Michigan City indiana It all works here Economic Development Corporation Michigan City www.edcmc.com
Where Business and Pleasure INSIDE Community Profile Business Environment Business Programs/Support Education Transportation Cover photo courtesy of Photography by Patrick Landers Michigan City, Indiana. 219-879-8433 landerspatrick@comcast.net COMMUNITY PROFILE Nestled into the white-sand shores of Lake Michigan, Michigan City is located in the northernmost part of LaPorte County, Indiana, and is only 55 miles east of Chicago and 10 miles southwest of the Michigan stateline. Our city s economy features a sound industrial base accompanied by strong retail, service and tourism sectors. The community is well-oriented and easily accessible to the greater Chicago area America s second largest market. Our central location between Chicago and other leading Midwestern industrial and consumer markets makes Michigan City a natural location for production and distribution facilities. We are located within one-day s drive to markets such as Detroit, Grand Rapids, Indianapolis, Milwaukee and Toledo. The supreme accomplishment is to blur the line between work and play. Arnold J. Toynbee, 20th Centrury British Historian 2 IT ALL WORKS HERE Michigan City
Work Together Visit us on quality of life the shores of Lake Michigan and imagine the possibilities. With our excellent accessibility to a diversified region, Michigan City is simply a great place to live, work and grow a business. Upon first glance, Michigan City, Indiana appears to be a typical Midwest small town. However, what this Northwest Indiana city lacks in traffic and congestion, it more than makes up in its quaint, recreational lifestyle with a lower cost of living, a slower pace and true sense of community. Situated on the southern shores of Lake Michigan and adjacent to the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, Michigan City provides a never-ending menu of cultural, entertainment and recreational options. In addition to a growing main street environment with the Uptown Arts District and Arts Space project, cultural attractions include Lubeznik Center for the Arts, several local theatre groups, seasonal arts and crafts festivals, farmers market, museums, and a local zoo. Michigan City offers residents and visitors miles of National Dunes Lakeshore beaches along with several marinas, bike routes, orchards, and hiking trails. Look a little deeper and one can see the potential Michigan City, Indiana has to offer businesses and industry. With sites available for virtually any type or size of business, acreage at a fraction of the national average cost, Michigan City is located at the center of a major economic region connected to more than 80 percent of the United States population by key highways and rail systems. All of which give a new meaning to the phrase work hard, play hard. With a wide range of resources and opportunities, Michigan City allows its residents the ability to create the life and business success they desire. www.edcmc.com 3
Business Environment Indiana continues to gain recognition for the economic development efforts being made across the state including: Ranking First in the Midwest for Low Taxes and 10th Nationally (Tax Foundation) Best Business Climate in the Midwest and 5th Nationally (Chief Executive 2013) 2nd Most Competitive State in the Nation (Site Selection 2013) This is made possible due to a variety of factors, including the commitment of community leaders on the growth and vitality of our community. The very existence of the Economic Development Corporation Michigan City (EDCMC) is one of many examples of a commitment to growing the local economy and attracting new industry and business to the community. The EDCMC s mission is to bring together the right mix of resources including government officials, utility engineers, and the expertise of business leaders to encourage investment and support business growth. And our competitive incentive packages make Michigan City a strong contender for business location and expansion decisions. 4 IT ALL WORKS HERE Michigan City
BUSINESS SUPPORT EDCMC is committed to providing the resources needed for business success whether it s a company considering the area as a new location, supporting the growth of existing companies or assisting entrepreneurs working to start-up a new business. EDCMC maintains information on buildings and acreage available for any type of business along with comparative analysis reports identifying key economic issues such as utilities, taxes and cost per acre. In addition, EDCMC can work with prospective companies in identifying private or public resources necessary for a business to thrive. Services available to local businesses include: Site Selection Assistance State and Local Regulatory Guidance Customized Incentive Packages Revolving Loan Fund Enterprise Zone Business Investment Deductions Tax Abatement Incentives Tax Increment Financing Approval Process Technical Assistance Workforce Development and Evaluation, Training and Assistance Critical Business Issue Assistance Business Rentention Program Business-to-Business Networking Business Retention & Expansion (BR&E) The Business Retention and Expansion Program is designed to gather information to help support business expansion, job retention, job creation, and increased investment in the community. The Economic Development Corporation Michigan City, Indiana (EDCMC), partners with the Michigan City Chamber of Commerce and the Greater La Porte Economic Development Corporation (GLEDC) to visit with local businesses and provide follow up information and resources