“Small business owners in Northwest Indiana have made many new additions to their towns,” said Sen. Randolph. “This bill will give those businesses another way to stay competitive.”

The bill aims to assist towns like Whiting, which recently made an effort to revitalize their waterfronts by expanding their tourism offerings. Under SB 173, restaurants on the lakefront receiving local, state and federal funding may serve alcoholic beverages in order to draw businesses and tourism. The bill would enable enterprises, such as microbreweries and establishments serving a variety of alcoholic beverages to compete with surrounding areas. 

SB 173 is an extension of previous legislation proposed to promote riverside development throughout the state and passed unanimously out of the Senate Public Policy Committee. The full Senate approved the measure by a vote of 41-8 and the bill now moves to the House of Representatives for further consideration.

Sen. Randolph represents Indiana Senate District 2 which encompasses portions of Lake County, including the communities of East Chicago, Whiting, and portions of Gary, Griffith, Hammond, Hobart and Merrillville. 

For more information on Sen. Randolph, his legislative agenda or other State Senate business call 1-800-382-9467 or visit www.IN.gov/s2.

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NOTE: A photo of Sen. Lonnie M. Randolph can be downloaded at http://www.in.gov/legislative/senate_democrats/images/headshots/Randolph.jpg