Regionally Speaking, January 26, 2022

Today: Andy Maletta, who is once again the executive director of the public-private Portage Economic Development Corporation, is on “Regionally Speaking” to talk about himself and his experience in attracting business and industries into his lakefront community. He led the city’s EDC from 2016 to 2019, while also working as director of economic development for city government. The City of Valparaiso will soon be asking the public for input on how to spend $7.6-million of the American Rescue Plan money they’re receiving. City Councilmembers talked with citizens about it this week. We also bring back our conversation with Calumet Area Industrial Commission vice president for talent development Craig Schmidt, on the CIC’s effort to use community colleges like Ivy Tech to help educate more people for industrial jobs. A multi-year U.S. Labor Department grant is paying for the project.