Issue Paper 2: Tourism as an Economic Infuser and Environmental Protector

Indiana’s House District 3 is home to a globally rare environment. Marketing our area as a tourism destination is paramount to our economic development. Recently, Chesterton made Expedia's "Best Place to Escape to in Every State" list. INHD3 is Chesterton’s closest House District neighbor. We share many of the same environmental gems and some rarities that can ONLY be found within Gary, Lake Station, New Chicago and Hobart.

(Blue trail advocates paddle in Marquette Park, Gary photo credit Dorren Carey.)

Hobart was just named by TravelIN as a wonderful place to have a Staycation. This is a great example of how developing year round activities, amenities and infrastructure for an HD3 community can gear it towards economic boons from exterior sources.  

(Scenic Lake George in Hobart.)

Tourism will raise our quality of life, beautify our blighted areas, build up our transportation networks, all while raising Gary, Lake Station, New Chicago and Hobart’s profile on the national/international level. 

(Volunteers fight blight across IN HD3 to promote community health and tourism.) 

If elected, Jessica Renslow will fight to:

• Create and implement an INHD3 tourism strategic plan and marketing campaign that will give our area presence on the national/international level.

• Protect our environmental jewels like the Hobart Marsh area, promote well-designed infrastructure that connects our cities and properly develop under served resources like Lake Street Beach. 

• Foster sponsorship relationships between area businesses and industries to help infuse tourism initiatives, support active transportation, improve infrastructure and protect our environment, so that the burden of funding is not on INHD3 residents. 

• Advocate for business investment in INHD3 that is complementary to promoting life-long communities. 

• Connect our trail gaps to unite the Calumet Region and all of Lake County. 

• Pursue local businesses to start prioritizing active and passive tourism in all seasons as an economic driver. 

• Promote private or environmental groups to develop preserves, solely funded via their revenue sources, on the edges of our already protected areas. This approach will benefit INHD3 by retaining our scenic beauty/ wildlife, reducing our blight situation and it will better guarantee our environmental jewels be allowed to retain their value.

• Increase jobs and economic development by monitoring/ maintaining compliance of our local and targeted hiring programs. 

• Ensure that INHD3 tourism revenues and benefits stay in Gary, Lake Station, New Chicago and Hobart.

 

(Blue trail advocates paddle in Marquette Park, Gary photo credit Dorren Carey.)
Renslow4Rep.com 

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