By Erik Potter, Post-Tribune staff writer
ELWOOD, Ill. -- Members of LaPorte County's intermodal task force were surprised and disappointed to learn some of the economic figures behind an Illinois intermodal facility during a tour on Wednesday.
The task force, joined by area political and community leaders, toured the 1,500-acre intermodal and industrial park in Elwood, Ill., 8 miles south of Joliet in Will County.
They also met with village and business leaders to talk about what the investment has brought to the community.
In a meeting with Elwood officials, tour members were told that the promised 20,000 jobs the development was to bring had, so far, created only 3,000-5,000 jobs, most of which pay between $9 and $13 an hour with no benefits.
And because the development area was placed in a long-term TIF district, the village has not seen the kind of property tax windfall many had hoped for, though annual payments to the village made by the developer have allowed Elwood to make infrastructure improvements, including street lights and a village hall.
While still impressed by what he saw overall, task force member Joe Coar said he'd like to see the pay scales raised if a similar development is brought to LaPorte County.
That was a sentiment widely shared.
"You can't raise a family on $9 an hour," said Dennis Matheny, trustee of Coolspring Township on the south side of Michigan City. "An intermodal development should put people back to work at a reasonable wage with benefits."
Claiming security concerns, the intermodal yard itself was kept off-limits to the tour group, though they were allowed to see it from a distance at the property's edge.
Surrounded by high, grassy berms, members were surprised at how quiet the facility is.
"I came here wondering if this was going to be a grimy hell-hole," said task force member and former LaPorte County Health Director Robert Boklund, who said he was pleased to be proven wrong.
Task-force chairman Dave Christian called the outing a success.
"This tour gave a first-hand, on-the-spot education that can do nothing but help move the process along," Christian said.
The 52-person group included task-force members, elected officials, residents and members of the Stop Intermodal -- Save Our County opposition group.
Task force member Marie Gilliland said she was glad to find out about potential pitfalls now so LaPorte County can negotiate with its eyes open should an expected intermodal proposal materialize this spring.
"We have an opportunity to see how other people have done this and take the good parts (of what they've done)," Gilliland said.
She said, knowing what she knows now, she would be very cautious in recommending a TIF district or tax abatement be given to a developer.