The Portage Exchange Club recently welcomed Bert Cook III, Executive Director of the Portage Economic Development Corporation (PEDCO). Cook explained that PEDCO serves the economic development needs of the Greater Portage Area and discussed the main focuses and future plans of the organization.
Cook, who was born and raised in Portage, said that PEDCO acts as a consultant to the City of Portage. It is funded through a private and public partnership. Local businesses, chambers of commerce from Portage and surrounding communities and the Indiana Dunes Tourism Bureau are some of PEDCOs supporters.
PEDCO has three main focuses: attracting new businesses, retaining existing businesses and marketing the City of Portage.
The organization attempts to bring opportunities for new businesses to the city. Elected officials ultimately decide if the business is a “good fit” for Portage. PEDCO gets as many as 150 leads annually from the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC), another 50 from the Indiana Forum. They bring in many local projects on their own.
Cook said that 80% of new jobs come from our existing base, so there is a big push to retain existing businesses. Surveys to identify opportunities or problems assist in this.
PEDCO sends representatives to trade shows in Chicago, Indianapolis and South Bend to help market Portage and let people know what we offer here.
Cook also talked about upcoming projects. The first is Fronius, a solar technology company locating in Amer-Plex. This company plans to bring over 500 high-paying jobs to Portage by 2016.
The second is Graycor Companies, a leading-edge industrial construction and blasting services corporation, now located in Portage. Graycor has its Northwest Indiana headquarters located here. It completed its 44,000 sq. ft, $6.6 million project in June.
The third big project is the University Center, located on Central Avenue. When asked why the building is so close to the road, Cook said, “This is the new style. We were going for a big city feel with the parking lot in the back rather than in the front. Building styles change just as other styles. This area is designed to be the pedestrian center of the town.”
For further information about PEDCO, visit their website at http://www.portagein.org/index.php.
The Portage Exchange Club is a non-profit, civic organization that promotes Americanism, Support of our Youth and Prevention of Child Abuse. The club meets at 7 a.m. every Wednesday at the Portage Best Western Hotel.