Are we robbing our youth from opportunity in Northwest Indiana?
The issue extends beyond energy and data centers; it centers on fostering opportunities for younger generations and retaining local talent. Addressing the persistent economic stagnation of the past 50 years requires innovative approaches, as many high-paying steel and manufacturing positions have been relocated overseas. Corporations shifted production to countries with lower tax obligations, reduced health insurance requirements and weak-to-no employment standards, including the use of child labor. This in an attempt largely to remain competitive advantage and offer products at prices accessible to American consumers.
Consequently, a significant portion of well-compensated middle-class industrial roles in the United States were similarly outsourced. A headline from kpc News on Aug. 20 read: “21.2% Drop in Indiana Manufacturing Employment Since 2000” with data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Bureau of Economic Analysis.
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Communities that embrace technology consistently build stronger economies, vast opportunity, and have a much better quality of life. Great opportunity helps attract and retain skilled tradespeople and college graduates to strengthen the talent pool. In today’s world, three elements are essential for growth: a robust energy ecosystem, a strong talent pool and a thriving digital infrastructure. Without these, regions like Northwest Indiana struggle to provide real opportunities for their youth.
Visionary leaders in our community are working tirelessly to bring these critical assets to the Region. Yet, their efforts are often met with resistance from environmentalist groups and grassroots organizations, which sometimes spread misinformation and fuel fear among residents. Our energy producer is blocked and protested on every new venture that is not considered green which is incapable of enough continuous power for our region. Therefore they have to buy 1/3 of our current supply on the wholesale market and operate aged higher maintenance facilities as opposed to building new cleaner more efficient power generation. While it’s vital to ensure every new technology is implemented responsibly and with community well-being in mind, we must also recognize that progress will always face opposition from those resistant to change.
The new technology sectors attempting to enter our region are making significant investments to protect water quality, secure energy resources and minimize environmental impact. History shows that communities which welcome technology innovation enjoy economic advantages not currently found in Northwest Indiana.
If you examine the fastest-growing cities that are similar in size to our major cities in Northwest Indiana, you have to ask: What factors contributed to their success? What resources do they possess that enable them to attract the three key industry categories necessary for growth and prosperity? What advantages do they have that Lake County, after more than 50 years of economic stagnation, does not? Access to energy, a vibrant digital ecosystem and a solid talent pool. Northwest Indiana is anemic in all three categories — something our economic development leaders are trying to change.
Most of the fastest growing cities similar to our city size; Round Rock, Texas; Cape Coral, Florida; La Grange, Georgia; Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Cary, North Carolina; and Meridian, Idaho, all got the message. And all of the fastest growing cities have these assets in common: an abundance of accessible energy, data centers, and with the industries that follow, an amazing talent pool. All lead to a better quality of life and a wealth of opportunity.
Recently, I attended an economic development meeting where it was suggested that Northwest Indiana’s future lies in becoming a retirement community. This should alarm us all. Such a vision signals a lack of opportunity for our youth and an overreliance on a fragile Social Security system. We need to create real opportunities by attracting higher-paying, middle-class jobs so our children can thrive here. Unfortunately, every attempt to bring these assets to our communities is met with opposition from activists, who seem more interested in their own agendas than in building a better future for our region.
In an article written by Bob Moulesong in Northwest Indiana Business Magazine called “Employment Times are Changing,” he mentions the fact that “The population decreased in every age category younger than 55. Conversely, every age category north of 55 saw increases.” A July 2024 report “2023-2024 Analysis of Age-Restricted Housing Supply and Demand” focusing on the northwest region notes that the portion of the population over 65 is projected to increase by almost 17% by 2028. You cannot build a robust economy off of a soon to be fading Baby Boomer generation relying mostly on a fixed income with the projected potential loss of Social Security by 2033. Eventually they disappear.
The last area of concern is the “Brain Drain” that every business owner in NWI is challenged with. It is nearly impossible to retain a top educated talent and trades pool in NWI without significant diverse opportunity, especially when growing cities and having Chicago next door offers higher income and more pathways for growth. Health care, social services, and computer and mathematical occupations (mostly comprised of analyst and IT/cybersecurity) lead the pack of job growth. (Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics & Indiana Department of Workforce Development) Indiana’s Ignite has done an amazing job of retaining the best and brightest. But the unstoppable force of AI and automation is already having a major impact on the job market and many service level jobs across the nation and within our community. NWI’s economy is largely based on service.
It’s time to focus on what truly matters: providing the resources and opportunities our youth need to succeed, and ensuring Northwest Indiana’s future is one of growth. In order to do that, we need to focus on what assets we need to attract new industry to our region. What assets do the fastest growing cities of equal size to Lake County’s cities have that attract these businesses and create rapid growth economies? How do these cities foster and retain their youthful talent pool?
