CHRONICLE COMMERCE
Photo Provided By: Lydia Bowen
A PUBLICATION OF THE LA PORTE ECONOMIC ADVANCEMENT PARTNERSHIP
605 Michigan Avenue, La Porte, IN 46350
Phone (219) 324-8584
LindsayK@laportepartnership.com www.laportepartnership.com
LA PORTE ECONOMIC ADVANCEMENT PARTNERSHIP
Bert Cook, Executive Director
Mike Riehle, President of Business Services
Lindsay Kneifel, Director of Marketing & Communications
Erik Nelson, Workforce Development Coordinator
COMMERCE CHRONICLE
PUBLISHERBertCook
EDITORMikeRiehle
SALESErikNelson
DESIGNANDPRODUCTION
LindsayKneifel
COVERPHOTOGRAPHY
LydiaBowen
PRINTING
ApolloPrinting&GraphicsCenter
THANK YOU TO OUR 2024 SPONSORS
La Porte Events
City of La Porte Our Members Downtown Map
THE LA PORTE INVITATIONAL A Celebration of Basketball and Community
The La Porte Invitational returns for its 4th year from Thursday, January 9, to Saturday, January 11, at the La Porte Civic Auditorium This three-day, nationally televised showcase features 11 of the nation’s top high school programs, including 3 games with local powerhouse La Lumiere and over 27 of ESPN’s top-ranked recruits
In what is quickly becoming an annual tradition, each January the Historic Civic Auditorium in La Porte, Indiana, transforms into a lively hub of excitement, competition, and community spirit, hosting the muchanticipated and nationally televised La Porte Invitational basketball event The La Porte Invitational, though, is more than just a showcase of talent on the court; it’s a testament to the partnership between La Lumiere School, the City of La Porte, and the Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) of La Porte County Working together, these organizations bring an energizing and familyfriendly event to La Porte, enriching the local area and creating a weekend full of highenergy hoops and hometown pride.
In addition to its reputation as an outstanding academic institution, La Lumiere School, located in La Porte County off of 39 and 2, has a storied basketball legacy, developing players who have competed at the highest levels including five currently playing in the National Basketball Association The La Porte Invitational provides an opportunity for the Lakers to display their talents in front of a home crowd while competing against top high school programs from around the country The home-court advantage at the Civic Auditorium allows the Lakers to enjoy the unwavering support of local fans, while visitors from competing teams get to experience the warmth and hospitality of La Porte.
The partnership with the City of La Porte is at the heart of the tournament’s success With its iconic and historic Civic Auditorium as the venue, the city provides an ideal setting that embodies Hoosier pride. The auditorium’s nostalgic architecture and central location make it the perfect place for an event that brings together residents, basketball fans, and families for a shared experience that’s both competitive and enjoyable
The La Porte County CVB also plays a vital role in making the tournament a success, attracting spectators from near and far and promoting the tournament as a hallmark of local entertainment The CVB’s efforts to promote La Porte County’s attractions and amenities encourage visiting teams, fans, and their families to explore all that the area has to offer From local dining and shopping to parks and scenic spots, visitors find a welcoming environment that makes them feel at home
“The CVB is excited to announce that we will be bringing this tournament back for the next three years,” announced Visit Michigan City La Porte CEO Jack Arnett “This is a signature event for the City of La Porte To be able to showcase some of the best high school basketball in the country right here in La Porte is a huge deal for our community”
The La Porte Invitational basketball tournament is more than just a weekend of games; it’s a celebration of teamwork, not only on the court but within the community itself The collaboration between La Lumiere School, the City of La Porte, and the CVB exemplifies the best of what can happen when people come together with a shared vision. The result is an exciting, family-friendly event that offers something for everyone - a true win for La Porte!
WrittenByBrianTonino DirectorofAdvancement
MC DOORS
219-874-6485
2450 IN 212, Michigan City, IN MCDoors.com
MC Doors has been a locally owned and operated family business for over 30 years, proudly serving La Porte and Porter County in Indiana, and Harbor Country in Michigan
In addition to selling new residential and commercial garage doors, MC Doors also offers expert installation and maintenance, including emergency service As a local business, we are dedicated to improving the local business climate and beautifying the surrounding homes and businesses in our community MC Doors offers quality products, fair pricing, and outstanding service We love the work that we do and stand behind it 100% If you or someone you know is looking for new or replacement doors, call us today for a free estimate!
