Enterprise Zone Issues

Results of the process described in Section III are described in this section.  It is organized in terms of the task force topics.  Under each task force is its mission or the focus of the work followed by the vision as determined by task force members.  Thereafter vision topics are stated as indicated by the Roman numerals followed by the problem to be overcome and the goals to be achieved in doing so.  They are followed by a list of actions in relative order of importance.  Therefore, the first action is much more important than the last action, according to task force participants.

Mission

The Economic Development Task Force focused their work on the following issues:
 

• Industry most suitable to the Michigan City Urban Enterprise Zone
• Lakefront as an economic development opportunity
• Downtown revitalization
• Use of vacant facilities
• Economic development climate in the Michigan City Urban Enterprise Zone

Vision

 Our vision for the future is for employment of the labor force in industries that are sensitive to the environment consistent with available resources, and provide for an increased tax base and healthy economic climate for all residents.

I.  Economic Development Climate in Michigan City Urban Enterprise Zone

Problem Statement

The Michigan City Urban Enterprise Zone competes nationally for new business and industry.  The small inventory of improved developable industrial sites constrains the kinds and size of industry that can be attracted to the area.  The area's highway and commuter railroad gateways are unattractive and reduce its ability to attract new businesses and residents.  Local small business activities receive too little promotion time and money.  Too little money is spent on advertising the area's attributes to prospective business investors.

Goals and Actions

Over the next three years, the Michigan City Urban Enterprise Zone should increase resources spent on improving industrial sites, supporting local entrepreneurs and advertising local resources.
 

1. Prepare and implement an economic promotion strategy to reoccupy 10 percent of sound vacant non-residential buildings and vacant land annually.
2. Identify positive and negative attributes of economic climate in the Michigan City Urban Enterprise Zone.
3. Prepare and conduct continuous "Pride in Michigan City" program through the local media and educational institutions.
4. Identify funding source for promotion.
5. Support a multi-cultural council to increase awareness of benefits of the Michigan City Urban Enterprise Zone.
6. Develop an attractive multi-cultural marketing strategy.

Problem Statement

The Michigan City Urban Enterprise Zone has lost a significant number of high paying industrial jobs over the past 10 years.  Many of the new jobs that have been created pay lower wages or do not provide employee benefits.  The available job force has not been trained for high tech or high skill jobs that would pay higher wages.

Existing resources of air quality, and water and sewer infrastructure, and building ready locations constrain the types of industry that would be attracted to the Michigan City Urban Enterprise Zone.

Goals and Actions

 Our goal is to attract and support industry that will develop the Michigan City Urban Enterprise Zone resources, and fulfill the strategic plan for growth.  We will also actively seek to support and enhance existing industries.
 

1. Prepare and implement an economic promotion strategy to attract new industry.
2. Develop new and existing building ready locations.
3. Up-date the existing inventory of resources with current information. Maintain a current registry of resources (buildings, labor, sites).
4. Increase local vocational training capacity to provide job skills.
5. Actively recruit business with jobs for which people would be trained. 
6. Provide training in technical, human and social skills for current work force.
7. Analyze skill level of existing workforce -- recruit industry to match existing skills.
8. Identify all available economic development funds to  achieve economic development goal of full employment.
9. Improve air quality to decrease pollutants.

Problem Statement

Waterfront development along the lake and Trail Creek is a unique and valuable economic development opportunity that has been underutilized for the Michigan City Urban Enterprise Zone. 

Goals and Actions

Our goal is to recognize the importance and value of the lakefront and river front as an economic development resource for the Michigan City Urban Enterprise Zone.  The lakefront and riverfront should be developed sensitively to provide for the maximum economic benefit while maintaining maximum community access and enforcing community design standards.

1. Improve and maintain channel depth in Trail Creek.
2. Expand park.  Improve public access to observation tower and hill leading up to tower. Improve zoo continuing trend toward a petting zoo.
3. Replace existing deteriorated waterfront development with uses that support the tourist industry and up-scale housing.
4. Utilize area Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO) is on for further improvement to waterfront.
5. Improve public access to Trail Creek.
6. Prepare and adopt lakefront commercial and industrial building codes and design standards for all development in the lakefront views.
7. Enhance tourist activities on the lakefront by developing and supporting theme boat cruises and ethnic festivals.
8. Develop a plan to do something with NIPSCO waterfront property.
9. Development of marina -- increase number of slips.
10. Increase public rail and water transportation ridership of tourists and commuters between the Michigan City Urban Enterprise Zone and Chicago. Explore alternatives such as increasing subsidy and improving promotion.

