MAYOR EDDIE MELTON APPLAUDS REP. FRANK MRVAN FOR SECURING CRITICAL PROJECT FUNDING TO FUEL GARY’S REVITALIZATION

GARY, IND. — The City of Gary commends Representative Frank J. Mrvan for successfully securing critical economic development Community Project Funding for Indiana’s First Congressional District. The funding requests, included in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 House Appropriations measure, allocate $1.45 million directly to the City of Gary to support ongoing infrastructure and neighborhood stabilization efforts.

The inclusion of these funds marks another significant step forward in Gary's ongoing efforts focusing heavily on expanding economic opportunity and removing blight.

The FY 2027 House Appropriations measure includes the following key investments for the City of Gary:

• $1,200,000 – Gary University Park East Neighborhood Stabilization Project: Funding will assist the City of Gary, through the Gary Redevelopment Commission, with the demolition of the former Franklin Elementary School to clear the way for future development adjacent to the Indiana University Northwest (IUN) campus.

• $250,000 – Gary/Chicago International Airport: Funding will assist in developing critical landside infrastructure to support the growing Air Cargo and Logistics Area.

Additionally, Gary stands to benefit from the $2,000,000 Calumet Region Environmental Infrastructure allocation, which provides for partnerships between the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Lake and Porter County communities to address critical water, sanitary, and stormwater infrastructure improvements.

"Our city extends its heartfelt appreciation to Congressman Mrvan for his steadfast advocacy on behalf of the City of Gary," said Mayor Eddie Melton. "The funds targeted for the demolition of the former Franklin Elementary School are a crucial step in stabilizing the University Park area, paving the way for vibrant future development near the university. Furthermore, this continued investment in the Gary/Chicago International Airport provides the infrastructure support we need to ensure our airport becomes the absolute best in the region. This is exactly the kind of federal partnership that fuels our city's momentum."

The FY 2027 measure has been officially approved by the House Appropriations Committee. To be enacted, an identical version of the measure must be approved by both the full U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, and signed into law by the President.

The City of Gary will continue to work closely with Rep. Mrvan’s office to monitor the progress of this legislation and prepare for the implementation of these transformative projects.

Contact:
Steve Segura, Chief Communications Officer
City of Gary
stsegura@gary.gov

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