A yearlong initiative that identifies opportunities for workforce development, supply chain growth, and entrepreneurship while celebrating Gary’s 120th anniversary.
GARY, Ind. (October 20, 2026) – One Region has been selected as a recipient of the Knight Cities Challenge, a national grant initiative from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, to support a yearlong effort focused on strengthening economic opportunities and helping shape the future of Gary, Indiana.
The initiative will examine opportunities and gaps in three critical areas: workforce development, supply chains, and entrepreneurship. Through research, community engagement, and storytelling, One Region aims to identify actionable strategies that connect Gary residents and businesses to emerging economic opportunities while building on the city’s rich history and economic potential.
The grant comes as Gary celebrates its 120th anniversary, providing an opportunity to reflect on the city’s contributions to the region while engaging residents, businesses, and community leaders in conversations about its next chapter.
“This grant represents more than an investment in research and engagement. It is an investment in the future of Gary. We are building a Greater Gary where our residents, entrepreneurs and businesses are positioned to participate in and benefit from the opportunities being created throughout our city and region. As Gary prepares to celebrate 120 years, we are honoring our history by doing the work necessary to strengthen our economic future. Gary’s success is in progress, and partnerships like this give us the information, relationships and momentum to keep moving forward with confidence. We thank the Knight Foundation and One Region for recognizing what we already know: Gary’s greatest days are not behind us. We are building them right now,” said Gary Mayor Eddie D. Melton.
“Gary powered the 20th-century economy. Now it can be where the next one meets, where quantum and supercomputing meet the physical world and the people who will shape it. That is regional opportunity and national security, built in Gary,” said Alejandra Y. Castillo, Senior Advisor for One Region and co-chair of the Greater South Shore Initiative, and former U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development.
The project complements One Region’s broader efforts to strengthen Northwest Indiana’s economic competitiveness and attract new investment through its ReShore Indiana initiative.
“ReShore Indiana is about positioning Northwest Indiana to build more of what America needs,” said Matthew Wells, President and CEO of One Region. “As we compete for new investment, we want Gary residents and businesses to be ready to participate. Knight Foundation’s support will help us identify the skills employers will need and the opportunities for local companies to win new business.”
A central component of the initiative will be a comprehensive gap analysis designed to better understand the resources, capabilities, and challenges that could influence Gary’s economic growth. The findings will help identify workforce training needs, potential supply chain opportunities for local businesses, and ways to strengthen the environment for entrepreneurs and small business development.
“Gary residents deserve clear pathways to the next generation of good jobs in technology, advanced manufacturing, and other growing industries,” said Dr. Vanessa Allen McCloud, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Urban League of Northwest Indiana. “By identifying the skills employers will need and the training and support that will help residents succeed, we can better prepare our community for those opportunities. This work is an important step toward ensuring that new investment translates into lasting economic opportunity for Gary families.”
Equally important will be the voices of Gary residents. Community engagement and storytelling efforts will highlight the people, businesses, and institutions shaping the city’s future, creating opportunities for residents to participate in conversations about economic development and share their vision for Gary.
The project aligns with Knight Foundation’s commitment to creating pathways for economic opportunity and supporting innovative, community-driven solutions.
Launched in April 2026, the Knight Cities Challenge invited individuals and organizations across 26 communities nationwide to propose creative ideas capable of generating meaningful, lasting local impact. The $5 million initiative supports projects focused on economic opportunity, access to local information, and community connection through arts, culture, and shared spaces. Selected projects are eligible for grants of up to $200,000 and are expected to be completed within one year.
“In every Knight community, there are people already making a remarkable difference, often without the spotlight or resources they deserve. This cohort is 29 of them: young people building new models for local news, neighbors turning vacant land into community arboretums and many others creating what their communities need. Over the next year, we’re giving them more than funding. They’ll have a network of peers and the support to reach their goals. We’ll be learning right alongside them, and at the end of the year we’ll look closely at what succeeded and what it can teach us about supporting local leaders like these,” said Francesca de Quesada Covey, Vice President of Community Impact at Knight Foundation.
As the project moves forward, One Region will work to ensure the research findings and community conversations contribute to a clearer understanding of Gary’s economic opportunities and the steps needed to help residents and businesses benefit from future growth.
About One Region
One Region is a Northwest Indiana organization committed to advancing regional collaboration, economic opportunity, and long-term prosperity. By bringing together business, community, and civic leaders, One Region works to strengthen Northwest Indiana’s competitiveness and build a more connected, vibrant region.
Learn more at www.oneregionnwi.org.
About Knight Foundation
Knight Foundation is a national foundation with strong local roots. The foundation invests in journalism, arts, and the success of communities where brothers John S. and James L. Knight once published newspapers. Through initiatives such as the Knight Cities Challenge, it supports ideas that strengthen communities and create lasting local impact.
Learn more at www.knightfoundation.org.
Media Contact:
One Region
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