Problem Statement

Michigan City's downtown located in the Urban Enterprise Zone is the town center for the community.  Efforts have been made to stimulate downtown development through public investment in streetscape improvements and infrastructure.  Many buildings are underutilized and some are vacant.  This detracts from the sense of vibrancy in the Michigan City Urban Enterprise Zone.

Goals and Actions

Our goal is for downtown to be fully developed with a mix of retail, office and residential development that will enable downtown to be a lively, vibrant and vital community center for the Michigan City Urban Enterprise Zone.
 

1. Increase the supply of housing located in downtown the Michigan City Urban Enterprise Zone by 50 units per year during the next nine years.
2. Attract a hotel/motel to downtown area.
3. Occupy all vacant sound building space located in the downtown Michigan City Urban Enterprise Zone.
4. Improve arterial access to Franklin Street in downtown area.
5. Extend support for the Main Street Program for an additional 12 months.
6. Increase the supply of downtown parking to keep pace with re-occupancy of existing building and construction of new buildings.
7. Utilize vacant property in response to market demands.
8. Advertise and promote the use of downtown by businesses and residents.
9. Re-review historical preservation design guidelines and policies in downtown historic district for increased owner flexibility.

Problem Statement

Over the past 10 years, the Michigan City Urban Enterprise Zone has lost a significant number of industries.  Facilities have been abandoned and not maintained.  Dilapidated, vacant industrial and commercial buildings are a blight on the community, a financial burden on the tax payers, and depress the industrial land market.  Some vacant facilities are not economically viable to refit for new industry without significant subsidy.

Goals and Actions

Our goal is to reuse or demolish all vacant and abandoned industrial buildings, and to reuse vacated sites for new economic development initiatives.

Develop a plan to address the viability of vacant and abandoned commercial and industrial buildings:

Prepare a list of all buildings (commercial/industrial).

1. Identify those buildings which have outlived their economic viability.
2. Prepare a plan to demolish buildings no longer viable and identify funding sources to accomplish task.
3. Identify uses for vacated sites.
4. Identify resources or program to stabilize viable buildings.

1. Identify funding sources for demolition of structures.
2. Identify the responsibility of owners.

Mission

Housing and Neighborhoods Task Force focused their work on the following issues:
 

• Availability of housing 
• Affordable housing for low to moderate income families
• Quality of housing
• Neighborhood appearance
• Activities in neighborhood
• United or central support services
• Temporary shelter

Vision

 Our vision for the Michigan City Urban Enterprise Zone is a community of attractive pleasant neighborhoods offering a wide range of affordable housing choices, neighborhood activities and support services for all Michigan City Urban Enterprise Zone residents.

I.  Availability of Housing

Problem Statement

The housing stock located in the Michigan City Urban Enterprise Zone provides affordable housing opportunities.  Some of the existing housing is poorly maintained.

Goals and Actions

Our goal is to create strong, diverse neighborhoods with quality housing throughout the city.
 

1. Create programs for strengthening and enhancing the neighborhoods of the City.
2. Develop programs that rehabilitate and maintain existing housing throughout the City.
3. Seek programs that foster equity, balance and diversity in all neighborhoods and eliminate isolation of any community group.
4. Seek input from neighborhood residents.

Problem Statement

Lack of mortgage money and high down payments put home ownership out of reach for more and more citizens. Programs, funding and financing to meet rehabilitation needs are not available, especially at the lower income levels. Families requiring lower income housing are often trapped in minimum wage jobs or unemployment and can not qualify for either ownership or rental family housing.  Lack of affordable family housing produces undesirable living conditions for most of the youth labeled "at risk."

Goals and Actions

Our goal is to create a community of diverse housing choices for our citizens from all income and socio-economic sectors in the City and bring resources to bear on fostering ownership opportunities of young and working families.
 

1. Inventory available programs, funds and financing available to address affordable housing goals. 
2. Develop cooperative program between City and nonprofit organizations -- including churches -- to provide support and counseling to qualify more families for home ownership.
3. Seek creative and innovative approaches to producing new, affordable housing compatible with existing neighborhood character.
4. Create neighborhood-based funds, such as revolving loan funds designated for rehabilitation and revitalization of older houses.

