Gov. Eric Holcomb assured officials and residents of East Chicago on Friday that the state is ready to meet the needs of the city as it deals with the remediation and relocation work at the U.S.S. Lead Superfund site.
"We will bring all that is at our disposal to bear," Holcomb said.
Holcomb met with residents, city officials, state legislators and federal representatives Friday to discuss a disaster declaration he signed last week to leverage more resources for East Chicago. Mayor Anthony Copeland had petitioned the state for the declaration to bolster the city's resources to address the lead contamination issues in the Calumet neighborhood, which is on the U.S.S. Lead Superfund site.
Residents of the Superfund site described concerns about the safety of the drinking water, challenges West Calumet Housing Complex residents face with relocation and ongoing health concerns.
The Rev. Douglas Sloss, pastor of First Baptist Church, said he's worried about the overall impact of the contamination on the community.
"It doesn't just impact today. It's a long-term impact," Sloss said.
The Rev. Cheryl Rivera said people knew the city lacked the resources it needed to deal with effects of the contamination. She said it's important to not just focus on the residents who must relocate but what can be done to ensure that the neighborhood is sustained.
Holcomb said his staff will work with local and federal officials to start developing a plan on how to move forward and see that the necessary resources are found.
"It's a tall order, but it's achievable," Holcomb said. "We will get through this, and we will be better for it."
Copeland said the meeting showed that city, state and federal officials are working together to help the residents.
"It's the first step toward restoring public trust. I think the people thought no one was listening and that hope would never come," Copeland said. "I think that room reflects hope."
Copeland, in his request for the declaration, said the city needs more resources to address ongoing issues at the Superfund site as the city cannot handle all the costs itself.
"The residents of my city, my staff, other local officials and I have been laboring under conditions which are not of our making but which cry out for help," Copeland wrote to then-Gov. Mike Pence on Dec. 1.
The resources of East Chicago are strained to the "point of breaking," Copeland wrote, and resources from the state are needed to adequately respond to the continuing crisis. Pence denied East Chicago's request in mid-December.
Holcomb said his first priority is to see that all the residents of the West Calumet Housing Complex find new housing, and then shift focus to the other neighborhoods in the Superfund site.
Tia Cauley, executive director of the East Chicago Housing Authority, said 86 families are still left at the West Calumet Housing Complex. Cauley said the goal is to still have the complex closed at the end of March.
Copeland said the housing authority can pay for residents to look at housing or relocate within a 50-mile radius, but people could find more options if that range was broadened.
"This is an area where we may need additional funding," Copeland said.
Cauley said the housing authority took more than $1 million from its capital fund to help with the relocation.
Copeland said the housing authority needs an infusion of new money to refresh the capital fund.
"That was our first cry out for help," Copeland said.
Cauley said she's concerned that if the city doesn't have the demolition money soon, the buildings could fall victim to vandalism or blight. She said the housing authority has tried to secure the vacant units as best it can.
"That's what we're working on now," Sen. Joe Donnelly said. He said his office and federal officials have stayed in contact with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and are closing in on the demolition funds.
Copeland said he's asked the state to do a comprehensive review of its water supply; provide water filters across the Superfund site; find money for the replacement of lead service lines; and provide a series of health and education programs.
Holcomb said that during his first month in office he reviewed the facts of East Chicago's request and made it a priority.
"This is my watch," Copeland said.
Copeland said Pence had representatives from his staff in contact with the city, including Holcomb, who met with him, and those connections are starting to yield results.
"Maybe that's why now you'll see the rate of speed change," Copeland said.
Holcomb's efforts from the governor's office aren't the only ones designed to send additional resources to East Chicago.
A series of proposals, put in by members of the Lake County delegation to the legislature, aim to provide financial assistance to the city and school district; push for cleanup and testing efforts; and better assist residents being forced to relocate because of contamination at the U.S.S. Lead Superfund site.