 | Economy & Place Committee |
- ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES
- Serve as the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) Committee
- Responsible for the development, implementation, revision, or replacement of the CEDS for the Planning Organization (NIRPC Full Commission/Executive Board).
- Review and provide recommendations to the Full Commission/Executive Board regarding the adoption of and amendments to the CEDS.
- Evaluate, either directly or through a designee, EDA funding applications to ensure consistency with CEDS and provide letters of support.
- Educate members on topics, policies, programs, and regulations relevant to land use, smart growth, economic development, and transit-oriented development (TOD).
- Advise NIRPC on policies and programs related to land use, smart growth, economic development, and transit-oriented development (TOD).
- Oversee the development of and provide recommendations to the Transportation Committee regarding the adoption of and amendments to the Land Use element of the Metropolitan Transportation Plan.
- Oversee the development of plans, programs, and policies related to land use, smart growth, economic development, and transit-oriented development (TOD) as initiated by staff, the committee, or at the direction of the Transportation Committee.
- Provide training to local government official, economic development officials, developers, and affiliated industry representatives on best practices for sustainable development, smart growth, land use, livable communities, and related topics.
- As designated by the Transportation Committee for specific funding categories, establish selection criteria, select, and recommend transporations projects to the Transportation Resource and Oversight Committees for inclusion in the Transportation Improvement Program.
- Oversee the development and implementation of an annual LPA Planning Assistance program and recommend a program of projects to the Transportation Committee.
- Serve as the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) Committee
- MEMBERSHIP
- 12 Commissioners (4 per county, including Chair)
- Commissioner may appoint a qualified staff representative (must have direct influence over planning, redevelopment, or economic development) as a proxy.
- Lake County:
- Vanessa Hernandez-Orange, City of East Chicago
- Eddie Melton, City of Gary
- John Yelkich, Town of Lowell
- Peter Land, City of Crown Point
- Porter County:
- James Burge, Town of Porter
- George Topoll, Union Township
- Scott Kingan, Town of Ogden Dunes
- Andy Vasquez, Porter County Council
- La Porte County:
- Daina Dumbrys, Town of Michiana Shores
- Lisa Rosenkranz, Town of La Crosse
- Connie Gramarossa, La Porte County Commission
- Tony Hendricks, La Porte County Surveyor
- 1 NWI Forum Representative
- Spencer Summers
- 1 Workforce Development Representative
- Lisa Daugherty, Center of Workforce Innovations
- 1 Higher Education Representative
- Anthony Sindone, Indiana University Northwest
- 2 Minority Group Representatives, at least one of which represents a minority business enterprise
- Judith Cardenas, NWI Small Business Development Center and Hispanic small business owner
- Lois Whittaker, Black Chamber of Commerce of Northwest Indiana
- 1 Labor Group Representative
- Randy Palmateer, Northwestern Indiana Building & Construction Trades Council
- 1 Realtors Association Representative
- Joe Wszolek, Northwest Indiana Realtors Association
- 1 Private Individual Representative
- Gary Johnson
- 2 Other Representatives who can contribute to and benefit from improved economic development in the region
- Matt Wells, One Region and Purdue Northwest
- Jen Trowbridge, CoAction
- 12 Commissioners (4 per county, including Chair)
- QUORUM
- 3 voting committee members constitute a quorum.
- A simple majority of the quorum is required to act.
- MEETING SCHEDULE
- Generally, and initially, meets quarterly on the 2nd Wednesday of the month.
- More frequent meetings may be necessitated by work products (e.g., new CEDS creation).
2025 Meeting Dates:
- January 8
- April 9
- July 9
- October 8
- MEETING PRESENTATIONS
- MEETING MINUTES