U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky, D-Ind., and Gov. Mitch Daniels both were awarded The Times Partners in Progress Award at Friday's Business and Industry Hall of Fame awards.

"More than federal and state, more than Democrat and Republican, these two are Hoosiers," said Times Publisher Bill Masterson Jr. as he bestowed the award.

The congressman and governor worked together three years ago to create a fully funded Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority. Both have also worked on funding for the Gary/Chicago International Airport expansion and South Shore extension.

Visclosky said Northwest Indiana could not have a better partner than Daniels.

"Every corner of the state needs to move forward," Visclosky said. "And to do that we need good-paying jobs."

Daniels has taken a number of actions unpopular in Northwest Indiana, including the lease of the Indiana Toll Road two years ago. But he maintains strong support in its business community.

Daniels estimates he has made more than 60 trips to the northwest corner of the state since first running for governor in 2004.

"There are too many people in the rest of the state who don't appreciate the great asset we have here, the great potential we have here in Northwest Indiana," Daniels said.

The Partners in Progress Award will be given for special merit in future years, but not necessarily every year, Masterson said.