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Micro City is committed to providing exceptional rental experiences through thoughtfully designed studio duplexes, each approximately 520 square feet. The units feature open-concept floor plans, cathedral ceilings, abundant natural light, and full appliance packages – including a full-size washer and dryer – offering residents a modern, efficient, and comfortable living environment.

Nestled between Big Lily Lake and Small Lily Lake, and bordered by the lush M’Shaw Forest Preserve, Micro City offers a unique combination of tranquility and convenience. Although surrounded by natural beauty, the property remains just minutes from Pine Lake Avenue and Lincolnway, giving residents easy access to La Porte’s amenities while maintaining a peaceful, country-like atmosphere.

“Micro City is about living small while living large,” said Scott Schoof, Owner. “This groundbreaking marks the beginning of a community designed to bring comfort, convenience, and connection to residents who value smart, intentional living.”

Event Details

What: Micro City Groundbreaking Ceremony

When: Monday, July 27, 2026 – 8:30 a.m.

Where: 372 Melrose Street, La Porte, IN (adjacent to Lily Lake and M’Shaw Forest Preserve)

Who: Local officials, project leaders, community members, media

About Micro City

Micro City is a new studio-duplex development in La Porte, Indiana, focused on delivering high-quality, thoughtfully designed rental homes. With scenic lakefront adjacency, forest preserve access, and modern interior amenities, Micro City aims to redefine small-space living by offering residents a comfortable, safe, and vibrant community. Micro City = Macro Life.

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The City of Hobart has received a $14,700 award from the “Amazon Hobart, Indiana Fund” to construct a rain garden at Robinson Lake, moving the environmental improvement project from planning into implementation.

“The rain garden will capture and treat stormwater runoff before it enters Robinson Lake. By filtering runoff through native plants and engineered soils, the project is intended to reduce pollutants, improve water quality and demonstrate sustainable stormwater management practices within the community,” Tim Kingsland, Hobart Sanitary District Coordinator, said.

The project will also provide opportunities for public education and environmental outreach focused on the connection between stormwater runoff and the health of Hobart’s lakes, streams and other local waterways.

“City staff have begun reviewing construction requirements, project timelines and potential community partnerships. The City has initiated discussions with local contractors regarding possible donations of equipment and operator time to assist with earthwork needed for the rain garden installation,” Stephanie Luken, City of Hobart’s Deputy Engineer, said.

The project will be administered through the City of Hobart’s Stormwater Utility Program. Grant revenue and project expenses will be tracked through dedicated Stormwater Fund accounts to provide clear financial oversight and accountability.

Funding will be distributed in two phases. An initial payment will support project startup and construction activities. The remaining funding will be released after the rain garden is completed and the City provides documentation demonstrating the project’s community impact.

Public participation, project updates and long-term stewardship of the site are expected to remain important components of the initiative as implementation moves forward.

The Robinson Lake Rain Garden Project builds upon Hobart’s continued efforts to protect local water resources through green infrastructure, stormwater education and partnerships that leverage outside funding for community improvements.

About the City of Hobart
The City of Hobart is a community of approximately 40,000 residents located in Lake County, Indiana. Positioned at the crossroads of major transportation corridors and home to a historic downtown, Lake George, an extensive trail network, and a strong industrial base, Hobart serves as a regional destination for business, recreation, and community life. The City is committed to providing high-quality public services, supporting economic opportunity, investing in infrastructure, and enhancing quality of life for residents, businesses, and visitors. For more information, visit cityofhobart.org.

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“It’s one of those surreal moments where we’re going to be able to see what a park can do to change the lives of so many. I’m so excited to be able to cut this ribbon, embrace our community, and allow everyone with all abilities to be able to come play at Normain Park,” Mishawaka Parks Superintendent Phil Blasko said.

Miracle Field is a baseball field designed with inclusivity at the forefront, giving residents of Mishawaka and the surrounding areas a chance to play a game regardless of age or ability. Accessibility features include communication boards in the dugouts and throughout the park, and areas in the park that are sensory-friendly.

The project is part of Mishawaka’s continued efforts to make sure all of its residents can enjoy everything the city has to offer.

“Everyone should feel welcome. Everyone should belong, and we want to make sure that happens in all of our parks. This one specifically is designed for all to be able to participate and be able to play, no matter their ability,” Blasko said.

