Deals of a Lifetime

The Bureau of Labor Statistics report total employment growth rose by half a percent between the first quarter of 2002 and the first quarter of 2003.

That’s because businesses of all types and sizes are eager to take advantage of Portage’s benefits, starting with our labor force. According to the Census 2000 figures, 65.6 percent of our population over age 16 participates in the job market. More than 86 percent rely on their own transportation. The median household income is $47,500. More than 82 percent of the population holds a high school diploma or higher.

It’s the perfect base to support industrial giants like I.S.G. Steel or entrepreneurial ventures like Mariann and Noel Frigo’s FirstCare Rehab, named Indiana’s Small Business Persons of the Year for 2003 by the U.S. Small Business Administration. Beginning as a home-based business in 1991, by the close of 2001, sales were over $3.5 million with 81 employees on staff. In the past three years, sales have increased 97 percent.

Chamber Muse

The Greater Portage Chamber of Commerce has been very active in the development of our city. This is just a sampling of the projects currently on our agenda:

• Support requests for Tax Abatement for new or present industries.
• Work with developer of 385 acre industrial park: AmeriPlex at the Port.
• Follow through on "Vision and Action" plans for renovation of the Central Business District.
• Action to assure success of Portage Healthcare facilities.
• Maintain working relationship with the city Administration to encourage pro-business decisions.
• Wellness programs for employees of Chamber members to keep direct and hidden healthcare costs under control.
• Quarterly lunches for industry leaders at Sand Creek Country Club for roundtable discussion of industrial problems.
• Continue contacts with State legislators to eliminate the inventory tax and correct property taxes.
• Support the addition of retail/commercial business in accordance with Ball State University survey.
• Work to increase visitor and tourism business.
• Create awareness of all businesses of E-Commerce.
• Support Portage Township Schools Corp. building program.
• Co-operative action to help solve shortage of skilled worker problems.

On Line

For more information on Portage’s potential, explore these sites:

www.portageinchamber.com
www.ci.portage.in.us
www.northwestindiana.com
econdev.nipsco.com/sites-orgs.asp?org=pedco
www.casualcoast.com
www.porterco.org
www.portagein.org
www.epodunk.com/cgi-bin/genInfo.php?locIndex=5653

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