INDIANAPOLIS—Today, Senate Bill 434, authored by State Senator Eddie Melton (D-Gary) passed the House 89-6. The proposal aims to spur economic development in Lake County by authorizing the creation of a convention center and community blight elimination as well as funding to support the revitalization of the Gary Metro station and continued progress on the Double Tracking project. Senator Melton made the following comment on the bill’s passage:

“I’m thankful to Representative Slager and my House colleagues for their overwhelming bipartisan support on my priority legislation. Senate Bill 434 will have a transformative impact on economic development in Gary, Lake County and the State of Indiana, and I’m excited to see it continue to garner support. As it stands, this bill will address the elimination of community blight, support the renovation of our downtown metro station and generate an overall economic boom by permitting the creation of a convention center. It also invests in the Double Tracking project, which will help turn the Gary and Lake County area into a flourishing transportation hub. More than anything, this legislation will provide the people of Gary and Lake County with critical tools to grow our own economy and invest back into our communities. While there is more fine-tuning around public safety and supporting our police and firefighters to be done in this proposal, I look forward to continued efforts with the Lake County delegation to get this proposal on its way to the governor’s desk.”