FULL TILT ARCADE & PINBALL
A Few Games & A Dream
For too long, young La Porteans complained that “there is nothing to do here” It is true that on a typical weekend, if there was not a festival or event happening, it was hard to find something to entertain groups of friends and families looking to do something fun that was accessible for all ages. If you have traveled North on Highway 2 recently, you may have witnessed the numerous cars parked outside the nondescript building at 701 Fail Road and wondered what could be attracting so many people?
Ascending up the driveway, this steel-sided industrial warehouse is not the typical location for an event venue, but somehow they have managed to cram over sixty games into the 5,040 square foot structure and are on the verge of expansion
The Story So Far
Full Tilt Arcade & Pinball came into existence in October of 2022 when co-owners and friends Ryan Hart and Ben Konowitz realized that they each had quite a few pinball machines and arcade games lurking in their basements “Why don’t we just call it the Break Even Arcade and put our games somewhere for the public to play them, too”, they thought. From those humble beginnings to today, Full Tilt Arcade & Pinball has grown int a full-blown destination for all ages, with 60+ arcade games and pinball machines
Walking in the door may create a feeling of nostalgia for the old days of Aladdin’s Den of Thieves with the flashing lights and sounds of classic pinball machines including Pac-Man d G l ll f St
Looking Into the Future
The future is bright for Full Tilt, as they are currently in the later planning stage of opening a location 10 times larger than their current arcade, including laser tag, bowling, mini-golf, a restaurant and bar, and more
Keeping the Fun Going Inside and Out
Mini-Gol
The proposed, state-of-the-art entertainment venue is set to be approximately 33,000 square feet of fun with a full service, threeway liquor license, restaurant and bar with a grand setting of Clear Lake in the background Patio heaters and fire pits will ensure the fun will continue into the chilly months will be perfect for everything from , to birthday parties, to corporate will be large enough to host but intimate enough to feel cozy t date Birthday parties will never me after guests have experienced a a dedicated party liaison to make detail goes off without a hitch
Located facility, th mini-gol theme th incorpor view whi mini-gol feature c and high that adults and kids will love
Let the Games Begin
Inside the venue, there will be room for a lot more games. Upping the arcade offerings from 35 at the current location to 100 and increasing the current 20 pinball games to 32! All complete with a full “prize store” to replace the current redemption counter
But Wait, There’s More
Other offerings not currently available include a Warrior Course (as seen on TV) for kids as well as a course for adults that would like to test their mettle They will have laser tag with unique features that are more than just your typical “gotcha” laser tag games Imagine a game where the room shoots back and there are prize ticket bounties available
Also in the plan is a luxury full-size four lane bowling suite as well as 8 regular lanes where “normal” bowling will be available, but so will more high-tech versions with score multipliers and more arcade-style gaming aspects
Hyper-Darts and All Sport Simulators round out the offerings where people of all ages can try to strike out virtual batters, play dodgeball against zombies, hit a long drive, kick a winning goal, and so much more!
