(La Porte, IN) - Last year held many successes for the La Porte Urban Enterprise Association, according to Board President Mike Riehle.
Formed in 2002, the La Porte UEA awards grants each year to local businesses and residents residing within the Urban Enterprise Zone.
In 2025, the UEA awarded eight business grants totaling more than $131,000. The grants helped fund exterior renovations for downtown businesses, commercial kitchen upgrades, landscaping projects in NewPorte Landing and rehabilitating the interior for both commercial and residential projects.
The UEA also awarded over $577,000 in special grants last year. These monies were used for a range of purposes, with a special focus on rehabilitating vacant buildings. Riehle said these newly renovated spaces create opportunities for growth in the heart of downtown.
“As greater Northwest Indiana becomes a hub for economic growth, it is the mission of the UEA to improve La Porte’s overall quality of place and make it stand out among the rest,” Riehle said.
“We are proud of the progress made in 2025 and expect big things in 2026 and beyond.”
The UEA also awarded upwards of $38,000 to support community events happening throughout La Porte, such as the Farmed & Forged Market, Friday Night Live events, Movies in the Park, the 4th of July Parade, LakeFest and more.
The board also helped finance the creation of two murals in the downtown area to the tune of $28,000. These artworks were developed in collaboration with the Lubeznik Center for the Arts and bring more color and vibrancy to the enterprise zone.
The UEA assisted with the rehabilitation costs of the gateway monument at the entrance of Fox Park. This $60,000 investment helped replace the wrought iron fencing that had begun to deteriorate and brought new life to a piece of history that is original to the park.
The UEA also provided $20,000 to support improved staffing in the city’s code enforcement department and help drive code enforcement within the enterprise zone.
In addition, Riehle said the UEA contributed over $75,000 to continue the dumpster program where residents at no cost can dispose of their unwanted trash from May to September.
