Mrvan tours federal projects in Michigan City, region

Last week, U.S. Rep. Frank J. Mrvan, D-1st, joined with Col. Kenneth Rockwell, Commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Chicago District (USACE), Supt. Jason Taylor, Indiana Dunes National Park and Ryan McCoy, Port Director of the Ports of Indiana – Burns Harbor, in a tour of certain federally funded projects across Northwest Indiana.

Specifically, Mrvan toured the Michigan City Harbor, the Indiana Dunes National Park, and the Ports of Indiana – Burns Harbor.

“Thank you to all the leaders with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Indiana Dunes National Park, and the Ports of Indiana –Burns Harbor for the opportunity to tour transformational economic projects currently being implemented in our region,” Mrvan said.

“I look forward to continuing to collaborate with federal, state, and local partners to bring federal dollars back to our communities that enhance our economic infrastructure and create more good-paying job opportunities for everyone,” he added.

Through the appropriations process and Community Project Funding requests, Mrvan has helped secure $11,692,000 for the Michigan City Harbor, $6,600,000 for improvements within the Indiana Dunes National Park, and $5,537,000 for the Ports of Indiana – Burns Harbor during his time in Congress.

“Our visit with Rep. Frank Mrvan provided an important opportunity to showcase the ongoing work at Michigan City Harbor, the Indiana Shoreline at IDNP, and Burns Harbor. These projects are critical to protecting and enhancing the communities in Northwest Indiana,” Rockwell said.

“I appreciated the opportunity to highlight the park’s unique natural resources with Congressman Mrvan, while strengthening our partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,” Taylor added.

McCoy said Mrvan’s support for Ports of Indiana-Burns Harbor at the federal level is vital to the ongoing expansion of port infrastructure that will increase its role in global trade and create more high-paying jobs for Northwest Indiana.

“With the Congressman’s endorsement, Ports of Indiana has applied for nearly $30 million in federal grants that are in addition to the transformational $77 million in infrastructure investments taking place now,” McCoy said.

“This unprecedented level of investment will dramatically increase port business growth and regional economic development,” he added.

The federal funding, according to a statement from Mrvan’s office, grows the Northwest Indiana economy by enhancing operations and maintenance at the ports of entry and along the shoreline and attracts new people and businesses to the region.