This will be an absolute destination for families from all over Northern Indiana and S th Mi hi t
Notyourgrandpa’sminigolf
CONCEPT PHOTO
HUNTER WOODS OF LA PORTE
Closing th H i N d Gap
The United States as a whole is experienci nationwide attainable housing crisis and t pandemic, inflation and rising interest rate have only exacerbated the issue The Vibra Communities Housing Study found that 5 net new units of all types are needed in La Porte County to meet the 2030 growth goals Partner that study with the recent announcements from Microsoft, Amazon, Samsung/GM and it is clear the time to ac now Current large employers have expres their displeasure and frustrations with the current state of the housing stock availabl within La Porte and ignoring this shortage only jeopardize the growth of those existing employers as well as the potential for new employers Another consequence of ignoring the shortage is neglecting our opportunity to bring young, college-educated, highly skilled residents back to La Porte
To help combat the crisis, the City of La Porte partnered with the Health Foundation of La Porte to take a closer look at the specific housing needs that exist in the community This new study coupled with a charette of students and professionals from the Notre Dame School of Architecture found that there’s a need for 750 rental units and 900 forsale units just in the City of La Porte alone
To further this initiative, the City of La Porte also appeared before the La Porte County Council to request their support in addressing the shortage through two major projects: Park Street Development & Feikes Builders Project During the presentation, Mayor Tom Dermody pointed out that the housing stock and overall quality of life in the City of La Porte has a direct impact on La Porte County and what is good for one is always good for the other He requested $500k in ARP funds amounting to a 25% County Investment while the City took on a 75% match By forming this partnership, an opportunity was created for the City and County to work together to narrow the current gap and make progress in solving the housing crisis
HunterWoodsGroundbreakingCeremony
FromLefttoRight:LEAPExecutiveDirectorBertCook CountyCouncilPresidentRandyNovak,SloaneAvenue GroupPartnerJohnKavchak,CityofLaPorteMayorTo Dermody,SloaneAvenueGroupPartnerGaryHensch, CountyCommissionerPresidentConnieGramarossa
When asked about the partnership and what it means for both the city and the county, Mayor Tom Dermody said, “To address the housing shortage in our community, it is going to take housing of all types The diverse options that Hunter Woods will provide are a perfect fit for our community as we continue making strides to address our unique housing needs We are thrilled to have this new development in our city and are grateful to those in the County who had the courage to forge a partnership on this project”
Hunter Woods is an exciting new development on the North side of La Porte which features a diverse mix of for-sale townhomes and single-family homes, as well as several two-story rental buildings The project aims to help fill the large gap of needed housing in the City of La Porte, a topic which has long been top of mind amongst local constituents Developed by a joint venture between founding members at Sloane Avenue Group and Redstone Homes, with engineering by Duneland Group, the bulk of the community features 3 and 4-unit townhome buildings uniquely spread out across the West side of the parcel on Pa k Street and Severs Road No backyards d face each other to ensure a balance of p within density At 1,800 square feet with bedrooms and 2 baths, the two-story townhome units will be priced at acces price points without sacrificing space, comfort, and level of finishes The rental component of the development, which the East side of Park Street, offers spaci units across several two-story buildings
More information will become available in the beginning of 2025 at wwwhunter-woodscom
THE BANKS ON CLEAR LAKE
Experience Resort-Style Luxury
The Banks is a luxury apartment community nestled along the serene Clear Lake in La Porte Offering resort-style amenities and contemporary interior finishes, The Banks beautifully blends the tranquility of nature with upscale living
Concluding construction in 2022, The Banks marked the first multifamily development project in La Porte in over a decade It has been a further catalyst for development at NewPorte Landing, complementing the retail situated along Highway 35 as well as the Chessie Trail expansion that was a part of the READI program offered by the Northwest Indiana Forum
Aside from the state-of-the-art units featuring granite countertops, tile backsplashes in kitchen area, stainless-steel appliances, and modern finishes the development boasts unique luxury amenities including a resortstyle pool with wet deck, outdoor courtyard featuring a fire pit and grilling station, fitness center with Fitness OnDemand technology, and bike storage and repair The site is also includes accommodations for their fourlegged residents with a pet wash and bark park
Flaherty & Collins invested approximately $35,000,000 in the project and the La Porte Redevelopment Commission utilized TIF funding to support the remediation of the Brownfield site the project is built on
The Banks offers an impressive selection of new studio, one bedroom, and two bedroom apartments for rent With a range of floor plans to choose from, you’re sure to find the perfect space to suit your lifestyle Learn more about The Banks by visiting LiveAtTheBankscom
LA PORTE COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION Expanding CTE Programs
The La Porte Community School Corporation demonstrates adaptability and commitment to students by taking significant steps to evolve their Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs La Porte High School offers a diverse range of pathways, including agriculture, business, biomedical sciences, and welding technology, to prepare students for college and career success
