Sen. Richard Lugar addresses Gary and Region Investment Project stakeholders

The Gary and Region Investment Project (GRIP) — a regional initiative to reinvest in Northwest Indiana’s urban core, led by the Metropolitan Planning Council (MPC, www.metroplanning.org) and The Times Media Company (www.nwitimes.com) — launched Oct. 27, 2010, with the “GRIP the Future” event, at the Genesis Center, in Gary, Ind. The event was both a resounding call to action and the first step in identifying a few key investments that the region can work together on to stabilize and transform its economy.
To that end, GRIP the Future brought together nearly 200 people who have a stake in reviving Northwest Indiana’s formerly industrialized communities, including community leaders, business leaders, and elected and appointed officials. U.S. Sen. Richard Lugar (R-Ind) could not attend but provided this videotaped message to welcome attendees.