Because of tight finances, Gary grounds 2018 air show, looks to 2019

“At the beginning of 2018, I expressed our intentions to get our finances right," Gary Mayor Karen-Freeman-Wilson said. "Specifically, I talked about the fact that we would actively cultivate opportunities to increase our assessed valuation while looking at every dollar. This has been the primary focus of our work this year.

"While we are developing our long-term financial recovery plan, we have frozen spending and hiring and reduced spending while embracing opportunities to attract new businesses to the table. This has required focus, discipline and sacrifice. We know that the short-team difficulty will be rewarded with long-term benefits."

Freeman-Wilson said the city isn't in a financial position to shoulder part of the cost of the air show, the largest event staged in Gary and Northwest Indiana.

"While the Gary Air Show is one of the city’s signature events, it is also a costly event," Freeman-Wilson said. "In past years when we have maximized sponsorship dollars, we have still been forced to expend city resources. For 2018, these expenditures are not consistent with our efforts to develop a sustainable financial plan. For these reasons, there will not be an Air Show for 2018."

The hope is to bring back the air show in 2019, without spending any funds from the city's pinched coffers, she said.

"At the same time, we are actively engaged with a sponsor who will sponsor a 2019 show with zero costs to the city," Freeman-Wilson said. "With this announcement comes an announcement that we are forming a 2019 Air Show Committee."