Longtime chamber head appointed La Porte County economic development coordinator

"I believe economic development is all about cultivating partnerships and creating relationships — and that's what we're going to do," Seitz said Monday.

Creation of the coordinator position comes as officials consider realigning economic development programs in the community. The hope is to jump-start job creation and business investment by coordinating the various city, county and other agencies in the county and partnering more closely with Purdue University Northwest.

A contract for Dave Christian, formerly the executive director of the county Office of Economic Development, was not renewed by the County Board of Commissioners in January.

Leigh Morris, former mayor of La Porte, told the County Council last week that the La Porte County Economic Development Alliance, an organization disbanded in 2013, provided a far more streamlined approach to recruiting businesses to the community, something new or growing businesses favor. He asked the council to consider returning to that kind of framework.

County Commissioner Richard Mrozinski also has advocated "one-stop shopping" for businesses looking to expand in La Porte County.  

Seitz said he didn't expect the Economic Development Alliance would necessarily be reformed, but he said the county wants to work closer with public and private economic development programs in La Porte and Michigan City, as well as those in communities such as Westville, Wanatah and elsewhere. 

Members of the County Council made plans last week to schedule a workshop to discuss those efforts, but that meeting had not been scheduled as of Monday, County Auditor Joie Winski said.  

The council approved half the funding it normally allocates to the economic development office as a way to bridge the gap for six months until a new plan can be formed. It approved half a year of salary for the coordinator position, or $15,000, and half a year of operating funds for the office, or $50,000.