Portage Economic Development Corporation (EDC) hosted its annual meeting, on Wednesday, November 15.
This year's meeting recapped all the growth of Portage and shared its prospects for the upcoming year, including introducing new business and political members coming to Portage in 2024.
Portage EDC Board President Justin Mount expresses the gratitude the EDC has for its partners because without them, they couldn't have done half of what they accomplished in 2023 and the future success of 2024.
“It's important for us to be here to partner with you all, and to see the continued success of the city of Portage and the Region,” Mount said.
The Portage EDC has spent millions of dollars in development throughout this year alone. One of EDC's big goals for 2024 is making Portage more accessible, while still adhering to the EDC mission.
“Our mission is business attraction, expansion, and retention and that's what we focus on throughout the year.” Portage EDC Executive Director Andy Maletta said.
Maletta was excited that the EDC was able to host programs in conjunction with The Portage School District, Construction Advancement Foundation, and Ivy Tech. Maletta is looking forward to continuing to introduce new programs through the Portage community and the new roads they plan to install for accessibility will aid in program outreach.
“We're really looking forward to having a great 2024. This has been an awesome 2023, we've been busy and we're pretty excited about it,” Maletta said.
With new major expansion on the agenda, the EDC is going to be just as busy, but they promise to not let the new businesses coming in overshadow the staples in town.
“The biggest part in what we do is take the existing businesses and help them expand,” McColly Bennett Commercial Real Estate Broker and EDC member Bill Rathjen said.
“We want to keep what we have, that's number one, and then we want to bring in more, but making sure not to ignore what we have.”
One of the biggest changes across Portage is Mayor Sue Lynch is passing the Baton to 2024 Mayoral elect Austin Bonta.
Mayor Lynch has made great headway in development throughout Portage.
Even though her Mayoral term ends in January 2024, her development plans proceed over the next few years, such as her Green Fleet Mission.
“We will have a totally Green Fleet when it's all said and done by 2025,” Lynch said. “That's a wonderful thing because we have strived to be a clean green city. This would be great for Portage.”
Lynch may no longer be serving Portage as its Mayor, but she is handing her opponent Austin Bonta a community that continues to strive and grow and Lynch hopes Bonta continues the fight for the betterment of Portage when he takes over.
“We have kind of a unique friendship here. Most people battle their opponents, but Austin and I try and set an example for the people in the city,” Lynch said. “You know the meanness that has come out on social media due to the campaign outcome, we're not them, we want you to be like us. I'm happily passing the baton to my opponent.”
Mayoral Elect Austin Bonta says he is excited to continue the development plans that have already broken ground in Portage and plans to continue rolling the ball once in office.
“This particular election got our locals inspired on the idea that we can do meaningful change,” Bonta said. “I'm excited to hear from the Portage locals and learn about the projects already planned. I also want to mention I'm focusing on our zoning issues and public safety for our residents.”
The Portage EDC has a busy year ahead. They plan to redevelop the Northside and downtown, adding businesses such as Bigby Coffee and expanding what's there. They plan to make the roads coming to Portage more accessible to aid in revenue and community outreach. Also, it continues its mission to become a green city.
One expansion that is exciting for locals is the library expansion. The Portage Library already started program planning for their new edition. There are a lot of great things to come to Portage in the year 2024, stay tuned.
To learn more about the Portage EDC, you can visit:https://www.portagein.org/