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U.S. Rep. Frank J. Mrvan, D-Highland, is applauding the city of LaPorte and a Hobart school district for successfully securing federal funds to improve public safety in their communities.

The three-term congressman said the U.S. Department of Justice is providing LaPorte $500,000 from the COPS Hiring Program to add four police officers to its force, while the River Forest Community School Corp. is getting $343,068 from the COPS School Violence Prevention Program to fund security programs and technology at its four schools in Hobart and Lake Station.

Local leaders, construction companies, and community members alike gathered in Michigan City on December 5 to celebrate Paladin’s new Success Hub within its 24,000-square-foot facility at the official Ribbon Cutting & Open House. Made possible by the $1.5 million of federal funding, financial support from La Porte County Council and Congressman Frank Mrvan, and a generous contribution from Tonn and Blank Construction, LLC, as part of the company’s community investment initiatives, Paladin now has the capacity to serve an additional 100 people in the new Success Hub.

Rep. Frank Mrvan announced Josue Pedraza of Morton High School is the winner of the 2025 Congressional App Challenge in Indiana’s First Congressional District.

Pedraza used JavaScript to create his winning application, RoboticsMuse. The application is an educational hub with resources and interactive lessons for students to learn more about robotics and find a community of peers who are also interested in STEM.

Tuesday, Rep. Frank J. Mrvan announced federal grant awards in Northwest Indiana, including for the City of La Porte and River Forest Community School Corporation, under the Department of Justice’s Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Office.

According to the Department of Justice, the City of La Porte will receive $500,000 from the COPS Hiring Program (CHP) to hire four additional law enforcement officers in an effort to increase community policing capacity and crime prevention efforts.

Fair Haven Rape Crisis Center received a second infusion of federal cash late last month, this time to help with survivors’ needs once they’re in the program.

On this special edition of Regionally Speaking, host Dee Dotson turns the conversation to Capitol Hill and the critical issues impacting Northwest Indiana's essential economy. Joining us for an in-depth interview is U.S. Congressman Frank Mrvan, representing Indiana’s 1st Congressional District. Congressman Mrvan offers valuable insights into his legislative work, particularly how his committee assignments translate into direct, tangible benefits for The Region and industrial workers nationwide.

Indiana District 1 U.S. representative Frank Mrvan in Michigan City, celebrated the grand opening of a new adult learning and community space.

Paladin Success Hub offers an engaging, accessible, and inclusive space supporting individuals of all abilities.

The newly finished building transformation was made possible by $1.5 million in federal funding.

Friday’s event drew a large crowd. It was standing room only for supporters including Congressman Mrvan.