The Portage Economic Development Corporation received a lot of good news at their annual luncheon. They met on January 8th at the Woodland Park in Portage to discuss the successes of the past year and the goals for the new one. Guest speakers included Mayor James Snyder, Lieutenant Governor Sue Ellspermann, and NIPSCO Director Jonathan Hancock.
“There is so much energy going on in Indiana right now,” said Hancock. “The greatest part is diversification of economy.” His speech was inspiring, and hit on the various areas of business that are influencing the city. Pratt Industries, Alcoa, and Monacal are just a few of the million dollar investments creating jobs in our community. “What I see as one of the most valuable pieces of having a development organization is that when you have a really strong board like what we have here, it becomes a way for leadership in the community to connect with the business community and help create a stronger voice for economic development.”
Amy Parker, the General Manager for PEDCO, said that is the purpose for their organization. “This is where can network with each other and grow. That is what continues to make us stronger.”
They work closely with the Chamber of Commerce and with the local government of Portage to keep the economy moving, and to provide assistance and benefits for the businesses involved in their organization. The biggest highlight of their meeting was the introduction of a new member of city hall- for the first time ever, there will be a President of Economic Development in Portage. Mayor Snyder welcomed Andy Maletta, from Indiana Beverage, to this new role.
His new position will keep Maletta busy, since change is everywhere in our town. More of it is to come. Yung Lee America and Superior Construction are coming to the Ameriplex and are bringing hundreds of jobs with them. Maverick Transportation is setting up the region’s first clean air trucking company. A new fire station and amphitheater are being built. The business boom from 2015 has already brought new franchises to Route 6, like the Starbucks, Five Guys, and Dairy Queen.
Lieutenant Governor Sue Ellspermann came from Southern Indiana to personally tell the development crowd of the achievements the state, and the city, has made. 323 unique companies are making commitments to Indiana, a new record for the state. Our region has the most manufacturing jobs per capita than anywhere else in the country. Indiana’s unemployment rate is the lowest it has been since 2001. 308,000 jobs were added to the workforce last year, the 12th highest amount in the nation.
“Our goal was to have more hoosiers working than ever before,” said Ellspermann. “And we did it. The quality of a place is about attracting and keeping the best and the brightest.”
Stephen Lunn, CEO of Porter Hospital, spoke about his membership and the changes he has seen in the community. “It’s been a great few years in the region. It’s been cool to watch what you’ve been able to accomplish and sustain here in Portage. We’re proud to be a part of it.”