Problem Statement

Deteriorating, vacant and abandoned housing increasing in the city with a growing negative impact on the neighborhoods.  Poor condition of housing creates not only visual blight but health and safety problems in the community.

Goals and Actions

Our goal is to develop a comprehensive public and nonprofit housing and neighborhood development program to ensure the preservation and quality of the Michigan City Urban Enterprise Zone's existing housing supply.
 

1. Create neighborhood-based organizations and programs that encourage maintenance of existing housing.
2. Provide education on ownership and maintenance responsibilities.
3. Increase staff and funding required for effective enforcement of housing and building codes.

Problem Statement

The quality of the Michigan City Urban Enterprise Zone is impacted by the appearance of the neighborhoods which seems to erode from lack of individual pride reflected in visible trash on private property and poor civic responsibility demonstrated in intrusion of unsightly elements such as signs in neighborhoods.

Goals and Actions

Our goal is to ensure pleasant, safe and comfortable neighborhoods throughout the Michigan City Urban Enterprise Zone.
 

1. Create neighborhood organization structure throughout the City to foster neighborhood awareness and pride.
2. Develop programs to foster community spirit and pride including resident education and incentive programs such as beautification awards.
3. Develop leadership training program to identify and build neighborhood leadership.
4. Establish standards for neighborhood appearance, service and amenities.
5. Establish citywide neighborhood coordinating council to guide neighborhood effort.
6. Prepare and implement block-by-block beautification plans for a minimum of 20 blocks annually.
7. Create a positive neighborhood focus on youth. Strengthen existing programs like King Center, Campus Life and Voyager and develop new youth oriented organization like boys and girls clubs.

Problem Statement

There is inadequate short-term (up to 30 days) housing available for the homeless, abused persons, and the frail elderly.

Goals and Actions

Our goal is to provide an adequate, safe, affordable, and accessible supply of short term housing for the homeless, families in transition, abused persons, and the frail elderly.
 

1. In collaboration with the Michigan City Housing Authority, Michigan City Police Department, Coalition for the Homeless, LaPorte County Task Force for the Homeless, Township Trustee, and Ministerial Association apply for federal and state funding to supply up to 20 units annually.
2. Obtain more short-term housing.

Mission

Education and the Learning Task Force focused their work on school age education and lifelong learning experience programs that address the following issues:
 

• Quality of the education system
• Drug/alcohol prevention and education programs
• Parental involvement through education and focus on families
• Partnerships in schools and education by involving parents, business and educators
• Lifelong learning opportunities

Vision

Our vision is to change our education system and make Michigan City #1 in Indiana.

I.  Quality of Education System

Problem Statement

The percentage of high school students dropping out before graduation is increasing.  The quality of graduates prepared to join the work force seems to be deteriorating. The current curriculum does not address the needs, problems and opportunities facing today's youth.  The community, teachers, and students do not identify education as the highest priority.

Goals and Actions

Our goal is to promote and foster education as the top community value of Michigan City and the Urban Enterprise Zone.
 

1. Establish accountability and performance standards for the Michigan City Area Board of Education and professional educators.
2. Work to change state funding formula to allow more local discretion on using funds.
3. Advance students based on ability and learning level.
4. Increase length of school year.
5. Develop or enlarge alternative facilities for at risk students.
6. Increase length of school day.
7. Provide state-of-the-art computer facilities, equipment and instructional programs for all students at all grade levels.
8. Educate teachers in multi-cultural skills and teaching methods.
9. Teach languages and multi-cultural skills beginning at the elementary level.
10. Explore new learning incentives and de-emphasize grading students.
11. Promote new approaches to teaching that facilitates true learning over rote performance.
12. Develop cooperative learning programs.
13. Actively pursue site-based restructuring to allow more individualization of local schools.
14. Coordinate youth and education resources and educate public on availability. Produce resource guidebook.
15. Develop programs and resources other than schools for youth and learning.
16. Develop, increase, and improve early childhood education and intervention programs.
17. Increase the number of minorities/multicultural education professionals in the school system.

Problem Statement

Drugs are creating personal, social and academic problems for increasing numbers of students including not only those using drugs but also everyone associated with them.  The use of alcohol is increasing among school age youth.

