Connected NWI

NWI’s people have accessible, safe, and equal

opportunities for working, playing, living and learning.

For more information and resources in regard to COVID-19, please visit the

Northwest Indiana COVID-19 Resource Page

The Value of Downtowns

Even if downtown areas seem unusually quiet during these unusual times, they form the basis of community identity that keeps us connected amidst even the most pressing challenges.

The International Downtown Association (IDA) recently released The Value of U.S. Downtowns and Center Cities , a report that gives an idea of what makes a truly successful downtown.

The new report uses data to document the outsized economic, social, and symbolic value downtowns create for their regions The IDA measured the performance of 24 downtowns across five key areas—economy, inclusion, vibrancy, identity, and resilience. planning, especially in a downtown, is embedded in the concept of access—access to daily services, to diverse housing options at all income levels, to mobility choices and to the amenities that make lives brighter.

The report serves as a valuable snapshot that helps begin to understand the individual elements that collectively achieve a thriving downtown and region. 

Read the report and download the report here.

Top 5 Ways to Connect with the Environment While Social Distancing

Indiana's current stay-at-home order still encourages outdoor recreation (while remaining distanced), so check out this clip from Indiana Dunes National Park for a little bit of sunshine!

Social distancing is new term that we have been learning to live with but now as temperatures are rising and the need to go outside is increasing, here are the top 5 ways to connect with nature while social distancing.

 

5. Go for a walk in your neighborhood in the morning or near twilight. Leave your earbuds at home and listen to the birds. Stock your birdfeeder and keep an eye out for local and migrating songbirds.

4. Insomnia keeping you up at night? Go outside and look at the stars.

3. Enjoy April Flowers - local ephemeral native wildflowers are starting to bloom in our region’s many natural areas.  Shirley Heinze Land Trust has nature preserves open to the public in all three NWI Counties.

2. Picnic at a local park - outdoor spaces in most parks remain open to the public. Check out Porter County Parks and Rec blog for an “How to Practice Social Distancing at Parks."

1. Take A Hike in the Dunes - Outdoor spaces and trails at Indiana Dunes National Park are still open to the public. At the Indiana Dunes State Park comfort stations, restrooms, and picnic areas are open.

Community Crossings Matching Grants Awarded

To help keep Indiana projects flowing in the current crisis, Governor Holcomb and INDOT have announced awards for the first round of Community Crossings matching grants of 2020. Over $15 million of projects were awarded in the NIRPC region.

The following communities were awarded grants:

Cedar Lake ($671,489.32), Chesterton ($237,877.50),

Crown Point ($1,000,000.00)

Dyer ($725,347.00)

Hammond ($403,974.50)

Hebron ($365,651.25)

Highland ($1,000,000.00)

Hobart ($997,321.08)

Kingsford Heights ($152,426.25)

Kouts ($296,559.00)

La Porte ($994,812.77)

Lake Station ($896,250.09)

Long Beach ($990,158.55)

Lowell ($1,000,000.00)

Michigan City ($207,973.20)

Munster ($554,107.00)

New Chicago ($361,476.00)

Portage ($1,000,000.00)

Porter ($602,948.08)

Porter County ($500,000.00)

Schererville ($970,339.99)

Town of Pines ($78,942.18)

Trail Creek ($332,561.25)

Valparaiso ($1,000,000.00)

Westville ($120,000.00)

Total NWI awards ($15,460,215,01)

NIRPC has designed and implemented an interactive  COVID-19  dashboard onto its website, which you can find  here.  Track and observe how  COVID-19  is impacting communities across Northwest Indiana.

Meetings are subject to change due to COVID-19 Protocol.

NIRPC Commission/Executive Board Meeting

Funding Opportunity!

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