Every year local government implements policies and creates change to improve the community for everyone. Their efforts often go unnoticed. That is why the La Porte Chamber of Commerce established an annual State of the City luncheon in conjunction with City Hall. April 1st, 2016 was the 14th meeting of its kind.
To see more photos from this event, click here!
President Mike Seitz of the Chamber said that, “When we started this program we wanted to make sure that there was a connection between the business community and city government. The Chamber has always been a strong partner with the city.”
The connection was made clear with the data in Mayor Blair Milo’s presentation. The city made around 15.5 million dollars worth of capital investments in the past year. Together they have helped to create 118 new jobs. Businesses like the B and B Manufacturing Plant and Holiday Inn Express are expanding, while new ones like Dunkin Donuts and Culvers are being built.
“This year things are a little different,” said Mayor Milo. “I think there’s a lot to be able to be celebrated here but we are certainly in the midst of a unique environment as we look at what government is doing these days and the conversations surrounding what value government can play in our lives overall. It’s great to see the positives, though.”
Milo was referring to the dark way in which our nation has been looking at government. Most of the country are struggling to see the benefits their community is giving them. La Porte’s public restoration projects are in the minority when it comes to a city taking care of its people.
Milo said, though, that, “How America is putting itself back together is through community. That is really the engine of our country. Innovation is happening in very unique and dynamic ways.”
Some of the ways our city is changing are through the long-awaited restoration and improvement of our public lots. Thomas Rose Industrial Park and the Younger Life Plaza are being made over. La Porte is being renovated from its very foundation as well: The total infrastructure is being reworked and laid. 10% of the roads were paved last year and another 9 million dollars is expected to be spent on paving in 2016.
With Parks comes Recreation. The city sponsors several events for its people, including the Maple City Grand Prix and the Farmer’s Market.
If a citizen wants to know more about the government of La Porte they can visit OpenGov.com and view financial reports for the city’s spending. If they want to help out, they can volunteer with a new project being started all across the country called PAARI. PAARI, allows people struggling with addiction to seek help through Law Enforcement without legal consequence.
After 14 years of progress, there was still a lot to be said. The City of La Porte done a lot for its people and the State of the Union is a great way to keep them informed as well.
Maggi Spartz of the Unity Foundation said, “I love going to one meeting where you can get all the information at one time. It’s a hub. Not everything gets in the media: this helps me, as a voter, to stay informed. When we know how everything is connected, we make better decisions.”