GARY, Indiana (December 15, 2005) – Governor Mitch Daniels announced today that the Indiana Finance Authority approved a $10 million allocation from Indiana Toll Road general reserve funds for the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority (RDA) during 2006.

“The decades long dream of a regional authority is a reality, and today’s action makes it official. Northwest Indiana is a full member of the Indiana family,” said Daniels, who made the announcement while discussing his Major Moves infrastructure initiative at the Gary/Chicago International Airport. “It’s my hope that this is just the beginning. The success of Major Moves would not only make this funding level permanent, but could open the door to greater investment in this airport and be a boom of economic development and jobs.”

When HEA 1120 was signed into law, the state entered into a two-year commitment for RDA funding of at least $5 million and up to $10 million each of the two years. The $10 million allocation in 2006, which was recommended by Daniels, will be paid in quarterly installments. A decision about the allocation for 2007 will be made by the finance authority next year. During the two-year funding period, the RDA is required to develop a comprehensive strategic plan.

The governor’s Major Moves initiative, a 10-year $10.6 billion transportation plan which will boost job creation and economic growth, would provide additional investments in the RDA.

The RDA is governed by a seven-member board and chaired by John Clark, the governor’s senior advisor for economic growth and director of the Indiana Office of Energy and Defense Development. It is charged with developing and funding airport expansion at the Gary/Chicago airport, and regional rail and bus transportation projects as well as shoreline and other economic development capital projects.