Mrvan funding requests span environment, airport, law enforcement
Infrastructure projects throughout Northwest Indiana rank high on Congressman Frank Mrvan’s funding wish list as he submitted his community project funding requests for the First Congressional District in fiscal year 2024.
“I am grateful that a transparent process was established for all Members to include eligible projects in the House appropriations measures, and believe that this process is an essential component of our ability to advocate for economic growth and success in our districts. As we move forward, I will continue to work with all of my colleagues to move these measures forward and complete this Constitutional responsibility as soon as possible,” Mrvan said via news release.
Two of the largest appropriations include a request for $2 million for Calumet Region Environmental Infrastructure and $3.5 million for the Gary/Chicago International Airport Authority to address increased cargo operations.
Dan Vicari, executive director of the Gary/Chicago International Airport, said while airport officials do not take any potential funding source for granted until the dollars are received, they would welcome the funds to help pay for ongoing expansion plans as the facility continues to grow.
“I think what he likes is that we are an economic engine and we have a really strong local hiring component. The airport authority itself employees more than 40 people, the various businesses throughout the airport currently employ more than 400 individuals in various roles.
“To think what that number could be if we attract more cargo and hopefully get a (passenger) airline to make this a hub. There are so many possibilities,” Vicari said.
If secured, the $3.5 million requested by Mrvan will pay to improve cargo capacity in phase one of a long-term expansion project as services like UPS continue to come to the airport and grow. UPS currently operates in the passenger terminal. Part of the project that the funding would be directed to includes making new accommodations for UPS and enhancing their ability to grow. The work also will enable the airport to bring in more end cargo handlers.
Erin Sweitzer, vice president of strategic external communications with the Indiana Economic Development Corp., said infrastructure investments make Indiana more attractive to both businesses and talent.
“Having available sites — or sites under development — ready for businesses to plug into greatly increases Indiana’s ability to secure project commitments,” Sweitzer said.
“The IEDC is identifying sites that would be ideal or development because the infrastructure either already exists or could be delivered in a short time frame — making it a prime location or development and the planning process required to attract a company looking to locate there in the future,” Sweitzer said.
The requests have been included in the House version of the Fiscal Year 2024 appropriations measures and must be approved by both the House and Senate prior to being signed into law.
Four police departments — Hammond, Gary, Merrillville and Munster — may benefit if Mrvan’s requests make it through the approval process. Gary Police potentially could receive $264,000 for the purchase of stationary license plate reader devices and mobile trailer units while Hammond could receive $350,000 to upgrade and enhance the departments surveillance and LPR system.
Munster stands to receive $215,000 in funding to purchase and upgrade technology and equipment, and Merrillville would receive $963,000 to assist with the purchase of emergency communication equipment for the department’s radio replacement project.
For Hammond’s Challenger Learning Center of Northwest Indiana Inc., Mrvan requested $963,000 for the purchase and installation of a new mission control simulator to upgrade existing technology.
In Porter County, Mrvan also seeks $998,000 in the appropriations measure for Burns Waterway Small Boat Harbor to assist with operations and maintenance;
He also is seeking to secure $959,752 for Valparaiso to assist with the Stormwater Quality and Detention Project to address combined sewers through sewer separation projects and $500,000 for Portage to assist with additional phases of the Central Avenue reconstruction project.
Portage Mayor Sue Lynch said she known Mrvan for many years and is grateful he recognizes how important it is for Portage as a growing city to be vigilant at maintaining infrastructure.
“I am so please that we have the kind of relationship that has allows us to partner on important projects like Central Avenue West and the recent interceptor pipe repairs,” Lynch said.
