City of La Porte and LEAP host 2025 “Why La Porte” State of the City address with Mayor Tom Dermody

On Tuesday, November 18, the La Porte Economic Advancement Partnership (LEAP) and the City of La Porte hosted the sixth annual State of the City address from Mayor of La Porte Tom Dermody. The mayoral address, also known as “Why La Porte”, offers the community an opportunity to look back on the ways that La Porte has shown growth over the past year. 

Many city officials, local business owners, and elected representatives were present at this event. Attendees started arriving at 4:30 p.m. for registration, and the program started at 5:15 p.m. Food and beverages were provided to everyone in attendance until 6 p.m.

In 2025, the City of La Porte hosted many community-oriented events. This includes Cheeseburger in Paradise, Taco Fest, the weekend of Winterfest, the 4th of July Parade, the fifth annual Lakefest, the 26th annual Sunflower Fair, and the third annual Senior and Caregivers Expo. These events, along with organizations like LEAP that are motivated to be a driving force for business in the Greater La Porte area, helped make 2025 a great year for La Porte residents.

“I’ll tell you what we’ve overcome. Everything thrown our way, whether it’s been the reduction in taxes, anything, we’re ready. We have a team that’s prepared to deal with anything that we face to make sure we can still provide the best services for our residents,” said Mayor Tom Dermody.

While there are many reasons to be excited for the current trajectory of La Porte, Dermody noted that there are still some improvements to be made. In recent years, La Porte has made advancements in law enforcement, addiction support, neighborhood cleanliness, and road conditions.

“We’re always improving. We’re focused on the downtown truck traffic, and providing alternatives. We think there’s great opportunity for them, new roads, housing, housing, housing. You’re going to see housing of all types continue, and we’re excited to see what 2026 is going to bring,” said Mayor Dermody.

Bert Cook, executive director of LEAP, appreciates the opportunity that this community gathering brings when it comes to networking with partners and local residents. With LEAP co-hosting this year’s Why La Porte event, it makes the celebration even more special.

“I think you heard it in each of the presentations, and I think you feel it in the room, how important that partnership is, that working together is, you know, leads us far further than we’d ever get on our own. So I think that’s the overriding thought I have for the evening. It’s always wonderful to have our partners in the room and so many of them, and be able to celebrate the accomplishments. That’s great as well. But I think for me this is the first year that the schools have done their address at the same time. It really is special to kind of be able to get all of this information out there in collaboration with one another, and really show how important that partnership is,” said Bert Cook.

La Porte Community School Corporation Superintendent Dr. Sandra Wood also provided a speech at the event. Wood highlighted the strides that have been made for students in La Porte County this year. 

“We’ve seen academic improvements, highlighting just a few, the I Read scores, some of the accolades that we’ve received across the district. Our graduation rate, obviously, is representative of some of the improvements that we’ve seen with growth academically. So it’s really comprehensive. Across the board, we see an increase in student engagement, student academic progress, academic growth from preschool all the way up to high school,” said Dr. Sandra Wood.

In his address, Dermody shared his gratitude for many organizations and sponsors who have helped with putting projects into motion, offering innovative ideas for community growth, and donating their time and effort to the city. As the focus moves ahead to 2026, Dermody looks forward at what’s on the horizon in La Porte.

“Well, I think the truck traffic downtown again, housing and staying to the basics of doing what we said we’re going to do. We’ve seen development in 39 north. We can’t wait to see water towers, the infrastructure and not only keep everybody safe, but keep development happening. Our residents deserve it and expect it,” said Mayor Dermody.

City of La Porte and LEAP were excited for the impressive community turnout and can’t wait to continue making their city a better place to live.

“I think we stand constantly ready to be flexible or to adjust, as the city needs us. To think of the plan in 2025 and looking forward, you know, there are some similarities in strategy year over year, where, without a doubt, we expect to see additional residential development, and growth of our local employers, and we’ll continue to be in a position to make those connections, to facilitate those discussions, And to kind of push that agenda moving forward,” said Bert Cook.

For more information on the City of La Porte or LEAP, you can visit their websites.