Members of the Portage community came out to catch a Railcats game and network with other members of the community at the Portage Economic Development Corporation (EDC)’s Party on Deck at the U.S. Steel Yard. The festivities included food and watching the Railcats game from the party deck.
“It's a great venue, and it is summertime baseball where everyone can have fun," said Andy Maletta, executive director of the Portage EDC. “We just think it's a great opportunity for a casual event for people to come to. They can bring their kids or grandkids, and everybody can have a good time with each other, perhaps some people they don't really know. This allows them to meet each other and build the connections we are hoping to build.”
The event also serves as an opportunity for the Portage EDC to meet the people that it is trying to affect with economic development.
“We've invited the City Council, people from the school district, and other economic and political leaders in Portage to come,” said Ralph Mundt, member of the Portage EDC. “It is a nice way for us to get to know them a little bit better in a social setting rather than just in meetings.”
The Portage EDC tries to attract businesses to Portage which can improve the quality of life in Portage.
“We are an organization that tries to attract businesses into our community for economic development,” said Mundt. “This helps our quality of life, and this helps with other programs within the city that bolster the city government. We are an organization that tries to work with all of the community assets to make our community better economically, politically, and culturally.”
The Portage EDC works with the Portage Township Schools district to help give opportunities to the students. They do it through their 360 programs, such as a Healthcare 360 program or a Manufacturing 360 program. These programs take the students out into those areas of work with local healthcare facilities and businesses.
“We partner with the Portage EDC to give our kids opportunities to see the options available to them in the local Portage area, especially through our Healthcare 360 and our Manufacturing 360,” said Dr. Michael Stephens, associate superintendent of Portage Township Schools. “The partnerships we build with the local businesses give us opportunities to highlight our kids' performances, and offer them options in the future to find jobs and careers to stick around for.”
It was the second year that the Portage EDC held the event at the U.S. Steel Yard.
“It's a great opportunity for us to get to know more people in the community, and I think it helps us strengthen working relationships,” said Mundt.
To learn more about the Portage EDC, please go to its website at https://www.portagein.org/.
