City Spotlight: Valparaiso.

• Author: Pellegram, Todd
• Position: Regional Spotlight: Northwest

Valparaiso, county seat of Porter County, like many Northwest Indiana cities is closely tied to steel-industry fortunes. Although steel mills continue to provide wealth and opportunity for area residents, agriculture, a reputable university, a vibrant downtown and significant residential growth add to this city's bag of varied amenities.

Looking primarily to beat congestion and high taxes, many former Illinois residents are finding new homes in and around Valparaiso. Housing costs are generally more competitive in contrast to Illinois communities, and area builders offer upscale developments, similar to those found in many Illinois suburbs.

"We've recognized that a lot of our buyers are making the decision to live in Indiana but work in the Chicagoland area," says Dean Stolpe, residential sales manager for Merrillville-based Gough & Lesch Development Corp.

And two highways, the Indiana Toll Road and Interstate 94, located just north of Valparaiso, provide quick access to Chicago and surrounding suburbs.

Although the number of Valparaiso residents commuting to nearby cities and counties and to Illinois and Michigan for work is significant, the city is blessed with its own variety of quality employers.

A food processor, university, regional hospital, a maker of switches and bearings, metal processors, a builder of fire-suppression equipment and producers of cans and lids open the door to economic opportunity for area workers.

Approximately 75 manufacturers call Valparaiso home, and several fully served industrial parks ensure further industrial development. In fact, the city is poised to annex the 170-acre Valparaiso Industrial Park, a development located next to the Porter County Airport, which features a 6,000-foot runway.

The city's most famous product is probably Orville Redenbacher popcorn, produced by the Hunt Wesson Corp., an employer of about 400. And the city's annual popcorn festival attracted 80,000 people last September. "It's almost reached the point where it's self marketing," says Mayor David Butterfield.

Other manufacturing employers include Urschel Laboratories Inc., a builder of food and chemical processing equipment; Owens Corning Fiberglass Inc., a maker of resins and coatings; and McGill Manufacturing Co., a maker of switches and bearings.

City officials contend that Valparaiso is primed for further industrial development. A favorable tax climate, utilities with excess capacity, developed industrial parks and a good...