The pandemic may have put the world on lock down in 2020, but it appeared to have little impact on business activity and economic growth in Michigan City.
The Economic Development Corp. Michigan City, Indiana in its annual report of business activity in the city said the community continued to move forward through strategic planning and partnerships, neighborhood-focused initiatives and growth-centered projects and activity in 2020.
“We concentrated on communication by hosting business recovery planning conference calls that united nonprofit, school, city and business leaders,” said Clarence Hulse, EDCMC executive director. “We had the opportunity to help launch an informative website, survey our businesses for what they most needed and offer the Michigan City Fighting Chance Fund program.”
There was a commitment made to share information and to work together to create synergy, which yielded solutions, said Stephanie Oberlie, EDCMC board past chair and president/COO at Harbour Trust & Investment Management Co.
“This formed a silver lining as we navigated the crisis together,” she said.
In 2020, the EDCMC’s economic development activity included $61,850,000 in estimated capital investment, 583 projected new jobs, 98 community partnership meetings, 175 jobs retained, 294,500 square feet added or redeveloped space, and 15 new expansion or relocation projects completed or in the works.
The Indiana Economic Development Corp. in January also reported robust economic growth across the state in 2020.
Business growth in Michigan City included Shady Creek Winery, which is expanding its production, warehouse, and equipment through two phases, as well as Hearthside Food Solutions’ project to expand its product lines with 50 new jobs and $13.6 million in capital investment.
Harbour Trust Investment Management Co., Viobin/PHM and Midwest Metal Products also worked on building expansions, according to the EDCMC. New projects included Zorn Barrelhouse event venue and loft apartments, Uptown Social theater rehab, J&B West Roofing’s first phase, PACE and James Burg Trucking company relocations and Aquagenic Technologies rehab.
“Seeing the pace of development and 2020 data confirms to me that Michigan City is in a tremendous position to accomplish even more,” Hulse said.