The park is already becoming a hub of activity for people with different needs. Miracle Field will be added into the rotation of sports programming for Special Olympics Indiana and ADEC. The Miracle League of Northern Indiana, working closely with the city and parks department, will also host youth and adult baseball games at the new field.

In addition to the baseball field, the project also included the construction of an inclusive play complex and a sensory-friendly splash pad. The whole package means people of all abilities can have fun.

For many people with intellectual or developmental disabilities and their families, finding spaces that can accommodate different needs without excluding or isolating individuals needing the additional support can be difficult. Normain Miracle Park encourages inclusivity in all things, a fact that many families appreciate.

“I love what Mishawaka is doing with our parks. It’s a great city for kids, and the parks are a big part of that,” Mishawaka resident Trevor Eggers said.

Those interested in seeing the updates to the park themselves are encouraged to attend Mishawaka Parks’ Park Exploration Day from 9 a.m. to noon on July 25.

Learn more about the Mishawaka Parks and Recreation Department by visiting its website. Follow the department on Facebook for the latest updates on events happening in the City of Mishawaka.

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Alec Emmons, co-founder of Alpen Haus & The Golf Lodge, describes the origins of their business prior to this new location.

“We have a location out in Lake Tahoe, and it’s just The Golf Lodge. We started it up about two and a half years ago as a cocktail bar and indoor golf simulator for friends and family members of all ages to hang out,” Emmons said.

Emmons grew up in Chesterton. His fiancée, Tatjana Hess, grew up in Stuttgart, Germany. She reflected on her lifelong dream as a kid, where she would open a German restaurant alongside her father. Today, she serves as a co-founder of Alpen Haus & The Golf Lodge alongside Emmons.

“When Alec and I were looking for a spot for The Golf Lodge, we came across the old Aftermath location and Be Good Juicerie,” Hess said. “It looks like two different storefronts, but our new location has enough room for both in one space.”

The two figured that there was no better place to open up a second location than Valparaiso. With not many European cuisine spots in the area, this brought The Gold Lodge and Alpen Haus into one. Both brands combined quickly, and as Emmons said, the rest was history.

“We want to have a welcoming atmosphere for any of our guests that come in. Growing up with small business is in my blood, because my grandparents started the Water Way Pool in Portage back in the 1980s,” Emmons said. “We want them to feel at home when they come into Alpen Haus & The Golf Lodge. We want them to play on the simulators for hours at a time, enjoy football games, or the Masters tournament on the big screen. I think that with Valpo too, it’s such a tight-knit community, and other businesses are supportive of one another.”

One business that has played a huge part in this new location project is Chester Inc. In fact, Emmons recalled when his grandfather built the original Water Way Pool & Spa over 40 years ago, Chester was there to bring that project to life. Several generations later, and the company is working with Emmons directly on a brand new endeavor.

“Chester has been really easy to work with. They have made the process very streamlined,” Hess said. “Anytime we have a question, we’re able to call any of them. They will immediately pick up the phone and answer whatever it is that we need.”

As of now, Emmons considers the Alpen Haus & The Golf Lodge to be 95% complete.

“We’re putting on the final touches, training our staff, and we’re getting ready to announce the opening date,” Emmons said. “We’re pumped about getting some German bands in here to perform some live music too. Tatjana and I are over the moon excited, and it’s going to be so much fun on the grand opening date.”

To stay updated on the latest information regarding Alpen Haus & The Golf Lodge, or to learn about when the grand opening date will be, you can visit its Facebook page or website at alpenhaus.online.

For more information on Chester Inc., you can visit chesterinc.com.

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With this land zoned Agriculture, the project requires BZA approval and has demonstrated that it fully complies with the requirements of the relevant ordinance. Approval by the BZA is not the final project approval. It would be the first step in an ongoing county permitting process, and Hoosier Solar would still need to secure approvals from other county boards and departments before moving forward.  

“We are proud that Yellowstone goes beyond what the County requires. It is a limited-size project that brings substantial revenue to the community,” said Steven Lichtin, CEO of Hoosier Solar.  

With self-imposed 500-foot panel setbacks from residences and a maximum panel height of 6 feet, the project’s visual impact is truly minimized. The landscaping that surrounds the project blocks neighbors’ views of the project and exceeds county requirements. The picture below provides a rendering of some of the 1,382 trees, 3,878 shrubs, and more than 210 acres of pollinator groundcover in the plans submitted to the BZA.  

