Whiting Lake Front Park, Marquette Park in Gary, and Gateway to the Indiana Dunes in Porter County.
- Relocation of a class 1 railroad and completion of the expansion of the Gary International Airport Runway.
- Chicago Dash Bus Line to Chicago and transit area development.
“Bill’s dedication and hard work has led to decades-long dreams in the Region becoming realities. With game-changing projects like double tracking the South Shore line and the West Lake Corridor extension, Bill’s long-lasting, positive influence on Hoosiers is undeniable,” said Governor Eric Holcomb .
“Bill possess the skills to create a vision and make it a reality,” said Don Fesko, chairman of the RDA Board of Directors. “We have long understood that Northwest Indiana needs to work together to accomplish important goals and Bill was the catalyst to make that happen. He was able to align local, county, state and federal officials and legislators working together to make Northwest Indiana a gateway to Chicago. He has delivered results and his leadership will be missed by the RDA.”
“The recently announced federal funding for the South Shore double track project is a tremendous accomplishment for Indiana and the culmination of our efforts to take full advantage of Northwest Indiana’s proximity to Chicago,” said Hanna. “However, I am most proud of the partnerships between local communities and government entities, all of which are required to successfully complete large initiatives. It is my hope the last 10 years demonstrates great things are possible for Northwest Indiana when we work together.”
About the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority
Established in 2006 through a bipartisan effort including former Governor Mitchell E. Daniels, Congressman Peter J. Visclosky, key state legislators, and local elected officials, the RDA is quasi-governmental development entity entrusted to make public investment decisions within a regional framework for supporting catalytic infrastructure projects and inducing private sector investment. Years of successful results have made it a trusted and tested partner for growth in Northwest Indiana. For more information, visit www.in.gov/rda
