EDITORIAL: Michigan City lights way to Region development

Other cities and towns of our Region should take note.

In 2016, Michigan City's nonprofit Economic Development Corp. reportedly assisted 76 companies, ushering in 10 new, expansion or relocation projects and helping retain 261 jobs while creating 96 new positions. These specific efforts all resulted in more than $15 million in total investment.

Manufacturing, retail and other businesses accenting the incredible lakeshore asset of Michigan City's Washington Park Beach were all part of the equation.

Efforts continue, in part under the visionary direction of Mayor Ron Meer and other city officials, to rebuild what has long been a struggling downtown area into a vibrant district complementing lakeshore assets.

In an editorial last summer, we noted sometimes it’s the small nuances — not the dramatic changes — putting a city or town on the right track to a brighter future.

A shining example is Michigan City's new $13 million police facility, which is twice the space of the old station.

The new facility is located on U.S. 35, at the gateway of the city’s once economically challenged main entrance. It's a local government investment in an area with so much potential.

It's important for city administrations seeking to build or transform an area to put their money where their mouth is. This was accomplished by building the multimillion-dollar, 43,000-square-foot police facility in a corridor where Michigan City desires a transformation.

Michigan City also recently adopted a college tuition program for city residents — using the model of Hammond's successful College Bound program. It's a great idea for attracting and retaining residents and seeking to curb the exodus of our best and brightest.

And the city looks forward to the future economic building blocks of a double-tracked commuter rail line and a new law creating a mechanism for financing new developments along the South Shore Line.

We look forward to seeing what government and economic leaders of this LaPorte County community have up their sleeves for the rest of 2017 and beyond. Meanwhile, leaders of other municipalities should keep a keen eye an the model Michigan City offers to our entire Region.