While the land used for the proposed project might be minimal, the benefits the project will bring to the area are significant. According to the documents submitted to the BZA, the project is projected to deliver approximately $24.5 million in local tax revenue over 35 years, compared with about $399,000 from continued agricultural use over the same period on the same site. 

The revenue would come at a critical juncture as local governments across the state continue to grapple with the effects of the property tax reforms enacted through Senate Bill 1 in 2025. As Indiana’s property tax changes reduce revenue for cities, towns, and counties, Yellowstone provides a new source of funding without raising taxes on homeowners. That revenue goes directly toward schools, fire departments, the Sheriff’s Office, emergency services, roads, bridges, and other local needs — from the aging courthouse HVAC system to infrastructure projects that need to be moved up. 

Additionally, the Yellowstone project would provide low-cost, locally generated energy to the Region at a time when energy prices are rising and demand for electricity is growing rapidly.  

If approved, Yellowstone Solar would represent more than $200 million in capital investment in La Porte County. That investment would also generate around $6.1 million in local union wages and benefits, helping keep local workers employed and supporting local families. Simultaneously, it would support 27 direct local construction jobs, 46 additional jobs via project spending, and two long-term operations and maintenance jobs. 

“Yellowstone will generate enough energy to power over 17,000 homes,” said Lichtin. “This would be a huge asset to the community, alongside the economic benefits.” 

Solar panels are made of common materials like glass, aluminum, copper, and semiconductors commonly found in household appliances. Posts and racks to which the panels are attached are made of durable steel.  

The project will protect soil and improve drainage with little-to-no grading or no topsoil disturbance. No vegetation will be removed before or during construction and operations, no trees will be removed, and there are no planned road or fence crossings of the De Waele Ditch.  

The project is not permanent. After 35 years, at the end of the equipment’s useful life, it will be removed and decommissioned. The land itself will be fully available and in an ideal conditional for agricultural use thanks to decades of rest and well-maintained, protective ground cover. 

Unlike many other enterprises, Hoosier Solar is approaching this project in a collaborative, community-centered way. It has already made large community investments, including a $105,000 permanent community fund with the Unity Foundation of La Porte County and a $100,000 investment in La Porte County Fairgrounds improvements. 

“Hoosier Solar always works to include neighbors in our process, and we strive to be true community partners,” said Lichtin. “With Yellowstone Solar, we have gone beyond the ordinance requirements because we believe this project will preserve the local landscape and respect nearby neighbors. We will continue to work hand-in-hand with local leadership to ensure that our tax payments meet community needs.” 

As a proactive precautionary measure, Hoosier Solar has built road protections into the proposed process. Under these conditions, roads would be reviewed before and after construction, and any project-related damage would be repaired at the company’s expense. 

Additional financial safeguards will also be in place. Decommissioning protections will be required before construction, including financial assurances and a decommissioning bond posted with the county. 

For more information on Hoosier Solar, you can visit hoosiersolar.com. 

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Founded in 2024, Giggles Boutique & Community Closet has quickly become a valuable community resource, providing children in need with clothing, personal care items, school supplies, and essential resources that promote dignity, comfort, and stability while supporting the families who care for them. Since its founding, Giggles has served more than 2,000 families
and distributed over 150,000 essential items to children and caregivers throughout Northwest Indiana. The new storefront represents an important milestone in the organization’s continued growth and its ability to serve even more local families.

Guests are invited to tour the boutique and community closet, meet volunteers and board members, learn more about the organization’s mission, and enjoy light refreshments while celebrating this exciting new chapter.

As a nonprofit social enterprise, Giggles Boutique supports its Community Closet through the sale of handcrafted soaps, gifts, and boutique merchandise. Every purchase helps fund essential resources for children in foster care and families experiencing hardship throughout the community.

“Opening our permanent home is an exciting milestone for Giggles and for the community we serve,” said Abby Vogel, Executive Director. “This new space allows us to welcome more families, engage more volunteers, and continue growing our mission of providing dignity, comfort, and stability to children in need. We are grateful for the incredible support of our community and invite everyone to celebrate this next chapter with us.”

