Michael Gallis Talks Locally, Thinks Globally
Gallis, widely considered the country's leading expert in large-scale metropolitan regional development strategies, presented "Nations, States & Economic Regions in the Global Network" on August 26. The NIPSCO Economic Development team interpreted his remarks as offering both challenge and opportunity: A global trade revolution, similar in scope to the Industrial Revolution, has been underway since about 1990. On today's trade routes, the boundaries have changed, the rules have changed, and the possibilities have changed. Will Northwest Indiana change with them? Gallis suggested that, even as the new trade era relies heavily on information and technology, geography still plays its role, and Northwest Indiana is strategically located to do well. According to Kevin Tobin, President, Kevin J. Tobin Development, Gallis "painted a wonderful picture of how Northwest Indiana is right in the path of the global market." Tobin added, with the area at the apex of five states, Interstate highways and confluence of east-west rail lines, "our part of the global trade network can't be overstated." Cecile Petro, Executive Director of the Highland Redevelopment Commission, also praised the presentation, and came away with a call to action. She said, "Northwest Indiana is strategically located to take advantage of the future of trade. But we have to aggressively pursue it." The event brought a variety of professionals with interests in the area to Ameriplex at the Port. Among attendees were George Cibula (Darwin Realty), Ben Cremer (NAI Hiffman), Tim Gropp (LaPorte County Economic Development Corp.), John Regetz (Michigan City Economic Development), Edward Wabick (Paine/Wetzel), Charles Weaver (Starke County Development Foundation), and Leigh Morris, Chair of the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority and Executive Director of the Indiana Toll Road. Northwest Indiana Forum (219)-763-6303 800-693-6786 (800 NWFORUM) www.nwiforum.org We want to make this a valuable communication piece that you look forward to reading each month. Please let us know how we can make it more useful to you. Contact Diane at dlthalmann@nisource.com. |
