EAST CHICAGO, Indiana (June 29, 2005) – Governor Mitch Daniels has tapped a key economic adviser and former business executive with more than 30 years of experience in the energy field, including economic and community development activities in many states and foreign countries, as the first chair of the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority (RDA).

 

John Clark is the governor’s senior advisor for economic growth. He will continue in that role as well as serve as the chair of the authority.

 

“John gained tremendous insight about Northwest Indiana and this project working closely with local and state officials on the development of the legislation that created the authority,” said Governor Daniels. “He is another person with a substantial business career who has volunteered to come out of retirement to serve in our administration.

 

“John’s appointment reflects our plan to lead the Regional Development Authority in same the way it was created, by working together in a business-like bipartisan way to achieve economic growth in Northwest Indiana that will benefit all Hoosiers.”

 

The governor said he conferred with a number of people in the region before naming the RDA chair and many recommended an experienced business executive from outside the area.

 

“After conferring with a host of people in the region, I became convinced that this one seat out of seven could best be filled by a neutral party, one not associated with any one county, city, or project,” said the governor. “I expect John to be a facilitator of agreement and forward progress, and also to enable me to remain closely involved in supporting the authority’s decisions.”

 

Much of the funding for the regional development authority’s projects will be through matching federal arrangements, which will utilize Clark’s extensive economic development and public affairs experience in and with Washington, D.C.

 

Clark, a Muncie native, was senior vice president of CMS Energy, in Michigan, and its principal subsidiary, Consumers Energy, for more than 16 years. He was responsible for all corporate, public and governmental affairs, including economic development. Clark was president of the CMS and Consumers Energy Foundations and co-chaired the Michigan Economic Development Foundation.

 

“The RDA staff will rely heavily on the work already done by the Northern Indiana Research and Planning Council, the Northwest Indiana Forum, Gary/Chicago Airport Authority and others to avoid duplication of efforts and capture available federal funds for RDA projects as quickly as possible,” said Clark.

 

Clark’s appointment is the first of two representatives Daniels will make to the seven-member board. Clark, or his successor, will serve as chair for at least the first seven years of the authority; the other appointee will be recommended by the cities of Portage and Valparaiso. The board also will include one person each from Lake and Porter counties appointed by the council and commission of both counties, and one representative each from the cities of Gary, East Chicago and Hammond.

 

The authority, which is established by law effective July 1, is charged with developing and funding airport expansion at the Gary/Chicago airport, regional rail and bus transportation projects as well as shoreline and other economic development capital projects. State and local funding of about $25 million annually will be used to attract substantially greater federal matching funds for RDA projects.

 

 

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