Mrvan updates Michigan City residents on what's going on in Congress and Northwest Indiana

International conflicts, environmental concerns, and issues affecting veterans and active duty military personnel were discussed when U.S. Rep. Frank Mrvan held his first of several town halls on Friday in Michigan City.

At City Hall on Jan. 26, the First District Democratic Congressman and his staff spoke to constituents about what’s going on in the House, and listened to concerns about Michigan City. The talk was first in a series planned across the district.

Mrvan said he was frustrated that Congress has not passed any appropriations to federal agencies for the last four months. He said the Department of Defense, National Security Agency, IRS and others have not received money to do their jobs properly.

He also said he was concerned about how the conflict between Israel and Hamas could affect NWI. For that, he said it was imperative to appropriate funds toward the various defense and intelligence agencies to keep the country safe.

“I am extremely frustrated that we have not been able to find common ground,” Mrvan said, “that is necessary to complete this work to protect our national security. And I assure you that I am working every day to find like-minded colleagues to address these issues as soon as possible.”

Mrvan also discussed the pending purchase of U.S. Steel by a Japanese steelmaker, which he called a “national security” issue. He said he and his team have written letters to the administration to make sure they examine the request and assure all union contracts are preserved.

He also commended the efforts of local, state and federal officials – including EDCMC Executive Director Clarence Hulse – on various infrastructure projects such as the South Shore Double Track project, saying because of those efforts, incentives are coming to bring private businesses to Michigan City, which will bring new jobs with them

“It is no accident that Michigan City is one of the hottest ticket items of real estate throughout Indiana, throughout Illinois, throughout the nation,” Mrvan said.

Other projects coming to Michigan City, such as the SoLa Project and moving the Indiana State Prison to Westville, were also making the city attractive to outside developers, he said. And the Double Track was a “tool” in bringing them to the city and providing a better the quality of life in Michigan City.

Mrvan also said federal dollars were used to support local organizations such as Paladin so they can better help people with developmental disabilities, and the Michigan City Police Department to purchase license plate readers.

The proposed Destination Playground at Fedder’s Alley in Washington Park is also on the project list to gain federal funding, he said.

“We are fighting, working arm in arm with the [Michigan City Common] Council and the mayor to deliver those tax dollars so we can be productive…,” he said. “I’m fighting for that, each and every day.”

Mrvan also discussed the proposed change of the Michigan City Coast Guard station from full-time to part-time staffing, saying a reduction in enlistment was affecting stations across the country. He said he is working with Mayor Angie Nelson Deuitch and the Council to host an enlistment fair so students know what opportunities are available with the Coast Guard and other military branches.

Jeff Deuitch, husband of Nelson Deuitch, asked if Mrvan would consider creating a feasibility study to see if a Veteran’s Affairs outreach center could be placed in La Porte County. A retired veteran, Deuitch said many local veterans, including himself, go to Merrillville or South Bend, which can be “very trying” for them.

Mrvan said a study had been done for closing and consolidating centers in NWI, but added he would look to see what it would take to bring a facility to La Porte County.

Susan Thomas, director of legislation and policy of Just Transition Northwest Indiana, asked about the opening of a hydrogen hub near the BP refinery in Whiting, and how people can get involved in helping learn the difference between green and blue hydrogen, and water requirements to make hydrogen.

Mrvan said he was open to having dialogue and will sit down with JTNWI about the matter.

Nelson Deuitch then asked Mrvan how he can help smaller cities like Michigan City get federal funding, saying many bigger cities were getting bigger portions of federal monies.

Mrvan said once Nelson Deuitch’s staff provides evidence of the city’s eligibility for certain grants, he will provide that information to Congress to help get more grants for the city.

“My staff will move mountains, walk arm in arm, do everything that we can to make sure that your eligible applications will get into the right hands,” Mrvan said.