based on the companies needs. The BR&E program goals are intended to: Gain an understanding of the business community s view of the local business climate Determine future expansion/relocation plans of companies in order to set up an early warning system for local action Acquaint business executives with the programs available through various economic development and government agencies to better strengthen their organization Improve the communication and strengthen relationships between local/county government and the business community Identify specific concerns and problems of the local businesses and provide effective solutions The importance of the BR&E program: A majority of jobs are created by existing firms (80 percent) Local company interaction can lead to an increase in local sales Keeping an existing business is easier than recruiting new businesses Businesses that are more competitive are more likely to remain in the community and possibly expand due to the trusted relationship www.edcmc.com 5
EDUCATION Michigan City s highly-accessible regional location boasts 20 different colleges, universities and vocational schools easily within a one-hour drive. These educational and cultural opportunities include the nationally recognized institutions of Indiana University, the University of Notre Dame, Purdue University, St. Mary s College and Valparaiso University. Key to business success, education is a leading component to any site selection, both for the quality of life of its employees, as well as for a source of qualified employment candidates. While Michigan City s location affords easy accessibility to a range of vocational schools and nationally-recognized universities, it is also home to outstanding educational programs including the state s first construction trade apprenticeship program and energy academy. La Porte County Career and Technical Education Center La Porte County Career and Technical Education Center is much more than a high school curriculum. It is high school with direction, hands-on learning, and real-world work experience. Students can participate in a variety of technical training programs including agricultural sciences, automotive services technology, construction and technology, engineering and more. Students earn credits that can be transferred to a two or four-year college and earn certifications recognized by business and industry that can secure immediate job placement. Purdue University Northern Indiana Serving 3,900 area students as a regional campus, Purdue University North Central (PNC) offers students a variety of Associate s, Bachelor s, Master s and MBA degree programs. PNC continues to grow with recent investments including a University Village, offering students highquality housing adjacent to PNC. IVY Tech Ivy Tech Community College is Indiana s third largest public higher education system. An open-access, two-year technical college, Ivy Tech offers courses, degree programs, and training leading to certification as well as continuing education. With a local campus located in Michigan City, businesses have ready-access to customized training opportunities to meet their specific requirements. transportation Close to Chicago and South Bend, Michigan City is surrounded by excellent transportation assets whether by road, rail, air or water. All of which provide timely and accessible service to regional and national markets. Land-Based Transportation A network of modern roadways serve the immediate area making it easy to get people and freight to and from Michigan City quickly and efficiently. Major routes include: east/ west Interstate 94, east/west Interstate 80/90, major U.S. highways 6,12, 20, 30, 35 and 421, as well as Indiana state highways 29, 49 and 149. More than 40 motor freight carriers provide a wide range of services to the area assuring competitive rates. 6 IT ALL WORKS HERE Michigan City
Rail Services Critical to the economical movement of raw materials and manufactured products, Michigan City is situated on a CSX Transportation mainline and is served by Norfolk Southern Railroad. The Chicago South Shore & South Bend Freight Railroad provides interline connections with all railroads in Chicago, facilitating service to all national rail markets. Michigan City s rail assets also benefit consumer passengers with 40 daily commuter trains running through Michigan City between Chicago and South Bend. In addition, Amtrak provides daily passenger service to Chicago and Detroit with connections to numerous national destinations. Easily Accessible to Major Markets Chicago, Illinois - 55 miles west Cincinnati, Ohio - 250 miles southeast Cleveland, Ohio - 285 miles east Detroit, Michigan - 200 miles northeast Evansville, Indiana - 297 miles south Fort Wayne, Indiana - 117 miles east Indianapolis, Indiana - 150 miles south Kansas City, Missouri - 569 miles southwest Louisville, Kentucky - 271 miles south Milwaukee, Wisconsin - 144 miles northwest Minneapolis, Minnesota - 486 miles northwest 94 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania - 432 miles east Port of Indiana (International) - 23 miles west St. Louis, Missouri - 318 miles southwest South Bend, Indiana - 34 miles east Toledo, Ohio - 150 miles east 80 90 94 65 Michigan City 80 90 94 80 Ohare International Airport Chicago Midway International Airport 65 Gary/Chicago International Airport South Bend International Airport Port of Indiana www.edcmc.com 7
Two Cadence Park Plaza Michigan City, IN 46360 phone (219) 873-1211 fax (219) 873-1595 For more information about our resources, incentives or to view featured properties visit our website www.edcmc.com