Top 10 Business Articles on Portage.Life in 2025

A lot of business is conducted in Northern Indiana, and GreatNews.Life is there to capture the biggest moments. Whether that’s spotlighting some of the businesses making an impact on the day-to-day lives of those living in Northern Indiana or helping find our readers a home in an ever-expanding market, we’re proud to serve as a leader in business reporting in the area.

2025 saw a lot of focus placed on the people who help production run throughout Northern Indiana. New ventures were introduced, old ones were reacquainted, and a special spotlight shone on the employees who make every successful business work.

In no particular order, here are the Top 10 business articles on Portage.Life to recap the good news in 2025!

Mayor Austin Bonta reveals how ‘Portage Energy’ is fueling city’s future at Portage EDC’s Breakfast with the Mayor

On the morning of February 27, business leaders and community members alike were invited to join Portage Mayor Austin Bonta for Breakfast with the Mayor, presented by the Portage Economic Development Corporation (Portage EDC). Fueled by coffee and “Portage Energy,” this gathering granted guests the opportunity to connect with Bonta in an informal setting and learn first-hand how Portage leaders are making strides in developing a bright future for the city.

“There’s a thing we call Portage Energy right now. There are a lot of things going on in every facet of the city, and the mayor and his team are aggressive in wanting to get things done. It’s an exciting time,” said Andy Maletta, executive director of the Portage EDC.

NIPSCO invests in Northern Indiana’s energy infrastructure

As electric and gas needs continue to rise, Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO) is doing everything it can to be ahead of the curve. In fact, the region’s leading energy provider is stepping up its commitment to reliable and safe energy with significant investments planned for 2024.

NIPSCO recently announced investment projects totaling up to $2.1 billion for both gas and electric systems. Looking ahead, this ongoing modernization plan was originally launched in 2014 to ensure long-term service reliability for NIPSCO’s nearly 1.4 million customers across 30 Indiana counties.

Strack & Van Til’s unified platform brings ease and personalization to shoppers, now accepts EBT

Strack & Van Til has officially launched its new, unified website and app, designed to elevate the grocery shopping experience. 

Accessible at strackandvantil.com or via its iOS and Android apps, the platform makes it easy for customers to log in using just their rewards phone number or email, with no need for a password.

Signing up is quick and simple, ensuring everyone can take full advantage of the site’s user-friendly features.

Burns Parkway extension project nearing completion of design and engineering phase

Connection is key to a city’s success, whether it be facilitating opportunities for social connection or constructing developments that enhance physical connection, something the Portage Economic Development Commission (EDC) knows well. The extension project of Burns Parkway will do just that by building a bridge that will expand across the waterway near Hillcrest Road and Route 12 to join Highway 249 and Burns Parkway together. This will change the road from a dead end to an outlet right around Ogden Dunes and the Portage South Shore Station. This will directly connect Route 30 to the Portage South Shore Station with a single road.

Lessons in Leadership: Drop what isn’t working like a bad habit

In Greek mythology, Sisyphus was condemned to roll a boulder uphill forever, only for it to tumble down each time. Don’t be that guy.

One of the hardest things for business leaders is recognizing what’s not working. It requires brutal honesty—to own the habits, attitudes, people, and decisions holding the company back.

But once you see the flaws, action must follow. That’s when momentum changes. Turning negative habits into positive ones doesn’t slow you down—it speeds everything up.

Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority discusses transportation, transformation

On Thursday, June 12, the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority (RDA) board and various community members gathered to share some exciting updates about the future of the Region. RDA President and CEO Sherri Ziller presented their updated strategic plan, designed to keep Northwest Indiana moving forward.

For the past 20 years, the bipartisan-founded RDA has been a driving force behind some of the Region’s biggest projects. Since 2006, it has invested over $1.5 billion in commuter rail projects alone. These include the South Shore Double Track, completed just last year, that put Michigan City within 60 minutes of Downtown Chicago. They also helped develop the West Lake Corridor line, set to open later this year, which will go further South into Lake County.

South Shore Line’s historic investment delivers convenience and flexibility with major service expansion

The South Shore Line has recently achieved nearly a 90% on-time performance rate and has seen 20% monthly ridership increases over the same time period from 2024, following a $1.6 billion infrastructure overhaul that officials are calling the commuter rail’s most significant infrastructure investment in its 117-year history.

With the completion of the Double Track project in May 2024, the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District (NICTD) has implemented 14 new weekday trains and several new weekend trains to provide more service options for riders. Many of the new weekday trains fill in gaps in the off-rush hour time periods to be more responsive to post-COVID work schedule patterns. With these new and improved schedules, weekend ridership has rebounded to pre-COVID pandemic levels, with passengers praising significantly improved reliability and convenience.

Dana Gibson: Practice manager, compassionate coworker, farm girl

For the past 21 years, Practice Manager Dana Gibson has overseen the management of Associated Pediatricians. While she loves her job, managing a private medical practice came as a departure from her previous career in the legal field. During a visit to Associated Pediatricians for her son’s checkup, the opportunity for a career change unexpectedly presented itself.

“After the birth of my first son, I found myself reevaluating my career path, wanting to prioritize my family above all else,” Gibson said. “During his two-week checkup at Associated Pediatricians, I came across a simple ‘Now Hiring’ sign. The position didn’t reflect my experience or capabilities, but I saw it as a temporary opportunity—a way to earn income until my son was a little older and I could return to my original career path. 21 years later, I’m still here, grateful for the unexpected journey that has become such an important part of my life.”

United Way Northwest Indiana presented with $25,000 grant from the First Financial Foundation

First Financial Bank welcomed members of United Way Northwest Indiana to present a $25,000 grant in support of the organization’s mission. Chris White, President and CEO of United Way Northwest Indiana, expressed deep gratitude for the contribution and shared his excitement for the meaningful impact this investment will have on the organization’s programs and the communities they serve.

“This $25,000 is going to go a long way,” White said. “It will underwrite our Level Up program, where we help people get the skills and training needed for jobs that allow them to earn enough to truly thrive.”

Under the microscope: Inside Porter County’s Auditor’s Office

Most people believe that auditors are the ones inspecting others’ financial books. In Porter County, however, the auditors face intense scrutiny every year. Karen Martin, Porter County Auditor, explains that her office undergoes detailed annual reviews.

“Yearly audits are performed by the Indiana State Board of Accounts or their representatives for general and miscellaneous funds. We also undergo a separate yearly audit for the Foundation funds,” Martin said.

These reviews demand meticulous preparation.