Media

U.S. Congressman Frank Mrvan and La Porte Mayor Tom Dermody today announced the funding of a major infrastructure project along one of the city’s main thoroughfares.

The City of La Porte is the recipient of over $959,000 in Community Project Funding from the federal government, which will assist the city’s ongoing efforts to replace combined sewers with new, separate sanitary and stormwater sewer facilities. Mrvan, who was key in securing these dollars for the city, said he was glad to assist in the funding of such a critical project.

On the sunny afternoon of July 1, La Porte residents, first responders, and municipal staff gathered in The Reading Wifi Garden of the La Porte County Public Library for a momentous occasion. Mayor of La Porte Tom Dermody and Indiana First Congressional District Representative Frank Mrvan announced that the City of La Porte has received a Community Project Funding grant of over $959,000 from the federal government. Dermody announced that the grant will help fund the improvement of the sewer infrastructure underneath Indiana Avenue, one of La Porte’s main streets.

Former U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky reflected Monday on the completion of the Little Calumet River Flood Control and Reduction Project, which has been nearly 30 years in the making.

“We will not have anyone else lose their life because the Little Cal flooded. I would anticipate we’re not going to have any more property damage because the Little Cal did not flood,” Visclosky said.

The Little Calumet River Basin Development Commission will continue its work, Visclosky said, through efforts like creating a collaborative to preserve the wetlands around the basin.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) celebrated the conclusion of the Little Calumet River Flood Control and Recreation Project at a press event held Monday at Highland's Wicker Park Social Center.

The Gary/Chicago International Airport’s extended runway, customs facility and proximity to Chicago played a big role in landing its newest tenant.

Jeromy Montesano, who owns Wingtip Aviation in Valparaiso, has signed a 20-year lease on a new hangar for its private charter jet operations.

Officials held a ceremonial groundbreaking for the $12 million, 47,000-square-foot hangar under construction on the airport’s east end Tuesday. It’s expected to be completed in May 2025.

The Gary/Chicago International Airport kicked off another new investment Tuesday. Officials broke ground on a new 47,000-square-foot hangar, which will be leased to Valparaiso-based Wingtip Aviation.

Wingtip owner Jeromy Montesano said his company decided to expand to Gary, due to the airport's long runway, customs facility and other infrastructure. "Wingtip Aviation currently serves every country in the world," Montesano said. "We fly everywhere in the world with the most high-powered companies and CEOs."

The Gary/Chicago International Airport (GCIA) formally broke ground on a new $12 million, 47,000 square foot aviation hangar, which represents the newest addition to its growing list of aviation offerings. This new hangar will house Wingtip Aviation upon its anticipated May 2025 opening, which signed a 20-year lease with the GCIA Authority and will consolidate its operations at the airport.

Local and federal officials marked the completion of the Dike Raise construction project on Monday at the Indiana Harbor Confined Disposal Facility.

U.S. Rep Frank Mrvan, D-Highland, and officials with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Chicago District held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to signal the end of the project, which doubles the current capacity to 4.8 million cubic yards and allows for maintenance dredging to continue for the next 35 to 40 years.