Goals and Actions

Our goal is no create an inclusive, supportive pro-youth community and reduce the desire, opportunity and need for use of  drugs and alcohol
 

1. Encourage youth to participate in community life including a role in planning and problem-solving activities.
2. Create in-school support programs to foster personal, physical, mental, social well-being.
3. Develop adult counseling and support programs and aggressively seek way of working with existing agencies.
4. Develop peer counseling and support programs.
5. Survey youth to identify their ideas for programs and activities.
6. Provide transportation for after school activities.
7. Develop and promote group activities that fit youth life styles.

Problem Statement

Parents and families are a critical partner in the education process which has been undermined by growing demands on personal time and de-emphasized by the educational system.  An increasing number of community-base youth related problems are left to the school to solve without community support.

Goals and Actions

Our goal is to actively foster parental involvement in both education and the whole life of the child to adulthood.  Establish parents and business as essential partners in improving the school system and bring the resources to bear that are necessary for restructuring the system.
 

1. Establish a community/business education resource task force.
2. Investigate and institute creative programs that foster parent involvement such as:
1. Parent Center Program to build skills as partners in  education, 
2. Dial-a-Teacher program, 
3. F.I.R.S.T. grants, 
4. Adopt-a-Family program, 
5. Home Work Hot Line on cable television, and 
6. Parents-in-Touch program based on the Indianapolis model.
3. Aggressively recruit parents and community leaders in curriculum planning.
4. Expand parent-partner system to K - 12.
5. Develop programs to introduce students to the business world and job markets.
6. Establish a community service repayment tuition scholarship program.
7. Develop a business mentoring and intern program.
8. Develop a business resource pool and channel through appropriate agency.

Problem Statement

As technology and international markets change job opportunities, lifelong learning is essential to meet individual employment potential as well as personal growth.

Goals and Actions

Our goal is to develop and support lifelong learning opportunities to meet the needs and potential of all our community.
 

1. Develop lifelong learning opportunities for both vocational and academic pursuits.
2. Promote and increase opportunities for university and technical "distance learning" such as satellite programs and cable programs in Michigan City and the Urban Enterprise Zone.
3. Develop an intensive public awareness campaign to "sell" learning to the community.  Use all media resources.
4. Develop and promote proactive new programs and strengthen existing programs that effectively bring families back into the education system.
5. Hire an educational advocate in the school system to coordinate and promote community education.
6. Seek methods to reduce cost of participation of the whole family in events and activities.

Mission

The Job Skills Development Task Force focused their work on:
 

• Develop higher level skills for higher paying jobs
• Measure current vs desired skills/skill levels
• Prepare youth in literacy
• Develop structured system to translate employers current and future needs into training

Vision

Our vision for the Michigan City Urban Enterprise Zone is a community where all persons graduate from high school with the skills needed to continue to post-secondary education or enter the job market ready and able to be employed to their fullest potential. 

I.  Development of higher level skills for higher paying jobs

Problem Statement

Many people who are currently in the work force do not have sufficient skills to obtain higher paying jobs.  Many persons have not received sufficient literacy and problem solving education to participate fully in job re-training programs.  Training programs neither result in students acquiring skills required of future jobs nor required by employees on their existing jobs.

Goals and Actions

Our goal is that all persons in the Michigan City Urban Enterprise Zone enter the workforce ready and able to perform their job, participate in further training opportunities for advancement and are able to obtain positions that meet their highest levels of job ability.
 

1. Provide a framework to teach communication, creative thinking, accountability, teamwork, and self-esteem as they apply to the workplaces located in the Michigan City Urban Enterprise Zone.
2. Influence the content and frequency of course offerings of Community college and vocational school curriculum.
3. Establish community college and vocational school curriculum advisory committee to allocate private resources to support programs required of their future employees.
4. Establish employer funded on-the-job training centers to meet the needs of local businesses.

Problem Statement

High School graduates do not graduate with sufficient training in reading, writing, and arithmetic to understand or follow instructions.

Goals and Actions

Our goal is that all high school graduates leave school with sufficient training in basic literacy and problem solving skills to continue to post-secondary education or enter the work force ready and able to be employed to their fullest potential.
 

1. Require minimum achievement of all high school graduates.
2. Prepare selection criteria and print certificates of excellence for high school students.