Community members, local businesses, elected officials, foster families, supporters, and anyone interested in learning more about Giggles are encouraged to attend. The event is free and open to the public.

Event Details
What: Ribbon Cutting Celebration hosted by LEAP
When: Wednesday, July 22, 2026 | 4:00–6:00 p.m.
Where: Giggles Boutique & Community Closet
321 Lincolnway, La Porte, IN

Guests will have the opportunity to learn how to volunteer, donate, shop, or partner with Giggles to help ensure every child has access to the essentials they need to thrive.

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Managed by Doral Renewables, a leading energy developer focused on facilitating utility-scale, sustainable energy, the Mammoth Solar complex is slated to generate 2,245 megawatts of energy. This is enough to power approximately 350,000 homes across Starke and Pulaski counties.

“Doral Renewables is absolutely thrilled to be partnering with Starke and Pulaski counties on this project,” said Ran Rabi, manager of public relations for Doral Renewables. “The Mammoth Solar project is one of the largest solar projects in the United States.”

As part of the Mammoth Solar project, over a hundred local families are loaning their land to the project’s effort. While leasing the land, Doral Renewables builds solar panels and generates energy through the project’s lifespan.

“Mammoth Solar has over 110 families who lease their farmland as part of this project,” said Rabi. “In doing so, they are essentially giving their land a break so that it can be replenished and ready to be even more productive once the land is returned to full agriculture production at the end of Mammoth’s operation.”

Given the tight-knit community of both Starke and Pulaski counties, Doral Renewables seeks to do more than bring solar energy to the area. Their work isn’t just transactional.

“Our goal and hope really is to build a relationship with the community,” said Rabi. “We want that relationship to be long-lasting and for our work to continue to pour into the community on many levels and for many years to come.”

Across the project’s life span, the Mammoth Solar complex expects to generate over 3,000 jobs. To date, $1.8 million in charitable and economic development agreement payments have been invested in the Starke and Pulaski communities. The project also has $130 million in scheduled payments across both counties. 

Doral is committed to integrating agrivoltaics – the dual use of land for both solar energy production and agriculture – on all projects. Mammoth Solar is the best example of this approach and one of the largest agrivoltaics projects in the country. Farm animals are utilized by the project to manage vegetation. Currently, these animals include 2,000 sheep, guardian and herding dogs, chickens, and even Kunekune pigs. Over the course of the next few years, the number of livestock deployed on the Mammoth project will increase significantly. In addition, row crops (field corn and popcorn), specialty crops (mint and peppers), and forage (hay/alfalfa) are all integrated into the project.  Agrivoltaics benefits farmers by providing ground for heritage farming, and wherever possible, Doral works with local farmers to achieve these agrivoltaic goals.

The project’s first phase, Mammoth Solar North is already operational. This phase of the project is made possible in part by a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA) with American Electric Power’s (AEP) subsidiary, AEP Energy. The Mammoth South and Mammoth Central projects, phases 2 and 3, are scheduled to be completed and generating energy by the end of this year, and the next phase is expected to begin construction before the start of 2027. 

To learn more about the Mammoth Solar project visit mammothsolarprojects.com. For detailed information on the current Mammoth Solar North project phase, visit Doral LLC here.

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The project marks another major step forward in Hammond’s continued efforts to attract investment, support industrial growth, create quality jobs, and strengthen the city’s long-standing manufacturing base. Uesco Industries, a fourth-generation industrial company specializing in crane systems and material handling solutions, selected Hammond for its new facility as part of the company’s continued growth and long-term commitment to serving industrial customers throughout the region and nationaly.

This is a big economic development win for the City of Hammond,” said Mayor Thomas M. McDermott, Jr. “We are taking a parcel of land that has sat underutilized for decades and have brought in another Illinois company across the border to relocate in our city and in Indiana.  A $25 million investment of this scale will bring a new company to our city with all the investment and the over 100 jobs that come with it.  We are excited to welcome UESCO to Hammond. 

The new facility is being designed to support Uesco’s crane manufacturing operations, specialized and increased production needs, and future growth. Once complete, the project will provide Uesco with a modern, purpose-built facility that expands the company’s manufacturing capacity and supports its employees, customers, and long-term business objectives.

