Resources

Greater Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce (Valpo Chamber)

The Greater Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce (GVCC) is a membership organization consisting of members in the business, government, education, and not-for-profit sectors. Through its volunteer committees and its partnerships with organizations in the Northwest Indiana region, the Chamber works on economic development, member services, and legislative and quality of life issues. Any business, government entity, school corporation, not-for-profit organization or individual not actively associated with a business is welcome to join.

More info: (219) 462-1105

SCORE (Northwest Indiana Chapter)

Retired executives and former small business owners who volunteer their time and talents to assist Northwest Indiana area entrepreneurs in starting a business or expanding their business through one-on-one counseling and business development workshops. Call the Valpo Chamber office at 462-1105 to schedule a counseling session with SCORE.

More info: www.scorenorthwestindiana.com

Better Business Bureau (Northwest Indiana)

Of the nearly 32,000 businesses in Lake County and 4,800 in Porter County, about 4,200 businesses are listed in the bureau's database for Northwest Indiana. The Merrillville office is part of the Fort Wayne-based Northeastern Indiana Better Business Bureau.

More info: www.neindiana.bbb.org

City of Valparaiso

More info: www.ci.valparaiso.in.us

Department of Planning

The Valparaiso Planning Department is responsible for all comprehensive planning and zoning to manage growth and development in the City of Valparaiso. The Planning Department works with a variety of partners to enhance the quality of life in our community. This includes working closely with other City Departments to facilitate project development, being involved in county and regional planning groups, and community organizations.

Redevelopment Commission

The Redevelopment Commission oversees the city's two tax increment financing districts, which collect tax revenue within their districts and use the revenue for a variety of infrastructure projects.

Valparaiso Economic Development Corp.

More info: www.valpoedc.org

Northwest Indiana Forum

Northwest Indiana Forum is a privately-funded economic development corporation for Northwest Indiana. Property search, state and local incentives, maps, regional profiles and more.
More info: Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority

Northwest Indiana Regional Planning Commission

Northwest Indiana Regional Planning Commission is designated the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for Northwest Indiana. As the MPO, NIRPC is responsible for coordinating the urban transportation planning process for the region. This NIRPC function is conducted in cooperation with the Indiana Department of Transportation and other regional transportation interests.
More info: (219) 763-6060

Northwest Indiana Small Business Development Center

The SBDC is the product of a unique partnership between the Regional Development Company and the US Small Business Administration. Its mission is to create, or keep, jobs in Northwest Indiana. Small business resources, training, and consulting.
More info: (219) 644-3513

The Center for Workforce Innovations

The Center of Workforce Innovations Workforce Investment Board (WIB) brings private sector leaders together with policy makers from government, education, economic development, labor, and community-based organizations to analyze regional labor market trends, needs, and issues, in order to develop strategic workforce solutions for the system in Jasper, La Porte, Newton, Porter, Pulaski and Starke counties.
More info: www.innovativeworkforce.com

Porter County Career and Technical Center (workforce assistance)

Offers career and technical classes and programs: Manufacturing, Health Services, Personal and Commercial Service, Engineering and Computer Technology, Construction, Mechanical Repair, and School-to-Work.
More info: www.pccte.org