American Rescue Plan

The city of Gary is about to get a bit brighter.

Neighbors' Educational Opportunities' efforts to add much-needed child care services in Porter County are getting a financial boost. NEO plans to open its Creekside Early Learning Center at its Portage facility this fall.

A shelter for Porter County women and children facing housing insecurity is able to serve more people.

The city of Gary is making a major investment in its streetlights. The city council has agreed to allocate almost $3.5 million in federal American Rescue Plan funds toward the effort.

The city of Gary is moving forward with efforts to make it easier to get high-speed internet. The board of works Wednesday approved a $4.5 million contract with Gary Digital Equity for what the mayor's office calls "a massive installation of fiber optic cabling."

The Merrillville Town Council hopes a traffic study will cut down on speeding and dangerous driving. Council members agreed Tuesday to request proposals from qualified engineering firms, according to a town press release. The town plans to pay for the study with American Rescue Plan funds.

The Porter County Commissioners are looking to move ahead with some facility upgrades. The county's redevelopment commission has agreed to lend $120,000 to renovate the first floor of the former sheriff's residence, which used to house the Porter County Museum.

Portage officials say the city's financial situation continues to improve. Clerk-Treasurer Nina Rivas says federal COVID funding has helped reduce the amount the city's had to borrow through temporary loans.

Nonprofit organizations serving Gary residents can now apply for a share of the city's COVID-19 recovery money. The city is partnering with the Legacy Foundation to administer $500,000 of the city's federal American Rescue Plan funds, earmarked for nonprofits.

Small businesses and nonprofit organizations in Gary will be able to get some financial help. The city council Tuesday agreed to appropriate $2 million in federal American Rescue Plan money to support small businesses, plus another $800,000 for nonprofits.