“For the better part of 10 years, our family has envisioned bringing Uesco Industries across the state line to Indiana. Today, that vision is finally a reality, and it wouldn’t have happened without the relentless dedication of our partners,” said Ryan Marks, President of Uesco Industries. “I want to personally thank Mayor McDermott and the City of Hammond, the team at 219 Development, and Fifth Third Bank for their unwavering support in making this complex project work. We aren’t just building a state-of-the-art crane manufacturing facility here; we are planting our flag. Uesco looks forward to creating great jobs, investing in the local economy, and being a model corporate citizen in Hammond for generations to come.”

The project has been advanced through a collaborative public-private effort involving the City of Hammond, Uesco Industries, 219 Development Services, Fifth Third Bank, and other local, state, and federal partners. 219 Development Services has served as Uesco’s developer consultant and owner’s representative, assisting with site planning, design coordination, permitting, incentive procurement, financing coordination, and construction planning.

“Mayor McDermott and the City of Hammond deserve a tremendous amount of credit for creating an environment where companies like Uesco can confidently invest and grow,” said Jack Ferrino, Principal of 219 Development Services. “From the start, this project has been about more than constructing a building. It has been about helping a fourth-generation company expand its operations, bring meaningful investment into Hammond, and create a long-term home for advanced manufacturing in Northwest Indiana. We are honored to work alongside Uesco, the City of Hammond, Fifth Third Bank, and all of the project partners to help bring this vision to reality.”

Fifth Third Bank is serving as a key financial partner in the project, supporting Uesco’s investment and long-term growth in Hammond.

“At Fifth Third, we believe economic growth is most meaningful when it creates opportunity for people and strengthens the communities they call home. UESCO’s investment in Hammond represents more than a manufacturing expansion; it is a commitment to creating quality jobs, developing local talent, and contributing to the long-term vitality of the region. We are proud to support this transformational project through our New Markets Tax Credit program and accelerate efforts to advance economic development that will empower businesses, individuals, and communities alike.” Said Mark Heckler, Region President of Fifth Third Bank.

The groundbreaking ceremony represents the official start of construction activity for the new facility. The project is expected to support Hammond’s broader economic development goals by bringing new industrial activity, construction investment, and long-term manufacturing operations and jobs to the city.

About Uesco Industries

Uesco Industries, Inc. is a fourth-generation industrial company specializing in crane manufacturing, crane systems, and related industrial services. With a long-standing commitment to quality, safety, and customer service, Uesco serves industrial clients throughout the region and continues to invest in the people, equipment, and facilities needed to support its growth.

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The open house was held at the Dean and Barbara White Community Center in Merrillville. Multiple higher-ups of IAW, including President Barry Suits, Vice President of Operations Kari Britto, and Director of Engineering Matt Hobbs, started the event off by addressing the crowd, informing them about the company’s growth and the work that the company has recently accomplished.

“Our employees usually live, work, and play in the communities that we serve,” Suits said. “I assure you that if you have an issue, call us, and we’ll get it fixed.”

The goal of IAW’s open house, according to Suits, was to understand the questions and concerns of their customers. The questions ranged from individual problems, such as a resident’s payment issues, to larger scale queries about the future of IAW, such as how the company would handle data centers.

“Serving customers is my favorite element,” Suits said. “I enjoy solving problems for customers. We serve one in five people in the state of Indiana – that’s a huge responsibility. We take it very seriously, and it’s the core of what we do every day: providing clean, safe, and reliable water.”

IAW’s open house also celebrated the company’s partnership with the American Red Cross. Several storms had ravaged Merrillville over the last couple of weeks, and the Red Cross put in a tremendous effort to keep the community safe. This effort was recognized by IAW, which was able to secure a 25,000 dollar grant for the Red Cross’ efforts.

“It was a couple of days later after we got all of our plants online and were producing water, that we got to talking to our community partners, like the American Red Cross in Northwest Indiana,” said Joel Reuter, IAW’s Strategic Communications and Marketing Director. “We saw the response they were doing in the community of Merrillville. The American Water Charitable Foundation looked at my proposal for a grant, and they immediately said, ‘Yes, you can tell the Red Cross you’re getting a check for 25,000 dollars.’”

Indiana American Water’s open house showed the company’s commitment to its customers and partnerships. The IAW workers answered questions empathetically, providing community members with an opportunity to establish a relationship with their water providers.

For more information on Indiana American Water, visit amwater.com/inaw.

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