As Northwest Indiana’s Regional Economic Development Organization and the Voice of Business Leadership, the Forum’s charge is to create/retain quality jobs and capital investment fostered by a business friendly climate, all in harmony with the environment.

The Forum takes positions on issues that its investors determine will have an effect on the development and creation of a strong globally competitive economy in Northwest Indiana. Focusing efforts on four areas; we can address the most critical issues facing business and industry and the challenges of economic development. Positions are intended to facilitate smart planning and growth, support communities with incentive options, attract companies with the potential to create and retain quality jobs, improve the quality of life and support the Forum’s mission to increased broad based wealth in Northwest Indiana. A proactive policy approach is necessary to maintain Northwest Indiana's business climate.

The four main areas of interest for the Forum:

 PUBLIC POLICY WHICH PROVIDES FOR A COMPETITIVE BUSINESS TAX CLIMATE.

POLICY OR LEGISLATIVE CHANGES THAT WOULD IMPROVE LOCAL GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION. 

PUBLIC POLICY WHICH PROVIDES FOR INFRASTRUCTURE SUPPORT AND DEVELOPMENT.

REGULATORY ENVIRONMENT WHICH PROVIDES FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH AND PROTECTS THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR RESIDENTS. 

2022 Legislative Agenda

As the regional economic development organization and the Voice of Northwest Indiana businesses representing Lake, Porter, LaPorte, Jasper, Starke, Newton and Pulaski counties, it is the Forum’s mission to retain and create jobs in Northwest Indiana. The following represent our top priorities for the 2020 Legislative Session.

1

Expand & Protect Economic Development Incentive Tools

The IGNITE the REGION Plan and READI grant award in the amount of $50 million will enable NWI to initiate substantial economic development in the Forum’s 7-county region. Continue to support and encourage flexibility in existing tools while working with the state to be innovative.

Advocate for additional tools that are critical to attraction, retention and successful competitive outcomes such as funding a 2nd round of READI grant awards.

2

Infrastructure Improvements
Multiple projects within the IGNITE the REGION and READI grant will provide improvements in roads, water and wastewater, fiber optics, airports and brownfield redevelopment. Advocate for long-term planning, design and implementation of local and state infrastructure projects as funding becomes available.

3

Workforce Development

The ability to utilize existing programs with the multiple workforce development projects to grow, attract and retain talent contained within the IGNITE the REGION and the READI grant is a high priority. Support public funding to assist businesses for upgrading the skills of new and/or incumbent employees.

4

5

Environmental

Our mission to have economic development in harmony with the environment is highlighted by the multiple renewable energy projects under design and construction in Northwest Indiana. As we continually work towards environmental improvements, we make those strides when environmental decisions are clear and managed in a legal, scientific and timely manner for all stakeholder groups.

Resiliency

Promote and protect the Indiana Dunes National and State Parks and surrounding lakeshore as a regional asset.

6

Expansion of Eligibility for External Grant

We support increasing opportunities for public universities that allow for a competitive environment in regions encompassing large portions of the state’s population to be eligible for private and state grant funding.