Dr Sandra Wood, Superintendent, emphasizes the importance of this approach: “Our goal is to ensure that students are equipped with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in the modern workforce, and that means continuously evolving our programs to match industry and community demands By expanding our CTE offerings, we’re creating new pathways for students to thrive, whether they pursue college or enter a high-demand career directly after high school”
This year, the welding program is expanding with the opening of a new welding lab on the Boston Campus, reflecting the increasing demand for skilled welders in the region. This expansion provides students with hands-on experience using industry-standard equipment Jen Goss, Director of Career and Technical Education, highlights the significance of this development: “The new welding lab is a game-changer for our students It’s not just about learning a tradeit’s about giving them hands-on experience with equipment that will make them competitive in the job market The support from local industry has been incredible, and this partnership will continue to benefit both our students and the community”
The success of this expansion, along with other CTE initiatives, is primarily due to the generous support of local business partners who recognize the importance of nurturing local talent
La Porte High School’s dedication to aligning its curriculum with local economic trends is evident in the introduction of new pathways, such as Human Services These pathways are driven by regional market data and job availability, ensuring that students are prepared for in-demand careers within the La Porte community
Complementing robust CTE offerings, La Porte High School demonstrates a solid commitment to academic excellence The school offers 15 Advanced Placement (AP) courses, providing students with opportunities to engage in college-level coursework and earn college credits Furthermore, through a partnership with Ivy Tech Community College, students can enroll in dual credit courses, allowing them to earn high school and college credits simultaneously This comprehensive approach ensures that students can access a wide range of challenging academic options that can accelerate their path to higher education
Recognizing the importance of early exposure to career options, the La Porte Community School Corporation now offers exploratory courses to middle school students These courses allow students to discover their interests and aptitudes before entering high school, helping them make more informed
decisions about their high school pathway and future career goals.
Superintendent Wood discusses the value of this early introduction: “We believe that early exposure to career options is crucial for helping students explore their interests By offering exploratory courses at the middle school level, we empower students to make informed decisions about their education and career paths before they even step foot in high school”
La Porte High School’s efforts align with local industry needs, foster business partnerships, and encourage early career exploration to ensure students are well-prepared for success in an ever-changing job market
WrittenByErinMeyer DirectorofCommunications LaPorteCommunitySchool Corporation
NEW HIRE SPOTLIGHT Meet Katie Anderson
New hire at Newby Lewis Kaminski & Jones, LLP (NLKJ), Katie Anderson, has been working as a Law Clerk at the firm and is now practicing law as an official attorney for the firm Read on to learn about Katie and why she chose to stay here in La Porte
Tell us a little about yourself
I was born and raised in Union Mills, and I attended South Central from kindergarten through twelfth grade. After high school, I went to Purdue University in West Lafayette to study elementary education After receiving my bachelor’s degree from Purdue, I began my teaching career I then obtained my Master’s degree in Special Education from Ball State University and took additional courses after that to obtain my educational administration license During my time, as a teacher, I married my husband, and we had two daughters, currently ages six and nine. After teaching for ten years, I decided to go back to school to study law I just graduated from Loyola University Chicago School of Law this past May, and I am very excited to be starting this new career
What led you to the decision to practice law?
While taking courses for my Master’s degree and Educational Administration license, I was required to take a few courses on the law They were really interesting to me, and I really enjoyed them. At the time, going back to school wasn’t really an option, but I eventually found the weekend law school program at Loyola that was designed for students like me I applied to the program and never looked back
What drew you to Newby Lewis Kaminski & Jones, and La Porte in general?
When I started law school, my family had already established their roots in La Porte County My husband and I knew we didn’t want to relocate, and I didn’t want a long commute, so I started looking for a local firm I was familiar with NLKJ and knew they had a great reputation. Luckily, I was able to join the firm as a law clerk and eventually received an offer to be an associate upon graduation Everyone has been very welcoming from the start and I have felt as if I’m part of the team since day one
What areas of law will you be practicing?
I am still figuring out what type of law I will be practicing I am interested in school law and hope to get into the field of Special Education law I have also enjoyed working with estate plans and would specifically like to get into estate planning for individuals with special needs
What drives you?
My family is what drives me most They’re the reason I push myself to work hard and stay focused Setting a strong example for them motivates me to keep improving and achieving my goals
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
I enjoy spending time with my friends and family, reading, running, biking, and playing sports with and helping coach my daughter’s teams
