(La Porte, IN) - The La Porte Urban Enterprise Association is touting 2023 as a year full of successes.  

 

Formed in 2002, the La Porte UEA awards grants each year to local businesses and residents within the Urban Enterprise Zone. In 2023, the UEA awarded more than $123,000 to 13 business owners.

 

Historically, these monies have been used to make façade renovations and to improve the outward appearance of buildings within the zone. Last year, UEA Board President Mike Riehle said the UEA unanimously voted to expand the programs to include internal renovations and upgrades.

 

“Each year, we take a look at every program we have available for our zone businesses and residents. Enhancing and improving our already popular business and residential grant programs only fosters the growth of these opportunities and leads to more and more individuals taking advantage. In turn, this improves La Porte’s overall quality of place, which is a UEA priority.”

 

Riehle also said the UEA also awarded tens of thousands of dollars in special grants last year to benefit the community as a whole, which included a more than $60,000 investment in the city’s popular Dumpster Program, which was responsible for the removal of more than 2 million pounds trash from the community. He noted in turn how UEA grants of nearly $30,000 went to support community events downtown such as the Farmed & Forged market on Sundays and the Friday Night Live events.

 

In its first-ever season, Riehle said Farmed & Forged brought a weekly average of 400 shoppers to the downtown for fresh, locally grown produce and goods.

 

UEA also awarded $40,000 to support expanded parking along Truesdell Avenue near the Dennis F. Smith Amphitheater at Fox Park.

 

Between Arts in the Park and other headlining acts during LakeFest, Riehle said, attendance at Fox Park events has grown tremendously in recent years

 

For residents or businesses seeking more information on the UEA, contact Mary Ann Richards at 219-362-8260 or visit cityoflaporte.com.