The Lake County Economic Alliance (LCEA) Economic Development Investment Campaign has reached Phase I of its three year (2014-2016) goal to generate funding for the development and implementation of a county wide economic development Action Plan for Lake County. LCEA, a not for profit 501(c)(3) organization, was formed in 2013 through the partnership of the Crossroads Regional and Lakeshore Chambers of Commerce. The organization has the support of the Northwest Indiana Forum and the Indiana Economic Development Corporation.
At the Investment Campaign kickoff event, held on April 10th, attendees from the public and private sectors heard from LCEA Chairman Joel Gorelick, that LCEA had spent the past twelve months concentrating on developing a strategy that will focus on cooperative countywide economic development efforts including new business attraction, existing business retention/expansion and marketing.
Public and private funding is essential to support these aggressive economic development initiatives planned through the Action Program. The three year goal of $450,000 will be utilized to help establish a full time operation headed by a professional economic development executive director. These programs will work to help support and enhance the existing Lake County communities' individual economic development efforts.
LCEA is proud to recognize the communities and organizations that have made pledges during Phase I of the Investment Campaign. These include the Lake County Commissioners, Cities of Hammond, Crown Point and Whiting, Town of Merrillville, NIPSCO, Regional Development Company, Krieg DeVault, Crossroads Chamber of Commerce, Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce and Commercial In-Sites. Other communities have indicated positive support and are currently considering their involvement. Phase II of the Campaign has already begun in an effort to reach the overall goal.
"On behalf of LCEA, we are thankful to the above Investors. We can now begin our search for a professional Executive Director who will lead the organization and its Economic Development Action Program" stated Joel Gorelick, LCEA Chairman.
The Investment Campaign is being chaired by Don Babcock, NIPSCO's Director of Economic Development. Bob Schaefer of Community Dynamics has been engaged by LCEA to serve as Coordinator of the Campaign.