Lake freighters routinely chug into Gary to deposit iron ore at the Gary Works steel mill.

But outside of the lake boats that keep the mill churning, the city that sits on the south shore of Lake Michigan does not see commercial vessels come in.

That potentially could change. 

After receiving inquiries about establishing stevedoring or dockworking operations, Gary is looking to establish a port authority, a quasi-government agency that would operate a port on Lake Michigan or other transportation infrastructure throughout the city. Both Gary and East Chicago have floated the idea of adding a second major commercial port in Northwest Indiana, an idea that at least one local union has advocated for because it would mean jobs for longshoremen.

Gary's Municipal Code has allowed for the creation of a Port Authority since 1982.

“As we look to additional development opportunities to grow and create businesses in the city of Gary, our research has identified the activation of the Port Authority as a valuable tool," Gary Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson said. "While this is not a port in the traditional sense, the authority may certainly determine the creation of a traditional port to be in the city’s best interest.” 

Under the proposal, "all of Gary would be considered a port."

"The Port Authority will additionally develop detailed provisions by which the authority shall be governed and will oversee development, construction and operations of port-related facilities, as well [as] subsequent agreement and revenues," the city said in a press release. "Ports located in the cities have been a tremendous revenue source for cities through tax revenue alone. Many of the goods and foods we use every day are in and out of our communities through global trade via ports. Additionally, ports attract business development, create jobs and a variety of skilled trades."
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