Gary mayor says city's future lies in small businesses

Freeman-Wilson altered her annual State of the City address to promote various businesses in Gary.

From having the national anthem performed by Taylor Iman, who is starring in a production of "The Wiz" at the Performing Arts Center near the Indiana University Northwest campus, to the dessert served at the lunch that was prepared by Divalicious Desserts Bakery & Café.

"I'm going to see 'The Wiz' (Friday night) right here in Gary in a brand-new theater," Freeman-Wilson said. "I think it's remarkable that I can do that."

Her program at the Genesis Convention Center was conducted from a small stage in the center of the center's banquet room with a lone microphone – instead of the usual podium at the front of the room. It created the appearance of a master of ceremonies presiding over a variety show of local businesses.

"For six years, I stood at the podium, and near the end of my speech I'd get tired of hearing myself," the mayor said. "I'm sure you were tired of hearing me talk, too."

That led to the change, which Freeman-Wilson said is meant to encourage local businessmen who took their chances on locating in Gary. The mayor said she is serious when saying that Gary's future lies in getting more people to consider Gary when wanting to establish their own businesses.

"This is the year of the small business," Freeman-Wilson said.

She cited the HMD Trucking Co. which earlier this year held groundbreaking ceremonies for the plant they want to build in Gary, which would be an expansion of the existing plant the company had in the Chicago southwest suburb of Chicago Ridge.

She said in that instance, Gary worked with Indiana state government and the Northwest Indiana Forum to put together the package of enticements that got the company to cross the Illinois/Indiana border in search of a new home.

Freeman-Wilson said Gary is capable of working with various entities if it means attracting new businesses, and jobs, to the city.

"We have worked together with the state, the county, the township, with anyone," the mayor said. "I believe we have one common goal in mind."

The mayor talked of what she says is a "more walkable" stretch of downtown Gary, of which she cited the Historic Tour of decaying buildings along Broadway that was held last summer. "Thousands of people came from all over the area to check us out," Freeman-Wilson said. "We hope to do more like that."

Freeman-Wilson also cited the city's Lake Street corridor in the Miller Beach neighborhood, which she said has seen new restaurants locate, with more to come in the near future. "Everybody knows I'm a food-a-holic," she said. "This is a step in the direction of bringing people to visit Gary."

The mayor even turned over a portion of her program to select businesses that operate in Gary; from the Get It Done Landscape firm to G.R.I.N.D. House to Lee Companies Construction, which has operated in Gary for 45 years.

Company President Patrick Lee, who said he is a 52-year Gary resident, offered Freeman-Wilson praise as the most business-oriented mayor he has dealt with in the city, and he has hopes progress will be made.

"I think we're ready to rock 'n' roll in Gary," Lee said. "I think 2018 will be a remarkable year for all of us."