Ceremonial signing (L-R seated) State Rep. Charlie Brown, State Senator Earline Rogers, Governor Pence, State Senator Ed Charbonneau, State Rep. Ed Soliday (Standing L-R) Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson, Sen. Lonnie Randolph, and State Rep. Hal Slager

Gov. Pence visits Gary to Sign Senate Bill 585

Gary Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson, Indiana General Assembly members, local elected officials and community leaders welcomed Indiana Governor Mike Pence to Gary City Hall for a ceremonial signing of Senate Bill 585.

“This bill represents a great opportunity for economic development in Gary and all of Northwest Indiana,” said Freeman-Wilson. “Today’s event is much more than a ceremony, it is evidence of the Governor’s commitment to Gary, and I look forward to working with him on behalf of our citizens.”

Also known as the “Gary Bill,” this legislation will provide funding for a feasibility study for both a trauma center and teaching hospital, and a study to expand the Port of Indiana to Lake County. It also provides the City of Gary with $3 million from the Gary Sanitary District, resets membership on the Gary Airport Board, requiring five years of experience in business or aviation management and lifts Lake County property tax caps.

“I am honored to join today members of the General Assembly who are distinguished leaders and represent a wide range of philosophical viewpoints, but they demonstrate today that when it comes to promoting Gary and Northwestern Indiana, we’re all in it together,” said Gov. Pence.

Governor Pence chats with City of Gary Dept. of Communications intern James Wells after the ceremony.

Tags: Economic Development, gary airport board, Gary Bill, Gary city hall, Gary Sanitary District, Gov. Pence, Governor Mike Pence, Indiana General Assembly, lake county, lake county property tax caps, Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson, Northwest Indiana, port of indiana, Senate Bill 585, teaching hospital, trauma center