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[JHeath]

http://www.thenewsdispatch.com/articles/20...84510082514.txt

By Matt Field
Staff Writer
Published: Wednesday, May 19, 2010 4:14 AM CDT
MICHIGAN CITY — The City Council had some advice for the city’s chief economic development official Tuesday: Use the riverboat funds.

Council President Marc Espar said the city needs to stop using riverboat funds for mundane bill paying and start using it to separate itself from the pack of Indiana towns trying to attract business. He agreed with Councilman Ron Meer, who suggested building facilities for job-creating companies.

“The last thing I want to see is us paying another NIPSCO bill or employee health insurance with that money,” Espar said after Tuesday’s meeting.

Espar and other council members suggested the outside-the-box thinking after John Regetz highlighted Michigan City Economic Development Corp.’s 2009 successes. Those included creating 248 new jobs and retaining 431 jobs, according to Regetz’s report.

Regetz said that MCEDC works hard to retain local businesses through a variety of means. Meetings with two local companies brought out the need to get AutoCAD (design software) training reinstituted in Michigan City Area Schools, according to Regetz’s report.

Another focus is attracting business. Regetz said MCEDC attends trade shows and other meetings to lure in potential businesses.

Espar told the council it seemed Michigan City was doing the same things as other towns to bring business to the city. He told Regetz to tap into the riverboat funds for economic development.

In an interview after Tuesday’s council meeting, Espar said day-to-day expenses should be paid for with taxes, not casino revenue. The council has been working to reduce the percentage of riverboat funds that can be used for everyday expenses, from 45 percent before 2010 to an eventual 20 percent from 2012, Espar said.

He said constructing a building for a company that would bring jobs to Michigan City is within the realm of possible uses for the riverboat funds. Espar thinks Regetz will listen to the suggestions he and other council members had.

“He just needs to know he’s got the full support of the council,” he said.

Regetz told the council his organization’s accomplishment came despite the economy.

“I’m not going to kid anyone: 2009 was a rough year,” he said.