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http://heraldargus.com/articles/2010/01/06...b2184109363.txt

County approves contract with economic development alliance

By Craig Davison
Published: Wednesday, January 6, 2010 2:16 AM CST
Staff writer

1-866-362-2167 Ext. 13865

cdavison@heraldargus.com

LA PORTE — The county has agreed to a contract with an economic development alliance to further its goals to retain and attract businesses.

The County Commission unanimously agreed Tuesday to sign an agreement with the La Porte County Economic Development Alliance, which is an agreement between the county and La Porte’s and Michigan City’s respective economic development corporations.

Tim Gropp, executive director of the Greater La Porte Economic Development Corporation, said the next step for the alliance is to prepare a plan of action to bring to the alliance’s new board at a meeting.

John Regetz, executive director of the Michigan City Economic Development Corporation, said one of the next things to do is to start putting together programs, such as a marketing plan.

The alliance’s goal is to take what the cities’ corporations do and expand that throughout the county. It will include efforts such as marketing, attracting new businesses, help existent businesses with their needs and other options.

Regetz said officials have been working on the alliance for about a year.

In previous workshops, some members of the County Council had reservations to ensure keeping their economic development coordinator, Matt Reardon, in the loop and were told there was no problem to continue working with the county’s consultant.

The Commission also voted to retain Braje Nelson and Janes, LLP as its law firm for the second straight year. Also, every department head contract was renewed, except for the general foreman at County Highway. The Hanna foreman was tabled.