South Shore region will receive economic boost under new law

The Indiana General Assembly targeted the South Shore Line in Northwest Indiana with the most important economic development initiative of the 2017 session. I was pleased to join the governor and other officials in Michigan City recently for the signing of this legislation.

The bipartisan law will result in coordinated economic development efforts along the South Shore Line in four counties – Lake, Porter, LaPorte and St. Joseph. New funding options will be available to take advantage of special residential and commercial development areas along the line, as well as planned improvement projects such as the double-tracking expansion from Michigan City to Gary.

I am confident these efforts will result in hundreds of new jobs across Northwest Indiana, help new and existing businesses of all sizes succeed, and provide a better experience to the many residents who use this transit option. This is a once-in-a-generation project that will have an impact on all cities, towns and neighborhoods located on or near the South Shore Line. Best of all, the plan relies on no tax hikes.